My Family...

It's days like today where I'm stuck inside, alone in a snowstorm, that I remember how much I loved the days when we were kids and would build forts as high at the front porch at my grama's house. We would get all bundled up and go outside and make igloos out of snow. We'd shovel with our little shovels, granted my brother definitely did more than me, but I still helped. Just like I try to help the hubby now. Snowdays at my grama's were the best. Then we'd come inside and get down to our skivies and under huge comforters and do our favorite past time— watching television and eating.

I miss those days and more than ever I miss my family.

It's so strange that the older we get, the idea of family just changes. Some family moves away and some family moves on to Heaven. What I knew as family when I was a kid is different then I know now. Family to me when I was a kid was about mom, dad, brothers, grama, grandpa, cousins and an aunt and uncles. Now family includes my immediate family still, but so many have moved on while others have moved in.

Thankfully I'm blessed with a beautiful family. I just miss them. When I was younger I was upset about my parents not being together. Now I look at it all as a blessing. I wouldn't be who I am today without those obstacles. And now I have more people around to love me and my hubby because my parents have found people in their lives as well. My stepdad has been a great addition to my little family– a man who I know would do anything for me and has. And my dad's fiance is a new addition that I wish was around while I was growing up. Maybe things would have been a little easier on us then. Maybe we could have been a little closer when I was younger if he had someone back then who seemed to care about his kids as well as her own.

I know it's all a cycle. Most of us aren't friends with the friends we had in elementary school. Most of us aren't lucky enough to keep those connections going for an entire lifetime. I've got two best buds that I know will be with me throughout my lifetime. I had tons of friends when I was younger, but I know now that it's not quantity, it's quality. And I couldn't ask for more.

As this cycle continues I know one thing for sure; my hubby is my family now. And once we decide to start the cycle again and maybe have a child of our own, I look forward to a few things... I'd like to have dinners with my family and with my friends. I'd like to be lucky enough to get together with them not only on birthdays and holidays, but whenever we feel the need to. Family and friends have an open invitation. No need to call ahead of time, just stop by. That's how it was when we were kids, that's how I wish it could be now. I know my mom knows that the door is always open. I love that feeling. I love that she knows that family is always welcome.

I wish my brothers could be around when we decide to have a child of our own. I wish they decided to have children. I wish that our kids could play together... stuff that just isn't in the cards. But a girl can dream right? At least he/she will have gramas and grandpas to be spoiled by.

I just miss those days when nothing mattered but having an extra pair of gloves and an extra pair of pants to change into when the first stuff got soaked from the snow...

Oh to be a kid again.

A Little Bit Of Shopping...

A couple of posts ago I mentioned how my love for clothing has turned into a love for house finds. I've made a B-line for the home section at stores instead of the clothing section. I've brought home great finds that just make my days a little bit happier. I think to myself, an outfit I can only wear once in awhile, but I always come home to our house and can see the beautiful things around. But now that the house is feeling all warm and starting to have that more finished look, I've felt the need to put pretty dresses back on my to purchase list.

Sometimes I can't help myself. I'll see a pretty dress and I become quite convinced that it was meant for me to try on. Then I put it on and become convinced that the dress was truly meant for me to buy. I love a pretty dress. I love a dress with a vintage feel. One that makes me feel as if Marilyn Monroe and I were just hanging around the garden as the best of friends sipping pink champagne. Minus the drugs.

I'm not willing to spend a ton of money on clothes like I use to, but I can't pass up a good deal! I found this dress over the weekend at TJ Maxx— $49 for a Calvin Klein shirt dress! Beautiful, just beautiful!

Then I found these great dresses at ModCloth.

Images Courtesy of Modcloth.com

I love ModCloth. I'll go through the site for hours and hours just looking at the vintage stuff and the vintage looking stuff. These two dresses are the first things I have ever purchased from the store. I'll have to show pictures of me in them once they arrive in the mail. I always have to worry about the length of the dress. I love a dress, but I'm not willing to show too much. I know the babydoll dresses are in, but this girl is not willing to show everything for the sake of fashion. I guess I'll just have to keep working at my pilates and training so these legs are ready for spring dresses and summer. I hate to wear shorts all the time. I'm more of a dress and skirt kinda girl. I'm going to embrace it this year. And these purchases are a great new start. It's a nice pick-me-up during these snowy days... makes me remember that spring is just around the corner!

One of these dresses will probably be worn during my bride to be best buds bridal shower and maybe one for the rehearsal dinner...

This is the vintage pin that I purchased to wear with my Matron of Honor dress come July... What can I say? Shopping is one thing I hate to procrastinate!

The Beginning of Lent...

I'm Catholic and I'm not afraid to show it. Every year Catholics and other Christians around the world show that they indeed believe when they bear their ashes on their foreheads every Ash Wednesday. The ashes are basically a way of showing our repentance in an outwardly way. This Ash Wednesday I had to work, so of course I had to be questioned over and over again on what I had on my forehead. But I didn't mind. I'm not ashamed to be Catholic or to show it. And my priest isn't afraid to have us show it either. Some of us get to walk around with small crosses made of ash on our heads, but not my priest, he makes sure that everyone sees.

As part of Lent, I'm giving up a bad habit that has pretty much overtaken my work life: swearing. I didn't swear until I started bartending and now it's like second nature. It makes me sick! I try so hard to live a positive life, but working in the bar scene has made it hard for me to keep negative words out of my mouth. So I'm trying. Trying hard to not swear. I have a swear jar at work and at the end of Lent, I'm going to donate the money I have collected to the church. One dollar for every swear. So far I have $4 in the jar. I'm hoping, with all the positive thoughts in my body, to keep the number low. Granted I would love to give more to the church, but I really want to kick this bad habit. Granted my customers won't make it easy for me, but I'm going to really try over these next 40 days to keep my mind and my words on a positive path...

My next part of Lent is also beneficial to my well being. I'm going back to a pure diet and my mom is joining me in this new venture. Anyone else want to join? We're going shopping on Friday and taking weights and measurements. The one key thing to my pure diet is, NO WHITE! No white bread/pasta, no sugar, no processed foods. I'm at my happy weight. I love the weight I'm at, but I really want to start having the body that I want. I want to be firmer. Tighter. More energized. I'm making it a point to do at least 20 minutes of conscious exercise everyday. Whether it be my pilates dvd, a brisk walk/jog, or just some weights, I'm willing to make a true effort to get a little harder in all those places that jiggle just a little too much for my liking. Everyday. Everyday I'm going to work hard to at least get these 20 minutes in. Will you join me? Before you sit down on the couch or maybe after that little rest, make an effort to get up and move. The key to everything is doing something. Anything. I can't wait to start feeling the results. It only takes 11 days to start seeing real results. If we can't dedicate 11 days to ourselves then we really don't deserve to see the benefits. I'm willing to dedicate these next 40 days to sacrificing those sweets, that extra serving, or that piece of white bread, in order to show some self control. As Americans we've become so use to overindulgence and we really have forgotten how lucky we are. Now I'm going to prove something to myself and to my God. I'm going to prove that He is in control and that I am in control of the life that He has given me. He sacrificed everything. I know that I can do 40 days... maybe this will be the eye opening moment that I need in order to lead a lifetime of healthy years to come.

Things I Love...

Yesterday was one of those days that I cherish. It was a Monday, so of course I loved it from go. I caught up on my Time and New Yorker magazines and on the book I'm reading. My dad (here's my shout out dad!) came over for an impromptu visit with his fiance and I finally was able to give him his Christmas present! Yes, that's right, Christmas present. A photo album of our wedding day that had pictures of us and of his side of the family. On Christmas day he was stuck working through a snowstorm and I was stuck in an empty house waiting for my hubby to come home since that same snow storm pushed me out of my mom's house a little bit early. It was nice to have people over. My hubby and I aren't the most sociable people, so it felt nice to show off our new dining room table. We even sat at it and had a cup of tea; with coasters of course because I'm so scared of ruining the beautiful table top with the dreaded rings that happen from hot or wet stuff on wood! I can't wait to get a glass top so I don't have to worry about ruining it anymore. But that's to come. Maybe after tax time. I have to start saving for vacation in June! My dad also said he'd help me put doors on a book shelf that I have. Hopefully come spring I'll have a new project to show. I'll put it on here to help him follow through and I'll show lots of pictures.

Their visit was cut a little short because the hubby and I had dinner reservations at Nina— One of our favorite places to eat.

It's definitely an experience going there. It's pricey, but definitely worth the money. Instead of being shoved out the door within a half-hour like in chain restaurants, we ended up staying for about an hour and a half. We weren't pushed to finish up and move on. We were able to enjoy ourselves and enjoy the moment. I'm all about the moments. It was one of those nights that I won't be forgetting anytime soon. We had fondue for the first time and it was delicious! Who would think that apples with melted cheese would be good? I never thought it! It was definitely a treat that should only be enjoyed on those special occasions like Valentine's Day or Anniversaries. We both highly recommend the braised short ribs. The food at Nina is amazing. The service is amazing. The atmosphere is like out of a movie. Although I have to admit, the music was perfect when Sinatra was playing but then all of a sudden the Beastie Boys started to blast. That was quickly scratched and it went back to the bluesy music. Someone dropped the ball on that one, but it definitely got a laugh.

I love how the hubby let's me be a cheeseball. He'll look into my eyes. He'll let me steal kisses. He lets me be me. I had two glasses of wine, which for me is a lot. I think we both realized that the dessert wine that I love is not like the wine that you get in restaurants. The alcohol content is just a little bit more in those wines. I'll stick with my fruity stuff...

I love family. I love our house. I love our little date nights.

Valentine's Day...

I've never been a huge Valentine's Day person. I think it's because I always had to count on little gifts and cards from my mom and family instead of expecting any from a guy. But now I've got that guy that girls dream of. He's thoughtful. He's understanding. He's my prince charming. I've come to realize over the years that even though one couple may not be perfect for each other, separately they are perfect for someone out there. This is my perfect. To others he might not have been the prince on the white horse, but he's mine. We click. We mesh. We are the perfect mixture of concord grape spread and organic peanut butter. Well that's my perfect peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Ok, we're like peas and carrots.

Since I've met the hubby I've started to love Valentine's Day. I've started to love flowers. Granted I'm still going to kill them because of my lack of a green thumb, but I still love seeing them waiting for me. I get excited when I see my name on the card. I become like a kid at Christmas time when I open up and see the words he's written inside. It's always short and sweet, but I read the words over and over again, taking in every word as if it could be the last card I'll ever receive. When it comes down to it, what present is greater than the words that come from the heart? I scrapbook it all. I look back on the words and see the progression of our relationship and our love.

I remember when I received flowers for the first time from my hubby— two weeks after we first started dating. The first time I ever had flowers sent to me (other than when my mom would send them to me because she's the greatest!). I walked into my job and thought, "Aww that's so sweet! Who got flowers?" — never in my wildest dreams did I think they were mine! To say the least, the smile never left my face and of course, I cried. He couldn't believe my reaction. I couldn't stop talking about my flowers. I couldn't believe he sent me flowers, just to see me smile.

I never know what to get the hubby for Valentine's Day, so I thought I would write this... Thank you so much for making me believe in love and believe in the power of love. You give me so much hope and so much inspiration on a daily basis. Thank you for being romantic. Thank you for sending me flowers. Thank you for loving me the way you do. And although I'm not a big fan of this movie, I can't say it better— You Complete Me! More Than Anything, I will always love you.

I Just Want To Be "There"...

I love the title of my blog, even if some people might not get it. The thing is, I always look to achieve more and to strive for more, but eventually I want to be "there"— that place where everything is just finished. The place where I've accomplished what I want out of life, but then again, I'll always be one of those people who looks to another achievement if I accomplished what I set out to.

My BFF, who wants to remain anonymous, *cough Jo* was watching the movie Brother Bear by Disney and thought of my blog when she heard this song. I think it's fitting for me and for the blog. It's too cute not to post...

"I'm on my way now, and I just can't wait to be there"

Another Look...

So I've made some progress on my Should Do List.

• I made some phone calls.
• I put away the laundry and tried to get the closets into some kind of order.
• I shoveled my car out and shoveled around the hubby's spot and I cleaned off the front porch.
• I cleaned the bathrooms (although the upstairs one is waiting for the renovation to be done until I do a complete cleaning).
• Updated our scrapbook of love (great name right? haha)

Now all I need to do is take that jetted bubble bath and catch up on my reading. Although there is this little nook at the corner of my side of the couch that needs to be organized. It drives the hubby nuts, but it's mostly my magazines and mail. Hopefully catching up on my reading will solve the problem...

So my brother has informed me that my dining room needs a little bit of a change. Not a drastic one, but one that he thinks will make an impact. He thinks I should change my pantry cabinet to the other wall or kiddy corner it. Which look do you think is best?

Here's a view of it against the window wall

Here's What it Looks Like From the Side

Here's What it Looks Like Kiddy Cornered

And Again From the Side

And Here's An Up-close View of Our Pretty Chairs

Let me know. I'm all eyes.

Snowed In...

Our Big Snow Storm and It's Not Over Yet

So today is one of those days that we all dream of: a day where we don't need to make up an excuse to stay home because mother nature already provided it. I was off from work today anyway because I'm sick. Well not exactly sickkkk, but contagious. That's right folks, I've got pink eye. Hilarious right? I feel like I'm in first grade again. The young girl at work had it this weekend, but didn't think there would be an issue. Well, if there is sickness around, count on me to contract it.

Since I am snowed in I plan on accomplishing a lot today. At least that's what my plan is. I should clean both bathrooms from top to bottom. Then I should take a long jetted bubble bath. Yup, things I should definitely do. I should go and shovel the snow off of the front porch and try to an attempt the use of the snow blower. Then I should take a long jetted bubble bath. I should look longingly at my new dining room table. Because it is so beautiful and deserves to be stared at. I can't believe how well it fits in to our little home. But then again, that's why we picked it. So, never mind, I do believe it.

Our Old Small Table

Our Empty Dining Room Waiting For the Table to Arrive

Our Gorgeous New Table!

Totally Loving This Table From Wooden Treasures

I should catch up on my Times and New Yorker magazines. I should finally finish Dear John so I can drag my hubby to the movies to see it, even though the movies usually disappoint. But this time, I read the book because I want to see the movie, so I don't have much invested. I did finally watch The Time Traveler's Wife which is one of those amazing books that just didn't work as a movie. It worked a little bit. Well, if it wasn't for the beginning of the film I would love it. But I still enjoyed it, especially because I have a girl crush on Rachel McAdams and on the house they live in. I should do some laundry, but will most likely leave it for my hubby, since I do plan on taking a long jetted bubble bath. I should do some pilates or some yoga. I should attempt to clean the basement. I should update our scrapbook, well, my scrapbook, hubby thinks I'm a dork for scrapbooking every moment of our life together. I should organize the closets...

There's only one thing hindering me from doing all the things I should do: Nyquil. Oh Nyquil, you helped me to get to sleep instead of keeping the hubby up with my persistent cough, but now you've made me feel like I have weights pulling down on my eyelids. Maybe with a few cups of green tea with lemon and honey in the raw, plus my vitamins, I'll get stuff accomplished from my Should Do List, but until then I'm here watching a marathon of old Roseanne episodes.

Anything that you should do today? You got to love snowy days...

View From Our Front Porch

A Year Ago Today...

A year ago today I was filled with so many emotions. February 9th is my deceased grama's birthday and after a long day of work I came home to a somewhat cranky hubby (although at the time, he was still "hubby", not in the legal sense). My hubby usual runs on the same emotion when it comes to me: happy. So, it was a strange day. As always my customers would push and tease me about why we weren't married yet, why we hadn't gotten engaged yet... I proceeded to explain ourselves: marriage wasn't that big of a deal to us, we knew we'd always be together, what's a piece of paper, maybe we'll do it before we decide to start a family, we own a house together isn't that enough for you people, etc. Everyone was pushing us from the time we became a couple. We were that couple that everyone thought would marry right away. Two months into dating, we were expected to get hitched and have a baby. Everyone saw that as our future, except for us. Still we took the time to get to know each other, even though we were head over heels from go. Despite his trying to put up walls, I broke them down. I knew he was my husband. I knew I found him two months in. But never did I expect him to ask me to marry him! We spent years justifying ourselves on why we didn't need to get married, that when he asked me, I was in disbelief. Here's how it went...

I came home from work around 1 a.m. after a day filled with marriage talk to a "hubby" that was very cuddly after being grumpy during the day. In the kitchen he asked me to dance with him. Now he wouldn't want people to know this, but we do this a lot. Granted there's no music most of the time, but every time I still ask him to sing to me. His response is, "what do you want me to sing" even though he usually goes for our song: Snow Patrol, Chasing Cars. So I asked him while we were dancing, "what song are you thinking of" and he started singing in my ear..."if I lay here, if I just lay here, would you lie with me and just forget the world..." Cheek to cheek and arms wrapped around each other- this is the way I'll always picture our love for each other.

After our dance in the kitchen we went to sit down and watch a DVR'd episode of American Idol. Once it started he paused it and looked at me and wanted to know if he could ask me a question (this was silly, of course, he could ask me anything). In my head, I sat there and looked at him and said, "of course I'll marry you." Granted this was all in my head. Then he looked at me and said it. Those four words every girl dreams of, even if she says it's not that important: "Will You Marry Me?" I couldn't believe he asked it. I thought I was still in my head where I already answered the question. I said, "are you serious?" and then he said the most beautiful words that a man can say to a woman... Sorry, you can't know it all. I won't give all the details, but the jist of it was that I was his best friend and lover and that he couldn't picture his life with anyone but me. I've never heard more a more beautiful monologue. I just cried. And cried. And of course I said YES! He asked me without the ring, but he had it made special for me and it wasn't finished yet. Hey, we're the people who start unwrapping presents on December 13th, so did you expect him to wait until he had the ring? I wouldn't of had it any other way. We're very impatient. It was perfectly us. I found out on that night that he traveled to jewelry stores for the 4 C's of diamonds in order to find the perfect one for me. He knew what my dream ring was, but never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I'd get it. Then two weeks later, outside of his job, he gave it to me. Oh and the tears, they came flowing all over again. My dream ring...

About a year ago, showing my engagement ring to friends via photo booth

A one carat emerald cut diamond with trillions on the side. Oh ring, I will never forget the moment that you first came to your home on my finger. I still stare at it when I'm driving. Or when the light hits it in just the right manner. I'm a sucker for a classic look. It's so vintage. I still can't believe he gave me this ring. I'll never forget the day he asked me. I'll never forget the love I feel for this man on a daily basis. Now not only do I remember my grama's birthday on February 9th, I also remember it as a celebration of our love. I think it's perfectly fitting since I was born on my grama and grandpa's wedding anniversary.

And to my married people: have you ever noticed how your wedding ring finds just the right spot to settle into? That even when you take it off, there's that spot that says, "yup, I'm taken, and even without my gorgeous bling, I'll never forget it."

Wow. I'm starting to have my mom's hands too!

But the Greatest is Love...

is feeling happy and blessed to have found my true friend and love. Thank-you Wife.

9 hours ago · Comment · Like

This is what I came home to when I looked at my hubby's facebook today. It's not even that big of a deal, but to me it is. He's not a big P.D.A. guy, so this just brought tears to my eyes. I am a little dorky, so of course I would cry. Did you expect any less? I just can't help but think how blessed I am to have found a hubby who is this unbelievably loving. I honestly never thought I would find a love like this. One that reminds me of the grace of God...

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

Everyone knows this passage from Corinthians 13. But sometimes I think people forget the entire meaning and all of the beauty in the entirety of the passage.

Sometimes I think that my hubby doesn't realize how amazing he is. Sometimes I feel like I'm the first person to ever tell him that, even though he's deserved it all along. I tell him everyday how lucky I am. One day he'll realize it. It's always been the little things that I can count on him doing. The way he looks at me or the way he let's me be me. We're each others best friends. I'm so thankful to have him in my life. More than anything.

T.G.I.F.?...

Every time Friday comes along all I hear is TGIF. Well I'm not a TGIF girl, I'm a TGIM kinda girl. I'm one of those people that works the weekends. One of those people that serves you the drinks and the food and make you say TGIF. Yup, lucky me, it's Friday. I may be an outcast on this one, but I love Mondays. I look forward to Mondays. Mondays and Tuesdays are my weekend. Monday is a day to spend with the hubby. Tuesdays are the day that I spend on Me. Oh Mondays and Tuesdays, how I love you... with an exception.

This past Tuesday was not one of my favorites. I had a dentist appointment. Oh yes, the dentist. I've learned to love the dentist over the past 10 years or so. When I was 13-years-old I almost lost all of my front teeth. So, I've come to cherish them, love them, even spend too much time fawning over them then is possibly healthy or necessary. But again, I almost lost them. Now I coddle them like they were my children. I have a $130 toothbrush. I buy toothpaste that is too expensive. I have pre-brush rinse and post mouth wash. I even pocket some of those little throw away brush things that you see on the commercials on t.v. Yup, they're my teeth. They're special.

So I know what you're thinking, "so how did you almost lose them?" Well if you haven't heard the story before, here it is... I love swimming. When we were kids we spent a countless number of hours at my Aunt's house at her pool. We'd swim during the day, during rain storms, and at night. Well during one of these night swims I came a little too close to the rim of the pool. Actually, I came up right underneath the rim and tore my braces out of my mouth. Yup, nasty. Take a moment to visualize it. Bloody mess of a mouth it was. All I remember was the pain and the tears streaming down my face. And everyone staring at me and trying to figure out what to do. We got in contact with my orthodontist and he rushed into the office to help. My gums were all tore up and my mouth just hurt. He said at the time that he could have just pulled my teeth right out of my mouth because they were that loose. The only thing that actually saved my teeth, was my braces. The braces had to stay on a little bit longer and I couldn't eat for awhile, but I'm just glad I have my teeth. People don't pay attention enough to the love they should have for them. Once they're gone, they're gone people! Protect those bitches, I know I'm just lucky to have mine.

So back to my dentist appointment. At the age of 10 I had a cavity. In my back molar on my left side. Well the filling is finally starting to wear down so I need to have a new one put it. My molars get a lot of use because of the fact that I had four pulled in order for my braces to work. So I'm down four molars and four wisdom teeth. I need to take care of the ones I have left! Well, this damn dentist. I'm always pre-cautious so once I was in the chair, I wanted to make sure that they were doing another white filling. Well, no. She proceeds to tell me that "ETHICALLY" they will not do white fillings because they don't last as long. Seriously? This is an ethical issue? My insurance is paying for it, and you're getting paid for it, so why is this an issue? Won't you get more money if I have to come back and replace it in 15 years instead of 30 years? Well, I got up and left. My poor babies didn't go through all the pain and suffering and all these years of braces for me to put some silver in my mouth. So now I need to find another dentist who doesn't have an ethical issue with doing white fillings. Oh dentists, no wonder you get a bad rap!

Hopefully this weekend is good for everyone who says T.G.I.F. I'm just hoping that I get the opportunity to make lots of money and to cheer for my COLTS on Superbowl Sunday! After a long Sunday, I'll be sitting in my bubble bath saying Thank God It's Monday!

A Look Back...

After a long weekend at work, I ended up sleeping until noon, but stayed in bed until about 12:30. Oh, the joys of being a bartender. Around 10 a.m. the hubby started to try to get me out of bed because he couldn't sleep anymore. I managed two more hours and then some. I just hate days like this. I managed to sleep nine hours and yet I felt like I could have slept 10 more. It never fails. It's one of those days where too much sleep leaves you feeling drained. The next few hours were spent on the phone with my editor for the magazine I'm interning with and with people whose houses we plan to show. I'm looking for those great quotes. I've ended up empty-handed. Hopefully, tomorrow will have new inspiration and a finished product. Saturday I'm going to see the start of the production process. It's a part of the magazine world that I never expected to see, so it should be exciting. Maybe I'll be allowed to take pictures? Or is that a little unprofessional? I'm just one of those people who is constantly amazed by new things. I'm hoping that this is one of those things. Although the eight a.m. wake up call might take some of the excitement away.

After putzing around for the rest of the day I ended up at my mom's house so I could enjoy some chicken parmigiana. The hubby had me envisioning a day at the apple orchard and a dinner for two, but plans change, especially when you both are in the mood to stay in your pj's and bathrobes. Today was definitely one of those days. But I have to say that mom's home cooking is probably better than anything that Olive Garden could bring to the table.

Going up to mom's house I was determined to find some old pictures of my brother, my cousin, and me. Mom and I started talking about everything and anything and I tore out the old box of pictures. I finally found the picture I was looking for and I couldn't be happier. I'm sure my brother and my cousin wish I never found them, but I was determined. Hey, I have a fro and I'm willing to show it. Hopefully they won't hate me too much.

A few weeks ago I had these vivid memories of these mice that I used to love when I was a kid. I remembered that when we built forts and stuff, that we would decorate them. Yes, that's right. Decorate the forts. I'm sure the guys in the family will scream when they see this, but then again, my brother discovered the same little cats that are seen in this picture at an antique store. I guess we both love things that remind us of Grama and of Home. Well I found these little mice again and now they are in my home. I just love remembering these days.

I couldn't believe the other finds that I came upon. Remember those white dishes and such that my mom passed down to me because I fell in love with them? Well, they were collecting dust in her basement, so she cleaned them up for me and then had flowers put into the vase. Well here's my mom from 1974 in all her glory on Christmas morning. I'm glad I could give them some life again.

This was my parents' first Christmas as husband and wife. Look at my mom! She looks just like me! Well, you know what I mean. I never saw it when I was younger, but yup, there's no denying that I'm her daughter.

Here's us on my wedding day.

Change the nose a little bit (sorry mom) and here I am, my mom's mini me. Isn't she blessed? I know I am.

I can't help but travel down memory lane. My childhood as the chubby kid may not have been perfect, but looking back, all I can remember is the days spent with my family. With them I knew that no matter how big the fight my brother and I had or how much we swore we hated each other, we still were each other's best friends. Childhood. It's all a blessing in disguise.