ABC's of Me!

This has been floating around the blog-sphere for a week or so, thought I'd give it a try.

A. Age: 27

B. Bed size: Queen...I've always said that I don't want a bigger one, but with this belly, I'm sort of changing my mind!

C. Chore you dislike: Cleaning the bathrooms.  Oh how I hate cleaning the bathrooms!

D. Dogs: Ms. Maya.

 
E. Essential start to your day:  I don't drink coffee and didn't used to eat breakfast, so nothing really, maybe just the alarm clock otherwise I'd never get out of bed.

F. Favorite color: Right now, I'm big into green and purple

G. Gold or silver: silver

H. Height: 5′ 7"

I. Instruments you play(ed): The flute.  I still have it at home and sometimes when I'm cleaning and come across it, I take it out and play it for giggles.

J. Job title(s): Engineer/Project Manager, Wife, Soon-to-be Mom!

K. Kids: Besides the furbaby, there's also the alien (baby c) rolling around in my stomach (non-stop!)

L. Live: North Carolina!  So glad we moved south and out of the snow!

M. Mom's Name: Patty

 
N. Nicknames: No one really calls me by a nickname, I've been called Laur, and Lou, I also acquired, bold-n-spicy on a road-trip but thankfully it never stuck!

O. Overnight hospital stays: None so far (until baby comes)

P. Pet peeves: Socks and sandals,  'Fake' people.

Q. Quote from a movie: I'm actually not big on movie quotes.

S. Siblings: One sister!

 
T. Time you wake up: Around 6:30 (Not that I get our of bed then though!)  :-) 

U. University attended: RIT in Rochester, NY

V. Vegetables: Some, I'm big on asparagus and zuchinni during the summer!

W. What makes you run late: Sometimes I just stand in the shower under the warm water to warm up and don't want to get out and step into the cold air.

X. X-rays you’ve had: dental, left hand (broke/fractured where my pinky meets my hand)

Y. Yummy food you make: Hmmm, chocolate chip cheese ball, or cookies, oooo, or maybe some cake balls!  :-)

Z. Zoo animal favorites: I love the polar bears!

Tag you're it!

Katie from Oui, Bien Sur! tagged me to answer 8 questions about myself.  I thought it would be fun to play along.

1. What is your least favorite food?
   My least favorite food would have to be muscles or clams or scallops.  They're just a bit too slimey for my tastes. (shudder)
2. As a past wedding guest, what is one thing that annoys you? How did you (or plan to) avoid it at your own wedding? (whew, sorry, long answer, brace yourself!)
   For me there were 2 things that annoyed me.  The first I suspect is common and unavoidable in some situations, 'the gap'.  Mostly common in Catholic weddings, but I went to a wedding where we had to wait 2 hours between the ceremony and the reception (with nothing to do in between and we were out-of-towners).  To avoid this as much as possible at our own wedding, we scheduled our cocktail hour during the gap and missed it ourselves.  Honestly we never had any intention of attending a cocktail hour, so this was the best option for us, though I do know it's unavoidable so I try my hardest to understand and not be annoyed when it does happen.
   The second thing was kind of more of a bride thing, but as a guest I was all kind of like, it's a little upsetting that we didn't get a picture with the bride-and-groom at all.  I mean if it was me I would want to remember everyone.  So when it was our turn.  During our cocktail hour, when everyone was in the other room and our formal pics were taken, we sent the Bridal Party on a mission to go in to the cocktail hour and find groups of people for pictures.  All the people we went to college with, all the people from mom's sided, dad's side, etc etc.  We took a picture and sent them on their merry way back to the cocktail hour until we started the reception.  It worked really well and I'm so glad we did it.  I think we have pictures or almost everyone that was there!
3. What movie can you quote along with the best?
   Hmmm, I don't know, I'm not much of a movie quoter really.  I'm getting to know The Ugly Truth, 27 Dresses and The Proposal though because I've been watching them lately.
4. What’s one thing that will be on your Christmas list this year?
   Fun answer - MacBook Pro - oh how I long for you! or iPad - though I'm holding out for the next generation!
   Semi-fun answer - Fabric! - I am loving so many different fabrics out there it's so hard to decide.
5. What is your favorite thing about blogging?
   My favorite thing about blogging is the people.  Everyone is so nice and offers help and leaves some great comments.  The ideas people have are amazing and I just want to try them all! 
6. If you could live in any other decade which one would you pick?
   I have no idea what I would pick.  Mostly I think I would pick the roaring 20's.  Known for a time when people were breaking traditions, the jazz era, women got the right to vote.  I would have loved to see my great-grandma when she was younger!
7. Where has the best meal of your life been and what did you eat?
   This is tough, I think that the best meals of my life have both been meals where I ate salmon, one being one of the specials at McCormick and Schmick's (with a blue crab stuffing) and the other at Top of the Hill (with mushroom Risotto and grilled tomatoes).  Two things about this, first, both of these dishes were specials for the day when we went and it's rather upsetting that I can't have them again (or find the exact meal to tell you what it is), though I suppose it opens my horizons to trying new dishes!  Second, up until about 3 years ago the only seafood I ate was shrimp cocktail and fried haddock.  I now love salmon out but struggle to cook it at home.
8. What is your guilty pleasure TV show?
   I don't consider any of much shows that I watch regularly guilty pleasures.  My guilty pleasures are the Lifetime or made for TV movies that I get drawn into watching when I'm hanging around channel surfing.  Once I start watching I'm hooked and can't turn it off until it's over!

That was fun (and tough!).  I'm not one for tagging people because I want everyone  to participate!  Link back if you answered them, I'd really love to see peoples answers to these.  

Here are my questions:

1. What's the one thing you and your husband or significant other have agreed to disagree about?  
2. What's your favorite flavor of potato chips?
3. What's the one fall/holiday tradition that you're looking forward to?
4. Do you sing out loud in the car?
5. If you could have a shopping spree at 1 store, what store would it be?
6. What's your favorite dessert?
7. If you could have a role in 1 TV show, what would it be?
8. Coke or Pepsi?

Aim to please

This weekend I was watching 27 Dresses (for like the 10th time) and when the bar scene came on, it struck a cord with me.  You no, the part where Kevin asks Jane if she knows how to say 'No'.    I realized that I don't know how to say 'No' and more so, I'm a pleaser.

I find myself not being able to say 'No' to things, whether it is work related or personal related.  If someone asks me for help with something 99% of the time, I say 'Yes'.  Invited to a party, I will ask to bring something.  Getting married, I'll ask to help with whatever I can.  New project at work, sure, I'll work on it.

Lately, it's happening more frequently.  With my friend who's getting married, she had invitations to make and pillows to make.  I insisted on making at least 4 pillows for her this week because she has other wedding stuff to do.  She needed to finish a few envelopes, I stopped by and picked them up and brought them back all finished.  My husband doesn't get why I am so eager to help (there's more to his argument, but I won't divulge it here).  To me, I say I'm just trying to be a good friend and help out the bride.  We just got married a year ago and I know how much work needs to be done.

The Luau shower that was this weekend is another example.  At this point we've already picked out the menu, etc, but I took the details to a whole new level.  Why?  Because I want the bride to be happy and I want her to have the shower with every detail thought about and not overlooked.  From the small things, like water bottle labels, wrapped silverware, and food signs to match the invites to the big things, like a luau/hawaiian themed menu, hula bear cupcakes, a photo-booth to remember the details.  To me these are all things that are important to make the party, but deep down, it's because I want to bride and groom to be pleased and happy with it.  I want them to feel special.

It goes on and on, I could probably give you at least 5 more examples.  I think KC gets it a little bit, he understands that I just want to be helpful and I'm trying to be a good friend, etc, but I know that sometimes it annoys him. For me, sometimes I think I'm terrified to disappoint people or let them down.  That they'll feel that I'm incapable or inadequate.  Even though these things might cause me stress and other problems, I still can't say no and stretch myself above and beyond.

I'm not really sure where I'm going with this, but I do know that I'm going to try to work harder to pick and chose what I say yes to.  It's ok to not do everything.  It's ok to let someone else host a party.  I'm sure there are some things that I'll never drop (it's common courtesy in my book to bring something to a party), but I've got to learn to stop stretching myself to the limits so often.  Can I change immediately?  No, it's gradual but in the long run, I know I can be a better person for myself (and for KC) if I do change even a little bit.

Getting to know you!

Ok, while I struggle to get this post up about the shower, I thought I'd do something fun.  I've seen this around blog land recently and I thought I do it too.  I've seen so many new people leaving comments and visiting and that makes me really happy!  So, comment below and tell me a little bit more about yourself.  I would love to hear things like:

• Age
• Location/Hometown
• Marital status/Children
• Likes or dislikes
• How you found me
• Anything else you think I should know

Don't forget to leave your blog if it's not linked to your ID so that I can check it out as well!

For all the new readers, I'll start myself:

I'm Lauren, and I just turned 27 (ok, so 2 months ago isn't just but I still like to think it is).  I live in the south now but I'm originally from upstate NY.  KC and I have been happily married for 1 year and we have one fur baby that just turned 4.  No kids yet, but we've been talking about starting a family in the near future.  I work in a technology field and spend most of my time with guys who do the same.  I've recently started running, completing a 10K training program and am in my 3rd week of half marathon training.  I'm big into crafts, Stampin' Up, paper crafting and recently started sewing.  I'm a sports lovin' girl and love my country music.   I'm pretty quiet and laid back when you first meet me, it takes me some time to warm-up to people.  I've only been blogging for 6 months and I'm really having a lot of fun doing it and meeting new people.

And, what's a post with a picture, here's a picture of KC and I from the shower.

Your turn!

Happy Monday!

{1}  I had an awesome 10-day vacation!  It was so nice to get to hang out with my favorite people!  Thanks for sticking with me while I was out!

{2}  Now it's time to go into panic mode for the Luau shower that is less than 2 weeks away, it crept up on me quickly.  Any suggestions for decorating or food?

{3}  Playing name that 80's/90's/00's - TV Show Themes/Music is a great way to get everyone involved when you have a new 'group' of people together.  Everyone knows at least 1!  Thank you YouTube for pre-made mixes! 

{4}  I'd like to start making my first (baby) quilt for my cousin who is 12 weeks along with her first baby.  I'm really nervous, don't know which pattern to use for a beginner.

{5}  After this weekend's heat wave, I'm looking forward to September!  20 degrees cooler would be amazing.  I'd like to walk more than 2 steps outside without sweating.

{6}  I'm in need of a new blog design but I can't quite find any images that I like.  I'm obsessed with the teal/red combination right now!

Hope you all had a great week/weekend!  Head on over to lowercase letters and join in!

The big 2-7!

Happy Birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me-e-e…..HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Whoa! The big 2-7!

In my mind, I am now officially in my late 20's.  I've got mixed emotions, today it is excitement.  There are lots of new things ahead of me this year.  I've only lived just over a quarter of a century, and cannot wait to live a few more quarter centuries! 

So, here's 27 things about me to celebrate!

1. I was 9.0lbs when I was born, my dad used to call me the sausage roll when I was little.
2. I got to name the dog we had as a kid and named her Rudy after my favorite show at the time, 'The Cosby Show'.
3. Sometimes during the summer in middle-school, I'd read at least one Baby Sitters Club book a weekend (and repeat them!)
4. I was a band geek and started playing the flute in 4th grade and all the way through High School, even summer marching band.
5. I participated on the High School Whiz Kid team, and I don't think I answered more than 1 question right in our competitions.  Thought we were so cool on TV in our button-down jean shirts.
6. I won the Superlative for 'Most Athletic' in High School, playing Soccer, Basketball and Softball, every season from 7th grade to 12th.
7. I hate it when people call me by my last name (maiden or married).
8. I set the alarm at least 20 minutes early so I can hit the snooze button twice
9. I absolutely love ice cream, I would eat it every day if I could.
10. If I lived alone, I would probably eat plain pasta or a salad and baked potato for dinner every night.  
11. When KC goes away for the weekend sometimes I spend my Sunday afternoons watching movies on TBS (or Lifetime) and eating Air-Pop Popcorn
12. I don't have a favorite color, I like shades of purple, blue and teal.
13. I don't like pink, mostly pastel-y pink.  I can deal with a darker pink, but if I ever have a baby girl, her room will not be pink.
14. I fractured my hand last year (2008-2009) on NYE playing dizzy bats (Yes, drinking was involved, enough said).
15. I always thought I would grow up to be a teacher (I used to think it was because I have neat hand-writing), sometimes I think about going back to school to be a teacher now.
16. I am very particular about the type of pen I like.  Pentel RSVP Fine Tip please!
17. My friends say I have OCD because I like things to be cleaned and picked up.
18. I make To-Do lists just so I can cross things off the list.
19. I would love to open my own business (I have no idea of what) but I'm too afraid of failure/risk (my husband is the risk taker).
20. I used to drink regular Pepsi, until I gave it up for Lent, then I stopped drinking Pepsi and switched to Diet Coke, but I don't like regular Coke or Diet Pepsi.
21. I love strawberries and if it has mushrooms in it you can count me in!
22. I like cake (preferably funfetti) but would rather have it without the frosting.
23. I love white-chocolate, like milk-chocolate and don't like dark-chocolate
24. I love a nice hot glass of hot cocoa on a cold morning, but not from Starbucks, yuck!
25. I never read blogs until I started planning my wedding and was too chicken to start one until after.
26. I've been a New York Yankee lover for as long as I can remember!  
27. I'm a country music girl!

Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!

Happy Friday!

I'm so glad it's Friday!  My parents are here and I can't wait to spend the weekend with them.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  I love reading so I thought I'd participate in Fill in the Blank about books!

1.  My favorite book growing up was To Kill A Mocking Bird

2.  The funniest book I've ever read was I have no idea, maybe Confessions of a Shop-a-holic, I thought it was quite funny when I read it for the first time (a couple of years ago)

3.  The one book that has truly changed my life is one that I just finished reading, 'The Help'.  It really was an eye opener to what life was really like during those times.

4.  If you're looking for a real "tear jerker" you should probably read 'The Wedding' or 'The Notebook'.  I read them at work during my lunch hour and couldn't stop crying!

5.  If I could meet any author living or dead I would want to meet would probably be Harper Lee or Jane Austen or Kathryn Stockett.

6.  The next book on my "to read" list is 'Heart of the Matter' by Emily Griffin.  It's coming out in a few days and I'm looking forward to it.

7.  If I was snowed into  remote cabin in the woods and could only choose three books to bring with me I'd bring either the Shop-a-holic series or Emily Griffin's series.


I am looking for other book recommendations, so if you have any, let me know!

Hi if you're stopping by from New Friend Friday!

Finally Friday!

Thank goodness it's Friday!  It felt like a really long week.  I don't seem to have too much to blog about lately and I'm getting frustrated with WordPress  (and the lack of customization options)  and considering moving to blogger.   I feel like I need to find my direction and audience if I'm going to keep blogging though.

Now on to happier things!

Source

This weekend looks to be exciting!  I'll be running a 5K tomorrow morning and we will be going to the Beer Festival tomorrow night, which is always a good time.

I hope that everyone has a great weekend!

Fill in the Blank Friday

1. One song that always takes me back to my youth is anything by the Beetles, it was way before my time, but when we were in middle school, listening to the Beetles was the cool thing to do.  Then when I became a Band Geek and marched over the summer we did a medley of the Beetles.  As geeky as it may have been for other people, all the cool kids were in band at my school so it was so bad.  I loved Marching Band, it was so much fun to do all summer.


2. My first concert ever was a New Kids on the Block concert.  Oh yeah, Hangin' Tough.  It was pouring down rain and they slid all over the stage.  I think they only played like 5 songs and then called it quits.  Joe was so dreamy!
   


3. If I could create my dream music festival I'd want these bands to be there: Lady Antebellum, Sugarland, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley and Kenny!  Yeah, I'm a country music girl!


4. The best make-out/"boot knocking" song ever is something I've never even thought about.  But if I hear that new song Bedrock one more time, I'm going to swear off the radio and only listen to my iPod for a year.  That song drives me crazy.


5. The best concert I've ever been to was the first Kenny Chesney concert I went to with my sister and lots of cousins.  We practically had the worst seat in the house, but we got to see Kenny Chesney (from behind :-) ) and Rascal Flatts for the first time and I was hooked on country.  I loved spending time with the girls in my family!


6. A memorable musical moment for me was when I was in 4th grade and played my very first (and only) flute solo in the middle of our band concert.


7. The song on my iPod that's getting the most play these days is pretty much anything by Lady Antebellum.
   

New Friend Friday

Hi to everyone stopping by from New Friend Friday as well!

Thoughts for Thursday

1. I've been having a tough time getting up at 5:40 to go to the gym in the morning over the last 2 weeks.  I wish I could get my motivation back.  I am starting 10K training next week and I really want to succeed, I need all the motivation I can find.
2. I got my wedding album in the mail last week from Blurb.  I was a little disappointed because everything was rather dark, and I can't decide if it was the pictures or the printing.  I was a little disappointed with the pictures to begin with, so I'm thinking it's them.  I've decided to try to lighten the pictures up and make a new one.  I just hope I finish before our 1st Anniversary!
3. I drink about 1-2 Diet Cokes a day and am making a conscious effort to cut back and it's torture some days!  I made it 2 days without any and had a small one last night.  Hopefully I can keep it up!
4. Last weekend we painted the Living Room and Family Room and I'd really like to share it with you but we don't have furniture yet.  2 more weeks!
5. KC and I are planning a trip to NYC for June 18th-21st, so far we planning on going to the Today Show, a NYY vs. NYM game, and a Broadway show.  Any restaurants you would suggest we visit while there?
6. I've been reading Twenties Girl, but I'm losing interest.  Any suggestions on another book to read, next on my list was the new Emily Griffin book and that's not coming out until May.  What did you think of My Sister's Keeper?
7. I still want a sewing machine, I think I'll ask for it for my Birthday.
8. KC's parents anniversary is next week and I feel like we should get them something.  He never does, though and I always get my parents something.  I was thinking maybe a flower arrangement or something.
9. Our first wedding anniversary is coming up in a month and I need some ideas for an anniversary gift.  I feel like I've used all my 'Paper' ideas already!
10. Sometimes I wish I could make new friends easier.  There are so many boys in my life and more girls or couples would be a relief some days.  I'm too shy to come right out and meet people, but once I get to know you sometimes I don't shut up!  :-)

And because I don't like to post without a picture, here's Miss Maya.  I was working from home the other day and she joined me in the office looking out the window and giving me her typical head tilt.

Have a great Thursday!

Friday Fun!

I haven't had too much to say this week.  It's been a little bit of a boring week so I decided I'll participate this week again in Fill in the Blank Friday and Five Question Friday.

We have lots planned for this weekend, so I'll probably have lots to say next week!

I'm so happy that it rained last night and washed away some of the pollen.  My red car is no longer yellow!

I hope that you all have a great weekend!

Fill in the Blank Friday!

1. The strangest thing I've ever eaten was Rattlesnake - it was kinda chewy and a little gross.


2. My best Female friend is Marcy, she keeps me sane and really understands everything.  She just needs to move back to the East Coast.  It's hard to only talk to her every other week or so because she's all the way out in CA.  It's hard to pick just 1 though.


3. If I could live in a different era it would be Early 1900's because I'd love to know what it was like to live in 'simpler' times and what my Great Grandmother lived through.


4. I like when people do things for others without being asked.  I love the car insurance (I think it's Allstate) commercial where someone see's someone do something nice and pays it forward and so on.


5. If you only know one thing about me it should be that I will try my hardest to please almost anyone.


6. My favorite book of all time is currently 'The Help'.  I just finished it and I really liked it, so it's moved to the top of my list.  I couldn't put it down.  Before that it was probably To Kill a Mockingbird, but I haven't read that in a while.


7. The one beauty product I couldn't live without is cover-up, I don't wear much else but cover-up, blush and eye-shadow.  My face is a little red lately so the cover-up is a life saver.


8. Blogging is new to me and I'm enjoying it.  It's my 'secret' from my friends and my own little world.  I hope to make many more 'blog friends' and continue blogging for a while.  I just hope there are people out there actually reading what I write.  :-)


9. If I could star in a movie with any actor/actress I would want to work with Anne Hathaway, I like her in some of the roles she's played and reminds me of myself a little.


10. One of the best feelings in the world is laying in bed cuddling with KC and Miss Maya jumps up to join us.  We're one little happy family.

Five Question Friday

1. Who would you want to play you in a movie of your life?

Anne Hathaway - Same as above - I don't really have a good reason except that I like her. :-)

2. Did you ever go to summer camp?

Every summer for about 5 years I was at a Basketball or Soccer camp (some years both).   I loved going to camps and meeting new kids and improving my sports skills.

3. What sends you running and screaming in the other direction?

Lots of things.  Bugs (the more legs the farther I go), any type of surgery on tv, Reptiles (and their nasty tongues).  Last night we watched 'Life' (narrated by Oprah) and there were Komodo Dragons on the show.  They were huge and had some gross looking tongues.

4. What is something you do that drives your spouse nuts?

Hmm, right now I would say it drives him nuts that I won't kill the spiders and gross bugs that seem to be around.

5. What is currently your favorite song?

Lady Antebellum - "I Was Here" or Britt Nicole - "Walk on Water"

New Friend Friday!

Click on over to participate yourself or let me know if you stopped by from there.

1.  The strangest thing I've ever eaten was at a restaurant in Kenya called Carnivore...all you can eat meat.  I tried ostrich meatballs, goat and crocodile.  The goat was pretty tasty .

2.  My best friend is the greatest.  He's funny and sweet and pretty darn cute.  Oh yeah...and by the way Craig...it's you :) .

3.  If I could live in a different era it would be the 1950's because  I really like the idea of cooking in heels and pearls, plus I feel like things were probably simpler then...not perfect, but simpler .

4.  I like when people practice random acts of kindness.  It makes the world a happier place to .

5.  If you only know one thing about me it should be that I love Jesus.  I'm not perfect in my faith...I actually struggle often, but I'm trying to love others the way He did...without judgement and/or expectation.  It's a work in progess .

6.  My favorite book of all time is "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" by Judith Viorst.  I had the entire thing memorized when I was a kid .

7. The one beauty product I couldn't live without is it's a tie between under eye concealer and blush.  I just can't decide.  I have olive toned skin, so I look like death warmed up without any blush, but I also get terrible dark circles, so I don't think I could do without that either.  Oh...and P.S.  any suggestions for miracle working dark circle removing creams are much appreciated :) .

8.  Blogging is something that makes me very happy.  It's been such a great way to express myself creatively, and my blog has become sort of like my "baby" and I enjoy putting time into it and watching it grow and change.  And more than anything I've made so many great friends through blogging and you all encourage me daily with your sweet comments. .

9.  If I could star in a movie with any actor/actress I would want to work with Zooey Deschanel.  I have a total girl crush on her...along with every other girl in the known world.  I think she'd be so much fun.  Although, I might actually choose Morgan Freeman.  He's pretty much awesome .

10. One of the best feelings in the world is when Craig comes up and hugs me in the middle of a fight, and all my frustration melts away and I feel safe and loved .

Happy Friday!

I had fun with Fill-in-the-blank-Friday last week, but Lauren's not doing it this week so I thought I'd try 5 Question Friday.

Five Question Friday:

1. Do you sing out loud in the car when you're driving?

Definitely!  Even if I don't know the words I still try to sing.  I figure at some point I'll learn them if I keep messing them up.  I love to crank up the music and sing.  It keeps me awake if I'm sleepy.  Though I think it's hilarious when I catch other people doing it, I can't imagine what people think when they see me singing.

2. What would you never be caught doing?

Cheering for the Red Sox! Die hard Yankees fan right here.  I've been a fan since I can remember.  When I was younger I used to watch as many games as possible with my dad.  For a few years I could even recite the entire line-up.  I love the Yankees and KC loves the Red Sox, so it's a battle at our house.  You will never see me cheer for the Red Sox.  Never ever!!

3. Will you go #2 in a public restroom?

Only if it's an emergency.  I try as hard as possible not to put myself in that situation or the possibility of the situation.

4. Have you ever broken a bone?

Kind of.  Last year on NYE (2008 into 2009) I was playing dizzy bats and I may or may not have had a beer or 2 beforehand and fell in the middle of my spinning.  I caught myself with my hand and was in some serious discomfort.  It was a tiny break around the knuckle where my pinky on my left hand meets my hand.  Yeah, imagine telling people at work the story when they ask how you broke it (and you can barely type)!

5. Do you prefer cooking or baking?

Baking, absolutely!  I love to bake and bring it in to work or to events.  I prefer baking and then sharing with everyone so I don't look like a pig when it's all gone a few days later.  I'm getting better and liking cooking better.

New Friend Friday:

Click on over to participate yourself or let me know if you stopped by from there.

I hope that you all have great weather this weekend!  We will be enjoying the weekend and celebrating Easter with some great friends.

Happy Friday!

Proud to be a RIT Alumni!

 

Source

Going to a technology school we didn't have much for sports teams.  I'm sitting here writing this post wearing a shirt that looks just like this:

 

Source

That's right we haven't had a football team since 1976, so we're still undefeated!  :-)

The year that we graduated our hockey team moved up to Division 1.  We've been Division 1 for 4-5 years (with 2 transition years in there I think).  This year they made it to the NCAA hockey tournament as the 15th overall seed (out of 16).  It might sound weird to people who went to big sports schools that this is such a big deal, but it's huge for us!  Thursday they played and beat the #2 seed Denver, which was great given it was the first year in the tournament for us.

Saturday RIT was playing UNH and about 6 of us alumni (and a few other friends), piled into a local bar and begged them to change the channel from the NCAA basketball games to the hockey game on at least 1 TV.  They agreed and it was so much fun to cheer for one of 'my teams'.  The T.V.s on the left and right were on the game and the one right above our heads was on the Basketball game.

 

Proud alumni (Personal Photo)

It was a great experience to see your Alma Mater do something they've never done before!  Not only did the make it to the tournament and win in the first round, but the second as well, beating UNH 6-2 and moved on to the Frozen Four.

Thursday we'll probably all head back out to the same bar, grab our sunglasses so we can sit on the porch and enjoy the nice weather, and watch again as they try to win for a third time!

Personal Photo

Go TIGERS!!!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Wish we could be there to celebrate!

Dad and I last year at my wedding during the Father/Daughter dance.  (Taken By)

Fill in the blank Friday!

I thought I'd try this and see how it works.  Fill in the blank Friday from Lauren at the little things we do...

1. The best piece of advice I was ever given was to remember to remember - the advice I got on my wedding day since it goes by so fast.


2. If I had a million dollars to give to one charity I would give it to the American Cancer Society, fortunately I haven't been directly affected by cancer, but in-directly affected.  We need more birthdays!


3. If I got to choose my "last meal" it would be Sushi with some Edamame, Yum!  I hate sushi 2 years ago and now I love it!!


4. My hair is at an in-between, not sure what to do next length, that's wavy (sometimes frizzy) unless I use the straightener on it and tame it down.  I need some help deciding what to do!


5. If at first you don't succeed call mom, KC or friend Marcy and see what they would do to make it better.  They always have the best advice.


6. I have always been very precise with details and organized (that includes being a neat freak!).


7. Oh....and by the way.... I'm going to look at new furniture and might paint the living room and dining room this weekend!  The only rooms we haven't touched since we moved in 3 years ago.  I'm excited.

It's Madness

Source:  Google Image

It's the time of year again for March Madness, and to be honest I LOVE IT!!  Confession:  I'm not too much of a 'girly girl' and most of that probably has to do with sports.  Maybe it's because my dad didn't have any boys, ever since I was little, I can remember watching any and all sports with my dad.  College basketball is one of my favorite sports (league) to watch, with the NCAA tournament taking the cake.  (Yankees baseball and NHL Football are right up there too)  I played sports throughout my entire high school career and continue to play softball now.  This is one thing that K and I enjoy doing together (for the most part, depends on who is playing, but that's for a different post :-) ).

Where we live there are usually at least 3 if not 4 schools in the NCAA tournament that are within an hour of our home.  You cannot go out to a restaurant/bar that has TV's on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday for the next 3 weeks without preparing in advance or waiting multiple hours for a table.  The waiting sucks, but secretly I love the enthusiasm of everyone.  There are so many transplants in this area, combine that with the local schools and it's an interesting bunch.  I'm jealous of everyone and their school spirit.  My college was not competitive in sports at all, though we're moving up in hockey.

Every year I make my picks in the brackets.  What is this based off of?  Umm, nothing.  Most of the time I pick hometown schools or other NY based school.  What do I win?  Again, nothing.  Why do I do it?  To see if I am right in any way whatsoever.  This year I tried my hand at it again.  The #1 rule this year (and most others):  Go Orangemen!

 

Source

I love that CBS let's you fill in an experts picks and make some adjustments on your own, so that's what I did this year.  (Maybe you think it's cheating, I don't)  Here's my bracket:

I will be trying my hardest for the next 3 weeks to be doing work while at work, but it's going to be hard, I'm not going to lie.  This article on CNN was interesting, regarding the amount of money that Employers lose during March Madness.  I will work hard to not be part of those statistics! (At least my iPhone app will give me score alerts ;-) )

Career Counselor Tests

I saw this link to CareerPath Career Counselor and I thought that it was quite interesting.  I've never taken any career quizzes before, so I decided to do the "Color Career Counselor" to see the results.  The results were quite interesting, some were dead on and some were not..


Best Occupational Category: You're an ORGANIZER

Key Words: Self-Control, Practical, Self-Contained, Orderly, Systematic, Precise, and Accurate

These conservative appearing, plotting-types enjoy organizing, data systems, accounting, detail, and accuracy. They often enjoy mathematics and data management activities such as accounting and investment management. Persistence and patience allows them to do detailed paperwork, operate office machines, write business reports, and make charts and graphs.

Yes I definitely am.  I sometimes may categorize myself as having OCD.  While I don't perform any of the jobs that they suggested, maybe I'll have to look into the for the future.  :-)

2nd Best Occupational Category: You're a RESEARCHER

Keywords:

Independent, Self-Motivated, Reserved, Introspective, Analytical, and Curious

These investigative types gather information, analyze and interpret data, and inquire to uncover new facts. They have a strong scientific orientation, enjoy academic or research environments and prefer self-reliant jobs. Dislikes are group projects, selling, and repetitive activities.

I don't think that this one is as accurate.  While I fit the bill for most of the Keywords, I don't fit the description as well.

Have you tried any of these tests before?  How accurate was it for you?

I saw this link off of How About Orange to CareerPath and I thought that it was quite interesting.  I've never taken any career quizzes before, so I decided to do the "Color Career Counselor".  The results were quite interesting.

My own "My Boys"

Source

I went out to the bar (our version of Crowley's) last week for dinner and a drink and there were 7 of us, 6 "boys" and me. I feel like I'm living in my own Raleigh version of "My Boys".

Left to Right:  Mike, Kenny, Bobby, PJ, Andy, Brendan (Source)

It made me think, I have my own version of everyone.  Some are quite similar to the characters on tv too!

• Bobby (actually he was dating P.J. last season) - The hubs - loves baseball and has the "nice guys finish first" attitude (no hubs didn't call off a wedding prior to ours)


• Brendan - Brendan - no really, my friend's name is Brendan, dating or in a relationship - maybe, depends on the week, care free and always has interesting ventures to pursue


• Andy - Bryan - not my real brother - or married, but he's very much like him in with a 'stuck in the middle' mentality, as the oldest he can't decide to be the responsible adult or go out for a pitcher of beer


• Mike - Jason - a toss up really,  he's the perpetually single guy, who could be a hit with the ladies,  he would be a great catch


• Kenny & Stephanie -  Matt & Fav Roommate - They had an encounter and started seeing one another behind everyone's back (only I knew).  My friends are now getting married this fall, I'm waiting to hear about Kenny & Stephanie.  (They weren't out this Thursday evening in particular)

(I think TBS needs to update their character descriptions a little.)

There are still 2-3 more guys that hang out as well on a regular basis.  One just got engaged so that brings another girl into the mix, but she doesn't always come.  On a normal dinner outing, there are 5-6 boys and myself.  If we all went out we might be a little bit more balanced, but that only happens on rare occasions.

Here we are at the beach-house we rented in 2008, plus 2 extras.  (Big guy in the back moved to SLC and one girl (far right, floor) no longer hangs out with us)

Minus the couple on the far left, here's my own "My Boys" cast at our wedding last year (May 2009). (Taken By)

Sometimes I think I need to find some more girl friends or that these boys need to find some girls on the dating scene, but there are other times when it doesn't bother me that much.  Like PJ, I work in a male-dominated field and it can have it's pluses and minuses.  I usually take my share of the jokes, but have also been known to dish out a few without missing a beat.

Luckily we have a few other couple friends (the ones in the far left in the above photo) that we hang out with on other occasions, otherwise I might not be able to handle all the testosterone.  I would love a good girls night or couples night but I know that will come in time as we all grow up and make new friends.  Plus, I would only trade 1 or 2 of them in for a girl or another couple (kidding, kidding!).

Looks like "My Boys" is returning this fall, until then, I like my own version.  :-)

Getting to know you!

Well, it seems that you have clicked a link to my blog for a reason. I guess you want to know why I started this blog.

I've never blogged before but I subscribe to more blogs in my Google Reader than I am willing to admit.  My writing abilities and topics are a little meek right now but I'm hoping that will improve over time.

Many of my posts will probably mention my new husband.  We were married in May last year (2009) so we're exploring the world of being newlyweds.



I'm dabbling in the world of crafting by joining Stamping Up, and would like to start some sewing projects (but first I need a sewing machine)!  I tend to dabble in cooking and trying out new recipes on my husband and sister who is living with us for a while.  I thought I'd combine all of these into one little blog and see where I got with it.  I have no idea if people will read this, but if no one does, heck, I’ll enjoy looking back on it 5 years later and laughing!