Let me start with saying I had a fabulous birthday weekend! It was full of food, fun and family. I was spoiled rotten with all the gifts I received and got to spend it with some of my favorite people. It was a wonderful way to spend my birthday. So, basically this was icing on the cake.
When I walked in this morning, after being off for the last 4 days, this is what I saw. My whole desk and white board area was full of birthday goodies. It totally took me by surprise and made me smile extra wide. I think the best part about it was that it was all done by the guys.
Here's the thing, I work with boys. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but they're boys nonetheless. They're not unkind, or not thoughtful. The thought of buying birthday cards or baking cupcakes for someone's birthday just never really occur rs to them. So when they chose to go to the dollar store and buy all sorts of fun things (monster stickers, balloon cray paper, butterfly balloons, mini light sabers and a bubble gun), it meant that much more. How sweet are they!? Sometimes I just love my job!
I was 3 pages into the Preface when I determined this book would be on my top 10 list. It's so darn fabulous! I know I wrote yesterday that I would read it, and I did that mostly because I had just received it for my birthday and I couldn't wait to start it.
Just as most people are, I'm a huge fan of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. They're 2 of the funniest comediennes of their time. What's even better is that they're super smart, and probably awesome! They're the kind of people you just wish you could be friends with. So basically, by reading their books, you're sort of getting to be their friends, by proxy. At least that's what I'm telling myself - whatever I can do to make myself as cool as these ladies : )
My goal for this year, is to name 32 things that will actually be accomplished this year. I've never actually finished my list. This year it's going to happen! To assure it's going to be completed, I'm cutting down my initial list to 21. After the first 21 items are complete, I'll add on 11 more. Let's do this! : )
1. Attend an Orioles, a Ravens and a Caps game. - Once again, the only thing that may hamper this is the fact that Ravens tickets are insanely priced!
2. Complete a Web Design course. I'd really like to figure out Photoshop!
3. Make a vegetarian meal using veggies from the Baltimore Farmer's Market.
4. See "An Act of God" on Broadway with Jim Parsons and "Something Rotten" with Christian Borle.
5. Shoot Manual as opposed to Auto with my camera. - I have 2 big events this year that I'm attending, and I'd really like some AWESOME photos of these events. I need to at least master inside, in the dark photos and outside constant motion photos.
6. Try Yoga.
7. Watch "House of Cards" and "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" - basically all the cool things that Netflix has in development. Oh and "Arrow" - Gotta love Netflix!
8. Read the feminist classics - "Yes, Please" and "Bossy Pants." : )
9. Tea Party with Scottish Shortbread and finger sandwiches.
10. Attend a Music Festival - I already know I'm going to ACL so that's sort of a cheat.
11. Pig out at Smorgasburg in Brooklyn, NY.
12. Get a manicure - this is all based on whether I can stop biting my fingernails. That's the issue...
13. Re-open my Etsy shop.
14. Eat at Parts & Labor in Baltimore.
15. Visit the Smithsonian - I've only ever been to the Natural History & Air and Space Museums.
16. Puffy Tacos in San Antonio, Migas in Austin, Tea in London and Chocolate in Brussels.
17. Day trip to Philadelphia - I've never seen the Liberty Bell.
18. See a Sing-along or a Quote-along at the Alamo Drafthouse in VA.
19. See an author talk - preferably Neil Gaiman, but I doubt he'll be back in boring old Maryland any time soon.
20. Complete a charity 5K. - This will most likely not entail running.
21. Craft/Write/Create for at least 3 hours each week.
This year's birthday was full of breakfast with family and friends, a pedicure (still very weird - so not sure how I feel about it) and absolutely perfect dinner cooked by my dad. Seriously, it was delicious!! And capped off with yummy cake and presents. All in all it was the perfect birthday celebration and now I'm off to snooze - afterall, what else do you do, when you're this stuffed!? : )
Thanks all!
1. I think, I'd even forgive him for committing the heinous act of destroying a book. Seriously, look at that little face! He's so darn cute and apologetic!
2. For the first time all season, Phil Mickelson is in the hunt for first place. He's currently tied for second which is just so much better than the 30th place he's been averaging for the last few tournaments. Just in time too, as the Master's is next weekend. If he wins, (which would be the perfect birthday present, BTW) it'll be just the momentum he needs to grab hold of a third green jacket!
3. Love Ellen's Classic Joke Friday so in honor of Easter: What's the Easter Bunny's favorite restaurant?......... IHOP : )
4. And continuing on with my Ellen love, I read a quote by her this week that will, from now on, be the rule I live by:
"If the temperature is less than my age, I don't get out of bed."
I should start calling out of work now for next winter...
5. Hanging out with a 6 year old all day is just about the perfect day. She hilarious, and smart and has wicked comedic timing. Her zingers are epic and she's certainly not afraid to speak her mind. Love her!
1. I drink excessive amounts of tea - seriously, there are days that go by when the only liquid I drink is tea in some form or another (cold or hot).
2. I root for the Baltimore Ravens, the Baltimore Orioles, the Washington Caps, the Maryland Terps and Phil Mickelson. I know next to nothing else about any teams that aren't on this list (and sometimes, I miss a few things about the ones that are on this list.)
3. I hate having people look at me. I'd much rather fly under the radar than milk the limelight.
4. I have an eye for design (graphics, typography, slides, etc.) I'm not saying I'm fantastic at creating them, but I know what looks good and what looks truly awful.
5. I'm a complete and utter fangirl when it comes to Supernatural, Sherlock and Doctor Who. I'm comfortable being a geek. It's fun and it makes me feel like part of community.
6. I've figured out the sheer awesomeness of Twitter but managed to completely lose the thread on Tumblr. (Seriously, can someone please explain to me what it's all about?)
7. I'm not nearly as brave as I'd like to be.
8. I attend church regularly, even though the Catholic church and I majorly disagree on some huge issues.
9. I've sort of found my own style when it comes to clothes. I'm happy with my wardrobe - but Pinterest does help quite a bit.
10. However, I haven't quite found my crafty style yet. I go all over the place and mix all sorts of creativity together.
11. I really want to live somewhere new, but I'm scared to death to try.
12. I understand a lot more than I let on. It's easier to make the other person think they're smarter than starting arguments.
13. I've been trying to be more responsible with everyday girly things - like washing my face before I go to bed and brushing my teeth twice a day (instead of only once), or actually getting my hair cut on a regular basis rather than whenever it's gotten too annoying.
14. I've never had a pedicure or a manicure.
15. My celebrity crush is someone most people have never heard of - Jensen Ackles - but boy oh boy, is he dreamy!
16. I can quote Friends in a heartbeat and rattle off character back story from The West Wing, but I've never seen classic movies like Star Wars or Casablanca. In other words, my entertainment knowledge, is just a bit skewed.
17. I'm not so great at the cooking, but much better at the baking.
18. I am always, always cold.
19. I still have no idea what I want to be when I grow up...
20. But I'm getting closer to figuring that out because I'm extremely happy where I am now and with what I'm doing. And for a change, I'm really good at it.
21. I'm a hopeless reader yet I guarantee, I'll never get to all the books I want to read. I'm not even sure I'll ever get to all the books on my shelf currently.
22. I manage to get lost going to places I've been millions of times, but drop me down in the middle of a foreign country and suddenly I'm awesome at plotting the course.
23. I hate carbonated substances including any and all soda, beer and wine. The bubbles make my tongue feel funny.
24. I feel completely comfortable in England, in a way I've never really felt here in the States before. The Brits are my people.
25. I've only been to a measly 15 states in the US. That's pathetic.
26. I've gone on a few dates this year, but I'm still hopelessly romantic. Basically, there were no violins, no love at first sight and no romantic strolls along the Thames, so there were no real sparks. But at least I'm trying, sort of...
27. For 3 months out of the year, I live in flip-flops and for the other 9 I live in boots.
28. I'm a huge fan of all things chevron and polka-dot.
29. I'm socially awkward and I wish I could change that. But it's not like a light bulb you turn on and off. It's just me.
30. I worry about everything at all hours of the day.
31. I re-read emails at least twice just to be sure I'm not embarrassing myself and that something that I'm joking about couldn't be taken seriously.
32. When I crave food, it's always something sweet and it's most always chocolate. As long as there's chocolate in the world, I'll be a happy camper.
This cutie right here turns 6 years old today. I still can't believe it! She was this tiny little thing that appeared 6 years ago 3 days before my birthday - I'm still bummed. I was hoping for a birthday twinsie. And today she's a tall, sassy, gymnast and smarty pants who can make you laugh with a single "huh?" (As she did tonight when I asked if she was searching for Eggs Benedict at her school egg hunt : )
This is my most favorite picture of her and me, even though you can barely see us. You can just tell what a cool cat she is - it just must be those styling 3D specs . Love her to pieces!
