Thank my lucky stars...

I am so excited.
Tomorrow, I'm taking a well deserved vacation day. And no one knows I'm taking it. Well, actually - just my husband doesn't know. I've got a full day planned, and if I spill the beans too soon - I'll never get out of the house in time. So I need to pretend that it's a "status quo" kind of day until I'm on the road. Then, I can spill the beans.

First thing in the morning, I'm off to do a fun Walgreens run. I haven't done one of those sans kids - in I can't tell you how long. Then, I've got a coffee date with Glitter at Starbucks. We've been trying to get together and hang out since I don't know - November? And I know that there's a Peppermint Mocha just calling my name....

Then, I've got a 12:30 massage! I got a gift certificate for Christmas, and haven't had the chance to use it - so I called to see if the masseuse was available tomorrow, and as luck would have it - she was! Normally she has a bit of a wait, so I was surprised to get in so soon. I just called yesterday on a whim. Deep tissue massage, here I come! You just don't realize how sore you are until someone touches your back. I'm so looking forward to it.

Since apparently I was on a lucky roll - I booked a 2:30 hair cut with a stylist I'd been trying to get into for a few months, but never seem to be able to get in to see. She just happened to have an opening for a trim, which is all I need. So, since I've got my gift cheque from work - I figured I'd split it on my hair and shoes. Get the most bang for my buck, you know?

It's not often that I'm out of work for a reason other than the kids being sick, or having family in town - or for having a day by myself.
So, it's going to be all about me tomorrow.

I think I deserve it. And clearly - so does "someone else", because everything aligned perfectly!
The massage therapist was available - Glitter wasn't busy, the hair stylist was open.
Life is good.

This was brought to you today by the letter "R", and the number "5"...

Mr. Fabulous was kind enough to tag me! I did something similar to this recently when I did the "Fantastic Fours" ...

5 Things Game

What were you doing 10 years ago?
1996, I was single and enjoying life. Struggling financially...that was a difficult year for me on that end. Just ended a 6.5 year relationship with the wrong guy, trying to get back on my feet and restabilized. 1996 was a very rough year, but it was a great year as well. I felt good about me in general and that helped make life fun despite the adversity.

What were you doing 1 year ago?
Same as I'm doing now! Happily Mom & Wife... juggling career, business and family relatively well. :)

Five snacks I enjoy:
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
Cool Ranch Doritos
Jalapeno Cheddar Cheese Dip
Potato Chips
Popcorn

Five songs to which I know all the lyrics: (Ha, only 5????)
Fighter - Christina Aguilera
I'm just a Girl - No Doubt
Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
Hopelessly Devoted to You - Olivia Newton John
CableCar - The Fray

Five things I would do if I were a millionaire:
Stay working but not really care whether I lose my job or not, ever.... ;)
Buy the building that the store is in....
(If it's only 1 million - that would be about it....if it's more then):
Share money with the families (mine and his = ours!)
Move to our "forever" home
Put alot of money in the business account so we can run it however we want!

Five bad habits:
I try to fix everyone's problems - not everyone wants to be solved!!!
I am a control freak
I grind my teeth at night
I am sooo bad at doing laundry
I've started to hold grudges lately. That's not very nice.... Need to break that habit.

Five things I like doing:
Spending time w. my family :)
Hanging out doing anything with my friends
I love cleaning my house. (sick, I know...)
Love going to the CD store and "discovering" some eclectic artist
Love to entertain and throw parties

Five things I would never buy, wear, or get new again:
MAC Lipstick... ugh

And honestly - that's about it. I'm so damn particular about what I buy for myself - not that I'm fussy, but I don't spend money on myself that often (though it probably sounds like I do!!!) but I really don't - so I'm very selective when I finally make a purchase, I usually make sure I love it.

Five favorite toys:
I don't have any, actually.....
How sad is that??


I won't reach out and touch anyone for responses on this particular one, but feel free to snag it and post your own!

Look at me - I'm Sandra Dee.....

Last night, we got together at one of the girl's house for our monthly soiree. It was relatively low key this time, only 5 of us - but that's okay - we had a great night. Chinese food, munchies, cookies, good friends - what more could a girl want, right?

Well, I don't even know how this came up - but somehow, the topic of having your eyebrows waxed became the conversation. And I remember saying I've never had it done. Ever. I mean - I know I have a decent shape eyebrow, only because I've been told that - but I've never tweezed them, or had them waxxed. I know - I'm probably the only girl in America who hasn't. But you know - I don't like to be a slave to anything...other than my nails. I just don't want to get hung up on having to feel off because my brows aren't perfect. Ugh, too much work.

Well, one of my girlfriends who's a hairstylist said - "C'mon, let me do your brows..." She looked at them and said that they were already shaped nicely - it was just cleaning a few strays up.
So, I said "sure".

Okay - it's not overly painful to have them tweezed, but - it's not fun!!! I mean, one or two little hairs were fine, but three at a time, that more of an "ouch". We were laughing so hard while she was doing it because I kept flinching before she even touched me. It was pretty funny. It took her probably almost 20 minutes because we just kept bursting out laughing. I felt like Olivia Newton John in the movie Grease when Frenchie pierces her ears!

Anyway. Wish I had my digital camera with me, because it really makes a huge difference!!! I love it.
And now, I'm a slave to it. hahaha.
Although I can tweeze it myself - no need to get a wax or anything like that. Whew.

And for the record - I still didn't make it to Bakers, Ann Taylor or Sephora. I'm definitely going one day next week because no one is going to be in the office, so I'm making it a point to take a day off. I'll get there though..... ;)

Finally....Friday.

For what was a short work week - it felt exceptionally long.

So, I just got out of my review with my supervisor. I wrote it back in October, but he's been really busy - and so we went over it today. I have to say - he gave me a glowing review. Now, I know I gave him all the input of what I've done, but he really wrote some glowing things about me. It was a fantastic review, which felt great. If only the money reflected it.....

It's a joke - barely cost of living. However, my company is not very generous financially overall, so I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised. The money is retroactive from October, and truly the extra "nothing" (aka it's going to equal practically nothing!) I'm going to get isn't going to change my overall salary much. But the feedback was great. And that's what's most important. That's what you can bring to the table when looking for progression whether within an organization - or outside of it.

Tonight is our gathering of the girls - I'm really looking forward to it. It's only a few streets over from me tonight, which is nice. I'm probably going to go over in pajamas! hahaha. And an early night it's going to be. The kids and I have a breakfast date at the Waffle House tomorrow a.m.

I've never been to one here in MA, and I'm looking forward to checking it out. Actually - it was a recommendation from Miss SFNE!

So this girl - is going to leave a little early and maybe do a little celebratory boot and shopping!
Wish me luck - last time I tried that venture, I didn't make it. ;)

POSTSCRIPT, 1:45 pm : Here's the reason why you never should say negative things about anyone. They always come back to bite you in the ass. After I wrote this and posted it, I got called out into our building atrium. My company is located out of state - and it seems the VP is in town for a meeting. He came and presented me with an "Employee of the Quarter" award - that was supposed to be presented to me in December, but I didn't attend our holiday party as it was midweek. And along with the award, I got a $100 AMEX gift certificate. Very nice!!!!

How's about a free pair of boots?
You gotta love that! ;)

Walking into Spiderwebs....

Last night, I did not sleep well at all. I got up around 3:30, and I just could not fall back to sleep. I tossed, I turned....I thought about obscure things. For some reason, I did a mental inventory of all the songs I played on my out going answering machine message while I was single. Yes, I'm dating myself here, since this was pre "voice mail" days. I actually had an answering machine. One with an actual cassette. I was very selective of my musical choices - they all had specific meaning - and timing was everything. It was practically an art form. I had to have the songs come in on just the right moment so they could end at the right lyrical display. If you knew me well, you knew everything about my state of mind - and whether I liked someone I was dating - just by my outbound message.

I'd always say: "Hi, Sorry I can't come to the phone right now but leave me a message - and I'll get right back to you....Thanks!" And in the background was the song du jour - which of course, after I said "thanks" would be aligned just perfectly with the lyrics I wanted everyone to hear.

When my ex boyfriend and I broke up after a 6.5 year long relationship, once I got settled into my own apartment - my song choice was "I'm Just a Girl": " 'Cause I'm just a girl, little 'ol me don't let me out of your sight I'm just a girl, all pretty and petite... So don't let me have any rights" .


When we thought maybe we'd consider dating again, but there would have to be rules - he didn't like that. Tracy Chapman was the artist of choice for that period: "Give me one reason to stay here, and I'll turn right back around....I told you that I loved you, and there ain't no more to say..."

I started dating people, and ended up spending time with someone I really liked - and knew from high school. Sweet kid, but had a lot of problems with his ex girlfriend. It seemed he was constantly going back and forth between the two of us. Clearly, that wasn't going to work. Again, my girl Gwen expressed my feelings: "Communication, a telephonic invasion...I'm planning my escape. Sorry I'm not home right now, I'm walking into spider webs - leave a message and I'll call you back...A likely story - leave a message and I'll call you back....". That one, did not need the introduction of my voice. It clearly spoke for itself.

Eventually, I felt really comfortable being single. I loved dating - there was no intimacy involved, I didn't have to answer to anyone - I could see and do whatever I wanted. It was liberating. I wasn't defined by being single - I embraced being single. And truly, I never at so well! Lunch dates, dinner dates...... coffee dates! Who had to food shop when there were dates to go on???

So, my answering message reflected that as well. I felt good about life, was having a great time just being a girl - and so this was the message sent to the world: "Some boys take a beautiful girl, And hide her away from the rest of the world. I wanna be the one to walk in the sun. Oh,girls,They wanna have fu-un.Oh,girls,Just wanna have fun..."

And then - I met my husband.
And that was the end of my answering machine. Well, not really.
But it didn't take long for callers to hear: "Hi, you've reached G & Rebecca, leave us a message after the beep!".

Funny the things you think of when you can't sleep at night.

"Yeah baby, yeah!...."

I've always been a guy's kind of girl. I mean, I'm a "girly girl" - but I've always been "one of the guys". Growing up, I had more guy friends than girl friends. I was always the "pseudo girlfriend" if someone was trying to avoid a girl; and I also was the one to introduce someone to a girl, because I certainly had no issues approaching a fellow femme fatale and saying "my friend over there would really like to buy you a drink...."

When it comes to movies - while I like "chick flicks" - I'm usually drawn to the dark, psychological thriller. And I like my comedy smart. I like intelligent humor. I draw the line on the typical "dumb humor" that men find appealing. However, there is one movie that I just love and I think it's totally geared to the male psyche. I mean obviously girls like it - but it's clearly a male oriented writing. After the drama of this weekend, I was flipping through the channels on Sunday night and saw this movie that never fails to make me laugh: "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery".

I love, love, love this movie! I love the characters... the innuendos...the cheesy quotes....I love it all. And I forgot just how much I love this movie, until I saw it again. That Mike Meyers - quite the comedic genuis.

I saw this fun cloud over at Laurie's last week. I actually ordered a Tshirt! It's fun - they take key words from your blog and make them into a "cloud" - sort of a visual, but verbal synopsis of your blog. If you look close, some of you may see your names on there, since they sampled my blogroll.

Every Mother's Worst Fear....

One of them anyway.
I'm not going to dress it up or drag it out.

I shouldn't have used the word "fever" so lightly the other day.
I got a call in work today that my daughter spiked a fever , had a febrile seizure - and was rushed by ambulance to the hospital.

I hung up with my sitter after finding out that she was warm, and seemed to have her stomach bothering her. I said, "no worries - I'll leave work now. Could you do me a favor and run a lukewarm bath to try to get her fever down a bit - I'll be right home". She didn't seem so feverish that I wanted her to take a temperature reading; just counteract and try to make her comfortable. Sometimes a bath just makes her feel good in general. My sitter was going to give her Motrin also. Well, according to the timestamp on her phone - she had to call 911 no more than 2 minutes after we hung up. Two minutes! My daughter went from being warm - to having a seizure in that short span of time.

And while I know from all my reading that febrile seizures aren't as damaging as they are frightening - my heart flew to my stomach and I couldn't get to the hospital fast enough. I only told a few people in work as I left - and of course word spread. It was nice to have my friends calling me on my way to the hospital to make sure that I was okay and clear headed enough to get there okay. And of course - the follow up phone calls as well. It's really nice when people show they are concerned for you and your family.

I'm not going to describe what it was like to walk in and see her....you can imagine. I mean, I didn't cry or anything like that - but to see your child in a listless state is not a pleasant sight. I walked in, took her - and she didn't leave my arms again until I had to drive home. My sitter stayed with me the whole time - and sat with her in her lap for the drive home. Since they went by ambulance, there was no car seat. My daughter's fever never went any higher than 101.9 which I thought was low for a seizure. The doctor explained that it's a myth that high fevers cause seizures; this isn't to say that they can't - but a seizure is triggered the rate of speed the spike happens, not necessarily the degree to which it peaks. So, she spiked from normal to say - 102 in a period of time which her body couldn't process properly - hence the seizure.

My sitter, was a godsend. Not only did she do everything right- but she remained calm, and kept my son calm and prepared for the arrival of the ambulance and fire department. And as I said - she stayed with me the whole time. While my son didn't see the seizure or truly know the extent of what was going on - he was protective of his sister in his own way at the hospital. Holding her hand....he didn't want her to sleep at all, he was afraid we wouldn't be able to wake her - so he kept trying to keep her awake. Of course, she needed sleep - so my husband and he went home shortly after she was stabilized, while my sitter and I stayed while they ran tests to see if she had any specific virus that she may be testing positive for.

She's asleep now; and I'm waiting to give her another dose of Motrin so that she doesn't spike in her sleep.
This, was not one of the better days we've had around here.

But I can tell you this....by the time we left and came home - she was happy, and singing and smiling and eating.
This is just one of the lifetime of events that as a Mom, I have to look forward to.
It's worth it.

I've got Spring Fever!

I don't care what the calendar says. It's Spring around here.

So gorgeous outside....it makes me want to play hookie. Do a little clean up on late season boot shopping. And I think - I just might! (It's always helpful when you work near a mall. Or is it hurtful? Hmmm. Either way, it's happening today!)

I went back to karate and kickboxing on Monday. Yup, I'm still sore. But it's a good sore....and that in of itself is like a high. I am a total believer in the "no pain - no gain" concept. So, to have "the burn" makes me feel rejuvenated. (Those of you who workout, know exactly what the "burn" is!). I love to work out to the point of being drenched. It's a cleansing - aside from the fact of knowing you got a good workout - you feel like you got all those impurities out as well.

Exercise is addictive too. I think so. I mean, I haven't been for 5 months - and yet - going back one night gets me all revved up full speed again. And I swear, I'm in better shape than I was Monday morning. hahaha. I know that's not true -but there is definitely a psychological aspect to exercise. I workout - therefore I must look good, because I feel good. Not a bad mindset to feed into.....

So - as I sit here listening to Liz Phair, thinking about how I'm going to go and enjoy a little gratuitous boot shopping (okay, I might be persuaded to buy a fun pair of sandals for the spring!!!) and prepare for tonight's workout - I just can't help but feel a little giddy.

Sigh....
Sometimes, it's just fun being a girl. :)

Something in the air...

Love is the smell of the fresh cut grass in the summer.....the feeling when eating your favorite flavour of ice cream.
Love is the sound of the rain on the roof...the sound of a child's laugh.
Love is the softness of a furry tail and a wet nose snuggled up to you at the end of the day.
Love is the grit of the warm sand on bare feet.....the warmth of the sun shining down on your shoulders.
Love is the feeling of small arms around you....small hands holding your own....small eyes looking into yours, unwavering.
Love is the quiet comfort of knowing someone holds you close in their heart....does not judge you...does not impose their will onto yours....wants to see you be the best you can be, and all that you are within.


Love is many things to many people.... May you be surrounded by love today.

The Weather Line...

There is a strange phenomenon world wide, and it's called the weather line.

You can be driving down the road in pouring rain - and yet, when you cross a certain area - it's clear. You can look behind you and see the rain, yet it's partly sunny in front of you. In Massachusetts there are several of them. I drive through three of them each day: 1. On 128 crossing from Woburn to Stoneham, right before the 93 split; 2. 93 North Commerce Way Exit ; 3. Hartwell Avenue in Lexington.

The fourth one I encounter on a regular basis - is my street. It's such a bizarre and regular occurance, I always comment that "the sun is always shining on my street. Naturally because I live there!". Sort of a joke about my rose colored glasses. But it is truly not a joke. The most recent example that just about everyone I know got to witness, was my son's birthday party this past May. It was pouring rain, dark and cloudy everywhere around. I got calls asking if I was cancelling, but I said no. Looking out my window - I could see the darkness to the left of my house - but on my street, the sun was out. Not brightly mind you - we're not talking screaming sunshine - but hazy and warm. I left the house to go get the balloons to put outside - and as I drove up the street leading to my house, I thought "yup. This is going to end up an indoor party". But as I turned onto my street - the phenomenon was happening. The sun was shining. You could literally see the rain at the top of my street, but my street was dry. Everyone commented that day on how weird it was.

Yesterday was another one of those bizarre weather line days. We had a "blizzard" here in New England. The front of my house, had lots of little flakes flying around. Clearly it was snowing. But in the back of my house.....it was still. You can see flakes kick up when the wind blows, but it was entirely a different picture from the front of the house.

I don't know what causes the lines in the weather, and why they're always consistent in the locations. But it's phenomenon of nature that is amazing, bizarre and beautiful all at the same time.

The Perfect Man.....

Sigh....
I think I'm in love with my nail tech, Tom.

I'm not really in love with him, I'm only kidding.

But what I do love is:

He lights up when he sees me walk in.....he'll take me first over a client who's been waiting.
He knows exactly what I like, without me having to constantly remind him. (Very thin, very natural looking and square. There's nothing worse than nails that look too big for your fingers. Ugh.)

He asks me about my day.
He gives a fantastic hand massage.

And then I don't see him again for two weeks.

And then the love affair starts over again.
(It probably doesn't hurt that I tip exceptionally well. Finding a good nail tech is not easy, trust me. They're well worth the tip.)

A Working Mom's Observation...

My sitter called in sick today - which, given how sick my kids were last week - is no shock. It was not a good day for me to be off with regards to work...I had alot planned for today. However, it was a wonderful day in general - to be home with the kids. Everyone' s healthy; the sun is shining, it's not too cold - all the components were there to have a great day.

It's interesting because I'm not off much during the week with the kids; rarely do I have the opportunity to be Domestic SuperGoddess during the work week. That's usually a role reserved for after 3:30 p.m. and on weekends. So it was very interesting to take them out and about, and get the approving nods and voluntarily struck up conversations from the "Stay at Home Mom" crowd as we walked around the craft store. I mean, when I take the kids anywhere on a Saturday - it's usually the "Nanas" that strike up conversations with me about the kids...very rarely does another Mom do it. I'm not really sure why. But today, every Mom within a 10 foot radius was trying to get my attention for conversation. It was like I was accepted into this clique...I was the cool "new kid" . I didn't dare say anything about how I just coincidentally happened to be home today. I just nodded and agreed with all the points they brought up...this one had 5 kids and they're all in school so she was getting a few minutes "of peace"...another one had four kids with her and said "she missed being home with only two"... another one commenting "How do you get them to be so quiet ...I can't get them to sit still!"

It was a very interesting change in dynamics. Something I don't get to see during the work week because I'm not out and about. And it is different from the weekends. Would I change being a working Mom to be a stay at home one? No, I wouldn't. It doesn't mean that I don't love my children, or that I don't want to be around them -because I do! But I have to say, that even if I was fortunate enough to be in the position where I didn't have to work, I still probably would - at a minimum on a part time basis. For me - I think I'm a better Mom because I work. I feel good about myself, and so I feel good being around my kids. I enjoy the time away from my kids being a "grown up" , and I'm overjoyed every day when I come home to them. I appreciate my days off, and unexpected days off such as today. I've been judged for not staying at home, despite the fact that it wasn't a smart financial situation for us to do so. But that's okay... I think that there's pros and cons for everything in life. And I'd like to look at the pros. Aside from what I mentioned before - I also think that I'm a great role model for my kids. I'm showing them that they CAN have it all: family, career, and satisfaction. I'm showing my son to respect women and their many strengths in society - and I'm teaching my daughter that she can accomplish anything she sets her mind to.

I'm not saying that Moms who stay at home feel any differently, or aren't accomplishing the same things - because they very certainly are. There is no right or wrong. It's whatever works for you - and makes you feel good about your role within your family, and as a parent. Being comfortable with where you are in life helps make being a Mom easy - and fun.

Being a Mom is one of the greatest gifts life can offer. There's nothing better than it. Nothing.

(Well, except for maybe boot shopping in Paris with a lovely latte - and waiting for a massage from a very handsome man named "Phillipe".... Kidding!)

Weakness and Strengths...and everything in between

I'm feeling a little drained today. It didn't start out that way though. I actually was feeling pretty darn cheerful this morning. But somewhere along the day, it changed.

I think I've pinpointed what it is that was the turning point. I was having a discussion with one of my co-workers, who is a good friend of mine - he is also my military supervisor. As we were discussing an issue with one of the projects my team is working on, I guess my mind was racing. I was thinking ahead of our conversation, trying to determine where we (my team and I) could go from here, how we would reprioritize our workload, how long of a wait before we could pick it up again, etc. My friend stopped talking and said "You're red from here (pointing to the opening in my vneck sweater) to here (pointing to my forehead). Are you okay?". And I said "no - no, I"m fine...really? I don't know why I'm red, I'm not upset or anything". And we continued our conversation. About 15 minutes later, I felt like I was exhausted - like I'd worked for days on end.

About an hour later, he was in my cube and we were discussing something else, and I said to him "you know what, when you asked me if I was okay, I was okay - but my mind was racing ahead to how I could fix the problem and what the potential delays might be and how they may affect us, etc..." and he said "I knew you were upset, and it's funny because no matter how close we are - you still don't trust me enough to just tell me "yeah, this really bugs me, I'm ticked off". You're just like "no, I'm fine, I'm fine"..(and he makes all these deflecting hand movements). He said "you're the most guarded person I know".

You know what, he's right. I'm totally guarded. Always, all the time. And it's alot of work.....and clearly, it's catching up with me. Or at least it did today. I'm so guarded, that sometimes - I don't even realize I'm upset about something. I just sort of tuck it away and ignore it because I won't let it get the best of me.

I'm not dishonest - it's not that kind of a guardedness. And I'm not guarded with other people or unaffectionate, it's not that kind of guardedness. But I do have an issue about letting anyone know that I'm not 100% and ready to take on the world.

There's a lot of vulnerability that I'm guarding. And every time I've let my guard down, it's blown up in my face.
But I do think I need to find a happy medium. Strength is good....but acceptance of other people knowing your vulnerabilities can be a strength too. And while I've had people use my "weakenesses" against me - maybe I just need to slowly determine who I can and can't trust with that information.

One of the many things in life I need to do. I'm so not a finished product...clearly, a work in progress.

It's all about the "4"'s....

I've been tagged by Naive No More!

But before I submit my answers, here's a little numerology information about our dear number "4":
In number symbolism, the logic of the number four follows from that of the previous three. One represents the male principle, the "yang". It is raw energy, positive, original and creative. In the creative process it is the original spark of an idea. Two is the feminine principle, the "yin". It is the gestational period in which things begin to form, the earth into which the seed of one’s idea is planted. In the creative process there is almost always a similar period when an original impulse "cooks" for a time, even if only in sleep or distraction. Three is the synthesis of one and two. It is ideation and self-expression, the creation itself, the finished idea. Four is the material manifestation of three, the actual physical realisation, order and systematisation of the idea. It is the making real of the dream represented by three.


Four Jobs that I have had: Public Relations Manager, Graphic Designer, Web Designer, Web Application Project Manager

Four Movies I could watch over and over: The Cutting Edge, The Godfather, A Few Good Men, Practical Magic

Four places in the U.S. I like: Maine, Dallas TX, Venice Beach CA, New York City

Favorite places I have vacationed: Key West FL, Aruba, Grand Bahama Island, Grand Caymen

Four t.v. shows: Smallville, The Sopranos, American Idol, Curb Your Enthusiasm

Four favorite dishes: (this is a toughie, I like so many!!!) Nothin' beats a great steak, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Chili, Pot Roast

Four places I would rather be: At this moment? Getting a massage; Home w. the kids; Rodeo Drive; Key West

Four sites I visit daily: Carlson Real Estate, My store email, New England Film, Production Hub

Four people I will tag: Ben, Mr. Fabulous, Chesney Girl & Mellissa

Monday...at least it's not raining!

Aaah. But we did have snow flurries this morning. It was very weird, bright sunshine - then it got very dark, and snowy. Now it's bright and beautiful again. Gotta love New England!

Speaking of which - I know Laurie is very happy at the moment, but - was that not the most dissapointing Superbowl ever? I don't mean that just because New England wasn't in it ; I mean it because it was slow, and sloppy. Both teams were so, sloppy. It was hard to root for either one because they both made so many bad mistakes. (Be honest, just for a few seconds didn't you think "wow, New England would've destroyed either of these teams!" *grin*)

Now, I thought this was kind of fun:

You Are The Godfather Ice Cream

Someone crosses you, and they'll end up with a scoop of this in their bed

What Flavor Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Are You?

Nice! I sort of dig this concept! I AM a tough cookie you know! ;)
I've never had it before, so I've looked up what the flavor consists of: Chocolate Ice Cream with Fudge Covered Almonds & a Nougat Swirl. Hmmm. Not what I would've selected for myself. I would've definitely thought of myself as a Peanut Butter Cup kinda girl, but hey - this IS only a blog thing!

Okay - the sun is now out - and there is snow falling down. Well, you know what they say about New England....
"Wait a minute... it'll change"!

A rose by any other name....

Let's say that you've got this ex-boyfriend, or ex-girlfriend - and you have fond memories of one another. But, unfortunately you didn't end up together. The odds were stacked against you anyway - maybe you were too young, maybe you wanted different things out of life - maybe one time you thought about trying again, but the timing wasn't right. You were in another relationship, or maybe he/she was. Whatever the situation, it just wasn't in the cards for you as a couple.

So you both go on in your lives, and you both find a partner. Someone you choose to settle down and start a family with. One of you has children first...then the other follows suit. Because you both have mutual friends and acquaintences, while you don't speak to each other, you're both aware of what each of you is doing in life.

Say one of you has a daughter, and names her "Sarah Anne". Eighteen months later, the other person has a daughter - and names her "Sara Ann".

Mere coincidence.... or wistful thinking of a life one wishes they had?

That's what friends are for....

Our January "gathering of the girls" was alot of fun.... lots of laughs which was well needed after the seemingly hectic holiday season we all had. I thought I'd share a few photos of some of the fun!

At our December gathering, one of the girls started a new tradition of "The Friendship Ball". It's a beautiful silver ball, with a lovely poem about friendship inside. She also put inside a special gift for the girl she chose to give it to - that night it was our hostess. It's a lovely tradition to start, and so thoughtful. At this last party - I was the lucky recipient! And inside the ball was a note stating that I was to wear a cherished family heirloom: This fun, wintery circa 1984 sweater! Woohoo! Dont you love the snowmen? I totally look straight out junior high school! Love it.
I was absolutely the most stylin' chick there.

Well, until a sweater was presented to our girl B - who looks smokin' in her blue Christmas get up!

(PS: The sweater was truly just for funsies - I received a beautiful pair of pinkish/purplish rhinestone earings as my friendship gift. They're beautiful - I love them!)

Here is our "Hostess with the Most-ess", along with my friend Miss Anonymous - who was the gift giver of the friendship ball this month - and who is always the best practical joker!

Who are our girlfriends? They are our sisters....They are the aunts to our children...They are our family that we choose for ourselves. You share secrets - support each other's dreams....cheer each other on when needed....they're who you can be honest and truthful to - even when it's something we don't want to hear, but need to know.


Sometimes, there's nothing better than a cup of coffee (or in our case frequently, a cold beer!) and a girlfriend to get you through the day!