Chicago Photos

As promised here are the shower photos:

These are the women who did all the work. Mariah's mom is in the background (upper left, in green). The woman whose house we were at is in the pink, Annie. Mariah's college roomate is seated, Aimee and the other two women are Leslie, in green, and I can't remember the other woman's name. They are both friends of Linda's.














Here are Karen, Carol and Mom at one of the cute tables. The center pieces were pitchers with kitchen utensils that were part of each place setting. The napkins were so cute and I grabbed 4 of them (with permission). You can see the pineapple plate with the chicken salad if you look closely. Also interesting to note is the artwork. The picture behind Karen was very vivid and startling and from the photo it reminds me of a post-9/11 image but it didn't in person. The tree behind Mom has obvious breasts but it's sort of hard to see from here.














Aimee & Mariah are so gorgeous. I love this photo.














This picture was at Mariah's mom's house on the screened in deck. She is sitting with the puppy that Linda had visting.














The three of us at the BBQ.














The bridal party at the BBQ














In case you were wondering my brother is also involved in the wedding. He had his own bachelor party, in Costa Rica (where else?). Here is a photo of him maxin' and relaxin'.

Big trip!

This weekend was the big trip to Chicago. Our hosts, Mariah & Linda & Shane, were fabulous. They really rolled out the red carpet and made us feel welcome. I love the area surrounding Chicago and this trip just confirmed it. Plus the weather was fantastic on Saturday which we don't see in NE at all lately.
The flight from Logan was initially delayed by about 1.5 hrs. so we (me, Carol, Mom) were all freaking out that we'd miss our connection in Pittsburgh but there were about 15 other people on our flight who had to make it so they "held" the plane. We got on at the estimated take off time and really didn't delay the plane at all. Stressful though. The whole time I was on the phone with Karen trying to keep her up to date but she was in transit so I had to leave messages. She was in charge of the car so we needed to make sure she knew what was going on.
Once we got to Chicago it was pretty much a breeze. We went to Avis and waited for Karen for about 10 minutes and then drove to the hotel without any problems.
The hotel was decent, not terrific, but free and that's fine with me! We got to change and check out the hotel for a few minutes and then off to the shower. The house was in a cute neighborhood that reminded us all of Clifton in Marblehead. The inside of the house and the backyard were astounding! The house had been renovated and added on to include a cathedral ceilinged great room that was setup with two beautifully appointed tables that appeared to have been decorated by Martha Stewart.
The women at the shower were well to do ladies, a few of Mariah's friends from home, her college roomate and her sister. Everyone was very nice and her sister, Shane, had put together a great video montage that practically made me cry (cold hearted B*ch that I am). The food was also Martha Stewart like. She served chicken salad in a hollowed out half pineapple. Very cute. There was dessert in a martini glass and M&M's in little plastic baking cups. And wine. A great time!
Around 3:30 we headed back to the hotel where Carol and Karen decided to nap while Mom & I went down to (shocking I know!) the pool. I took a dip and then went in the hot tub (which was a little funky). A couple of down home girls joined me in the hot tub and I had a nice chat with them about MA and trucking (don't ask). I went out on the patio to join Mom and we sunbathed for a while until we had to go up to get dressed. As we walked back through the pool area they were draining the hot tub. They said it needed to be changed. Yuck! So I got first dibs on the shower.
As we were heading out the door I got the frantic call from John that Lexi's temp had rised to 104 and he was FREAKING out. He wants to fire the pediatrician, he can't believe there's nothing we can do, he doesn't know if she should sleep, eat or breathe, HELP! He was really upset so I, of course, freaked out too. Very helpful in this situation. Anyway, we had our normal calm cool collected screaming match and after I hung up I had my mother call him to calm him down which worked. In all fairness his mother would have helped too but she has shingles and he didn't want to wake her up.
Once that was somewhat settled we went off to a BBQ at Mariah's mothers house. I had hoped to go out to dinner if just to wear the silly dress I bought for the event but Linda, Mariah's mother, had gone out of her way to prepare a ton of food and I'm so glad we got to see her house and just relax. The group was a bunch of the same people plus Shane's husband, Alex, and Katie's husband Bob. Alex was a godsend, he cooked, served, cleaned up and was just wonderful with all the women. Bob was a riot and told a lot of good Mariah/Shane stories. It was strange for me to be in a group of people that know each other so well and tell their own stories. I'm so sheltered lately that I only hear the same Vallier/Hicks/Brown stories over and over. It was fun but by this point our whole contingent had been up since 3:30am-ish and it was now 10:30pm and we had to wake at 6am so off we went.
Overall a good trip but very tiring. I was surprised at how much I missed my silly little girls in 36 hours. I couldn't wait to see them when I got back.
Today I'm off to have my dress fitted after work. I've decided to wear the black shoes I already have (I know everyone is relieved) since after seeing these women I've decided I can't compete so what's the point. Each one was better looking than the next and more intelligent than I've ever hoped to be. I feel priveleged to be included in this fabulous group. My list of aspirations for the wedding are not to trip, not to say anything completely idiotic and to have some fun. I think I can do it!!
n.b. Pictures will be added as soon as I have a chance to download them.

Are U kidding me?

Who gets an ear infection in June? Alexis. That's who. It's those f'in air conditioners, I swear. Any kind of change in the air type/temp and she coughing, snotty and ear infected. I am so sick of it I can't stand it. She is going on the list for the tubes as soon as I can get her on it. Actually, I'm going to call today to get another appt.
In other news, this weekend is Chicago which should be fun but for some reason I'm not really looking forward to it. Lexi is sick, Brooke is also a little under the weather, it's supposed to rain all weekend (here) so John is going to be a loon when I call Sat. night, John's mother has shingles and can't help out with Lexi (thank god John Z. is coming down), Mom has about 13 ailments and I'm traveling with her and Carol, who is afraid to fly. Sound fun to you? No? Huh. Me. Either.
In more uplifting news. Brooke had her first field trip yesterday to the Franklin Park Zoo. Here are some cute photos of her with her group and her friend Hannah. She had a great time. Skipped nap for the first time ever and was fine! Who knew?

Always fun!

We had the busiest weekend we've had in a looonnnngggg time. Thursday night we had a collegue of John's over for dinner. He is actually our former real estate agent (former because we don't need one now that John is one). It was very nice but he didn't leave until 10:00 which is late for me!
Friday the girls and I went to the beach and found a new secluded spot just for us. It was pristine and fabulous. One of those days that you'll never be able to recreate but I'll always remember. We had our own little tidal pools to play in and the water was glistening and the kids were giggling and having a blast. Just perfect.
Friday night we went out for a fancy dinner with John's parents. In Quincy, where they live, there is a new golf course on top of all the big dig dirt. It is pretty awesome, they took all the dirt from the big dig and filled in some of the Quincy quarries so now you have this golf course in the air with an unbelievable view of Boston. The restaurant, the Tavern, is beautiful but they are obviously still working out the kinks in the wait staff because the service (for lack of a better word) sucked. Otherwise, a great meal and good company.
Saturday John's sister came to visit because her kids, Gregory and Jessica, are visiting her from Florida where they live with their Dad. The kids were wonderful; bright, fun, polite, smart. Just great to be around. Brooke and Alexis had so much fun playing hide and seek with them. It's great to know that in a few short years Greg & Jess will be able to drive and come visit whenever they want.
Yesterday Brooke had her first dentist appointment. She was incredibly good. Like my mother in law said, nowadays they don't know to be scared so what's to complain about? Good point.
Finally, I am desperately awaiting my b-maid dress for the wedding. Stupid UPS wouldn't leave it without a signature so I had to get it sent to the Vallier's house. It should be there today and then I can get it fitted in plenty of time. I'm DYING to see it!
Pictures soon!

Good for a laugh

I am "helping" plan a 20 year reunion (high school, wiseguys!). I put it in quotes because my beloved friend Susie is sort of in charge (though she doesn't want to admit it) and she tends to be quite efficient so I haven't done, and am predicting won't do, much.
She is in California, though, so I may have to do some leg work later on - which is fine considering, and I am only admitting this here for the first time and Susie maybe mad but, I skipped it last time because I thought I was too fat. I know, pathetic. But really I felt not so good about how I looked then and I just didn't want to face those people.
I am a lot more confident about my weight and care less about other people's expectations now. Thank God and John.
I was looking at pictures on the reunion web site and there were quite a few of me because Susie was also in charge of the 15 year one. I recall being quite the babe. I certainly got some male attention back then but if you look at the pictures it's really questionable. So, in fairness and to give you a good laugh. Here I am in high school:
I look like I just woke up in all of these pictures. And the hair may have been a tad long, no?
I have no idea where we took this but that's Susie on the left.










The girl on the right is Jean Hatch who is also in the top picture. This may have been when we were in middle school because we were having a sleep over. I remember that nighshirt. I loved it.






I was a sharp dresser, huh? Could have passed for a bag lady pretty much all the time but hey, look at the attitude!

So there you have it. Pretty funny. What in the world does that t-shirt say anyway?

Rules to live by

I've been thinking about keeping a notebook of everyday things that it takes you years to learn but would have been really good to know when you were younger (like 15).
I would type them up and then give them to the girls when they go off to college as a kind of "Lessons Mommy learned that you can benefit from" type thing.
Here is the list so far:
- Always keep your toilet clean - you never know when you'll have guests and the grossest thing in the world is a dirty toilet.
- If you have a list of chores to do (be it work, household, whatever) do the thing you are dreading the most first (i.e. clean the toilet). This accomplishes two things, one you get it over with, two the rest of the task(s) don't seem so bad.
- If you paint your nails any version of red keep the polish with you wherever you go because it WILL chip.
- Keep nail polish remover pads in your car and purse
- If you are drinking alcohol just eat some food and don't worry about your weight. You'll be thankful later.
- Use your good china whenever you want.
- Buy good coffee.
- Buy one coach purse - you will cherish it for the rest of your life
- Buy one pair of ridiculously fancy, expensive, shiny high heeled shoes - you'll smile when looking at them even if you don't when wearing them.
- Put a paper towel rack in your bathroom.
- Don't believe the people who say high school doesn't matter – it does. Be nice to your classmates you'll see them every 5 years for the rest of your life.
- Take advantage of every possible opportunity in college. 4 years go by in the blink of an eye.
- Go to college somewhere exciting and different you may want to stay, you may not but at least you'll have tried it.
- Buy (or acquire) a set of diamond studs – they go with everything.
- Find a job you are truly interested in and don't worry about how much money you'll make.
- Find a hobby you love.
- Find a type of exercise you love.
- Do not burn your bridges with friends, lovers or employers.
- Do not go on and on about your weight, your looks or your health problems. It gets old fast. If you have a problem with any of these things deal with it.
- Go to a psychiatrist for a visit if you feel you need it.
- Don't give unsolicited advice.
- Other people are not as aware of you as you think they are so don't worry if you make a mistake or say something silly.
- Forgive people for their mistakes, don't hold grudges
- Do not be the person people are talking about after a party, wedding, conference, etc.
- Try not to say "I'll never xyz…" because inevitably you'll find yourself xyz-ing all over the place in a few years.
- Marry someone like your father.
- Marry someone whose family you like.
- Marry someone who loves you more than you think they should.

That's all I've got so far. I wish someone had given me this list. Granted I probably would have ignored it but something might stick, you never know.