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12.30.2006

Here's Looking at You 2006, Part Two: The Me View

Here's looking at you 2006!



Obviously 2006 was a big year for me personally. That whole marriage thing is pretty amazing! I'm loving every minute of it, and I'm excited to focus on new things. Like our house!

I always say I'm not going to... but come the end of the year, I always end up making a resolution of sorts, if only to myself.

This year I'm really hoping to declutter. I want to "streamline my life" so to speak... get rid of all the extra junk laying around, get rid of some of this extra baggage (lol), and just really enjoy the things in life that make me and DH happy, and not the stuff we have just because we've always had it.

Hopefully the working on the house will help with that.



For a quick overview of the year, lets do a meme. Pull out the first line (or so) of the first post of every month:

January:
Congratulations to Slink & Lindsey on your engagement!!!!!!!!!!

February:
February already. January flew by... probably because it was one damn busy month.

March:
Wow, its been busy this week. Saturday was great. I loved getting to see my Babs... and what fun to have four of my favorite people all in the same place, at the same time.

April:
20 points to those of you who can name that song without google... 10 more points if you can list more then one artist who's done it.

May:
Sunday was good. I really got lucky with great, easy kids to sit for.

June:
JUNE! Can you believe it is June already?! Gawh! I feel like I will be washing things forever!

July:
People always ask me about my job... and specifically what I'm going to do about my job.

August:
Is it just me, or is it absolutely insane that it is August already?! This month should be good, and should fly by... the first big event is tonight! I'm so excited for Jimmy Buffett!!!

September:
Is it just me, or did August FLY by?! This week did as well, and in just 3 hours I will be heading to the airport, and two hours after that I will be on a plane to VEGAS.

October:
The Before...

November:
This is a great time of year for me.

December:
Friday! Looking forward to the weekend as always. Babysitting the quads and little Sammy tomorrow, should be nice. But today, today is crazy!


Did you get the impression that I couldn't believe how fast the year was passing?! Well, it's true! This year has gone insanely fast... each year seems to go by quicker then the year before. I don't know how I feel about that. But each year holds so much... both good and bad.

In the good, that whole wedding thing. Plus three other weddings! Jen's baby, and Brian & Stacey expecting one in the new year. Travel, family, friends and fun.

In the bad, losing a friend (maybe two) to what boils down to stupid disagreements and misunderstandings (not something I really wrote about before). I'm hoping the new year will wash some of the feelings from that away.

Tomorrow we're looking forward to ringing in the New Year with some friends over at Ro & Pat's. I hope your celebration is safe and joyous!

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Goodbye 2006... Happy 2007!!

12.29.2006

Here's Looking at You 2006, Part One: The World View

Here's looking at you 2006.


The approaching new year gets one thinking...
Here's what 2006 makes me think of on a Global scale!

This year brought many new arrivals... Shiloh Nouvel (Brangalina's baby), Suri (TomKat's baby), Kingston (Gwen Stefani & Gavin Rossdale's babe), baby #2 for Britney Spears, baby #1 for Maggie Gyllenhaal (whom I love as an actress), etc. etc.

Then there are the loses. There were 36 people that msn deemed famous enough to list their deaths. Here are just a few... JACK PALANCE (Feb. 18, 1918 - Nov. 10, 2006) who I most remember as Curly from City Slickers. I loved that movie, and I loved that character... so tough, but deep down, completely lovable. DARREN McGAVIN (May 7, 1922 - Feb. 25, 2006) who was the father in one of my absolute favorite Christmas movies, A Christmas Story. AL LEWIS (April 30, 1923 - Feb. 3, 2006), or as I knew him, Grandpa Munster. BRUNO KIRBY (April 28, 1949 - Aug. 14, 2006) who was also in City Slickers, as well as Good Morning, Vietnam. ED BRADLEY (June 22, 1941 - Nov. 9, 2006) who was a Philadelphia native. SYD BARRETT (Jan. 6, 1946 - July 7, 2006) who gave Pink Floyd their name. DANA REEVE (March 17, 1961 - March 6, 2006)... which is so sad because it leaves the poor Reeve's kids with no parents. She was an inspirational woman who showed the real meaning of devotion, not just to her husband, but to an amazing cause. PETER BOYLE (October 18, 1933 - December 12, 2006) Who didn't appreciate his wry "Everyone Loves Raymond" wit?!

And then very recently there was JAMES BROWN and GERALD FORD, who was 93 years old!


Perhaps that one that moved me the most though, was STEVE IRWIN (Feb. 22, 1962 - Sept. 4, 2006). Articles, like this one still make me tear up. He was too young... and leaving behind two young kids and his poor wife. Not to mention all that he did with his life... it's sad to lose people like that.

There have been break ups (Reese and Ryan! Britney and K-Fed.) and make ups.

There was major news:
  • Explosion Traps Miners in West Virginia (Jan. 2)
  • Spacecraft Heads to Pluto (Jan. 19)
  • Steelers win Superbowl XL (Feb. 5)
  • The XX Olympic Winter Games open in Turin, Italy (Feb. 10)
  • Vice President Shoots Friend During Hunting Expedition (Feb. 11) sorry, just had to include that!
  • Milosevic Dies in Prison (March 11)
  • Massachusetts Narrows Gay Marriage Rights (March 30) boo...
  • Chinese President Visits the U.S. (April 20)
  • Moussaoui Sentenced to Life in Prison (May 3)
  • CIA Director [Porter Goss] Resigns Abruptly (May 5)
  • Thousands Die in Indonesian Earthquake (May 27)
  • Senate Defeats Ban on Same-Sex Marriage (June 7) thank g*d.
  • DeLay Leaves Congress (June 8)
  • FDA Approves Vaccine for Cervical Cancer (June 8)
  • Hussein Defense Lawyer Is Killed (June 21) The tenth person in connection to the trial to be killed.
  • Ceiling Panels Fall in Boston Tunnel (July 10)
  • Hundreds Die in Tsunami (July 18) More than 800 people die. Java, Indonesia.
  • Congo Holds Historic Multiparty Elections (July 30) First multiparty election in 46 years!
  • Record Number of Iraqi Civilians Die (Aug. 15) more then 3400 in july
  • Pluto Is Demoted (Aug. 24)
  • Blair Announces Plans to Step Aside (Sept. 7)
  • Reports Contradict White House Claim on Link Between Hussein and al-Qaeda (Sept. 8)
  • New Prime Minister Takes the Helm in Japan (Sept. 26)
  • Gunman Kills Three at Amish School (Oct. 2)
  • North Korea Tests a Nuclear Missile (Oct. 9)
  • New Secretary General of the UN Is Appointed (Oct. 13)
  • U.S. Population Hits New Milestone (Oct. 17) reaches 300 million.
  • New Jersey Court Rules in Favor of Gay Couples (Oct. 25)
  • Hussein Is Found Guilty (Nov. 5) sentanced to death by hanging
  • South African Parliament Votes to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage (Nov. 14)
  • Civilian Deaths Reach Record High in Iraq (Nov. 22) we broke our summer record, 3700 in october alone
  • Democrats Take Over Congress in Midterm Elections (Nov. 7) Senate as well
  • Rumsfeld Resigns as Defense Secretary (Nov. 8)
  • Hussein's Appeal Denied! Now he must be hung by the end of January!
    Update: Hussein was hung on the 29th (just after 6 a.m. on the 30th in Iraq.)


And other random facts:
  • The Earth turns 4.55 billion years old and now houses 6,525,170,264 people.
  • Cost for The War has now topped $436.8 billion.

Can you believe that it's been 5 years since 9/11, a year... no wait, 2 years since the big tsunami (that's weird), a year and a half since Katrina.


This is all so random, I know. But I can never believe how much happens in just one year.

12.27.2006

Back to work...

First and foremost... Happy Birthday Patrick!!!

Seen here with Trav.


Hope your day is all that and then some. :-)

Thursday Ro & Pat are coming over for dinner... so we'll get a chance to celebrate with them, which should be fun.


So how was Christmas?! Ours... well, it was great having some time with Trav on Friday, and Saturday I went up to see my Babs which was so much fun. We spend some time talking and shopping and went out to eat with her parents at Smokey Bones in Reading, which was (and always is) so good. Sunday morning Trav and I exchanged Christmas gifts. He had already given me the slipcovers... but he also gave me the set of tupperware I had wanted and the most beautiful necklace (pictures to come)! I was so surprised. I got him an ice cream ball (long story!), and tickets to see Spamalot this coming spring. That afternoon we headed up to my parents and had a really nice Christmas Eve. My mom had cooked a great dinner of turkey and mashed potatoes and gravy and stuff and corn and broccoli... etc etc! There were tons of deserts (she even made a traditional plum pudding!) and we watched Christmas movies, hung our stockings, and decorated the tree.

Christmas day... well I'll start with the good. My brother Ethan and my dad also loved their tickets to see Spamalot, and are very excited for it to come. Ethan got me the best earrings... little real origami swans. Very beautiful and unique. My parents got me lots of fun little things... some sweaters, a scarf, gloves, a cami, etc. I couldn't have been happier.

Now the bad part. I was so sick!! I had a horrible stomach bug that completely wiped me out. I'm still not completely back to normal... I'm tired and nauseous today. But Christmas day was the worst! (Warning: TMI to follow) I had diahrea, nausea, vomiting... and by the end of the day hadn't really managed to drink any liquids (and what I did drink didn't stay down), so I was dehydrated which lead to horrible muscle cramps and aches (mostly in my legs and back). It was so horrible. And since we were at my parents, I had to deal with the 1.5 hour ride home. Travis was wonderful and did what he could for me... but it was a lot of just sticking it out (for him and me!). We went to bed around 9:30... but I woke up at 12, 2, 3, 5, 8, then finally got up at 11. A little rough.

Yesterday was better, luckily I had off... so I tried to get some extra sleep and relax a lot. I constantly had a cup of something next to me and even though I was still nauseous, I was able to eat some chicken noodle soup and drink lots of liquids. It was a very lazy day, mostly just laying around and watching TV, but I did manage to hang a few more pictures. We went to bed at 9:30-10ish again last night, and I had a hard time falling asleep... but once I was asleep... I was done for the night!

Now it is back to work. Like I said, still nauseous, but I think it's good that I got out of the house. I brought more chicken noodle soup for lunch and hopefully that will make me feel even better. Plus, with Friday off for the New Year, I only have a two day work week. I think I can deal with that. Hopefully I will feel back up to par tomorrow or Friday.

12.25.2006

What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.


And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,
stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?
It came without ribbons.
It came without tags.
It came without packages, boxes or bags.
And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.
What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.
What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.
~ Dr. Seuss

Merry Christmas Blogging World!
I hope your day is full of everything wonderful about the holiday... family, friends, food, and fun.

Lots of love,
Megan and Travis H*****
(And Jen's baby boy, Jonathan too!)

xoxox

12.22.2006

pictures

My early Christmas presents from Trav (the slipcovers)... with our wedding present from Ro & Pat.



A close-up of our present from Ro & Pat.


Our wedding pictures are in...


And this one to be hung on the wall...
We have a few more, but need to get the frames for them...


Plus a random shot from Trav's Christmas party...


Back to check on the beef stew I'm cooking up in the crockpot. Yum!

12.21.2006

bathroom, a semi-update

We had two meetings this week. One with the people that are doing our shower for us.... just so they could get all the final measurements. We'll get a call about schedualing after the holidays. Another with a guy who we were talking to about doing the rest of the walls in our bathroom.... and after some consideration also our ceiling and our vanity. We'll see what he says about cost, and then go from there. Definitely a chance that the walls (etc) will get pushed back for a bit as I'm not sure it will fall within our budget right now, but no harm in finding out.


Today is my last day of work until after Christmas... Travis is home right now, and I'm looking forward to the end of the day and heading home to join him. We'll do some relaxing tonight and tomorrow. He'll work some this weekend, then we'll head to my parent's. I can't wait. Maybe this weekend while he is working I'll bake something. I soooo want to make these cookies (minus the nuts). How amazing do they sound?!


So, did you hear... the title of the last Harry Potter book has been released! I'm so excited, they are some of my absolute favorite books and I can't wait to see how the series wraps up. If you want to see the title, click here. If you want to figure it out yourself, head to JKRowling's site here (I have more luck entering through the British flag Enter here, then through the one on the top middle). And if you need help figuring out how to get to the game that will tell you the title, get some instructions here.


Okay, well back to work for me. Is everyone ready for the holidays?


ps. I'm a little sad I didn't get more Santa opinions yesterday. where are all the parents that stop by? Have I lost everyone?

12.20.2006

the santa charade

Okay, yea, enough with the poems... I'm thinking that no one was really excited about them, and I got a bunch of my favorites... so I'll take a break from that.


Right now I have babies on my mind. Trav & I are waiting a few years... there are things we want to do first - house repairs, travel, saving... but sometimes it's hard to remember that when I'm looking at pictures of my friend's adorable new baby boy (Here), or looking at my other friend's baby bump (she's about 24 weeks)!

Also, since it is the holidays I am thinking about Christmas and babies together (especially after reading this post). So let me get your opinion on something:
Santa is something that I have thought about lately, specifically whether or not to include him in our future Christmas traditions. I have fond memories of Santa Christmas moments, but what I really remember, and what really matters/mattered was the fun traditions we built as a family and the time together on the holidays. I don't want to deny my future children, but I wonder if it will be worth it to mantain the charade? Or maybe it would be better just to teach them about the true meaning of Christmas from the beginning and build family traditions that won't be changed when they are too old to believe in Santa?
I know that the two don't have to be mutually exclusive, and either way my kids are going to know in the end that Santa is most of an idea then a person, and that he stands for giving etc. But I'm just wondering if Santa is worth it.

Obviously, in the end this is something that Trav and I will have to decide on together, but... Any thoughts?



On a completely seperate note, who here has switched to the new blogger? What do you think?
I can't seem to post a comment on any of the blogs that I have seen switched over (as noted by a different look to the comment buttons and the tags on your posts), I don't want to have that problem with my blog, but then... maybe its just me.

12.18.2006

tag... from stella

The rules are: Once you've been tagged you have to write a blog with 10 weird or random things, facts, or habits about yourself. At the end, you choose 10 people to be tagged, list their names and why you chose them to be tagged. Don't forget to leave a comment that says, "You are TAGGED!" on their profile and tell them to read your latest blog. Hope you enjoy!

1. I love to read... so much that I find myself getting pulled into the stories enough to feel as if they are real. I start to find deeper meaning in them where there is none. Inspiration, religious meaning, life meaning. Most of the time this is fine, sometimes it gets a little weird.

2. I love being married. My husband is amazing and it's nice to know that our relationship is "official". I feel that most choices in my life are worthwhile if only because they brought me to where I am now, with the love of my life. (Okay, you can stop gagging now.)

3. I'm still a little afraid of the dark. When I take the trash out at night, I always image that something is going to come and get me... and I get really freaked out.

4. I often feel like I had so much potential in my childhood (through high school) that I didn't take advantage of. So many things that I could have done better... to be more intellectual then I am now, a better/more fulfilling job.

5. I am spiritual, but not religious. My beliefs are the biggest hodge-podge of different religions.

6. My knee is killing me!! I honestly think I bruised my knee cap.

7. I miss being able to sing.

8. I can't wait to be a mother. I'm fine with waiting, because there are things we want to do first... waiting is the right thing. But sometimes... I just imagine how amazing it will be.

9. I'm the best relaxer ever. Some might even call me lazy... but you better not do it to my face! ;-) I just find it hard to get inspired sometimes, especially for things like folding clothes.

10. This is actually from my myspace.com, but I brought it here too... not just because I like it, but because lately I've felt boring. C'est la vie.



I tag:

1. Barry
2. William
... because they are funny, but insightful guys and I know they'll give great answers.

3. Heather
4. Sebrina
5. Cassie
.... because they are my girls!

6. Ro
7. Lauren
.... because I heart them and always love to learn more.

8. Mo
.... because he's my cuz.

9. Kate
.... because I would love to learn more about her.

10. Apoc
.... because he is crazy fun and I think his answers will be great. Love ya!

Your turn! Go!

Did He who made the lamb make thee?

I'm wearing my new heather gray deep v-neck sweater with nutmeg cami underneath. I feel pretty. :-) I also feel a little beat up... I cut my finger on Saturday, and slammed my knee this morning (I have bruise that is a perfectly straight line, showing exactly where I hit it). I need a bubble.

The weekend was good. Got the last of the presents wrapped, and more decorations up... did some grocery shopping and we finally picked all of the pictures for our wedding album!! I think we found the right combination to meet both of our needs. It took a little blood, sweat, and tears... but we got it. Trav's parents sent us their picks for their parent album. Now I just need my parents and we are good to go!

I can't believe we are a week from Christmas and the high today is in the 60s. Although it isn't technically winter until Wednesday, that is pretty damn warm. I'm guessing a white Christmas isn't going to happen.

Here's a pretty snowy picture to hold me over:
(Of course, this was from February anyway...)


And now, to leave you with another poem (just accept it and move on).


489. The Tiger

William Blake.

TIGER, tiger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare seize the fire?

And what shoulder and what art
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand and what dread feet?

What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? What dread grasp
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?

When the stars threw down their spears,
And water'd heaven with their tears,
Did He smile His work to see?
Did He who made the lamb make thee?

Tiger, tiger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

12.16.2006

since thou with moons dost slake it

Happy Hanukkah People!!



On an unrelated note... another poem (because i'm annoying like that). Don't worry, this one is VERY short too. *kisses*


Proud Of My Broken Heart

Emily Dickinson

Proud of my broken heart since thou didst break it,
Proud of the pain I did not feel till thee,
Proud of my night since thou with moons dost slake it,
Not to partake thy passion, my humility.

12.15.2006

Once I smiled in secret at the gossip of the starlings

Marta, if you see this, I have tried over and over to post a comment on your blog... but with no luck. Here's what I was going to say today (though I had slightly different things to say for the past week or so):

Trying this again... I don't know if it's the new beta version (which I am guessing you switched to because i see post tags), but I have been having trouble posting comments.

Anyway! I'm so glad that you are feeling very positive this cycle, and in general. TCM is great. I'm in love with all of Chinese culutre, and this is a great part of it. Keep up with it!

And as always, fingers crossed!

I'm so glad that it is Friday. This has been a long week... although the days have flown by, each one has been so tiring that it has seemed like it should be later in the week. Plus very late nights on Monday and Wednesday. This weekend I hope to get some relaxing in.


Another poem, I told you it would come.
I do apologize if you aren't a poetry kind of person... feel free to skip this last bit (but these are really fun and playful, and short!)!


MY BEARD

Shel Silverstein

My beard grows to my toes,
I never wears no clothes,
I wraps my hair
Around my bare,
And down the road I goes.

and one more, same author... also short:

Forgotten Language

Once I spoke the language of the flowers,
Once I understood each word the caterpillar said,
Once I smiled in secret at the gossip of the starlings,
And shared a conversation with the housefly
in my bed.
Once I heard and answered all the questions
of the crickets,
And joined the crying of each falling dying
flake of snow,
Once I spoke the language of the flowers. . . .
How did it go?
How did it go?

12.14.2006

do I dare to eat a peach?

Because my earlier post was just so upbeat! - I decided to leave another, with a great poem, that you can enjoy. I'll probably be posting a lot of my favorite poems in the next few days/weeks... because I've recently rediscovered my enjoyment of poetry. I hope you enjoy them too...


The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

T. S. Eliot

S`io credesse che mia risposta fosse
A persona che mai tornasse al mondo,
Questa fiamma staria senza piu scosse.
Ma perciocche giammai di questo fondo
Non torno vivo alcun, s'i'odo il vero,
Senza tema d'infamia ti rispondo.

Let us go then, you and I,
When the evening is spread out against the sky
Like a patient etherized upon a table;
Let us go, through certain half-deserted streets,
The muttering retreats
Of restless nights in one-night cheap hotels
And sawdust restaurants with oyster-shells
Streets that follow like a tedious argument
Of insidious intent
To lead you to an overwhelming question...
Oh, do not ask, `` What is it? ''
Let us go and make our visit.

In the room the women come and go
Talking of Michelangelo.

The yellow fog that rubs its back upon the window-panes
The yellow smoke that rubs its muzzle on the window-panes
Licked its tongue into the corners of the evening.
Lingered upon the pools that stand in drains.
Let fall upon its back the soot that falls from chimneys.
Slipped by the terrace, made a sudden leap,
And seeing that it was a soft October night,
Curled once about the house, and fell asleep.

And indeed there will be time
For the yellow smoke that slides along the street,
Rubbing its back upon the window-panes;
There will be time, there will be time
To prepare a face to meet the faces that you meet;
There will be time to murder and create,
And time for all the works and days of hands
That lift and drop a question on your plate;
Time for you and time for me.
And time yet for a hundred indecisions,
And for a hundred visions and revisions,
Before the taking of a toast and tea.

In the room the women come and go
Talking of Michelangelo.

And indeed there will be time
To wonder, ``Do I dare?'' and, ``Do I dare?''
Time to turn back and descend the stair,
With a bald spot in the middle of my hair--
[They will say: ``How his hair is growing thin!'']
My morning coat, my collar mounting firmly to the chin,
My necktie rich and modest, but asserted by a simple pin--
[They will say: ``But how his arms and legs are thin!'']
Do I dare
Disturb the universe?
In a minute there is time
For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse.

For I have known them all already, known them all:
Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons,
I have measured out my life with coffee spoons;
I know the voices dying with a dying fall
Beneath the music from a farther room.
So how should I presume?

And I have known the eyes already, known them all--
The eyes that fix you in a formulated phrase,
And when I am formulated, sprawling on a pin,
When I am pinned and wriggling on the wall,
Then how should I begin
To spit out all the butt-ends of my days and ways?
And how should I presume?

And I have known the arms already, known them all--
Arms that are braceleted and white and bare
[But in the lamplight, downed with light brown hair!]
Is it perfume from a dress
That makes me so digress?
Arms that lie along a table, or wrap about a shawl.
And should I then presume?
And how should I begin?
. . . . .
Shall I say, I have gone at dusk through narrow streets
And watched the smoke that rises from the pipes
Of lonely men in shirt-sleeves, leaning out of windows? . . .

I should have been a pair of ragged claws
Scuttling across the floors of silent seas.
. . . . .
And the afternoon, the evening, sleeps so peacefully!
Smoothed by long fingers,
Asleep. . . tired . . . or it malingers,
Stretched on the floor, here beside you and me.
Should I, after tea and cakes and ices,
Have the strength to force the moment to its crisis?
But though I have wept and fasted, wept and prayed,
Though I have seen my head [grown slightly bald] brought in upon a platter,
I am no prophet--and here's no great matter;
I have seen the moment of my greatness flicker,
And I have seen the eternal Footman hold my coat, and snicker,
And in short, I was afraid.

And would it have been worth it, after all,
After the cups, the marmalade, the tea,
Among the porcelain, among some talk of you and me,
Would it have been worth while,
To have bitten off the matter with a smile,
To have squeezed the universe into a ball
To roll it toward some overwhelming question,
To say: `` I am Lazarus, come from the dead,
Come back to tell you all, I shall tell you all''--
If one, settling a pillow by her head,
Should say: ``That is not what I meant at all.
That is not it, at all.''

And would it have been worth it, after all,
Would it have been worth while,
After the sunsets and the dooryards and the sprinkled streets,
After the novels, after the teacups, after the skirts that trail along the floor--
And this, and so much more?--
It is impossible to say just what I mean!
But as if a magic lantern threw the nerves in patterns on a screen:
Would it have been worth while
If one, settling a pillow, or throwing off a shawl,
And turning toward the window, should say:
``That is not it at all,
That is not what I meant, at all.''
. . . . .
No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be;
Am an attendant lord, one that will do
To swell a progress, start a scene or two,
Advise the prince; no doubt, an easy tool,
Deferential, glad to be of use,
Politic, cautious, and meticulous;
Full of high sentence, but a bit obtuse;
At times, indeed, almost ridiculous--
Almost, at times, the Fool.

I grow old . . . I grow old . . .
I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled.

Shall I part my hair behind? Do I dare to eat a peach?
I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach.
I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.


I do not think that they will sing to me.

I have seen them riding seaward on the waves
Combing the white hair of the waves blown back
When the wind blows the water white and black.

We have lingered in the chambers of the sea
By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown
Till human voices wake us, and we drown.

you know when...

You know how sometimes, when someone does something that annoys you and pisses you off a little, how you can become overly critical of other things they do and say afterwards as if seeing them in a new light?

For the love of all that is holy, it was a sneeze... don't act like i'm dying. Say "bless you" and move on!!!

And stop asking me stupid questions and then being all weird if I don't know the answer.

And do you always have to be right? Always? Yea, you are very knowledgable in your area, but honey... other people might know more then you in other areas. EVER THINK OF THAT?!

BAH!


FYI: This is all in relation to someone that you don't know and that I have never mentioned on here before. This too shall pass. I just had to bitch. Maybe I'm having an off day.


Okay, I feel a little better now.
Plus our Christmas cards are done! Yippee.

12.13.2006

if we took a holiday (oh yea, oh yea), took some time to celebrate (cel-a-brate)

This morning I started on a hugely long end of the year wrap up and review post.... because I was feeling reflective. It's long already, real long... it might have to be split into two parts. Start looking forward now to Here's Looking at You 2006, Part One: The World View, and Here's Looking at You 2006, Part Two: The Me View.

Today was a fast fast day. Probably because we had our Holiday Lunch/Party today, and that cut out a huge chunk of time in the middle of the day. It was fun. Good food, good company, time at work but not on work. :-) What's not to love.
It's already 4, so less then an hour to go, and I'm looking forward to getting home and finishing off those Christmas cards (yea, that didn't happen last night). Also looking forward to the train ride home... I'm finally reading the DeVinci Code and it is great so far. I can see what the hype is about.

Okay, work to be done. Ciao!

12.12.2006

because you can't please all the people all the time

Did some shopping yesterday and feel 100% better about the quickly approaching holidays. I think I'm about done with my Christmas shopping. I also got half of our Christmas cards done last night and mailed them today (pretty good considering I worked late last night and then wrapped all the gifts I bought). The other half should get done tonight or tomorrow, and out by Thursday. We used regular boxed cards and added a message on the inside. Next year I think I will definitely get a photocard made, have a message printed on it, and then just sign our names. It's A LOT of work to hand write a message in each card... especially when I really do want to say the same thing to most people... "Have a great Christmas and we hope you truly enjoy all the season has to offer." If I get something like that printed, then those we want to say more to (like Jen and Eric this year, had to wish them a delightful first Christmas with baby!) we can just write that bit of extra. Is that horrible? But they will all be personally signed!
Plus that will give me an excuse to get a fun picture with Trav.

Maybe something a bit artsy, like this:
from the Dooce...

Or like this one from LehighBaby:
And maybe by then we will have a puppy or something to add to the picture.

Either way it will be so much better.

One final note, then back to work... a huge Good Luck wish to my Hoser
She is in her first year of law school and finals start today. I know she will kick some ass because she is smart, a hardworker, and devoted to her dream. But I know she is nervous, so I wanted her to know that everyone is pulling for her!

Love you hoser!

12.11.2006

Urgh

First a few random bits and pieces... then to the real stuff.

Not in the Holiday spirit yet? Check out these snowflakes from Julie of A Little Bit Pregnant. She has had "some trouble" getting pregnant, and staying pregnant (look back and read her first pregnancy story to know what kind of understatement that just was)... so that should help the snowflakes make a bit more sense!

Secondly, there is a site I check out almost daily, which is just wonderful and all about appreciating a woman's body (specifically a mother's body) no matter what the shape is. They also apparently have a cafe press shop, and have some great shirts/buttons/etc... which I may grab eventually, but I definitely wanted to share with you.



Okay, now back to our regularly scheduled blather.
We are exactly 2 weeks from Christmas. Two. Weeks. From. Christmas. Holy crap. Normally I am so all over this stuff, but this year, this year I feel so unprepared and a bit panicy about the impending holidays. Excited for the holidays themselves, not ready for the exchanging of gifts and the seemingly inevitable "holy crap I forgot someone." Sh*t.

We did make Christmas cookies this weekend (very fun and festive), and break out our Christmas items... sure they are still sitting in boxes in the living room, but they are out of the basement and ready for use.

We also hit up Travis' work Christmas party on Friday, which was also fun and festive. We got to dress nice and enjoy free food/drinks. Good times. I have a picture... not right now, but on my camera ready to share. Shocking, right?

Otherwise it was a very nice and lazy weekend. Just what the doctor ordered. Especially since Trav has to work until un-G*dly hours tonight, Wednesday, and Friday. Urgh, urgh, and double urgh.

This year has been amazing! Obviously! But I'm ready for it to be over, and ready for the fresh start of a new year. Nothing is really different when the clock pushes over to 12:01, but it some how feels different.

So, while blogging I was also at OldNavy.com and can check someone else off my list... whoo!

Okay, I'm outta here!

12.08.2006

home sweet home, the friday edition

It's so nice to be at home. To wake up when I want to wake up. Ahhhh.... :-) Happy Happy Megan.

Yesterday was good. The day was a bit long and boring, but we headed to dinner with Brian and Stacey last night and had a really nice time. Stacey and her belly are so cute. She is 22 weeks now, and they just had an ultrasound (everything looks great)... they stuck to their guns and didn't find out the sex, so it's still a mystery! Dinner was good, then we hung out and talked and watched a movie. It was freezing out and actually flurried for a bit after dinner, but it didn't stick so the ride home was just fine.

Today has been lazy so far... I slept in until 10ish (my body really wanted that sleep!), watching some TV, making some brunch. There are a few things I want to do.... but kind of don't want to really do anything! We'll see what happens. Maybe some straightening/cleaning. Maybe not! ;-)

I have a whole list of things that I want to get done eventually... but they are all bigger things that involve buying some supplies. So they won't get done right now. Maybe I can start working on a shopping list for them though. Hmm....

Tonight is Trav's work Christmas party. Should be fun. He has great coworkers, so I'm sure it will be a good time. And this weekend should be relaxing. Trav is home, and we'll probably head to Willy's tomorrow.

Well, have a great weekend!

12.06.2006

for Bill

Not the most productive of days, but that's not what I want to talk about.

I watched the movie "Click" last night for the first time. It made me want to write an entry like the one that Bill wrote today (before I knew that he had written it), but obviously less heart-wrenching because mine would be based off of a movie, and his is based off of a real life loss.

If you haven't seen it... The movie is about a man who is going through a rough patch in life. He wants to skip the day to day hassle and be able to enjoy the fruits of his hard work. He gets a remote that can control his life like a video, but it soon learns his preferences and starts auto-FFing through the parts of life he finds less then pleasing, ones that he realizes he doesn't want to miss. He doesn't get to say goodbye to his father, or see his son fall in love. He loses his wife. It's not until the very end, when he is dying, that he is able to express to his son that family and all the day to day stuggles that go with it, they are the important things.

It's so easy to forget that the simple things we do everyday are the things that really make up life. The big events are the ones that stick out in our minds, but it is the day to day that shape who we are as people... it is the little moments together that you would miss the most, and that in the end, mean the most. It's sad that it takes a big loss to remind us all of that.

I am truly sorry about your friend Bill.



Ps. Responces to yesterday? Anyone? (Thanks Bill and Barry!)

12.05.2006

it's amusing because...

I went back this afternoon and reread the entry I wrote last night... because I remembered writing it, but couldn't for the life of me, remember anything that I had actually written!! I was that tired... things were already fuzzy.

But I slept like I was dead last night. It was good, and another night of that will be even better. Travis doesn't work tonight, so we should actually be able to spend sometime together and still get to bed at a reasonable hour. Plus there is my friday off this week... which is also nice and will also be much enjoyed.

Today finished off well (the second day of the conference). And it is over, which makes it even better. It's weird how different the days feel, just by changing my morning routine. I'm at the office now, but it feels like I should just be starting my day... and I actually have less then an hour to go. Not that I am complaining!


I just bought myself a new book from amazon. "A Brief History of Time" by Stephen Hawking. I'm actually very excited to read it! Has anyone else read this? If so, what did you think?


Now something completely random.
I would like to pose a question and see what some other opinions are on this subject. I have a tattoo in mind that would really like to get... that I have wanted for a while now. Travis doesn't really care either way. He figures my body, my choice... and I would use Christmas money for this. Also, this would be my 6th, so it's not like it would be a real adjustment for either of us. But here is where the disagreement (for lack of a better word) comes in. I would like to get said tattoo on my forearm.
He argues that all of my other tattoos are very easy to cover, even with a short sleeved shirt (two on back, one on tummy/hip area, one on each ankle/lower leg)... and that he worries about how this one might affect me in the future.
I argue that while what he says is true, I do show off tattoos at work whenever I wear a skirt... and no one has a problem with it. And I know I surely won't be working here forever, but tattoos are so much less taboo now then they used to be, and this would still be easy to cover with a normal work shirt in case someone did have a problem with it.
He argues that it is winter and i might feel differently about this in the summer.
I say chances are, if it was a place that worried about seeing tattoos then chances are they are a place that has a more rigid dress code then I deal with right now.... and I wouldn't be wearing short sleeved (polo) shirts to work anyway. And worst case senario, I want to wear short sleeves, I cover it with foundation.

So, what do you think? I'm not saying that I will or won't change my mind, but I am interested to hear what others have to say.


In the meantime, back to work for me. Ciao!

12.04.2006

crazy long

This weekend was so fast, and today was so long. I probably saw Travis a total of 6 hours this whole weekend between our random work schedules (I babysat the Quads! And their little brother! And their blind dog!). Today was a big conference at work so I headed into the city last night to spend the night. I walked to the train station, a mile... pulling a bag and carrying a purse... not my favorite but good exercise. I ended up not sleeping that well either, making today so much harder as I woke up feeling rather ill and with a headache. I was feeling better after drinking some tea and taking some tylonal... and yes, barfing. Just once.
I'm starting to feel it a bit again tonight. Getting tired, and it makes the blahs come back. But the day went well and tomorrow will be good too, and then it is back to normal... although I will get friday off!

And then I got to find out the news I've been waiting on!
Jonathan Karl (Jen's baby boy) is here!

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Born Tuesday November 28th, 2006 at 5:06 PM
7lbs 5oz
19.75inches

Isn't he a cutie?! I'm so excited for her.


On another note, I took a trip down memory lane this evening and checked out some of my old entries from this year.

First, an old meme... redone!

I AM: Meegs... no more, no less.
I WANT: to turn fix up our house so we can enjoy it while we are here.
I WISH: we could afford a a single house with a bigger backyard, somewhere more rural... more like home.
I HATE: my job sometimes. feeling sickly.
I MISS: summers by my Babwa's pool.
I FEAR: being stagnant.
I HEAR: Miami Ink!
I WONDER: what the future holds, where we will be in 20 years... when I will get to be a mommy.
I REGRET: not returning that one email. sorry pappy.
I AM NOT: perfect... not even close to perfect. i'm also not sorry, for being who I am.
I DANCE: to celebrate and to "get away"... not as often as I would like.
I SING: loudly, in the car and the shower, to lots of music... to feel free.
I CRY: softly, at night, and in the shower... and not nearly as much as I used to!
I AM NOT ALWAYS: in the mood for you.
I MAKE WITH MY HANDS: loving gestures and good foods.
I WRITE: less then I want too.
I CONFUSE: what i want, with what i need.
I NEED: love. understanding. hope. a place to feel at home.
I SHOULD: focus more on now, enjoy single days.
I START: lots of things...
I FINISH: most of them.
I TAG: all of you... try this, it feels good.

And an old silly survey.
A Little About Me:
Favorite male hunk.....Travis... ;-) Colin and Johnny
Favorite female actress....my Angie.
Favorite position....on the bottom.
Favorite sport....football.
Favorite restaurant....anything with Italian or Sushi.
Who do you love....TRAVIS! And all my family and friends.
Favorite picture....Most of our wedding shots. They are all just so great.
Favorite memory....Our whole wedding day. Everyone there. So much love.
Wedding song...."You're My Best Friend" by Queen
Anniversary....Oct. 13th
Babies....eventually. And I can't wait!
Perspective boy names....Gabrial John, Benjamin Jack
Perspective girl names....Gwenivere Barbara/Mae
favorite alcoholic drink(s)....port or malibu.
Red or White wine....most of the time, white... but both can be good.
Pets....Henry, the crab. :-) Hopefully a doggie soon.
Current vehicle....Toyota Echo. Great car.
Favorite color(s)....blue, turquois, really dark red.
Favorite movie(s)....Too many to list!
Favorite word....burgundy
When I have time....I love to read a good book, get some extra sleep, and snuggle with my hubby.
Phrase that discribes you....vivacious little lady, in a bitchy bootilicious bod.

CREATE YOUR OWN! - or - GET PAID TO TAKE SURVEYS!



Okay, that's enough blabbing for now. I'm going to sleep, and hopefully feeling all better in the morning. Night!

12.01.2006

and its going to get messy

Friday!

Looking forward to the weekend as always. Babysitting the quads and little Sammy tomorrow, should be nice. But today, today is crazy!

Conference for work monday and tuesday. But not one of our normal conferences, one for a center within our institution. They are good at what they do, but what they do is not plan conferences!! Meaning we are left with a ton of work to get done today to ensure that they don't look like asses come monday.

It also means leaving my boy Sunday night to come into the city and spend the night here so that I can be up bright and early to set up and troubleshoot. Not thrilled.

Still, it should be a nice weekend.

Hopefully I'll hear some news from Jen soon... she was due last Sunday. I talked to her tuesday and she was still pregnant (and not happy about that!), but I haven't seen her online or heard from her in a few days now. The suspense is killing me! Baby time?

Well, I have to get to it... have a great weekend all.



Oh, and I can't forget... rabbit, rabbit, rabbit!! Welcome to December.

11.29.2006

happy home stuff

So many pictures I want to show you guys... here's hoping they will all load up!

Our bathroom...
The bathroom walls are currently covered with this pinkish almond colored tiling that goes up to about 6 feet(ish?), then funny wallpaper stuff the rest of the way.
These aren't new pictures, but they were taken when we moved in and the main stuff hasn't changed!
We never liked it, but it wasn't a top priority. Well, the tiling and the stuff holding the tiling in place is old... and we've started to have some problems with loose tiles, and some leaking around our knobs in the shower. So, instead of paying to fix something that we hate... we decided to look at other options for our shower walls.

Last night we had a meeting with a guy from a bath/shower company that works with Home Depot. After careful consideration, we decided to go with them and made all of our selections for our new walling (our current tub is great... no updating needed). I am so damn excited. We'll probably make our appointment for late January or so... and then our shower walls will look like this:

How great is that! I'm majorly excited not only about how great it will look, but about how much easier to clean it will be, and how we will have the new knob system in place instead of the old three knob system. :-)

Here is a closer look at the color/design (it's not as purple-like as it looks above... a mix of grey-blue, cream, tan, and white):
Now picture our old bathroom, but with the new shower walls... and then maybe some flooring like one of these (the first is my favorite!):



And eventually (not right away, but definitely in the near future) with all of the rest of the tiling removed, and the walls/vanity something in this color scheme:
It will be a whole new bathroom! :-)

It feels so great to be able to take this bigger step in the right direction!! So much got pushed aside because of the wedding, and now we really want to pay down the mortgage and build up the savings. But this is a nice way to make a big change, without breaking the bank. There really is so much that we want to do, and this is a great start.

And happy days for blogger being on my side today!

11.27.2006

weekend roundup

So much to write!

This weekend was really nice. Thursday Trav and I slept in a little, then headed up to my parents. We enjoyed a very casual "grazing"-type lunch with lots of finger foods (mini pesto pizza slices, veggies, meats, cheeses, crackers, dips, etc.), and relaxed until dinner time. We had a nice big early dinner.... turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, cranberry sauce, stuffing... the works. It was great and we all ate too much. After that there was hot chocolate, pumpkin pie, cookies, cupcakes, and crunchy homemade cinnamon rolls. Trav ended up falling asleep (or into a food coma as we like to call it) around 8!

The next day Trav woke up around 5ish to head out shopping (he's crazy!)... leaving the rest of us to sleep for a bit. We headed home around 11, making a pit stop at the Ikea in Plymouth Meeting to check out bookshelves. We ended up finding a great one the fit perfectly with what we needed... which was a place for all of Travis' movies.

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This kid has a sickness... there are all those movies... plus all of these movies:
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(Ignore the mess in front, that's in transition.) Plus more that are hidden away!

I did get a little room to put what I thought were some nice touches.
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Shelf with our unity candle and two frames that will hold wedding pictures when we get them (and that is a copy of our invitation on the right side of the left frame).

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On top, a nice vase (thanks hoser) and our cake topper... our initial, H.

I was so excited to get it all set up and now we no longer have tons of crates all over our living room. Slowly but surely!

The rest of the weekend was pretty relaxing. I basically bummed around a lot. Trav unfortunately did have to work. We did take some time to start going through our pictures though, so hopefully we will have our album shots picked out soon.

Anyway, the weekend really was great. Thanksgiving is the second of my three favorite holidays, and it always puts me in a good mood and makes me think of all the positive things in life. This is true for a lot of people. Halcyon is one of my daily reads, and he apparently had some of the same sentimental feelings.
Every moment of my life, BOTH the following statements are true.:
ONE: "My life is difficult. I struggle in relationships and finance. I fall short of my potential. I am insecure and undisciplined. I am doomed to fail"
TWO: "My life is blessed. I learn more about myself every day. Every moment is another opportunity to experience love and the miracles of this planet. I am exactly where I am supposed to be. Everything will work out."

(From this post.) Honestly, he brought tears to my eyes. Who can't relate to having that diconamy in their life, of their positive and negative sides. I know that I also have to work on focusing on my statement two.


In other news, I have a video to share with you from my brother's performance as Romeo. To explain a few things first:
  1. It was taken with my digital camera which has an option to catch video clips. It is by no means a great video! I apologize for the poor picture and sound quality... but it at least gives you an idea.
  2. They did a "new version" of Romeo and Juliet.... modern clothes, modern weapons, but same language and story. Hence the t-shirt and jeans.
  3. My bro is awesome. ;-) Okay, I guess that's all... just had to preface.



And here are a two pictures. I think my camera is finally getting a little "old and tired". It simply does not like taking pictures without the flash anymore! But here we go anyway.

This first one turned out blurry.. but it is a pretty good shot of the amazing backdrop they painted. My bro, Romeo and Benvolio.

Here is one of Romeo and Juliet, dancing at the masked ball.
Hopefully all the media will come through okay.


Oh, and this is completely unrelated (and a little NSFW) check out this video... put out by Planned Parenthood to educate about how pregnancy occurs. And yes, you are seeing things clearly... it is narrated by an animated penis and vagina.


Well, I think that was all I wanted to share for now... I really have to get to work! Ciao!

11.22.2006

happy turkey turkey day.

So much to be thankful for this year (and all years)... great husband, family, friends... a house, that while not exactly what i want it to be, is safe and warm and ours... food on the table and money in the bank. Life really is pretty good.

Looking forward to the parents tomorrow. And four days of freedom.


Maybe I will be productive and clean.
... .... ......
Maybe I will grow another head and go on the circus tour.
You just never know.


Honestly I am going to try and get something done this weekend. I always end up frustrated that I work on things for hours and the difference is so small. Must remind myself that its the little things that add up to a big difference.


This morning was a little rough. We were switching out our internet connection at work and temporarily lost our use of internet or email. It was a LONG hour. Obviously it is working now, and I couldn't be happier.
I had a great lunch with Apoc too. We talked about old times, last weekend, and holiday plans.


I should get back to work. Have a great holiday everyone!

11.21.2006

romeo and lafayette and getting old, oh my.

So uninspired lately. Life has been good, but time is just passing so quickly... it's hard for me to get up the "omph" to write about it all.

This past weekend was great. Friday night my brother ripped up the stage as Romeo. He did great. I really am so proud of him... especially considering that a few other students seemed to blow off their lines until too late in the game and you could really tell they were struggling. It was a shame for the half of the cast that really worked their asses off. Shakespear isn't easy for anyone to master, but it can be done with some hard work.

As I'm sure you are not surprised to learn... I didn't get a chance to download my pictures. So those will come later, but I think I got some good ones. And if i can figure out how to get it up here, I also got some video clips.

Saturday morning, way too early, we headed out to Lehigh so that Trav could attend the GLA (alumni association for his fraternity) meeting. I hit up breakfast with some friends, then headed up to the house. Travis had, still thinking himself a youngin', started drinking already. I played a few games of ruit with him... then we all headed upstairs to watch some football.
The game... well, to be quite honest, it sucked. This weekend was a BAD weekend for me when it comes to my football teams. We scored first... but Lafayette immediately responded, and then just kept going. We came back a little bit (I think in the second or third quarter), but it was all for not. We were done, trampled.

After that we relaxed with friends a bunch. Travis got rip-roarin' drunk. Then it was dinner time. We ate the later dinner (they have two formal meals for the alumni and brothers, very good food), and were done around 8:30. At that point Travis and I were both exhausted... we had only gotten about 6 hours of sleep the night before, and had gotten up early, not to mention adding some alcohol to the mix. So we headed down to the hotel and got into bed where we proceeded to sleep for around 11 hours!! I woke up a few times at first, when roommates came back and such... but that was fine because they all hit the sack pretty early too.

Sunday we woke up at a decent hour and headed to Ginny's for another breakfast. It's a tradition that whenever we are up there it is Ginny's time. That was our breakfast place all throughout college and the same people are still working there making the same great food.
The best part was that after a leasuirely breakfast, and a relaxed (no rush here) drive home, we were still back in plenty of time to settle in and watch the football games. Unfortunately for me, the Eagles game SUCKED (why McNabb, why?!)... but getting home was still nice.

This weekend really made me see how much has changed since college. Priorities are so different. I'm definitely loving "real life" more then college life. And I definitely can't drink or party like I used too. I didn't even drink much this weekend (and I felt fine) but just being around all the college students was too much for me after awhile. I really was exhausted Saturday night, but even if I hadn't been, I would have been thrilled to leave when we did. Even our friends, while they didn't come back to the hotel with us, did end up leaving the house not too long after to head to the bar and somewhere a little tamer (? quieter? just different? can't think of the right words here).

Anyway, its back to the real world now... and a thankfully short work week. Thursday we are off to my parent's for Thanksgiving. Heading back down here on Friday and enjoying the fact that we still have 2 more days of weekend left. Then next week... December already! The year is quickly drawing to a close and I can't believe how time has flown. Only 40 days left. This coming year is sure to bring many exciting things.


On another note... our good friend Jen is due any day now with her baby boy. We are so excited to get news about his arrival.
And for those that haven't heard... our good friend Brian, and his wife Stacey, are expecting their first in April. So Stacey is almost half-way there. Good luck to them both.


Okay, well that's about all I have for you right now. This day is flying and I have tons to get done. Ciao.

11.17.2006

leaving early, still a long day.

Got here so early this morning because Travis had to take me to the train. Was in with a breakfast sandwich and hot chocolate before 8am. Yuck. :-)

But! Get to leave a bit early, which is nice, to see my brother play Romeo tonight! Hopefully picture this weekend.

We reschedualed the shower consultation. And the rains definitely came. No tornado though.

I'm very excited for this weekend. It's Lehigh/Lafayette time again and it will be awesome to see everyone. It's funny because last year, those things also got a combo post.

Anyway. It's always fun, it will be again.

But i have to leave to make my train!! Ciao!

11.16.2006

varied feelings on this weather

It feels gorgeous out... warm, nice breeze... but it is muggy, and so dark that it looks like nighttime (it's only a little after 3!). They gave us a flash flood warning, a tornado warning, and a wind damage warning... but so far there have only been a few sprinkles. Haven't seen any lightning or heard any thunder.

We'll just have to wait and see what the evening brings.

In case you were wondering, the big event on Tuesday went great. Everyone was pleased and those that worked on it even more pleased that it was over! Dr. Krauthammer was our guest of honor and speech giver, and what I got to hear was good. Most of the talk though, was spent putting finishing touches on things outside the room...
Afterwards we went to the hotel bar to have a drink in celebration. I had a wonderful 10-year-old Tawny port. Mmm.

Yesterday was pretty quiet since we were all busy playing catch up. Then another quiet night at home without Trav.

Tonight... we have some people coming over to look at our shower and talk about what we can do to replace the tiling with something better, newer, easier to clean. Hopefully that will go well and they won't quote some huge, unrealistic price.

No matter what they say, I'm still looking forward to tonight because Travis will be there.


Before I forget... a huge Happy Birthday to Laura (who's birthday was yesterday... but as I never managed to find my way here yesterday....). She is a amazing lady, at one point a great boss, now a good friend, and I wish her the best for another great year.
Here she is about 20wks along with Sammy
(so obviously this is not a recent picture as Sam is 1 and a half already, but hey, it's what I could find on this computer).


And now, I have some work to get done.


Ps. It's raining now, though not too hard... we'll see where this goes.

11.14.2006

here i am

Busy lately, and when not busy, lazy.

Got my hair redyed this weekend, then went to a party at Slink & Lindsey's new abode. Very nice. I don't normally drink a lot. I don't normally get drunk. But this weekend was a rare time of Travis being the designated driver... so I drank a *ahem* little more then normal.
It was good though. A great party and I got to see a bunch of people that I haven't seen for a while. And Travis got me home safe and sound. :-)

Sunday was a lazy day for me. Watched TV, Ro & Pat came over to witness my Eagles beating their 'Skins (finally!). Poor Travis had to work, again. I feel bad for my boy.
I put our new pillows out on the couch, and they look great! It's all about the little thrills. Lol.

Yesterday was work, our yearly heater maintenance (at home), and then relaxing until Trav got home. Yesterday was one month, and I can't believe how the time has flown.


Honestly things are good. There is some stress because of owning an old home. Right now it seems like we are just surrounded by things that are past their prime and desperately need to be replaced. Of course, that all takes money and we aren't exactly rolling in it. We obviously have prioritized what needs to be done vs. what we want to get done, but still... its hard to think about all the work ahead of us. And harder to think about how we can't just dive into it.
Before the wedding when someone asked us what we wanted for a birthday or christmas or something... the answer was most likely something for the wedding. Now the answer will be stuff for the house... either stuff off of our registry, or gift cards to Home Depot!!

What I really want is a house that feels like home. I'm comfortable in our house, don't get me wrong... but it is still so much the previous owners. Eventually I would like to have painted all of the rooms, replaced or removed all of the carpet, replace the flooring in both kitchen and bath, remove the tiling from the bathroom walls, get a new washer/dryer and kitchen appliances, add cabinets and a dishwasher to the kitchen, replace the sink, and redress all the windows.
You know, just a few things.

Right now though, all we need to worry about is the new walling for our shower, and maybe getting a new floor in there (since the current one is crappy cracked, pulling up, and dingy tiles). Next would probably be the sink in the kitchen... since it is probably going to be easier to replace the sink (possibly with one that we can actually wash our large pots in!), then to fix the weird leak it has developed. And what I need to remind myself is that every repair we do to our house increases its value.


On another note, today is a big (long) day at work. Our annual fundraising dinner event is tonight... so it will be a late night and a busy one. Hopefully everything will go smoothly (it always does), and it will be a relief when it is over.

Okay, back to work. Ciao!

11.13.2006

how many are there of you?

With my new last name:

HowManyOfMe.com
LogoThere are:
6
people with my name
in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?



With my old last name:

HowManyOfMe.com
LogoThere are:
26
people with my name
in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?




Real post to follow later, I'm being lazy at the moment.

11.08.2006

Dems hold breath, Nation turns blue*

*from today's Metro... possibly my favorite headline ever.

I could spend all day talking about the election stuff... but I won't. Chances are you are either very excited right now, or very disappointed. I happen to be excited. There are certain decisions voted on across the nation that are not so good. But I'm thrilled to see more blue around... thrilled that the House is covered in it and hoping that the Senate will be too. We needed a change. I'm hopeful that this may start moving us in the right direction.

On another note. We finally got some of our pro pictures! So I would love to share with you. Here are just a few of the dozens of favorites we have (she took over 1300 pictures total).

In no particular order
(ignore the fact that some look blurry... that was a saving and uploading and transfering problem, not her pictures!):
My super handsome groom.

Me...



First dance.

Him reading his vows to me (which we didn't share beforehand), and me crying because they were so sweet!


Father/Daughter dance.

The Lehigh representation... spanning multiple generations!


The super fabulous and fun bridal party.

My ladies.

Brian and I... love that kid.

First time my papita saw me all dressed up.

With my new brother-in-law.

From L - R: Trav's brother, Andy, mom Barbara, Travis, me, Travis' sister-in-law, Megan, father John, and grandfather... the best man... Willy.

Gorgeous cake my aunt made us.

Us and my parents.