Service Project

I have been really trying to find a place to volunteer this year. I have a little too much time on my hands and decided that would be a great way to use it wisely. Plus, I'm hoping it will give me a chance to meet new people as that has been tougher than you can believe since I've moved to PA. 

Last night I attended a meeting for a group of folks left over from the Obama campaign who want to do community service activities in my area. Sounded perfect but I was one of about 12 who went, women only and I was the youngest by about 15 years. Now I can see the benefit of having a female mentor of sorts, but they are only planning on meeting about once a month and have no idea what projects they want to get started on yet. I need more direction and something I can dive right into. My goal is to have something once a week that I can participate in. Perhaps the public library? I love reading and books. Any ideas would be welcomed...

Fresh Approach

This morning I ran out of my make-up and decided to get creative in my continuing efforts to try to save money.  For years I have been using MAC cosmetics but my sister, the make-up queen, told me her dermatologist mentioned it was bad for your skin. I, of course, don't need one more thing to think about so decided to cut costs and help my face stay young in the process. By doing this I spent about 30 minutes in the Target cosmetics aisle but only $28 on all these products from CoverGirl. Don't ask me why I went the CG route. I can only say it was because all the other sections were confusing and I am not really make-up savvy. 

I'm normally leery of change but I'm trying to give new things ago in 2009. Small start but a start nonetheless!

A.C.

On Saturday night John and I drove down to Atlantic City for his brother Chris's bachelor party that was merged together with his fiance', Stacey's bachelorette night as well. We both have never been to a coed one before so figured it would at the very least be something new. 

We started off the evening putting on the shirts that Stacey and her maid of honor made for all the girls. I have to admit that I'm not a huge fan of dressing like other people, especially ones I don't know very well, but it was actually cute and mine was adorned with the word 'lovable' so I lucked out on anything too embarrassing.

We ate a big group dinner at PF Chang's in the Tropicana hotel/casino before doing some gambling. I won about $42 on the nickel machines but you would have thought it was a million by the ecstatic sounds coming from the slot machine and me! I never win anything.

We also did a little dancing to a really fun cover band at the bar RiRa. The boys mainly did a little drinking.

The night ended with some drama that made me thankful John and I didn't do a joint bachelor/bachelorette party ourselves as we all know a little alcohol turns people sideways, especially with the stress of a wedding a week away. I'm pretty sure the bride and groom will survive, though, and it was fun for us to get away for a night. 

There Is Always Next Year

Last night we had a few friends over to watch football. I made baked ziti with zucchini and a big salad and we all just sat back and relaxed in front of the TV for hours. I can attribute that nice evening to part of the reason why both John and I are doing surprisingly OK despite the Philadelphia Eagles loss to the Arizona Cardinals. I myself am just grateful they even made it to the NFC Championship game since the season has been full of ups and downs. And yes, I'll be cheering on the Cardinals in the Super Bowl even though it's still quite weird for me to say that after growing up rooting for my green Birds since birth. You just can't win them all I suppose. 

Toasty Toes

It's FREEZING here in PA and I feel a bit of a cold coming on.  This is always anticipated, though, when you go from 75 degree weather to 19 degree. 

However, while in AZ I picked up these Steve Madden boots so thankfully my feet are the warmest they've been in awhile. 

If I could wear them to work I would. They are that cozy. I have never jumped on the whole Ugg's craze and frankly couldn't since they run about $160 a pair and are hardly ever in stock at stores. Still I couldn't help but imagine how warm they must feel on cold days like this. This pair ran about $39 so I'm feeling pretty good about my choice and the fact that I still have plenty of cash for several hot cups of coffee!

Batteries Recharged

We had such a delightful time in Arizona that it was extremely difficult to leave. It never hits me as hard as it did yesterday when we got on the plane. I was a blubbering fool.  We are already anxiously awaiting our next visit

Here are some highlights from our trip...

Eating my Mom's potato salad. She makes it every time I visit and I couldn't have been more grateful. As you can see here I clean my bowl with every serving!

We also had some of my favorite Mexican food from Serrano's (their bean dip is to die for) as well as another fave, In-N-Out burger. I swear the food we eat is worth the price of airfare alone.

On Sunday we watched the Philadelphia Eagles beat the NY Giants to advance to the NFC Championship game with all my family at an Eagles bar in Old Town Scottsdale that John found by doing some online google searches. It was loud and packed but the energy was amazing and I loved doing the E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES chant with fans living on the west coast. 

Even my sweet grandmother was in attendance!

We definitely thought long and hard about how to stay for the game this upcoming Sunday against the Cardinals (seriously, what are the odds?) but responsibilities here just couldn't be ignored.

We also got to spend some real quality time with my brother Dan, aunts, uncles and cousins. I especially enjoy seeing three of the most important women in my life, my Mom, Nanny and sister.

Not to mention the fact that both John and I got to visit baby Gia, my newest cousin, in the hospital. She continues to grow big with every day and is totally adorable.

Trips to AZ are never overly packed with events but we like it that way. Gives us time to focus on what is important, the time spent with family. 

Bright Side

OK, today is a new day and I'm already thinking of some positives.

The sun is definitely trying to come out so things are a bit brighter (literally), and I am looking forward to new episodes of The Office, 30 Rock and Grey's Anatomy tonight. Packing is nearly complete and A. has found some new music that she is putting on a mixed CD for me that I am totally stoked to get. It's a wonderful blessing that we share a similar taste in music. And lastly, two people told me unprompted that I look thinner these days. Not that I'm necessarily trying to work on that but still nice to hear. 

Little things people...

Grumpy

I've spent the last couple of days being mad about things. Mad at my in-laws, mad at this weather, frustrated by my job, that my printer doesn't work right. Mad that people drive without ANY consideration of others, disappointed in friends. To top it off, my left eye has been twitching for the past week. I suppose it's stress but now I'm mad that I have to wear my glasses to help it get better.

Thankfully we are headed to Arizona on Friday so that I can recharge by batteries, soak up on some sun and have quality family time. Let's just hope that does the trick.

Power Shopping

In an effort to be more budget conscious in 2009, I have been on a quest to try to find one dress that I can wear to John's brother's wedding the end of January and his best friend's wedding the end of March.  This shopping time I decided to bring John with me and he actually was very helpful. I know, I trucked him through several stores in several malls and he was nothing but great. He encouraged me to try stuff I normally wouldn't go for and I'm glad I did. Not only do I feel confident in the dress I found, but the color is also a departure for me. Here it is below in pink, something I'd normally gravitate to, but I bought it in forest green instead...

Ringing in the New Year

A New Years Eve Recap:

John and I around 9:30 pm

John and I around 11:30 pm

Then things get a little fuzzy and I wake up around noon New Years Day feeling like death and find that my favorite black shoes are now ruined due to an unfortunate scuff mark.

Next year I resolve to have fun, but not that much fun.