The August Break: Day 15

My dresser is starting to look like it did 30 years ago.

The August Break: Day 14

On Saturday, we went to an old-fashioned clambake at Lisa's house. And to paraphrase Rodgers and Hammerstein, it was a real nice clambake, and we were mighty glad we came. (From Carousel! Get it? Anyone? Anyone?)

The August Break: Day 13

And this is the reason it is imperative we have a king-sized bed. (The laptop represents me in this picture.)

The August Break: Day 12

Nine years ago today, my brother got in a terrible car wreck which resulted in weeks and weeks in the hospital and rehab. So despite how annoying he is (as all brothers are), I'm very glad he's still here to irritate the crap out of me.

The August Break: Day 11

On Wednesday, we took a little field trip to Greg's alma mater, UConn, to see the cows and horses. Man, we love those cows and horses. As a side note: I sometimes wonder if people who aren't from CT think that this is what all of CT looks like. Because this is what a CT calendar tends to look like. Cows, horses, green trees and shit, and maybe a seascape to change it up.

The August Break: Day 10

I just realized I hadn't posted any pictures from Jane's birthday party a few weeks ago, so here you have it! That day was completely insane. I have hosted many a party in my day, but none so crazy as when preschoolers take over the house.

why?

I am interrupting The August Break to tell this quick story.

Jane has started to say two things a lot. One thing is, "I love you Mommy" (or Daddy). This is, obviously, awesome.

The other thing is, "Why?." Like, constantly, why, why, why, why, why. I have actually said, "Because I said so." (None of us are far from our mothers when it comes to this parenting thing.)

So, this is now a common exchange:
"I love you Mommy."
"I love you too, honey."
"Why?"

Girl, there aren't enough hours in the day to tell you why.

The August Break: Day 9

Today.

One of my all-time favorite things to do in the summer is sit on my back deck and read a book. So that is exactly what I am doing now.

The August Break: Day 8

I like to call this the Dora Coma.

The August Break: Day 7

I figured I'd post this recent self-portrait of Jimmy and myself, in tribute to the fact that he realized the invisible fence wasn't working this morning and made me run screaming like a lunatic in the backyard before 8 a.m. to find him (all is well). Oh Jimmy - you always keep me on my toes!

The August Break: Day 6

(I'm numbering the days by how many I'm participating in, not by the total days in the month of August.)

The August Break: Day 5

Today we went down to the family biz - I've mentioned that my parents owned a Dairy Queen for over 30 years, and then sold it to my sister about 15 years ago, right? And I worked there for 13 summers of my life? I can make a cone with a curl on top like nobody's business - anyway, today was Miracle Treat Day, and proceeds from today's sales and donations went to support the Connecticut Children's Medical Center. She had face painting, a bounce house, a tiny little petting zoo, pony rides, raffle prizes - it was quite the evening. Here are a couple of pics from our night.

The August Break: Day 4

I know you've seen this picture before, but today I am celebrating that ALL my friends in California can do this too.

(Well, maybe not in a Catholic church. But still. Plus, those ceremonies are way too long anyway.)

The August Break: Day 3

We recently went to my friends Mark and Desiree's wedding at Mystic Seaport. I have known Mark for 29 years, and I don't think I've ever seen him quite this happy. It was a gorgeous but very hot day. Here I am with my friends Heather and Shelly, who are Mark's sisters and two of my very best friends. It's absolutely nuts to have friends that remember every single dumb thing you've done in your life. I am extremely lucky.

The August Break: Day 2

The next couple of days in my life are going to be ..... unpleasant. (I don't mean to be vague. I haven't been feeling well. Believe me, it's better I don't go into details. : ) ) So I'm going to post pictures that make me smile, even if they are horrible. So here's one of me and my pal, taken a few days ago.

The August Break: Day 1

Well, here we go. Beginning today, I'm participating in The August Break - and my goal is to post a photo at least five days a week during this month. My first photo is one I took of Greg and Jane on Father's Day (yes, some of these photos will be ones I took over the past couple of months and haven't shared here yet - some will be more current). It is SO HARD to get a good picture of these two together - neither of them really respond well to my pleas of smiling for the camera. So although Jane is all washed out because my camera is horrible, I still love this pic.

As a side note - Greg got Lasik about a month ago, and it's weird already to see him with his glasses on. I got used to him without glasses really quickly, I guess!

The August Break

Look, I know I've been a terrible blogger. Which is particularly awful because I've had such a story-filled month. But I plan to make up for it. I am participating in The August Break (see badge and link to the right). I plan on posting photos five days a week throughout the month of August, at least one photo a a day. And hey, maybe I'll even tell the story behind that photo, like a real blogger would. I think a lot of the participants in The August Break are really accomplished photographers, but between my terrible picture-taking skills and my equally terrible camera, I do not fall into that category. But hey, I'll give it a shot. And I want to publicly say that I think Lisa, who is actually a good photographer, should participate too!

in the blink of an eye

two days old

Third birthday diva

Some days, it feels like you got here only seconds ago.

But most days, it feels like you've been here my whole life.

I am beyond proud of you, and love you more and more every single day.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Jane!

one of those lame picture entries because I'm too tired to write actual words.

You guys, I just had one of the busiest weekends of my life. Opened and closed CHICAGO, went to the wedding of one of my oldest friends, and worked the raffle booth at a charity road race. I took today off to recover, and I was like a zombie all day. I know I totally suck a blogging lately, so I'm hoping a few pictures from my weekend will buy me more time to string together a few coherent sentences. Soon, I promise!

100 Things: 16-20

And the list goes on....

16. My favorite color is purple, and has been since I was in elementary school. My friend's 9-year-old son came up to me the other day and told me he could guess what my favorite color was, and did so accurately, based on the fact that my bathroom is all purple. : )


17. I have little-to-no-interest in home decor. However, I want my home to look nice. I just want someone else to do all the work for me.


18. My number one favorite movie is Jaws. I love this movie and have seen it a million, zillion times. I also will admit that I liked Jaws II, but the other sequals are for shit.


19. I sprained my foot 11 times in the span of two years when I was a kid. Even now, my right foot has a weird bump on its side.


20. I have never played any organized sport (shocking, I know). However, I took tennis lessons once. But I quit.