Wine and Dinner and Friends, OH MY!

Friday with the girls
Tonight I met with Jevne, Sylva and Katie for some much needed catch up time. Of course included in that was some heavy wine drinking. We planned for one glass which turned into 3 or 4 rounds and an one annoyed waitress (and maybe an annoyed husband who was not met at dinner because his wife was getting tipsy with us, oops).
Well we had a blast doing the norm, telling stories, gossiping and at times almost falling out of chairs in laughter. It was great!!! So good to see you guys.

Thursday with the Irmo peeps
On Thursday Nick (Glover) came over for a delicious spaghetti dinner I prepared. Alyssa our other neighbor (and my old roommate) was supposed to come, but became too intoxicated at the one and only Southern Hospitality. So we dined and drank and had great conversation while Yoda ran back and forth in my tiny studio, occasionally trying to steal a bite from the table. We are now making it a weekly tradition to cook dinner together at Nick's apt on Sundays. So far we have four participants and hoping to build the crowd. Here's to Sunday Funday.

The Best Medicine

Based on my previous post you can tell I have been little unhappy and a lot annoyed. To add to that, it was a busy work week and I was beginning to feel a bit under the weather. I had a minor headache and a stuffy nose from Wednesday to Monday. I tried my best to go to bed early during the week (which didn't happen) in efforts to revive my immune system. Over the weekend I said, "I'll stay in, drink Vitamin Water, take Echinacea and rest, rest, rest." And rest is what I did, excluding a bar mitzvah, NYC style on Saturday night (It was a late night, but not a drunken one, people). On Sunday I still felt yucky, but did get out of my apartment long enough to do some grocery shopping. It was sort of a lonely weekend since I opted not to answer my phone because any noise in my ear made my head hurt worse, but I thought whatever it takes to feel normal again. Then Monday came and I was still in a slump. You should have seen me when I walked in the door at 7:30, looked like I got punched in both eyes. Thankfully after about 1/2 hour I looked a little more presentable. I thought possibly it's allergies. I got home and went for the Claritin, the box was filled with tylenol (ugh), so I decided to tough it out. In attempt to distract myself from my 6th day of feeling like blahhhh, I made some phone calls. I was on the phone for a while just catching up, listening, laughing and discussing future aspirations. I got off the phone and amazingly I felt better. My head no longer hurt and I was filled with energy and happiness. So the doctor may say "an apple a day", but I say a good chat and some laughs with friends, family or whoever can sometimes be the best medicine. So thank you Haley, Mel B, Ryan and Rob for the fun and healing conversations from last night.

TODAY I WAS BACK TO ME!

Frustrations

So I ordered a new computer almost a month ago and was suuuuuuuuuuuuper excited to get it and hook it all up. Well...........things did not turn out as I thought they would. I am missing a part or something was installed wrong, so I am unable to use it. Additionally, I have two extra monitors that need to be returned and I cannot get Dell (btw- I will never order from them again) to send me return labels. At this point, I am out $400 for the monitors that need to be returned and I have a computer that does not work properly. I have fought and fought with them and no one will help. I have absolutely had it! Wheww! I get fired up just typing. Poor keyboard.

Anyway, the reason I am writing this is to help remind myself that it is alright and not that big a deal. While it may be the focus of a lot of my attention and currently the root of ALL my anger, I need to be very thankful for my life. I need to appreciate that fortunately it's a luxury that I am living without and not a necessity. So, while I like to complain and get carried away about these so called "huge issues", I should really step back and ask myself, "Am I alive?, Do I have what I need to survive?" If I can answer yes then, Everything Will Be Fine.

So, a reminder for myself and a lesson to share with others. Hope this helpful in your times of stress, anger, frustration, sadness or whatever it is that just gets to you.

Well cheers off to you and a lovely weekend. I hope to have the new computer up and running and new pics on the blog.

Weekend Shenanigans

So for New Year's and New Year's weekend Rob and I did a whole lot of nothing. It was great! It was a super cold and semi snowy weekend, so staying in was key. We managed to eat too much and watch a lot of movies.

When the ball dropped we were on the phone with none other then Pat and Melissa (who were doing absolutely nothing on New Year's eve as well). Aren't they funny?!!!!

Some other weekend activities.............

YAHTZEE!! (on the first roll!) Rob made the mistake of telling me he didn't play many board games as a child, so I went out and bought a bunch and we played all weekend! What fun!!!!

wine of course

lots of reorganizing

and spending time with lil' Yoda who managed to curl up in such a tiny ball that at a glance it was difficult to tell head from tail (I think someone was trying to stay warm from

bitter cold outside)

Christmas Cheer

Home for the holiday.........

I had a wonderful time visiting "home" (which has been a year) and spending time with the family. My parents redecorated the house and it looks great! Jenny and David also came in from Miami, so I was able to give and get lots of love from my precious nieces and nephew.

Maggie in her vest

The Christmas Eve party

Becky and I in front of the newly finished fireplace

Uncle Hank and his buddy

Max's parents (Maxine and Marty) and my mom

And of course the Christmas sweaters

Max (though it is hideous, it still matches his shirt and eyes)

Jody being refined

Ryan (My dad genuinely liked this sweater. He asked Ryan several times where he got it and wanted one like it. Hilarious!) if you must know- it was purchased from a thrift shop 

for 50 cents.

Christmas Day!

Juju pooped all over herself and David upon arrival, so opening presents was delayed.

Juju loves her babies

What a handsome boy

EJ with her accessories from Aunty Melissa.

Tricia feeding the babies at Aunt Susan's Christmas get together. (introducing Tricia's first "Benton" on the right)

Just hangin' around

Too funny. Jody was on the phone with his girl and Juju took it upon herself to sit right on top of him. She is too much.

Dad and Captain Jack

Late night with the big people and enjoying her icecream. Whatever you can to keep em' happy.

Going out......

The best gift this year "The Snuggie"

Appears not just once.....

not twice.....

but three times

 And that is only what I caught on camera. They definitely came in use this year.

 Thank you Pat and Melissa!!!