April 28, 2009

Back to work today. Well sort of. I spent most of the day volunteering for Junior Achievement. I spent the day in a classroom of 20 third graders, teaching them about "Our City". We spoke about zoning, and jobs in the city. They got to be restaurant owners, and learn how to read a blueprint. It was a lot of fun.

April 27, 2009

Forgot to take a picture today, since all we did was get up eat breakfast and head over to SFO, so I leave you with our parting shot of the Golden Gate bridge.

April 26, 2009

Another one of our favorite things to do.... the Farmer's Market. For some reason, the Farmer's Market is so much better in California than it is in Connecticut. LOL.

I love taking pictures of produce. Nto sure why but I think they are very visually appealing. Maybe it is leftover from drawing still ife pictures in grade school art?

We bought some incredible strawberries, mandarin oranges, and these gluten free pumpkin cookies. The visit was totally worth it.


Then spent the rest of the afternoon at the Exploratorium. A museum of science, art and human perception, filled with interactive science exhibits. It was incredibly fun. Here is a shot of the hubs with his hands in one of those raised pin things.

April 25, 2009

I finally got to meet some of the hubs' family!! His aunt, and two cousins live in San Fran. I had never met them (well I met Aunt Patty at the wedding), and I teased him they didn't exist. Here is a pic of the hubs, his cousin Jenny, her brother Eric, Aunt Patty and Jenny's two little girls, all in line waiting to get ice cream.

April 24 2009

Nothing like a visit to one of my favorite spots on Earth to make my day. The Hubs and I drove up to Napa and spent the day mulling around the vineyards.

First stop: Sterling! You need to take an aerial tram to get up to this mountaintop vineyard. The vistas are amazing from up there. And the wine is amazing!

Next Stop: Praeger Port Works. This is my favorite estate/family owner winery in Napa. They make the most incredible dessert reisling called Sweet Claire. Their tasting room is covered in dollar bills signed by visitors. Back in 2005, I put one up with my friends from work (be darned if I knew where we put it). So the hubs and I played tourist, and added a new one!

Next Stop: Sutter Home. Which had much nicer wines than I was expecting. My favorites? White Cabernet Savignon and Moscato.

Final Vineyard for the day? Our original favorite: Robert Mondavi. Unfortunately by the time we got there it was too late for tastings, so we just enjoyed the scenery and took some photos.

After our drive back to San Francisco, we had dinner at one of my favorite restaurants: The Stinking Rose. Their tag line? We season our garlic with food. If you are ever in San Fran or Beverly Hills, eat at this restaurant, you won't be disappointed.

April 23, 2009

We left for our mini-vacation in San Francisco today. The plan was to stay the first two nights in the city, at the Omni on California Street.

The hotel was so fancy, even the extra roll of toilet paper had a bow. :)

Give You Hell - All American Rejects

Let's be honest... after a break-up how do you cope? In my earlier years (still happily married), I coped by thinking that one day my sed ex would come crawling back after realizing what a huge mistake he made. I have an ego, and let's be honest, I like to think that yes.. I am that worth it.

So I keep hearing this All American Rejects song on the radio, and it totally sums it up:

"I wake up every evening, with a big smile on my face
And it never feels out of place

And your still probably working at a 9 to 5 pace
I wonder how bad that tastes

When you see my face
Hope it gives you hell
Hope it gives you hell
When you walk my way
Hope it gives you hell
Hope it gives you hell

Now wheres you picket fence love
And wheres that shiny car,
And did it ever get you far

You've never seem so tense love
I've never seen you fall so hard,
Do you know where you are

And truth be told I miss you
And truth be told I'm lying

When you see my face
Hope it gives you hell
Hope it gives you hell
When you walk my way
Hope it gives you hell
Hope it gives you hell
If you find a man that's worth a damn and treats you well
Then he's a fool, your just as well, hope it gives you hell

Hope it gives you hell

Tomorrow you'll be thinking to yourself
Where'd it all go wrong, the list goes on and on

And truth be told I miss you
And truth be told I'm lying

When you see my face
Hope it gives you hell
Hope it gives you hell
When you walk my way
Hope it gives you hell
Hope it gives you hell
If you find a man that's worth a damn and treats you well
Then he's a fool, your just as well, hope it gives you hell

Now you'll never see, what you've done to me
You can take back your memories they're no good to me
And here's all your lies,
You can look me in my eyes
With that sad sad look that you wear so well

When you see my face
Hope it gives you hell
Hope it gives you hell
When you walk my way
Hope it gives you hell
Hope it gives you hell
If you find a man that's worth a damn and treats you well
Then he's a fool, your just as well, hope it gives you hell

Chorus"


Well hearing that reminds me of my feel good break-up song of the 90s by 'Nsync... It's Gonna Be Me" (yes, I enjoy the boybands... I can't help myself I am a sucker for pop music)

"You might've been hurt, babe
That ain't no lie
You've seen them all come and go, oh..
I remember you told me
That it made you believe in
No man, no cry
Maybe that's why

Every little thing I do
Never seems enough for you
You don't wanna lose it again
But I'm not like them
Baby, when you finally,
Get to love somebody
Guess what,
It's gonna be me..


You've got no choice, babe
But to move on, and you know
There ain't no time to waste
You're just too blind (too blind), too see
But in the end, ya know it's gonna be me
You can't deny
So just tell me why

Every little thing I do
Never seems enough for you
You don't wanna lose it again
But I'm not like them
Baby, when you finally
Get to love somebody (somebody)
Guess what (guess what)
It's gonna be me

It's gonna be me
Oh yeahhhhh...


There comes a day
When I'll be the one, you'll see..
It's gonna-gonna-gonna-gonna-gonna

It's gonna be me

All that I do
Is not enough for you
Don't wanna lose it
But I'm not like that
When finally (finally)
You get to love
Guess what (guess what)

Every little thing I do
Never seems enough for you (for you babe)
You don't wanna lose it again (don't wanna lose it)
But I'm not like them
Baby, when you finally
Get to love somebody (love..)
Guess what (guess what)
It's gonna be me

Every little thing I do (ohh...)
Never seems enough for you
You don't wanna lose it again (don't wanna lose it)
But I'm not like them
Baby, when you finally (baby when you finally)
Get to love somebody
Guess what (guess what)
It's gonna be me.."

April 22, 2009

The last of the Easter Candy. Yummy Yummy in my tummy!

April 21, 2009

Another long post. But this one is pretty funny.


I had a meeting in NYC for work today. I had to be at World Financial Center by 9 am. I am not a morning person by any stretch, so I picked out my suit and shoes the night before, and packed my bag accordingly. I hate to drive in my high heels, so I always pack them in my bag.


Well I get to WFC in pleanty of time, and I pull my shoes out of my bag, and this is what I find:

OK, so apparently when I was trying on my shoes the night before, after I decided which to wear, I put the two mismatched shoes in my bag. UGH! So luckily I was wearing a gray suit, and the pants are a little long, and my sneakers are black.

I sat through the meeting, and right after it ended (luckily at noon, so perfect timing for a little lunch trip) I ran to the DSW Shoe Store to grab som new shoes.


Here is what I bought. On clearance, and in record time. I swear this was the fastest shoe shopping experience ever!

Then I had dinner with some friends from work. Kevin (the tall guy in the back) is about to move to New Zealand to work for Deloitte there. We ate at Luna Piena, which is this really cute little Italian place on E. 53rd St. A nice glass of Pinot Noir, calamari and homemade lasagna later.. I was one happy girl.

April 20, 2009

Ok, so I forgot to take a picture today. You know, sometimes that happens.

So, here is another picture from Saturday. After I got my hair done, and went for a mani/pedi, the hubs and I met my Uncle Chris and Aunt Mary in NYC for dinner. To celebrate my 30th birthday... that was in December... but hey we were busy, so who says you can't celebrate a few days( errr... months) late?

I got to choose the restaurant.. which was a challenge. So I made 2 reservations... one for my favorite Brazilian Steak House, Churrascaria Plataforma, and a second for Del Posto, and Italian Place partially owned by Mario Batali (oh how I love him!!). I thought I would let my uncle pick. But of course I got the call that said "Whatever you want Honey, it's your birthday!".

If you know me, you know making decisions is not my strong suit. So after some thought and a Del Posto menu review, I decided that since Mario Batali would not actually be cooking my dinner, and Del Posto was a lot more expensive than his other restaurant Lupa, which I really love, I would go for the constant parade of meat on a stick and Churrascaria Plataforma.

Happy Birthday to Me!

In case you want to know how I spent my birthday check out ths post here.

April 19, 2009

Lunch with my college roommates! This time we met at the WestFarms Mall, and enjoyed sliders at Ruby Tuesday's. Then off to the Starbucks for "coffee beverages", but between the caramel and the mocha who knows where the coffee really is.

I have no idea who the guy is behind us, but it is funny.

April 18, 2009

BLONDE! OR BLONDER....

It really is much more blond in person. I asked my hair stylist for a change and that is what I got! I like it, it is a complete 180 from what it looked like this morning, so it will take a little bit for me to say I love it.

April 17, 2009

My momma is in town to go visit my grandma. We met for dinner. Love my momma!

April 16, 2009

I am trying to be good and get back on my weight loss routine. The above pictures are of my "home gym". I have everything I need, a physio ball, free weights, resistance bands, pilates mat, new treadmill (I begged the hubs for this, and got it for Christmas!), and yes a Tony Little Gazelle Glider (because "You Can Do It!"). These pictures don't even include my crazy collection of exercise videos.

I used to have a personal trainer, who came to the house and kicked my behind into using all of these lovely pieces of equipment. Now, I am on my own and seriously lacking motivation.

I keep trying to remind myself that beach weather is on the way, and I am going to be on a cruise ship in 2 1/2 weeks, but nothing. I did get on the treadmill the last two days... so I guess that is progress :)

April 15, 2009

I got told by a little birdie that I have too many pictures of street signs and not enough pictures of things that make me happy.

So here is a picture of something that makes me happy. Forsythia. I love the bright yellow flowers, and how they show up during early spring. Makes me think of warm weather and sunshine. Yeah!

We have Forsythia bushes lining the entrance to our condo complex, but every time I see them I remember the Forsythia bush under my bedroom window of the house I grew up in.

April 14, 2009

Today's picture is of a bracelet I received from my Aunt this weekend. It was made by a woman in her prayer group who has a degenerative spinal disease, and can only stand for 2 hours a day, for only 20 minutes at a time (and I was complaining that I had it bad this weekend. YIKES!!). The bracelet represents Psalm 23, and starts with the white mother of pearl bead and goes clockwise to the green bead.

Psalm 23

The LORD Is My Shepherd

A Psalm of David.

23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

April 13, 2009

Flew home today into JFK. Here is a picture of the street sign before we got on the Van Wyck Expressway heading north. We landed at a bad time, and hit all sorts of rush hour traffic. A drive that normally takes an hour and twenty minutes, took us two hours and forty-five minutes. It was exhausting. The poor hubs, I was so worn out that I fell asleep in the passenger seat.

April 12, 2009 - Easter Sunday

Of course we always get dressed up for Easter Mass. Here is a picture of all the "kids". The hubs and I are on the far right. The middle 3 are my siblings and sister-in-law, and on the far left my two cousins, and my cousin's boyfriend. Although we are technically the "kids" the youngest (in the suit) is gonna be 21 in October. Damn, that makes me feel old, cause I remember changing his diaper.

This is the first year we got together for Easter and didn't have an Easter egg hunt. Not sure how that happened, but there was some disappointment that it was missing. We were looking at old photos, and there was a picture of our Easter egg hunt where sed youngest was toddling around with his binky in a cute little suit. Man time flies.

April 11, 2009

The hubs and I thought it was hysterical that in the hotel we were staying in was an empty wall of fame. So of course, the hubs had to have his picture taken as it's first member.

April 10, 2009

We flew out to my parent's for Easter today, and we did my favorte Easter activity: We colored eggs. I love it. I find it relaxing, and a fun stress outlet. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of the really pretty eggs we made, but the eggs on the bottom here are the first few we did.

April 09, 2009

I loved the sky today. It reminded me of the beauty life holds. It was sort of important for me to find that message today after getting some really bad news.

We found out today that my pregnancy (we just found out we were pregnant on the 30th) is over.

If I hadn't been here before, I would say it is the suckiest day of my life, but at least this time it is a lot less tramatic. And I know that I can get through this.

But seriously, it still sucks!

April 08, 2009

Our local grocery market, Stew Leonard's, always decorates for the holidays. We had to go buy some of their coffee to bring to my parent's in Pittsburgh(theycan't find anything in Cranberry Township that they like as much as Stew's Decaf Columbian), so I thought you all might like a shot of the Easter Bunny :)

April 07, 2009

Ah Starbucks. I love it. My normal drink a tall skim cappucino or a tall skim caramel macchiato, but today. It as a passion tea on ice. Since it is spring it is time to change it up for something a little lighter.

April 06, 2009

So today started out really pretty. I have been trying to get up earlier and go to work earlier, and this was a view from my car.

Then it started to rain. HARD. ALL DAY LONG.

But when I got home this was in my maibox:

This is a card from my cousin in Michigan, whose middle name is also Marie (we are both named after our grandma). I thought it was hysterical and totally brightened my day.

April 05, 2009

It was absolutely gorgeous out today. Sunny and warm, and I found some of the first signs of spring in the garden outside the hotel. Crocuses.

Did you know that saffron is realy the dried stamens of crocuses?

April 04, 2009

It was a scrapping weekend! The hubs of one of the girl's I scrap with works at a local hotel, and she was able to rent an empty conference room for really cheap for 2 days. It was awesome, we had so much space, and we could leave our stuff overnight. I got to 95% done with my Wedding Album ( I just have to go back and add some more accents). I am so excited... that project has been looming over my head for the last 3 and a half years! Now back to 2008.... where did I leave off?? oh yeah... February... UGH!

April 3, 2009

Some of my friends are walking in the AVON Breast Cancer Walk in NYC in October. It is a two day walk that covers a marathon and a half. There are lofty fund raising goals involved, and so I decided to help out. The hubs and I went to their fundraiser pizza party "Save the Ta-Ta's" at a local restaurant. It was a fun night, and I got to see a bunch of people from high school who I hadn't seen in years. So that was interesting.

If you want to help with the fundraising efforts, go here to donate.

(LINK ADDED)

April 02, 2009

Ah the joys of grocery shopping. Yeah, I hate grocery shopping more than just about anything. Lucky for me the hubs always comes with to help out. We decided this was the week we were gonna get back on track and start cooking again. See all the pretty produce bags?

April 01, 2009

More blood work today, only this time she couldn't find the vein, so I wound up being stuck in both arms.