Post Weekend/Pre-Week Highlights

Weekend:

*While reading the book I made for Regan for her 1st birthday, my sister pointed at the picture of me and asked, "Who is this?" and Regan said, "Coco" My sister then proceeded to call and leave me a voicemail, having Regan say it again...and she did. Melted my heart.

*A long overdue visit with my good friend Justin. L and I got the scoop on why he's been MIA and had a fun time walking down memory lane.

*A 4 mile run at Gray's on a cold but sunny morning. It was not my best run, to say the least, but JW kept me going.

*Picked up the first book for the book club a few friends and I have created.

Pre-Week

*Picking out fabric for our Red Flannel Run outfits. (Shout out to you, Mom, for helping us out!)

*Yoga

*Volleyball

*Naomi's Birthday Bash

*Celebrating my dad's birthday

To Whom It May Concern

*Dear Mother Nature,
Hi. How are you? I am not so good. Please stop bringing us nasty winter weather. No more blizzards, no more snow, no more ice, no more fog, no more white-knuckled drives to and from work. I'm ready to be blanketed by the sun's warm rays and take vacation days to enjoy the nice weather, instead of taking days to protect me from going outside. Think you can work on that? Thanks!
Love,
Nic

*Dear Soccer Mom Driver of the Cadillac Escalade on I-235 this afternoon,
I've got an idea - rather than talking on your phone while driving a vehicle you clearly can't handle, get off your damn phone, stop cutting people off by weaving in and out of lanes, and realize that 4 wheel drive does not exempt you from winter driving conditions. Face the facts, you aren't going to make it to the PTA meeting on time. News flash - there's a blizzard - and no one on the interstate is going more than 35 mph right now. It gave me much pleasure to meet you at the stop light of the 50th street exit....guess all that weaving didn't get you too far ahead of the rest of us.
Best Regards,
Nic

*Dear James (customer service rep from Verizon),
Thank you for helping me with my billing question. Although I was not jazzed about being on hold for 6.46 minutes, listening to all the nonsense recordings you had for me before you answered, I do appreciate you sticking to your script of, "I understand your concern and will be happy to help you with this billing issue." My faith was fully restored in your company when the billing issue was resolved without a problem. And by the way, I'll be pressing "1" next time to volunteer to take the customer service survey at the end of my call - betcha I don't wait for more than 1 minute before someone answers.
Sincerely,
Nic

You Know....When....

*You know you have a devoted father when he answers your phone call while in the movie theater to make sure everything is okay.

*You know you have made a good impression with someone when after realizing he's old enough to be your dad, his first thought isn't, "F, I'm old" but "If I had a daughter, I'd want her to be like you."

*You know you have a good roommate when she graciously gives up the opportunity to park in the 1 car garage everyday without so much as a fuss, especially during snow/ice storms.

*You know you have a lot of shoes when you are running out of room in your closet to store them and  start to wonder where you will store the 2 new pairs that are on the way.

*You know your sister loves you when she travels 4 hours round trip in the car with an 18-month old just to spend a few hours with you. 

*You know your best friends with someone when you can go weeks without talking and then as soon as she calls, you can pick right back up where you left off and talk for hours.

*You know you have the most loving and reliable mother when she spends the majority of her freetime with her mother in her time of need.

*You know you are blessed to have such good friends when they spend a lot of their time planning a vacation for the group, letting you in on mega sales, preparing countless meals they share with you, planning all sorts of fun events (i.e. birthday parties, NYE activities, etc), and the comfort of knowing they'd be there in a heartbeat if you needed them.

*You know you are well on your way to training for the Dam to Dam when you run 6 miles without a problem.

*You know your niece means the absolute world to you when all you have to do to make you smile on a bad day is see a picture of her.

Monday Funday

Monday was a great day, and not just because I didn't have to work. Thanks to the holiday, I was able to spend the day with my sister and niece. A day full of eating, shopping, and just quality time with both Katie and Regan. Katie and I both think Regan said "Coco" yesterday. (which is my nickname with her) She was trying to get my attention at the Creative Kids Store to show me something and she uttered a "ca" sound. A paramount and proud moment for me as her Aunt! :) I couldn't think of a better way to spend my day off!

Here are a few photos of Regan:

 

 

A New Found Love

I finally bought my ticket to the Glee train, thanks to JW, and I've got to say - I'm hooked! Here are 3 reasons why:

The Men:

Mr. Schuester: Spanish teacher, super cute, LOVE his style, good voice, has rhythm, and he's a good guy. He genuinely cares about his students and finds ways to both relate to them and inspire them.

 

Puck: I know I shouldn't like him but it's that bad boy thing - that snide half smile, the mohawk, and smoldering looks. *sigh* 

 

The Music:

Defying Gravity: So moving, especially when knowing the storyline. This was one of several episodes that had me in tears.

The Fashion:

Emma: Her J-Crew-esque style gets high marks in my book. Lots of cardigans, pencils skirts, and the perfect accessories to complete the ensembles.

Rachel: Her style is geek chic - plaid skirts, knee highs, and vests. I dig it.

 

 

 

Mr. Schuester: His sleek and stylish put together look grabs my attention every time. The tie and sweater combo, the rolled up sleeves of his button ups, and the cardigans - all hot looks in my book.

(ignore Jane Lynch)

 

 

'Tis a sad thing that I have to wait until April to start watching new episodes. 

Shuffle Challenge

The past few days I've 'challenged' myself to put my music on shuffle and just let iTunes pick the songs. I'm all about playlists and mixed tapes but the unpredictability of the shuffle has been rather humorous and enjoyable. Here is a sampling of what I heard on Saturday:

1. Love Song - Amanda Blank
2. The Luckiest (Live Version) - Ben Folds
3. Untouchable Face - Ani Difranco
4. Wild Wild West - Will Smith
5. Grapevine Fires - Death Cab For Cutie
6. All the Trees of the Field Will Clap Their Hands - Sufjan Stevens
7. Oops I Did It Again - Britney Spears
8. Blood Roses - Tori Amos
9. Rescue Me - Madonna
10. Everything - Michael Buble
11. Different People - No Doubt
12. Mamma Mia - Abba
13. Hey Jude - Joe Anderson (Across the Universe)
14. Food Chain - Eric Hutchinson
15. Who Do You Think You Are - Brett Dennen
16. Unknown Greek Song
17. Voice In My Head - K'Naan
18. Sundrenched World - Joshua Radin
19. Wrestlers - Hot Chip
20. The Bruised Reed - Anathallo

Dating Expectations

I've found that I've engaged in several conversations recently about dating and it got me thinking about the different expectations people have when it comes to the first few dates. What is really important to some is not a factor at all for others. So I thought a little homework assignment might be in order...it'll be fun, I promise.

Homework assignment: Make a list of your expectations when it comes to the first date in the comments section. I think it will be interesting to compare/contrast, especially the girls' answers vs. the boys' answers.

My Expectations For a First Date:

*Taking charge in planning the date (the more creative, the better)
*Being picked up (unless it's a blind date, then it's more appropriate to meet there)
*Coming to the door at the beginning of the date and walking me back to the door at the end of the date
*Holding doors open and just being gentlemen-like in general. (Don't let chivalry die!)
*Giving a compliment
*No cell phone activity (no texting, answering phone calls, or keeping your phone on the table)
*Picking up the tab
*Eye contact
*Avoid "heavy" topics such as exes, politics, religion, etc.