I said it a month ago...

Just a reminder.
Lisa Bikrop From the Heart

BBQs & Bonfires

Another great night at Mom & Dads. We lit Moms newly built bonfire, had some intense games of horseshoes, good guitar and great laughs!

Late work email response

Number 1- I get it
Number 2- I am not a complete idiot
Number 3- I know you are stressed
Number 4- Stop taking everything out on the people who work so darn hard for you
& Number 5- Let it go!

(just a little!)

W.I.L.T

Today, May 26th

1. Its 85 degrees out, Do I really need to sit in an office that's air conditioner isn't working? Or, would my boss prefer me to be somewhere cool, like say, in a POOL for example!
2. The taller the heel, the better the shoe (I am only 5ft. tall)
3. The Moody Blues are my favorite today
4. I would rather be in the garden
5. Our morning walk did wonders for my mental state
6. Saturday cannot come soon enough!
7. Our small town Post Office is super quick! I got my new orange MIA Wedges two days ahead of schedule
8. I have decided upon my bathroom vanity....now I just need the old dresser
9. I should have taken a longer lunch today
10. I cannot wait to go shopping tonight, I hope I have the same luck as I have had lately with new shoes!
11. Yes, I am addicted to shoes!
12. I really have to start laying off the "Dark Magic Blend" coffee
13. I am overly eager to start sanding the wine rack

An incredible weekend!

I have been wanting a weekend off for some time now and finally got one. Which meant, no work and no gigs for Mike, nothing we HAD to do. Nothing pre-planned. Is this what it feels like to the rest of the world that only works 1 job and has 2 days off every week to enjoy?
God, I am missing out!
Anyhow, Friday after work, Mike and I had both had tough days. In fact, it took every ounce of strength within my being to not quit my job. I was beyond frustrated, but enough about that. We headed down to the Brushmill, had some martinis & snacks, home by 8:30 relaxing on the couch watching the jaw dropping season finale to Grey's Anatomy.
Saturday I was so eager to get up I was up at 6:00am looking outside and wondering where the hell my sunny day was! Mom, Dad, John, Sarah and I had a long day of fishing on rough seas, poor visibility and some heavy wind, but we all had a BLAST~ 4 delicious winter flounder later... Thanks Mom:) But really, what a fun day. I haven't laughed that hard in some time.
Mike fried up the filets in flour & paprika, I made some homemade tarter, we had a couple stuffed clams and basmati rice. What an incredible dinner!
So, with a full stomach we rolled ourselves outside, moved the patio chairs down to the fire pit and lit one hell of a fire. I don't know why we hadn't done that before, it was such a nice night to just relax and chat by the fire. It reminded us of camping & we talked for hours about each trip we have taken laughing about the time Mike took off for firewood with my cell phone and the keys to the car and was gone for what felt like an hour as the night got increasingly darker....Apparently a group of flying squirrels dive off the roof of the main house at the same time everynight and everyone crowds around to watch.....Mike, of course mesmerized by the squirrels, stuck around for a while, meanwhile my crazy imagination had me thinking someone ran him over with their car because they didn't like his cowboy hat and he was laying in the woods somewhere.
Sunday, we slept in until 9:00am! That's pretty late these days. We made homefries and poached eggs and watched Paranormal Activity.....(haven't made up my mind on how I feel about that movie, yet.) Eventually, we mosied out to the garden and planted everything. Summer Squash, Zuchini, Broccoli Rabe, Oregon Peas, Cucumber, Eggplant, Brandy Wine Tomatoes, Yellow Tomatoes, Italian Tomatoes, Hot Cherry Peppers, Baby Bell Peppers, Basil, Butter Lettuce, Watermelon, Strawberries & Canteloupe! What a list, I cannot wait to see how our second year garden blooms!
Mike set up the Hammock in the front yard under the Apple Blossom and a loveseat swing near the garden. I am in love with the hammock, I have always wanted one, I would so rather be on it reading write now then here at work.
We made a dump run and I scored a great old wooden wine rack. I think it holds about 32 bottles. It has a yucky wood stain and varnish so I am going to sand it and paint it swiss coffee and then distress it with the sander. I need a hobby right now. Any form of creative outlet I can muster as I am not getting it anywhere during the hours of 9-5 Monday-Friday.
Anyhow, to end off the perfect weekend I made up some chicken curry and Kathleen & Ryan came over for dinner.

Waking up to face the real world today was very hard.

What do you say when YOU look into the mirror?

If it is anything like this, God Bless, if it is not....Maybe it is time to start!

An old friend becomes a cartoon for 5 seconds

W.I.L.T

Thursday, May 13th

1) Glad I decided to suffer through trying on clothes in the dressing room, otherwise I would have had one hell of a purchase and a heck of a return. 16 items to walk away with 3 practically identical tops to what I already have.

2) Even if the weather is nice I can still feel bummed out

3) I must have a hole in my pocket because my $$ is disappearing!

4) I have felt happiest this week when it has rained

5) Jillian Michaels 30 day shred is kicking my butt! & I think she is insane, but I wouldn't mind having her abs!

6) Up in the Air, with George Clooney sucked. Why is he making stupid movies?

7) Everyonce in a while a marinated steak is out of this world

8) I think the mirrors in TJmaxx are designed to make you look awful! Either that or all their sizes are completely wrong...Or I just need to face the fact I am NOT a "Junior" anymore!

9) At least once a week I think about quitting my job

10) When it comes down to it, all I really need is just a good night sleep.

Another incredible video by Gnarly Bay

spring. from gnarly bay productions, Inc. on Vimeo.


Dana Saint & G-friend traveling Cambodia & Thailand.

W.I.L.T

I overheard a woman at work talking about her 8 yr. old's homework assignment. She is in 3rd grade and at the end of each day she has to go home and write her WILT list. Otherwise known as "What I Learned Today." Isn't that a great idea?
So I am going to try it....starting at yesterday.

W.I.L.T------ May12th, 2010

1) I hate my job when I am not busy
2) The white wine I loved last week, I suddenly have no taste for
3) I always claim to "not be a sweets" person, yet found myself running out for a Cherry Garcia chocolate cone bar on Monday night and enjoying 3 brownies last night made from coconut, butterscotch chocolate chips & hazelnut. They were warm and moist and I don't think I have ever tasted anything that delicious in my life!
4) Sarah's sense of humor is just as wacked as my own & it cracks me up
5) Every so often I enjoy the rain, it reminds me of Scotland and I am happy
6) I dislike Jillian Michaels when she tells me there is no modification for the "jumping jack"
7) I enjoy eating dinner early
8) A book that 5 years ago, "Little Earthquakes" probably would have made my cry, did not phase me in the least
9) I would rather be in the garden then anywhere else
10) I don't know what I would do without my Mom!
11) Mike has the prettiest hair on a man I have ever seen
12) My love for silver jewelry grows stronger daily
13) According to Sarah I am the only person in the world who wears "heels & a hoodie sweatshirt at the same time!"
14) I would like the weather to warm up so I can put my Gerber Daisies back outside
15) My Mathematical skills have grown tremendously because of my job

A New version of an Old Song

Sheila. If this wasn't the song that marked our younger days.... Then I don't know what was!!!

I heard this cover today when I snuck out of the office this afternoon. I will always think of you when I hear this song, remember being in the basement at your Mom's house playing pool & dancing like crazy. When I hear it, I can even smell what your basement smelt like....Sensory memory is incredible.

She does a great job & her voice is very pretty. Perfect version of this song for a rainy day.

Hyper Wednesday

So, I awoke this morning to the sound of what I thought was "Batman, the beginning" coming from the living room. I was in a daze and thought, what the hell? It feels like 5am, why is Mike watching Batman!! Moments later I hear the intense speaking of Jillian Michaels' 30-day shred and so I crawl out of bed, one- to realize it was really 7:15am, two- Mike had re-arranged all the furniture in the living room and had the mat & 3lb. weights out....Ready to work out....Right. Just what I wanted to do this morning! 20 minutes later, yelling at the TV and realizing we are both of of shape and also...out of breath, we were done with Day 1 of the 30 day shred!
He feels engaged, energized and ready for the day. Me after 3 cups of coffee became mentally hyper. Typing faster than usual, shooting out emails anywhere from upper cabinet design, to patio lighting, to painting brick! (Clearly not too busy on this dreary day at the office...)But physically, I want to go to sleep! I am sure Mike will be ready to sleep too, when I get home tonight and show him the home renovation list I've typed in order of priority and even.... formatted with bullet points!

Monday song of the day

Also, did I mention how much I love Bruce.....

This Rainy Saturday

Is perfect for my mood. I am sitting here with my 3rd cup of coffee while the rain is pouring down. I potted some Mums & Daisy's this morning. Everything is green and renewed. I am feeling the same.

Fairytale dress

If I could EVER see myself in a STRAPLESS dress...which I probably pulled off once in my life and that was in high school.....But, If I could pull it off again, this would be the "fairytale" dress~

My favorite pic(s) of the day

Mom cracking up!

Mr. & Mrs. John Bonvini have returned from their wedding weekend in North Dakota

After arriving at the airport, John and Sarah (the Newly Wed) headed to Mom & Dads, where Gram, Mike and I joined for champagne toasts, brandy toasts, wine, eggplant parmesean and homemade manicotti. They were in their travel gear (aka military uniforms) which was most fitting since they met in the military some time ago working at the same hospital at camp Al Asad, Iraq. We had a great celebratory evening. Here are some pictures!

Congratulations!!

To my brother and new sister-in-law-

John & Sarah Bonvini

Married May 1,2010

Motivation

This picture is motivation to a couple summers ago. I was tan & in shape. Time to get my butt in gear!

Warm weather

This weekend was incredibly warm. Upper 80's on Saturday which was most appreciated. Katie and I headed up to the Red Salt Box in Norwhichtown (The lady that only opens twice a year) and scored some great finds---An old watering can, a cut steel flower ornament for the garden, a little frame with a heart cut from drift wood. A wooden hanging bowl... Great stuff. There were ALOT of other things I wanted, but felt more inspired to get creative and make them myself this summer. Like little wooden plaques with sayings about the garden.  Something cheesy like: "If you reap what you sow make sure its love that grows." How cute is that??

Can you tell, I am very excited about our garden this year. We had a pretty great year last year with our first time. We have doubled the size and picked up some aged horse maneur from a farm up in Salem a few weeks back. (Yea, that's what I do on weekend's now...go up to farms to pick up horse shit!....turning into a little country bumpkin!) Mike's working on rototilling it in and we have about 20-something tomato plants growing in the house already. Also a little eggplant and basil. I am going to become the garden queen and finally score that green thumb!!