Marley & Me

One Wonderful Dog......

DH and I just came home from seeing this movie. I read the book about two years ago and fell in love with Marley and his story! His antics are just hilarious and the way the book is written makes any dog lover or dog owner laugh out loud!

The movie played out just like the book and for that I am so happy! I loved the book so much. I did not think anyone could do Marley justice, but this movie was perfect! My admiration goes out to Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston and all those sweet lovable labs who channelled Marley throughout the movie!

As Josh Grogan said "A person can learn a lot from a dog, even a loopy one like ours. Marley taught me about living each day with unbridled exuberance and joy, about seizing the moment and following your heart. He taught me to appreciate the simple things - a walk in the woods, a fresh snowfall, a nap in a shaft of winter sunlight. And as he grew old and achy, he taught me about optimism in the face of adversity. Mostly, he taught me about friendship and selflessness and, above all else, unwavering loyalty'" (pg. 279).

Here's to all those dog lovers in the world and all those loopy, lovable dogs !

Merry Christmas !

It has been a wonderful holiday! DH and I went to Mass last night and it was very nice listening to the choir! We feel asleep listening to holiday songs and slept in late!

The DH was too good to me. He is a keeper! My Mom surprised with a snowman frame which is really cute. I can keep it up through all of Jan. I just need to fine a nice pic for it! Dinner was so yummy! It was pasta. After dessert we played a game. I just love games! We had a lot of fun!

It was a nice holiday with the family!

Christmas Eve

Well, Santa is on his way! I am sitting here in the living room enjoying the white lights on my Christmas Tree. In a little while I will head off to church to enjoy the choir sing their Christmas carols and enjoy mass with the DH. It a nice tradition that we have been doing since we were married.

I am surprised how quickly this day has arrived! I guess with the shopping working two jobs, and the hustle and bustle has brought this day quickly!

With the quick passing of the month I am thoughtful about My 5 Things I am most happy about right now:

1. A happy, healthy Christmas

2. My Family

3. Christmas Dinner ( which I am NOT cooking)

4. Gifts under the tree

5. A warm cozy house on cold wintery nights

Happy Holidays!!!

Stolen From A Blog..............

Things you've already done: bold
Things you want to do: green
Things you haven't done and don't want to - leave in plain font

1. started your own blog
2. slept under the stars
3. played in a band
4. visited hawaii
5. watched a meteor shower
6. given more than you can afford to charity
7. been to disneyworld
8. climbed a mountain
9. held a praying mantis
10. sang a solo
11. bungee jumped
12. visited paris
13. watched a lightning storm at sea
14. taught yourself an art from scratch
15. adopted a child (I think about it)
16. had food poisoning
17. walked to the top of the statue of liberty
18. grown your own vegetables
19. seen the mona lisa in france
20. slept on an overnight train
21. had a pillow fight
22. hitch hiked
23. taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. built a snow fort
25. held a lamb
26. gone skinny dipping
27. run a marathon
28. ridden a gondola in venice
29. seen a total eclipse
30. watched a sunrise or sunset
31. hit a home run
32. been on a cruise
33. seen niagara falls in person
34. visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. seen an amish community
36. taught yourself a new language
37. had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. seen the leaning tower of pisa in person
39. gone rock climbing
40. seen michelangelo's david in person
41. sung karaoke
42. seen old faithful geyser erupt
43. bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
44. visited africa
45. walked on a beach by moonlight
46. been transported in an ambulance
47. had your portrait painted
48. gone deep sea fishing
49. seen the sistene chapel in person
50. been to the top of the eiffel tower in paris
51. gone scuba diving or snorkelling
52. kissed in the rain
53. played in the mud
54. gone to a drive-in theatre
55. been in a movie
56. visited the great wall of china
57. started a business
58. taken a martial arts class
59. visited russia
60. served at a soup kitchen
61. sold girl scout cookies
62. gone whale watching
63. gotten flowers for no reason
64. donated blood
65. gone sky diving
66. visited a nazi concentration camp
67. bounced a check
68. flown in a helicopter
69. saved a favorite childhood toy
70. visited the lincoln memorial
71. eaten caviar
72. pieced a quilt
73. stood in times square
74. toured the everglades
75. been fired from a job
76. seen the changing of the guard in london
77. broken a bone
78. been on a motorcycle
79. seen the grand canyon in person
80. published a book
81. visited the vatican
82. bought a brand new car
83. walked in jerusalem
84. had your picture in the newspaper
85. read the entire bible
86. visited the white house
87. killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. had chickenpox
89. saved someone’s life
90. sat on a jury
91. met someone famous
92. joined a book club
93. lost a loved one
94. had a baby
95. seen the alamo in person
96. swum in the great salt lake
97. been involved in a law suit
98. owned a cell phone
99. been stung by a bee

So, now ... I ask you: What is the 100th thing you would REALLY WANT TO DO?

I am still thinkin about what mine should be!!!

SNOW DAY

Well, it sure has been a snowy weekend! The snow came down on Friday - ALL DAY! It snowed and snowed and snowed. Schools were closed and offices sent their workers home early! I was worried I would not make it out the driveway to work. I did make it to work and it was a quiet night! I guess most people stayed inside which is where I would have been if I had not been working!

The snowy streets were cleared by Saturday and I took DH out to lunch and ran a few errands. I did not have to work so I took an afternoon nap. IT WAS WONDERFUL! Then I went out with my Mom for a little bit! It was quite chilly, but we enjoyed ourselves!

Sunday the snow arrived again. It was quite an event. I had the DH drive me to work and then later we headed over to a holiday party. It was nice and cozy. It sure was blistery outside. More snow and more wind! Schools are closing again for tomorrow! All this snow reminds me of when I was a kid and I would have snow days. I would play in the snow with my brother, shovel our driveway, and make snow angels. I just love how pretty it looks a white and snowy.

I Don't Know What To Do With Myself............

It is Saturday morning. I just found out I do not have to go into work for a gal who had asked me to work for her but changed her mind. I came downstairs and looked at my husband and said "I don't know what to do with myself !" It has been several weeks since I had a Saturday off.

My husband said I could clean the bathroom. I called my Mom and she suggested I go out for breakfast. She then said I could go help make meatballs. I can't say anything of these suggestions were very appealing. It is only 20 degrees outside and I am not ready to leave the house.

For right now I am going to sit and relax on my cozy couch. AHHH ...

Thought of the Day ...

I read the quote below on one of my favorite sites that I visit daily! I just think it is a great thought!

Surrender to you destiny - have faith that it will unfold as it should! Choose to be happy, at peace, and one with the universe!

I think this suits my week (and it is ONLY Wednesday!). There has been a lot going on and I am really trying to surrender to my destiny. This is not easy for me because I am a person who constantly over analyzes EVERYTHING! I am trying to go with the flow and live with the philosophy that everything happens for a reason. This is quite a daunting task for a TYPE A GAL like myself!

I tend to wonder why people do the things they do, why certain things happen, and why I am living the life I am living. This is not to say that life is not good. I am so very lucky in so many ways. I have so many blessings! I just tend to wonder "where is this road leading?" It is difficult at times to have a little faith and "embrace the place" (Thank you Joel Olsteen).

When I have these thoughts I tend to remind myself that I am - as the famous Robert Frost said "Travelling the road less travelled" which of course "has made all the difference"

YIKES.... Only EIGHT Days Until Christmas

Wow!! Where does the time go ?

I guess when you are working six days a week time flies especially when you also have to shop, bake, and try to fit in time with family and friends! I always think this time goes way to fast! I do love the traditions I have created with my husband!

I am looking forward to next week! Even with all the chaos!

Chuck Bass...

I have been lucky enough to be home on Monday nights to watch my favorite show. I am a HUGE addict to Gossip Girl. I just love the teenage angst, the drama, the unexpected twists, and the HOT Chuck Bass!

I just watched the latest episode online with the DH (Yes, he is secretly addicted to the show b/c of me!) This episode focused on Chuck and his reaction to his father's death. I DID NOT see this story-line coming. Although, I never do know what is going to happen next!

I really think Ed is an amazing actor. He really does the "tormented, bad boy" justice! I have waited all season for Blair to tell Chuck she loves him and it finally happened. Of course, Chuck thinks he is too bad to be loved by anyone. He did go to Blair for comfort - small steps, Chuck, small steps!

I cannot believe I have to wait until Jan. 5th for the next show!!! I'll miss you Chuck... Thanks goodness for youtube clips!!

Joy and Sorrow

A White Rose for Remembrance

It has been a strange 24 hours for me. I chose the title above because my aunt said those exact words as we talked on the phone late last night!

It was after my workout and I had stopped at work to get my schedule. My phone had rang. I missed the first call and managed to get the second. It was from my father. He was calling with sad news.

He told me that my Gam had passed away. It appears to have been quick and I was glad she was not in any pain. She had been in rehab for the past three months and was finally back at home.

I was pretty much in shock for the rest of the evening. I called my DH to tell him and then hung up because I was going to call my Mom. Before I had the chance, I had a call from my brother. He was already at my Mom's telling her the news. I was glad he was there. I spent the rest of the night on the phone. I talked to my favorite uncle, a friend, my Mom, my Dad, and then my aunt.

I discover through all the conversations that my cousin had her baby yesterday around the same time that my Gam passed away. Isn't it strange the way the world works? Hence, the emotions of "Joy and Sorrow."

I am suppose to be good with words, but today I feel as if I am rambling. I am filled with a variety of emotions. I was thinking about the time I lived with my Gam when I had my first teaching job. It was wonderful spending time with her. It was also hard for me being so far from home and yet, it was so hard for me to leave her when I did eventually move back home.

She was in my life for a lot of events that shaped who I am today. She took me to church every week when I was a child, she listened to me on Friday nights when I was student teaching and frustrated with not dating. I was so sad when she moved away and then so happy when I lived with her for two years and also went to visit her. I will miss her terribly. I will miss calling her every year on her birthday and singing to her when she answered the phone. I am 36 and that is a long time to have a grandma in your life!

My Gam was a strong, hard working woman, a fabulous cook, dog-loving, prom dress making, Bills fanatic, fun loving, QVC addict. She was very stubborn, old-fashioned, strict, and "old school" in her beliefs.

God Bless You, Gam! I now have another angel watching out for me in heaven.

A Christmas Tradition !

I love the holiday season for a variety of reasons. Charlie Brown's Christmas is one of my favorite childhood memories. Every year when it comes on, I grab my blanket, turn on the Christmas lights, and enjoy!

The above picture alone is really all I need in this post!

Temp For Life???? Hope Not !

I have had a quote in my purse for awhile. My Mom and I were relaxing at Barnes and Nobles having yummy coffees. We were reading this book by Melissa Kirsch* which was written for girls. It basically has any question you want answered about life, money, cooking, dating, laundry (YES, laundry!!), fashion, health, family, and your home!

We came upon the "jobs" section and the author had added a personal quote which I felt (and still feel) that I identify with on several levels! Here it is:

I had the most fun temping when I had very little to do and could sit and read a magazine with impunity. Then the terror would set in: Is this who I am? Am I the girl who sits at a desk reading a magazine known to no one, over-educated and underutilized? Is this my identity? Am I the temp for life?

I often wonder these same thoughts? I am a woman with a masters' degree. I am a professional with ten years work experience in my chosen career. I have been published in educational magazines (and I have seen those ideas in action in schools where I have subbed). Yet, today, I am working two part time jobs. Both jobs give me satisfaction for different reasons. When I teach a good lesson, I give the kids knowledge. When I help a woman find a pair of jeans she loves, I give that woman a feeling of beauty and satisfaction! These aspects of my jobs make me happy!

On the flip side, there is that part of me that for the past five years has wondered "Why am I still working as a substitute teacher? Why have I been so close ( down to the final two ), and yet passed over? Will I ever have my own classroom again?" I just do not understand.

I do believe that everything happens for a reason, but sometimes when I have enough rejection letters to wallpaper my bathroom, I wonder: WHAT IS MY LIFE PLAN??

* Here is a link to that book! Enjoy! Melissa Kirsch

Letter To My Husband !

Dear Husband,

I am sending your this letter in cyberspace for two reasons. The first one is to give you a huge SHOUT OUT for all the work you did to help me out this week while I was working like a mad woman! The second is to let everyone in cyberspace know that you are great husband. (Sorry, ladies... he is all mine!)

I am so grateful you did the chores for me. It was one less thing I had to do on my busy Friday!! I wrapped your gifts today so NO PEEKING!! I really appreciate all you do for me, even if I do not always say it!

Readers, I really do have a wonderful guy! They are out there if you look hard enough. I was lucky to find my darling husband and I honestly did not think I would ever get married!

So, dear husband... enjoy your Friday night! No CHORES ... Just enjoy your Man Space !!

Love,
The Wife
XOXO

December is Here!!

I was just looking at the calendar yesterday and I noticed that FOUR WEEKS from Thursday will be CHRISTMAS DAY! The fall flew by and so did my Thanksgiving weekend. it was a lot of fun and I am sad that it went by so quickly!

Now it is on for the mad dash of holiday shopping, decorating, and visiting family & friends in the next four weeks! I subbed in a friend's classroom yesterday and then came home to decorate the house. I have all my Christmas decorations out and I put the lights on the tree. I was so tucked out after that, that I sat down for a break and ended up taking an hour nap! I guess working all weekend and being sick caught up with me!

I relaxed last night while enjoying the white lights glitter on the tree! Tonight, I hope to add the ornaments! I must say the house does look pretty!