Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hope you've had a great day. 

What does a single gal like myself do on such a day?

Oh, I'm so glad you asked...

I worked a double shift at the cupcake shop. Yes, not only did I work from 3-9:30 on Saturday, I then went home to bed and woke up at 6:30 to be back at work for just before 8am. Left around 11am, only to return at 5:30 and work until 9:30 again. It wasn't so horrible, as my boss owed me an apology to which I  received. Now after being so exhausted from my "weekend" it's either time for ice cream or bed. I'll let you guess which one I chose.  

 Here's to 2016's Valentine's Day :)

SNOW DAY

Happy Snow Day!!


I know I was happy as a child when we would have Snow days, but I truly believe Teachers are happier about Snow days than students or children. Getting to sleep in past the alarm, not having to drive through slick roads, and of course not having moody preschoolers to deal with. Tis the dream.


It's also super nice to have a three day weekend! Though it'd be even better if I didn't have to work at the cupcake store.

What to choose, What to choose

I keep a "Note" on my phone full of ideas or stories for me to write up later and usually never complete. Then tonight I thought "Oh, I'll blog and organize what I already have". Then it came time to post one.... BUT WHICH ONE!?!?! I made up about 20 or so write ups, topics, and titles. I'm really proud of that, though now I don't want to post the ones pre-made. So instead I wrote this and hoped it could pass.



I did see a good movie preview on Facebook and I've watched it a whole 4 times in probably 30mins. It makes me feel all sappy and lovey-dovey, so I might be going to see that romantic movie when it comes out.

Resolutions

While I wrote about completing and not completing last year's list of New Year's resolutions, I realized I should probably make some for this year. DUH! So here goes...



#1: Send more physical mail. I truly believe it's a lost art. I miss getting hand written cards in the mail. I should still send my holiday cards that I got for FREE off Shutterfly (Thank you Shutterfly). I really do love them.  I should write to my Niece, Grandmother(s) - maybe, and who knows who else.


#2: Be kind, more often. I found myself getting frustrated towards then end of the year and I should stop that. My frustration only turns into sass or rudeness and that's not my intent. I need to find another outlet or a way to convey myself better when I'm reaching that grouchy point because let's be honest, NO ONE benefits when I'm getting upset and unclear of what I want or need.


#3: Display more patience and understanding towards my classroom and the children. It's similar to my second resolution, but I guess I really want to change for the better. Becoming unable to help myself helps no one else at the same time. Bettering myself will allow me to be there more for my co-teachers and children.


#4: Become a better, more aware, and cautious driver. Drivers in Mass are plain crazy, irrational, unpredictable, reckless, impulsive, the list is really endless. Therefore, I need to drive more carefully because others here are clearly not going too.


#5: Cross another Bucket List task off :)


#6: As always, become a better blogger. One can dream.

Oh back to school...

Vacation's over. It's time to gather all my crap up and bring my bum back down to work.


It's been an enjoyable time at home with lots of laziness and family time. While it's really been great to have practically nothing to do, I am looking forward to a more normal schedule. Yea the whole staying up until 12 or later and then sleeping till 10am or so has been feeling fantastic, it can make you feel like a bum too.


I'm determined to cook healthier meals than what I have been; hey, I've been on break! I also want to get into a better exercise routine. Now that it's snowed I'm not as motivated to run outside, but I do need to keep up with something. I'm also going to bring down a bunch of craft and scrapbooking things to use my free time more wisely :).

2016

While somethings changed in 2015, others stayed the same. Looking back over my goals I set for myself last January, I can honestly say I put in a lot of effort to make some of my admirations come true! Let's review;


Goal #1:

Move! I seriously want to move out of my parents house. Move out of my city I grew up in (even though I do love it most of the time). Move out of the state even! It's been a thought for a while, but more recent proposals have come up to make this intriguing idea a reality. 

I DID IT!! In May I officially accepted a teaching position in Massachusetts and moved just outside of Boston. At first the living circumstances were less then stellar, so I moved in with another coworker and had a much more enjoyable life. September I moved in with two other women and have been there since. I love the apartment we have and the location most of all! It is such a rewarding feeling to be living on my own, while being able to pay for all the living costs and still being able to go out or enjoy an event from time to time. Yea for adulting! 

Goal #2:

Travel more! I LOVE traveling and wish I could more and more. Katie is in London until next December, so that's really intriguing. 

So because I chose to move, I sadly was unable to visit Katie over in London. Extremely sad, but I did move. So again adult mode. I guess I have somewhat done this because I am living on my own I HAVE to travel more and by myself. Both for the better and worst I guess, but at least I'm getting out and about. I drove to the Cape to meet up with family this summer, attended a wedding, and just generally traveled around the Boston area by self. 

Goal #3:

Get healthier! Whether I become better with my eating habits and or exercising more frequently, this needs to happen. Hopefully being able to move out will help aid this goal. 

I am still working on this, but it's more of a life long change rather than a quick fix. I lost a good 12lbs this summer!! :) I am beyond excited that I was running almost everyday after work and have since changed so much about my eating habits. Although, now that it is winter and I need to workout indoors I need to be more consistent about my workouts. Or just be extra cautious about what I am eating... and that's no fun! Ugh, must find a balance. 

Goal #4:

Be just a little bit more social! I have a bad habit of being outgoing and then a hermit crab very easily. I want to try and be more outgoing and better experiences with a pricey price tag attached, especially if I want to travel. 

Well, I'm not blogging because I'm out at the club. This goal still needs work so I'll try to focus on that more this year. I so desire to be a more outgoing person and meet more people. I just also love laying in my bed and doing nothing but watching Netflix or dvd's and sipping on tea. I know, it's an exciting life I tend to live. But again, I really am trying to branch out more often. 

Goal #5:

Be a better blogger! I've done alright the last months, but I can definitely do better. 

Well this one definitely didn't happen, but there is always time to improve. It helps that I am a little more active on my own and can take a little more time to create more blog posts. Even if they end up being short because let's be honest some viewers might enjoy shorter stories about my amazing single life :) 

Happy New Year to all and happy blogging! 

~A

New AND Improved!

My crazy awesome idea to completely change up my look to start a new year :).

My Hair Stylist, whom I ABSOLUTELY ADORE! (Who can guess the movie this quote is from?!?!) insisted on taking before and after pictures :) Which obviously made me feel even better about chopping my hair off.  

A little montage of the haircutting process. I was smart enough to bring a friend with me so I had someone to document the event and boy was I glad I did!

Starting the process!! EEeeeekkk 

Chopped off! and wrapped up so nicely for me to send out!

I decided to donate my locks to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, mostly because recently there was an article I read that clarified where hair donations actually go and who they benefit. After reading said article, I then went to all the websites that were mentioned and looked specifically who my hair would go to and how the organization really worked. I was really happy to do this kind of research :)

My final look and if I may compliment myself a little Taylor Swift esque 

After my hair cut, my friend Sarah and I had to return her Mom's car and pick up her boyfriend. We all headed back up to Portland because Sarah and I had planned to have my nose pierce, her monroe pierced, and we both wanted our second hole in our ears. Yep we had a plan! Below is the finished result after Hair cut, Nose pierced, and Second holes in place. Sarah called me Queen of Snapchat  and I will not lie, I was slightly excited to show off the nose ring and fresh cut! It's just so nice to get so much chopped off at once, scary, but nice.

Pretty sure this was to a friend so she could see all the changes I made in just one day :)

*Oh and I may have asked Sarah's boyfriend if a nose piercing made one's nose look thinner, haha it's ok though Sarah has one too so I was bound to get the correct response*

How You Get Conned

Dear Parents,


I get it. I get how you get coaxed into giving kids what they want. Sometimes, just so they'll shut up be quiet.

I experienced this in FULL FORCE the other night while babysitting some of my regular little ladies. One of the girls was VERY itching, to put it simply, (to be fair she had clearly broken out from something) and as sympathetic as I can be, I can physical only do so much and if you choose to continue to scratch away (like I would :D ) then I really can't help.

We attempted a bath, which allowed the rash to go down and the itching to subside for a while. Later while reading books we attempted some coconut oil, which really just made her oil-ey and smell delicious haha. Needless to say it didn't help for long.

Then came time to say goodnight.... or not. I went to tuck in her sister when she went all ballistic on me and insert full on fit mode. Screamed bloody murder and incoherent words of another language and possible worship of something. WOW, I'm so sorry parents... I'm so fortunate to say goodbye to these lovely "angels" at the end of the day/night.

 I am willing to admit that for this family I generally do some extra housework while I sit and was in the middle of laundry, so I may have closed the laundry room door and folded some clothes while she screamed outside. Parents will understand... I went back to check on her and how she had stripped out of her footie pjs. I asked if we could talk and not have screaming any more and she finally told me she was STILL itchy    -_- . Insert Benadryl cream that finally allowed her to pass out, although not before she laid on the couch trying to talk to me while I cleaned the dishes and asked me "before you leave, will you please give me a kiss?" I get it parents, I get it. Those little words after an awful 3hrs of complaining, itching, and screaming completely melted my heart. So of course after she fell asleep in her bed (after I carried her upstairs and rubbed her back for 20mins) I snuck in a kiss on her forehead.


Wanna hear the best part of my story? I got paid shortly after AND I got to leave and go to sleep in my own bed :). As much as I can complain about not having everything I thought I would by 25, I am grateful to have my own space and have these moments to laugh about.

After Christmas Party (Long over due)

Every year my Dad's side of the family gets together after Christmas because it really is a crazy time before hand, so it's always been more convenient to gather after the hype of the Holidays. Well we pushed it this year by not getting together the week after Christmas, but 2weeks after the fact.

This year was kinda extra special for me, because it was the same day I chose to chop off about 8inches of my hair and pierce my nose, cuz why not? (You can read about that in a follow up post). This year was also different because my family usually hosts at our home, but this time we traveled to my Sister's new home where they hosted the craziness :).

Two of my cousins :)

I may have convinced my Niece that one of my cousins name was Justin because he slightly resembles Justin Bieber hehe. It was slightly hilarious partly because many started calling me Taylor Swift due to the new hairdo and although I took this as a very nice compliment, I then retaliated back. And mine actually stuck :)

All the Cousins

Cousins plus spouses plus my niece :)

It was an all out successful night, but I'm partial to family gatherings!

For the Love of Lexi

I feel like the worst person lately...Maybe feelings of guilt is better, I'm not sure. For the past 7 1/2 years my family has been lucky enough to own a beautiful, playful, charismatic, and yes at times obnoxious and attention seeking Golden Retriever we called Alexis or Lexi for short (A names are a plus in our family).

Lexi's first day at home with us <3

Her first bath after playing with a slug in the yard, so little!

She's a famous dog actually, in 2009 (wow, that's a while ago) my family made a funny video of Lexi chasing a freaking laser beam across the kitchen and eventually jumping over my brother, father, and brother-in-law. There was more to the video than they showed, but obviously was cut due to time. Our video has a few more sprints before jumps and more of our reactions after the....well you should watch to really see what I'm taking about :) oh and skip to 5mins 28seconds for Lexi's debut. After it aired (I kid you not) she refused pictures and snubbed video cameras... what a drama queen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwwcbx5waQw

She's a star, dont ya think??



She truly is a fantastic addition/fourth child to our family and we've had wonderful times spent with her. Sadly a few months ago she was diagnosed with Lymphoma Cancer, where her glands (really all over her body) became swollen and undoubtedly extremely uncomfortable. The poor thing, I'd never wish this upon anyone or creature and it's the absolute worst to watch day in a day out.

A few weeks ago I started writing a blog piece about her and sobbed the entire time I typed. Ugh, It's just the utmost worst feeling in the world knowing her presence around the house is coming to an end.

           I can't even look at my own dog for too long. I immediately begin to tear up and I have to walk away and not think about her never being here again. It's one of those, we have advanced warning of her probable death and yet I can't enjoy her. I know she's probably suffering, she went nearly a week without eating- extremely odd behavior for any animal, but this golden downs her food in seconds and doesn't appreciate anyone messing with her or the food during meal time-my brother will occasionally stick a hand in and bug her on purpose, they've always had a great relationship... I've envied it at times even. She's a beautiful dog with a family that's always been too much on the Go and hardly home to give her what she really deserved. We're really loving, but definitely could have done better by her. And now with her diagnosis of lymphoma cancer, she's getting all and any food (safe) she wants. Even my mother who has had a love but stronger hate relationship with her if giving her food (by throwing it far away) anytime she wants. 

The lil bro and I sent this to the parents while they were away :)

I'm going to miss her so incredibly much, it's unbearable to think about how empty the house is going to feel without her around. I'm going to miss her running to the door when someone comes home, her stealing washcloths off the kitchen counter while the family enjoys a television show, her paw prints on the stairs, barking at the door and having to search which door she's actually at, having to pull her off new people because she loved to socialize and loved people to know she was present.

It's truly one of those; "You don't know what you got till it's gone" situations and utterly blows. To Lexi, I'm sorry we couldn't do more for you! Love you beyond words, you'll be happy not to have your picture taken, and can truly rest in peace <3

Oh, and I'll miss her climbing on me during Thunderstorms. Why did it take me till now to realize she's my Thunder Buddy?!?!? Ugh, I'm now in search of a new one, never to replace only till the storm passes. 

The Adventures of House Sitting

I'll be completely honest; I thought it would be a dream come true house sitting for a family I know, living on my own, cooking/cleaning/maintaining and entertaining all on my own....

AND IT IS!!!

HA! Thought I was going in a different direction didn't ya? I've actually found it somewhat surprising how much I truly enjoy some me time. Between having the tv to myself, making the choice of what to make for dinner, always being able to do my own laundry when I want..yea it's been real nice. 

Whats been the best asset so far you ask?? well...

Sorry, not sorry! 

Can even watch Friends while relaxing!

The only downfall.. it's the company that was already here when I came to stay and their actually (half) the reason I'm staying at the house. 

All curled up on a snow day!

Meet Mischief and Zoe the kitties I'm charge of. Twice a day feedings,  couple times a week water changes, cleaning out litter boxes, and all around keeping company. That's my job with them in a nutshell.



Sadly, it ends next weekend.

What I've become...

Yea, I'm that happy "do what I want" kind of person with no one to answer too (of course the occasional check in with the rents is executable), until.... a party or couple-ly event comes up. Then it's "Crap...I got no one".

HOW UNBELIEVABLY PATHETIC AND SAD AM I?!?!?! 

Like really though, I've been this way for a while now. Manly because I've been single for quite a while... AWESOME. So everytime I go out with ladies that have significant others I either show up single, bring a guy friend (that I hardly talk to any more), or worse depending how you look at it my cousin... all options, what joy -_- 

Now honestly, props to the guy friend and the cousin who will go with me to these stupid things that I drag them too...but gosh darn it why not someone who wants to go with me and just wants to be with me??? I was texting at the same time as I wrote this and although very supportive and loving, saying "the person will be there and hey, when we go out afterwards you can have the freedom to flirt/dance with whoever at the bars!" Now this cheered me up, cuz if I will share anything personal with you it's this white girl. LOVES. to. DANCE! so uplifting comment I'll take.

Still, sadly I'll sit here by myself, house sitting for a family, and simple wallow in my single misery....

HAHAHAHAHA     Just Kidding!! I'm a dance and sing the heck out of this place! 

My First Comment!

I received my first blog comment the other day!! Yes I've been blogging for like 3years, but I've done a VERY bad job at it :(. But since taking it up again, I've reapplied my efforts and kept it going.


So yes, I've had people comment on my blog before, but to be honest it was my Sister and Sister-in-law...so they count but not in an official way, right??!

Not only was this comment a nice comment, it literally made me smile ear to ear and maybe a little squeal too want to write back immediately! Ah, it is so nice to kind of know that someone might be enjoying my writing, stories, and little life that I live! Besides those that I remind over and over about! I also had 35 visits that day! Maybe that's not a lot in blogging world, but it feels like a lot to me and my little stories over here!


Thank you again reader! and to future readers, I LOVE comments (but please keep them nice, huh?)

2015 changes

So I've had two thoughts for a few months now that 2015 would bring some changes for me. I will admit these ideas (like most best ideas usually do) came about because of my breakup this year where I wanted to change everything I possibly could about myself, without you know going crazy. Since October I've had the idea of chopping quite a bit of my hair off; which I do every couple of years anyway, but the breakup helped me really feel like change was needed!


The hair I would love to donate because I get compliments all the time about how pretty it is. I wish my hair grew longer faster so I was able to chop it off to donate it more often. I'm considering a little Reese Witherspoon/ Taylor Swift esq style

http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6229263/taylor-swifts-shake-it-off-makes-record-start-at-radio

http://www.laineygossip.com/Reese-Witherspoon-at-the-Golden-Globes-2014/29112


Thoughts?? I've recently realized that I probably can't ( insert sad face :( ) cut it off without it being ridiculously short and pretty much useless for a month. Sadly I'll just go and get a trim and some tips on how I can grow it out faster.

My second thought has been to .... umm..... get . my. nose. PIERCED!!! EEeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkk.  I know, I know. I'm 25, I realize I'm having a mid-mid life crisis aka Quarter life crisis. I'm kind of okay with that though.. is that bad?? Now, before you completely judge me, I have thought about this since yearly college years and resisted all those drunken nights out with the local tattoo/piercing being open. But, I've had several people recently tell me what a cute nose I have and have asked if I have considered a nose ring. Just to clarify, I will be getting the tiniest stud I possibly can get because I DON'T want a ring of any kind really hanging off my nose, but a cute little something might be cute. In all seriousness if it doesn't look good or  I don't like it, I will seriously take it out and it'll be like nothing happened. 

I did a little photo shop to see how I would look and this was the result: 

See, just a little something! I could live with or without. We shall see!!

                        

Andy Grammer :D

Andy who you ask? Andy Grammer, a fantastic artist and musician that I have been so lucky to have seen twice now and counting!!


I first heard of Andy back in oh.. Spring of 2011, doesn't seem that long ago now. I had no idea who he was, my friend introduced his music to me and I listen to a song while he was in town at a local bar for the annual spring music kickoff called the Old Port Fest. I only listened to one song because there were two other bands at another locations that I was desperate to see and meet as well. I sadly have no pictures now because like I said I didn't know who he was; though I liked his music I had heard, I was more interested at the other bands at the time. It really only so happened I was in the right area at the right time to hear him because of another artist at the time, that I also was able to meet... Remember Ryan Star anyone??


Fast forward to Fall 2012, Andy came to my hometown of all places in Maine. I was beyond delighted that he was attended and even more excited to learn the tickets to said show were a measly $5!!!! $5, because it was a charity event benefitting a local city shelter. What a kind thing for him to do. Play an acoustic concert, in a beautiful venue, for a wonderful cause. Could he get any better you ask?? Well yes, because the concert was beyond awesome and I was like 4th row-ish (the venue was an old church converted into a music hall/event place and they had tables and chairs set up, strange I know!)

Andy round 2! (Not a great photo, the lighting was not good considering it being an old church)

Fast forward once again to Fall 2014 and Andy came to visit AGAIN to a bigger city nearby. Again so excited to see him perform, I immediately texted my Andy-going-concert-buddy Brittany and hardly had to beg as she wrote; "I really shouldn't....what the heck, I'm in!!" haha we both don't have to twist each other's arm to go see him. Although he was the opening act for O.A.R so the tickets were a little more this time. 

Brittany and I grabbed some food and drink before the show and arrived somewhat early to end up in the second row..SECOND ROW! I was beyond excited to be so close. Insert BIG happy face!! 

No close up needed, I was this close!! :D

His show was seriously fantastic! He is strictly a one man show, which my Father so kindly stated "what he's too good/cheap to hire bandmates to accompany him?" Um no Dad....He's just that good that he doesn't NEED back up because he CAN play the instruments needed in his songs. PLUS he learned this cool gadgety thing that records a beat or sound and continuously plays said beat or sound while you do another thing. Hard to explain, but so cool to watch in person. AND he learned said tool, right before hitting the road for the tour, I consider that pretty impressive. This means no tracks, just straight up live music.

It's pretty impressive, I thought. 

Then my friend and I went to actually meet Andy in the lobby! Say what?!?!! UM, awesome! What a kind and down to earth guy. Talked with each fan, signed whatever you wanted, and even took a selfie with you haha! He was really good at the selfie, not as great smile when Brittany took our picture, but thats ok! 

And a lovely autograph to finish the night <3 

New Years Resolutions

I know I know, EVERYONE makes New Years resolution and hardly anyone keeps at them and they are usually laughed at weeks following the first week.

Everyone says "I wanna work out" or "finally get into shape" that's my overall goal in life at the moment any way so I want to make a good solid few resolutions to following through throughout the year, not just within the first month or two.

1. Move! I seriously want to move out of my parents house. Move out of my city I grew up in (even though I do love it most of the time). Move out of the state even! It's been a thought for a while, but more recent proposals have come up to make this intriguing idea a reality. 
2. Travel more! I LOVE traveling and wish I could more and more. Katie is in London until next December, so that's really intriguing. 
3. Get healthier! Whether I become better with my eating habits and or exercising more frequently, this needs to happen. Hopefully being able to move out will help aid this goal. 
4. Be just a little bit more social! I have a bad habit of being outgoing and then a hermit crab very easily. I want to try and be more outgoing and better experiences with a pricey price tag attached, especially if I want to travel. 
5. Be a better blogger! I've done alright the last months, but I can definitely do better. 

Hopefully having these ideas and goals not alone written down but published in my blog will help me to keep them in mind and stick with them rather than just having them as thoughts lost somewhere in my busy ADHD mind. 

SO here's to hoping 2015 brings an even better outlook on life than 2014! 

Whose Idea Was That?

So the other evening, my Mom came into the den and asked "wouldn't it be a fun idea to recall past New Years Eve parties and stories at this New Years Eve?"


Now, if you know me at all.... I LOVE back in the day stories of myself, family members, and the two combined. So needless to say I was ALL about it! I sat down to dinner with my parents (yea, we still have dinner together even the three of us :)) and we began playing a round of questions. Came up with some really great ones too!

Some examples included:

• What are the two things this group always argues about at New Years?
• Who is sitting at the barstools and how many years we've been ringing in the New Year together. 

• What water event entertained the children numerous years?
• The Hot Tub

• What is the saying that is added to the end of a fortune cookie?
• "In Bed"

• Who stole a beer the first year Amanda and Drew could legally drink? (Bonus points if known where beer was taken from) 
• Lexi (the family dog) and stolen from a snowbank outside the sliding glass door. 

These were only some of the top contenders I choose to share, some were better and some were too good to share. 

My thought was that we were turning this into a Jeopardy esq. game. With teams and points and BONUS points for those who could expand the questions further.

WRONG: apparently it was supposed to be a questionnaire like game where people could answer questions together or on their own and then create a big discussion. Whatever, I'm sure I'll write some New Years recap where I sum up if the game went well or not.... 

New Years Eve

This will be the 22nd year my family has hosted a New Years Eve party. I'm not really sure how it really began other than my parents meeting great friends while we lived in an apartment complex as the house was being built. A couple decades later and we still get together at least once a year to celebrate something.

There's a core group of 8 people (4 couples) that have been involved since the very beginning and along the way kids were added, neighbors stopped by, and above all fun was had. I'm really thankful to have such a wonderful tradition to look forward to every year and never have to worry about what my plan will be.

Sure I've done the occasional change up of plans; I've gone to a hockey game before, had friends or boyfriends join the mix, had other ideas come up, but I've had this group of people be my main priority to ring in the new year. 

This year the parental and I are planning a jeopardy like game to quiz the hard core attendees and create conversation based on our questions. I don't mean to toot my own horn, but *toot toot* we've got some pretty good questions! 

Hope you have a great New Years Eve celebration!! 

My People

Everyone has "their' kind of people and I've been friends with mine for 22years. Yep that's right, this 25year old has had two friends for 22years. How you ask?? Well we moved into our house the fall of 1992, where soon after our next door neighbors moved in. Myself and the "little" girl next door were both sleeping in our cars and thus began our immediate friendship of course. If you can't nap with your best friend, then you are not best friends, it's like my best friend test actually.

So little 6month old Katie and 3year old Abby became life long friends by pretty much sleeping through our first meet and greet. Like best friends we've had our ups, downs, and bumps in the road, but when you find a friend that just excepts your strange quirks, encourages strange habits, and loves the same things you do; that's something you never let go of! It's even strangely awesome how we coordinate and or match at times...I'll be honest and say most times are unplanned :).


Flash forward to this past week, Katie came home from London for Christmas break. SOOooooooOOO happy to have my person home and to spend some lost time with her. She left me back in September, although I begged and argued that she wasn't allowed to go, though she left me any way :(. Since then we've tweeted, facebooked, and snap chatted to stay in touch, but nothing was better than seeing her in person. I probably held on a little long, but rightfully so and there was booze involved.

Oh and my other good friend I'm really thankful to still be close with is Katie's brother Matt who was also in town for the holidays and could catch up with him as well.

These are 3 out of 4 members of our childhood business called M.A.K.A. (missing the first A, my sister of course). We sold lemonade and held a carnival for the neighborhood kids. Our summers were purely AMAZING because we had each other to come up with the most creative games to entertain
ourselves and also our awesome parents allowed us to have this free and sometimes crazy thinking.

Hopefully another get together is in store for us soon... it's so hard when Katie's in London for now, Matt's in D.C. and you know I'm...here -_-.

Christmas in a Nutshell

Christmas was very good to me this year.

I got to sleep in a little bit, which is always a plus on a holiday. 

Helped to make brunch with the family.

Opened gifts with my whole family!

My Mom, Grandmother, and Myself on Christmas Eve at my Aunt and Uncle's House. 

All she asked for was a (tiny) box, she got a few different sizes to choose from!

I was soon Happy she really seemed to like my gift I got her! A Magna Doddle for those of you who don't recall. Prob one of my favorites from my childhood! I probably had to go to four, count them 4 stores to find this gem! 

My very favorite gifts I received this year! Funny thing is that my sister and I ended up getting each other the sister Alex&Ani bracelet. Which is both really cool and really strange since neither of us said anything to each other. And my lovely Mom got me (and my sister) the Daughter one. I'm not sure what it is, but I'm a big fan of these bracelets.

Hope your holidays were wonderful!!