Friday night lights....

dusky sky. fresh basil. citronella. laughter in the background. crisp, cold water. beginning of crickets chirping. wet cold puppy dog nose. red wine with hints of vanilla. turquoise & yellow accessories. tomato plants blooming with fruit. contentment and quiet.

It's cheap Chinese & Chardonnay....

So how are you celebrating the beginning of the weekend?

This girl is having cheap chinese food & a not overly impressive Chardonnay. It was going to be an expensive Chardonnay but I ended up going with one that's less expensive - but unfortunately, entirely unimpressive. Disappointing is truly a better descriptor. Note to self -- do not bring this one in to sell.

Moving on.

So we have another family party tomorrow, which is always a fun thing to have. It's so much fun to get together and have a good time, and it definitely makes for a fun weekend. Sometimes. it's lousy when you have something every single weekend - but this summer it doesn't feel like much of a pressure cooker, it's just fun.

I can't believe school is now less than a month away! This weekend I've got to take the kiddies to get their new backpacks and school supplies before the mad rush is on with all the stores. Last year I waited until the big sales and trust me - it was so not worth it! So if I have to pay a little more now to avoid mayhem later, it will be worth it.

And that's all this girl has got for today.... I hope you have a fantastic weekend, and whatever you do - I hope it's filled with laughter, and love.

Friday the 13th..and then some

Today I chaperoned Princess Petunia's field trip to Ipswich River Conservation.
She announced before we left that it was Friday the 13th, which meant that clearly everything was going to go wrong today. Actually, she hit the nail on the head - sort of.

Our bus driver got lost! So funny, we're sitting at the back of the bus - and I notice that we're in Wenham. Wenham?!?! I go to the Wildlife Sanctuary with the kids a couple of times a year - and I know it's in Topsfield right after the Fairgrounds; so I ask the teacher why the driver is going all the way up 128 into Wenham. Well....

Turns out there is an Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary "area" in South Hamilton, which coincidentally enough - has the same exact street address! Who would think that there would be two, and both 86 Perkins Road - but in two different cities?? Crazy, right? So... we turned around, all of us who had GPS in our phones guided the driver to the right location - and though we were 1 1/2 hours late - we still had a great time.

This girl, who's never had allergies before -- left there today with swollen eyes and a borderline migraine. Crazy pollen levels, and I am glad to be home where it is allergen free inside. If I had any inclination that I'd react that way, I'd have pre-empted with Benedryl.

It's been a relatively stressful week - new house issues. The house we want fell through; then could be back - and now we're waiting to hear. In the meantime we're looking at houses in other communities which I have very torn feelings about. They're areas I'd always loved to live in... cozy little North Shore communities with outstanding school systems which at this point is going to be key in picking a new home; but I'm so, so distressed about moving the kids in general. I know they'll be fine - and they'll adjust perfectly fine. But I just can't help feeling a little guilty over it. I remember how I felt just moving across the city as a kid...

The ideal situation would be for this house we love to come through.... but I just don't know. They've flipped and flopped so much now - and we really just need clarity at this point to know if we're in -- or we're out. We don't need to sell in order to buy at this point - and we've laid that on the table, so now it's time for them to determine: are they selling - or not. I know they love their home, but really - I'm all set with being up in the air. They can pick the closing date - and if it's the end of the summer, so be it. But make up your mind, please.

I'm thinking maybe a hot shower and a nice glass of wine might be the perfect way for me to unwind from the week and to stop thinking about real estate. Just stop...

However you spend your weekend, I hope it's filled with laughter and love.

Things that make you go "hmmm".....

1. I got to see the house we love again. Because.... we put it under agreement today. (Yay!!)Hopefully, the house they want won't get an offer before we get a buyer. It's one of those "timing" types of sales. I am so excited...albeit, cautiously.

2. Facebook -- back off. I am beyond tired of FB asking me to make it my homepage every time I log off; I'm even more tired of it trying to keep me constantly logged in. Are you kidding me??? They're shoving themselves so far down my throat that it's not even worth going on anymore.

3. Sometimes I wonder.....don't people realize they're supposed to work when they're at work... ?

4. I love pretty things. Pretty things make me happy....don't they make you feel the same way? Well, then again - I am a girl. But still...

So, imagine my surprise when I ran across this fun website via Cafe Chatelain. I had so much fun making the following pretty room -- and if you sign up and design something - share it with me, would you?

Hey there, hi there, ho there - you're as welcome as can be!

Clearly, I've given the blog a face lift.

I was bored. You know, I go through these phases where I feel like the site looks stagnant - and while there aren't any templates that are exactly the way I'd like to have my place - at least I've got the opportunity to freshen up every now and again.

Oh - American Idol update: So, as much as I loved, loved, loved Simon Cowell - the truth is, I didn't miss him these last two nights. I mean, maybe in the future I will - but for now, I'm good with Steven Tyler & Jennifer Lopez as replacements. Sure it's all fuzzy fuzzy right now, but first off - Jennifer is stunning. STUNNING. And, she's seemingly genuinely nice. Love her. Steven Tyler on the other hand - is already making lacivious comments which I wondered how someone who's practically had little girls throwing themselves on him his whole life would be in a role of judgement. That aside - he's just a riot. And, they are no joke -- its not like Ellen DeGeneres as a judge, who has zero insight in the music industry. These two are the real deal - and I have respect for them as artists in the industry, so why wouldn't they be fantastic judges.

Speaking of theatrics and talent...tomorrow, I'm taking my son T on an audition. It seems that Mr. Mark Wahlberg is making yet another Boston based film and there is a casting call for boys his age. He is beyond excited - and I have to keep reminding him that truly, they may just look at him - ask a question or two - and then he may never hear from them again. Or....maybe he will. It's a experience none the less, and that in of itself is fun.

Tomorrow night....it's the "gathering of the girls". For those of you who have been reading regularly - you know that myself and my best girlfriends used to meet monthly and have themed potlucks; well - life has gotten in everyone's way and so now some of us might meet in smaller groups throughout the year - but all 14 of us get together at Christmas. The girl who always hosts in December had surgery so we've postponed until tomorrow night. Guaranteed to be a night full of laughs and I should have some fun pictures to share.

Speaking of pictures - I've got some great ones of the Pat's game that we'd all like to forget about. I'll share them, once the disappointment fades a little bit more.

Besides, pitchers & catchers report for Spring Training on Valentine's Day....the best Valentine's Day gift ever.

In the meantime, life goes on....
However you're spending your weekend, I hope it's filled with laughter and love.

Finally..it's Friay!!

Despite my best efforts, the cold won and I couldn't fight it off. The good thing is though - it's just a cold and nothing that seems to be crazy and turn into bronchitis or even worse - pneumonia. So, though I've had a good week -- I'm tired, and happy to be home. Cheap Chinese food for dinner....and though I shouldn't have a glass of wine, I'm going to do it anyway. I deserve it, god damn it.

Speaking of dinner...it's not here yet, and this girl is H-U-N-G-R-Y.

Because you're mine....I walk the line.

So, tomorrow we have a showing for our house. And Sunday is an open house.

I still have so much to do to get it ready, and I of course - got right to it when I got home from work tonight, because during the week there just wasn't time. As I was cleaning out the storage area (or future roughed bathroom) on the third floor (aka "Mantown"), I suffered a little --accident if you will.

As I was rearranging the faux Christmas tree, there's the base that has the pointy end that goes into the fixed base.... I sort of slammed it down rather hard on my toes on my left foot. Accidentally of course, thinking I was propping it up against the corner of the wall not realizing my foot was there; I thought I was hitting the floor. (Can I get an "ouch" aloud? Thanks...) Blood, everywhere...and immediately. I literally thought I severed my toe - it was stingingly insanely painful. Truth be told, not nearly as painful as it would've been had I truly severed my toe I'm sure, but yes it was definitely uncomfortable. So, I yell really loudly (it's soundproofed in Mantown, so no one can hear me anyway. Truthfully, for a split second I thought "oh shit, am I going to have to clean up blood now!?! Fortunately the sock soaked it up before I made a mess. Whew!) and then get really quiet - because when I'm in a lot of pain, I sort of suck it all in.

(Did I mention I get a little squeamish when it comes to fingers, toes and teeth? No? Oh, well...I am. Only time I've ever passed out was when I sliced my finger really deeply on a can - and I hit the floor immediately. Weird, but for some reason that triggers something for my blood pressure to drop. I'm sure it's psychological. But I digress....)

Then I calmly hobble downstairs, and stick my foot under the tub water - all the time saying over and over to myself "please tell me I didn't sever my toe, please tell me my toe is there".... So, I finally get the guts to feel my foot and realize thanfully it's in one piece -- and take my sock off. Yes, my toe is a mess, swollen - disfigured, bruised - and there's no way I can walk on it, flat footed. Well doesn't that suck. Did I mention that I have a job that requires physical labor? Ah, yes - well, this should be fun.

So that's how my week ended. Um, how's about you?

I'm winding down with a few glasses of Layer Cake Shiraz (yum!!) and watching "Walk the Line", one of my all time favorite movies.

And so tomorrow morning should be fun. I still have more to do, and kids to get ready for soccer...and me with my hop along foot.

Good times... good times.

Goodbye Earl....

I knew he was going to be a dud. For us anyway...
Listen, we live in New England; we don't get hurricanes -- we get snow storms. Seriously....you can never believe the hype.

Last night, I went out with three of my girlfriends for dinner and had so much fun! I very rarely go out because life is just too hectic right now, and so it was really great to get out and just laugh -- alot. We went right from work too, so the best part was - home before 9pm, and not completely exhausted today... yippee!

I had really anticipated a quiet and sleepy rainy day today with the kiddies; instead, we've got a gloriously beautifuly day and so I think we're going to go to one of the largest fairs in MA for this weekend. How can we not? Besides, I've not been to yoga since before vacation -and I'll be starting back this week, so why not over indulge just a little more with yummy fair food? Sure it's horrible for me, but what the heck.

However you spend your day today, enjoy! May the sun be shining, and your heart happy - and enjoy.

Happy Days are here again....

I love Fridays.
Who doesn't, right?

But today's a really nice one. I'm totally digging the rain; the kids and I are on the sofa right now, watching "The Tooth Fairy" in front of a fire (yes, it's gorgeously tropical still, but they wanted a fire and it just looks like a good fireplace kind of night!) while they have a nice hot cocoa, and this girl - a glass of wine. (Dinner: Marinated pork loin, salad w/ lettuce fresh from the garden, and corn with fresh basil. Can't wait - the house smells delicious!)

I got a text from a good friend of mine who also happens to be the best yoga teacher in the world. Truly - the best. Around these parts anyway! I don't get to go to her studio that often anymore because of my work hours, but I'll be going tomorrow morning. (Yay!) I was supposed to go tonight, but it didn't work out - and, she's going to come to the new studio that I go to on Tuesday with me, which is so very cool. I just love her, and have truly missed her - so to get to see her again is a great thing, despite the fact that it didn't go as I'd planned for today.

I'm really quite fortunate. I mean, I've got a beautiful family - but in addition to that, I'm surrounded by good people; I've got friends who are just genuinely good people.

And that's just one of the many reasons why I'm loving Friday today; it's a good day to reflect upon the week, and life in general.

Onwards and upwards....

So, yesterday I found the perfect spot for an even further North Shore location for another store location. At our favorite beach spot, an unbelievable space is available. It's incredibly tempting not to go for it - the location is practically turnkey, and it could be open in under a month; but.... it's probably not smart to do so just yet. It's difficult to be in two places at once, and this location is so out of the way. Maybe a year from now it could work but now probably isnt the best timing. But you know how I am -- and the wheels are always spinning.

I'm really exhausted at the moment. On top of my Mom's funeral this past Friday, it seems I've caught a cold. It started with G and seemed to have run it's course through everyone here - and I'm still battling it myself. It's just making me very tired, and of course the stress of the last few weeks hasn't helped any.

One of the best things of this past week was getting to spend time with one of my aunts who stayed at my house. I haven't spent more than a day with her since I was little because she moved when I was so young. It was really very pleasant having her with us -- and the kids truly enjoyed her company. Princess Petunia was very sad when we dropped her off at the airport tonight. We're hoping to persuade her to come visit this Christmas....

Now is definitely a time for me to get back to yoga. It wasn't plausible the last few weeks but now I truly could use finding center and balance.

Now more than ever......

Thank God for DVR.....

And, TGIF might I add....

So, I'm catching up on American Idol which I missed this week due to a life of busy-ness (as opposed to business), and while I know the judges used their save (truly, I'm dissapointed because while "Big Mike" is talented, I don't know that I think he'd be worth the save. )I don't think he could win it all, truthfully - but hey, that's just my opinion. I just wish the radio station that gave the info away warned me about the spoiler alert so I could change the channel!)

Tonight is going to be a fantastic dinner now that my detox is over. I have to be honest and say that I didn't omit all protein this week -- I ended up having fish with dinner at night which really dissapoints me so next week I'll do it again, but the right way. I still felt great, but it's just not the same, you know what I mean? So tonight I'm going to indulge just a bit....country style ribs, salad with rice & shrimp, grilled asparagus -- and a delicious glass of wine. All while watching Tim Wakefield pitch for the Sox, and snuggled in pajamas. Seriously, call me crazy -- call me old, but that sounds like a perfect Friday night!

This weekend could potentially be pretty busy....soccer day tomorrow if the fields aren't closed due to flooding from todays rain, and a birthday party. Sunday, nothing planned yet though I have to say I have been craving to go to a really good brunch! And there are so few good places to go to, but I heard that there's a hotel near the favorite ice cream farm we attended last weekend has a brunch that is "to die for". I'm working that angle as an option for Sunday, so my fingers are crossed. Besides, I need to have some yummy food to burn off as I run Monday morning and do my detox all over again!

And then we'll start all over again on Monday......

However you're spending your weekend, may it be blessed with laughter and love....happiness and good fortune. Take time to stop and enjoy the flowers that are blossoming everywhere and enjoy the beauty of Spring.

Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

A bottle of red, a bottle of white....

I could use both right about now.
It's been a tough week. And it's not quite over yet.

On the Mom front - still no news on whether the chemo is working, but there were some side effects from the chemo the doctor was concerned about so my mother was admitted for some hydration, heart monitoring and blood transfusions. That in of itself isn't so bad; the waiting for the update on whether the chemo is working is frustrating - and then there's my Mom's perspective in general that is always draining.

Princess Petunia is down and out (albeit, very briefly given antibiotics are amazing in their quick effect on little bodies) with the oh-so-rampant strep virus. I got a call yesterday a.m. that she was complaining of a sore throat and with so many cases showing up in her school yesterday the nurse erred on the side of caution and called me. Good thing she did -- as she tested positive. My pediatrician actually came to the store and visited me today to discuss her (and buy a bottle of wine for he & his wife to have at dinner, truth be told) and he was surprised the result came back so quickly - but good thing it did, because she's already rebounding after just one dose.

So, I'm planning on having a nice glass of wine with dinner tonight. Menu at Chez "I'm just a girl" is oven roasted chicken cacciatore. I've got the fire place going, and I'm ready for a nice and hopefully quiet evening though one never knows.

If I had a jacuzzi, I'd totally be in it right now. That's one of the many things I wish my house had. It could totally be a "calgon, take me away" kind of night.....

Happy Friday to me.....

Just a little postscript to yesterday's post.

1. Princess Petunia and I had a fabulous Girls Night. She got her nails done, bought some fun little gatzy's at the Dollar Store (truly, the place is a parent's dream for inexpensive toys that make the kids feel like they hit the jackpot.), we went out for sushi -- and topped it off with the acquisition of Big Top Cupcake. Pictures will follow from tomorrow's baking experiment with that creative set.

2. Really, who cares about Tiger Woods? Not this girl. He cheated on his wife, he's not a perfect person, and he's not the idol everyone imagined he was. He was a wolf in sheeps clothing. So not Earth shattering. Get over it and move on....


3. And finally, the Captain. As always, coming into training camp in fantastic shape.


Check it out....




*sighs*

Finally....Friday.

So this is one week I'm happy to see over. It wasn't a bad week per se, but it was definitely a hectic and relatively stressful one.

Tonight is going to be a very quiet and relaxing one.... the kiddies are going to bed early, and I'm going to indulge in Chinese food for my third night this week (crazy, I know!). I have leftovers, and while I'm not typically a leftover kinda girl -- I don't feel up to cooking, so leftovers it is. Along with a delicious Sancerre, my night is going to consist of relaxing on the sofa and potentially indulging in a good movie. If I can stay awake that long...I'm pretty darn tired.

Tomorrow, if the kids are both feeling okay (Princess Petunia has had strep & a bronchial infection, ugh....and my Son is fighting a cold & cough) then we'll be going to our favorite farm for a Pancake Breakfast tomorrow. Of course, there are errands to run and foodshopping to be done. I did promise them we'd get that Big Top Cupcake maker and so that's on the agenda as well.

Superbowl Sunday, we're having a "feast" - as the kids like to call it. One of those Big Top cakes is going to be all purple to cheer on the Saints. And of course, there will be food.... so it's good times this weekend. Relaxing, yet busy - and good times none the less.

And then Monday, we start all over again.

Live well, laugh hard, love fiercely and enjoy yourself this weekend.

Things I'm looking forward to in the very near future....

A massage. Hot power yoga (Namaste). Shopping for fun things, like mascara and lip gloss and boots. Going to a grown up movie. Having time to catch lunch with some of my friends of whom I miss dearly. Going to a Red Sox game. Running a 5k. Going to NYC and seeing a play.

What are you looking forward to?

Black Friday....Happy Friday!

You know what the only bummer to not cooking on Thanksgiving is?
Not having leftovers.

I could totally go for a yummy turkey sandwich right now.
Instead, I'll settle for take out - because I don't have the ambition or motivation to cook at the moment. I was supposed to be attending a family engagement party tonight with the kids but I worked late - am tired, and they're exhausted still from last night and being out late - so to get them ready just isn't that appealing to me at the moment. So, takeout and snuggling up with the kiddies it will be.

I went shopping this a.m. before heading into the shop to get my holiday store decorations. I was very pleased with what I got at very reasonable prices! The store is going to look beautiful...at least I hope so. How it looks in my mind on how I want to set it up will hopefully come to fruition on Sunday morning. Later that day, we will be transforming our house to the Christmas mood as well, by setting up the tree. It's one of my most favorite days of the year. Pumpkin donuts, hot cocoa, cookies, holiday music and lots of ornaments. Truly - does it get much better than that?

The only thing about this year that I'm sorry I've missed is the Midnight Wretham run. However, I've already decided that I'm not going to work the day after Thanksgiving next year so that I can be sure to enjoy my dinner, and then head on down for a night filled of happy, happy shopping!

I don't know about any of you - but this girl is happy, thankful and tired.
Have a fabulous, frivolous, black Friday -- and may you be graced with spectacular sales!

Mmmm, mmmm, good.....

I'm pretty darn tired.
It was a busy day today stocking the store - but then I flew home to shower before jetting out for a private wine tasting at a person's home tonight. I love doing those, they're so much fun - and I love, love, love to get people excited about drinking wine. This one was no different and lived up to my expectations. Lots of laughs, it was a great crowd.

But I'm sitting here now relaxing with a glass of Pinotage, eating the most delicious bread (one that I'm now going to be carrying at the store....I came home to a huge bag filled with delicious varieties sampled for me. Being in the food business isn't so terrible, let me tell you....!), olive oil that I seasoned myself, some fabulous Shelburne Farms 2 yr aged cheddar and a big ol' bowl of deliciously seasoned Kalamatta olives.

I don't think it gets much better than this....

And the stalkerazzi photos are in.....

Well, some of them anyway! (That's me with my hair up, not to be confused with the oh-so glamorous B in front of me! She's a rock star. I, am not... )




That's us with the cast after the show.
Definitely a great night!

Baby cried the day they took the big top....down.

I am exhausted today.
Completely wiped out.

Partly because I had a really great but busy week; and partly because I was up way past my bedtime going out with my girlfriends last night. It was a much needed and long overdue time out, and when I tell you there were tons of laughs - it was really good medicine. (Note to self: How do you know when you're getting old? When coming home at 11:30 is "way past your bedtime" and you're "exhausted" the next morning.)

We went and saw a show called "Girls Night Out". It was sort of like an ongoing Saturday night skit but with everyone in the audience singing and dancing along to all girl anthems like "I Will Survive", "It's Raining Men"....and of course, my favorite -- the epitome of any thirty somethings childhood, singing in front of the mirror with a hairbrush to the classic Melissa Manchester song, "Don't Cry Out Loud". (Yes, I think I totally cracked my girlfriends up with that one...) Seriously, I think we all could audition for this show and do our own version of it - it just looked like a blast! Except of course -- they all can sing incredibly. I can't answer for anyone else but me, and truly - I don't think anyone wants to hear me sing anyplace outside of karaoke with the most minimal of expectations!

I've had this laryngitis thing going on for about 3 weeks now -- well, after last night, I really have no voice. (Of course in my head, I've got this totally hot Demi Moore thing going on so I'm embracing the raspiness. Though I'm sure it's really not quite that fabulous sounding.....)

Pictures will follow shortly....the stalkerazzi was there in full swing. (Code for lots of picture taking by the some of the girls -- even shots of us with the cast.)

Friday's final thoughts....

*She sighs as she rests her tired toesies on the sofa*

Yes. I wore heels again today. I know, I know....I'm a glutton for punishment.

So it's Friday, and it's Halloween weekend -- and I've got a swirl of thoughts going around in my head and I figure I might as well set them free. Let's get started, shall we...?

1. Who doesn't love Halloween? Seriously. It's so much fun, even if you don't get dressed up it's a blast watching all the kids in their creative costumes. Today at the store - I blew threw 1800 pieces of candy to all the kids who came in to trick or treat at the local businesses and I was blown away by the creativity of some costumes. Loved them.

2. My daughter's costume however - is the most creative of all. I've come to realize just how artistic my little Princess Petunia is these days. Both of my kids are very imaginative and creative - both very artistic -- but she can make something out of nothing. She'll take a juice box that's empty and poke pencils in it, hang things from it - and come up with a brand new creation. So this year, she came up with her own costume idea: A rainy day. (I'd prefer sunshower, but she ixnayed Mommy's idea...). It's her favorite yellow rain slicker with a duck head for a hood, her yellow umbrella with light blue strands of plastic hanging from it to look like rain -- and slickers. Seriously, how cute and out of the box?!?! Love her...

3. Two weeks into the store and it's abundantly clear that staff needs to be rotated. Some, while maybe wine savvy just aren't cut out for retail. At least not fast paced retail.... and if anyone knows G, then they know he's a bull in a china shop on speed. He's got NO patience for anyone not working at his level, and while I'm high speed low drag myself, I've got a little more patience in that arena than he does. So, I've got to rework the scheduling a bit to see how we can't get more snazziness on weekends than we do at the moment. Love everyone there, but the speed isn't quite there... Ahhh, but such is the life in retail.

4. I'm convinced I won't be able to recharge any time soon. Running, yoga, massages, retail therapy...any or all of the above are more than likely a vision in the not so near future. But that's okay, after the holidays it will be appreciated and valued that much more because I'll really, really, really enjoy it....

Really.... !