Our Daughters Have Wings

Tag, You're It!

I have been randomly tagged by http://jfifeadams-mysaladdays.blogspot.com/

Rules:

1- Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2- Share 7 random and or weird things about yourself.
3- Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
4- Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

7 Random things about me:

1. I think I'm addicted to Splenda...I use it to make Kool-Aid, to cook, etc.  I just can't have real sugar anymore.
2. My iPod has a very eclectic mix, including Abba, AC/DC, Korn, Madonna, and Yanni.
3. I love to read but can't remember the last time I 'finished' a book.
4. I love to eat meat off bones (pork chops, steak, etc.)
5. I'm a nag.  I really am.  I've learned that I like things my way, and I will usually nag to get it that way.
6. I lost all my baby weight within 2 days of having Nicholas, but still can't squeeze into my pre-preggo clothes.
7. I have a secret crush (ok, maybe not so secret anymore) on Maks from 'Dancing with the Stars'

Who I’m about to tag:

1. Lumpy Jelly (www.lumpyjelly.com)
2. Tony's Blog (http://web.mac.com/kafkakis/iWeb/Site/Tony%27s%20Blog/Tony%27s%20Blog.html)
3. Kaycie's blog (http://blog.theburgefamily.org/)
4. Sara's blog (http://noahanddylan.blogspot.com/)
5. Meagan's blog (http://adventuresineverydaylife.com/2007/11/survived-shots.html)
6. Alicia's blog (http://gabriellaandbenjaminramm.blogspot.com/)
7. Gifty's blog (http://gmbeets.blogspot.com/)

My guess is that at least two of these bloggers will ignore my tag, but so be it! They can feel guilty or not.

Welcome to 2007!

So we've now welcomed the year 2007 into our lives.  Nick and I were very happy to say goodbye to 2006, for obvious reasons.

We spent New Year's Eve with Mike & Kim Woodard, and we're so glad that they invited us over.  Their little girl Libby is just so cute!  She didn't have a nap yesterday & even Dora couldn't improve her mood by the time 7pm rolled around.

We hadn't planned on staying there until midnight, but you know how competitive people get when they start playing Eucher!

The entire night was a lot of fun; first, we had dinner. Then, Kim gave Libby a bath while Mike & Nick watched football (I'm sure that was a dream comes true for Nick - to get to watch football without me changing the channel on him!) After Libby's bath, they put her to bed and it was time for Kim's Birthday Cake!  I thought my birthday was interesting - having it 2 days before Christmas - imagine having your birthday on New Year's Eve Day!  I baked her cake, since she also LOVES cherry chip!  I even put sprinkles on it for her!  After cake it was time to start playing cards!

 

Nick and Mike were partnered up and Kim & I thought we'd try our hand at beating the boys...it worked!  We stayed until Nick got to see 'Luda' perform "Moneymaker" on Dick Clark's Rocking Eve and then we headed home.

 

The doggies were not happy that we had been gone for so long but they quickly forgave us.  They even had an after-midnight snack!  Today, Nick and I went to Mass at St. Pat's - it was the celebration of the Solemnity of Mary.  Fr. Jeff celebrated mass, although Fr. Karl and Deacon Pat were also present.  The rest of the day was spent relaxing - Nick got to watch football pretty much all day and had control of the clicker, since I decided to clean out the closets and my dresser. It is time for the annual donation to the Salvation Army - hopefully just in time for the cold weather. 

I am going to try to find a coat that I don't use anymore so someone else can at least have some warmth.  My goals this year include (re)starting our family, getting back to my good eating & exercise habits, and being more patient (with everyone).  I’d like to meet my friends from LAMBS and the other Yahoo! Groups that I’ve joined.  Nick bought me an acoustic guitar so I'd like to learn how to play that.  I'd also like to get our wedding & honeymoon scrapbooks done, as well as Angie & Gabby's book.  We might decide to paint the small bathroom off the kitchen - at the very least I need to get new rugs and towels in there to 'change it up' a bit.  Other than that - we'll do our normal things this year.  With one major exception - remembering our daughters!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Who would have thought that this baby would grow up to be me?

Today we welcome my 31st year on earth!  I never would have thought I would be so excited to be 31.  Much of the excitement has to do with a fresh slate - a new year - hopefully with more joyful occurrences than the last.  The picture is of me and my mom 30 years ago!  She looked amazing then and she still looks great for her age - really, what gives it away now are her little 'granny' glasses that she uses to read and maybe the gray hairs that finally came to fruition a while ago.  I hope I will look like she does when I'm her age!

Nick and I started the day this morning with a kiss, and then I went to the gym.  Unfortunately, Julie couldn't make it so it was just me and Linda.  Then, we had an appt. at 9am, and after that, we decided to get breakfast at Leo's.  Then it was home to LAZE around on the couch.

We're going to meet up with Bridget & Dan, Rita, Heidi & 'her bipeds' (her words!), Kim & Mike, and maybe a few other people that decide to come at the last minute.  We're going to Brighton Bowl and we'll bowl first, followed by a pizza party.  Yes, I know I'm now in my 30s, it was just more economical to have our fun this way!

Later, Nick and I plan on going to Casino Windsor, given we have NO problems getting over the border - I have to check my passport and make sure it's not expired.  It's still in my maiden name but that should be ok. 

Tomorrow we'll go to church, and then get the house ready for my family.  Unfortunately, we're not sure if my parents can attend b/c they're feeling a tad bit 'under the weather'. 

Anyway, I wanted to share a few pics of me as a kid - yes, I know I was a little chubster!  I grew up on Italian food - what else would you expect?  Hope you enjoy!

Only 9 more days!

No...not until Christmas!  Until my 31st Birthday!  And let me tell you...I can not wait!  If you look back at who I was a year ago, I would have told you that I was regretting turning 30...now I can't wait to begin a new year.  This year was an extremely difficult year for me and Nick.  We had a lot of ups and downs, but more downs than ups.  We're hoping that 2007 brings us much more happiness than tragedy for a change. 

For my birthday, the day will begin with personal training with Linda & Julie at Lady of Livingston (www.ladyoflivingston.com), bright and early at 8am.  Then we're planning on going to dinner with friends and family (location TBD) and then we'll probably go bowling over at Brighton Bowl (www.brightonbowl.com) since the facility is smoke-free during open bowling hours.

Maybe we'll even get a chance to go to the casino!  I'd love to go to Casino Windsor - since the ENTIRE casino is SMOKE-FREE!  Then we won't end up all smelly at the end of the night.  Maybe I can play Craps!  It definitely won't be the same, though, since Jamal & Taraya won't be there with us.  I think he was my lucky charm ~ either that, or I had beginner's luck!