just a little somethin...

Ok, so even though it took me 40 minutes to find my camera cord and another half an hour to unload garden tools, making things cute in the house is a priority. In fact, on moving day, I decided my porch needed a little something. So even though the house looks like a bomb went off inside, it makes me happy when I pull in the driveway and see my half-assed porch makeover.

We picked up the red storage bench from JC Penney Outlet online, only $99! Sure, it's probably not meant to sit outdoors and I probably should have shellacked it or something to protect it from the elements but I am extremely impatient (or lazy) so outside it went!

The green mat is from Target and it was the 1st thing I bought when we put a bid on our house back in November. I'm not thrilled with the red and green look but I love them both too much to part with either. Moving on...the white ceramic table was a steal from HomeGoods for $40. Sitting on top is the most adorable little red bird that I found in Lowe's outdoor section for $8. It's a whole lotta unexpected cute from Lowe's.

The kid? She came from my brother and is my official dandelion picker.

So, it's a start. As soon as things calm down a bit, I can get my new light fixture installed, my black shutters put on and some purty plants and flowers a potted. So stay tuned for more improvements.

i shoulda known

1st mistake: being cheap

we decided to hire movers for the main furniture as to not try to guilt people into helping us move. this was a great decision. the bad part was us being cheap and deciding to move everything else ourselves. it's never-ending. my car is sitting in the driveway right now with the back seats down, filled with ladders and garden rakes, bags filled with other bags, John's hawt maroon satin fraternity jacket (hey, it was the 80's) among other randomosities. every time we think we're almost done, we come across another pile of stuff. we have so much friggin stuff!

the good news is that we are moved in! furniture is in place, beds are almost made, the kitty has been holed up under our bed...as expected. We, however, are beat. i've never worked myself all day every day like this, so this post probably makes no sense. Anyway, I'm going to bed but expect pics coming up this week!

it's raining brides !!!

Pardon my absence, I was unable to blog due to the fact that I would have totally spilled something on our big to-do this past weekend. It was my bff Kelly's surprise Bridal Shower! It went perfectly, she was shocked, the weather was freakin gorgeous and it was just all-around good times. We've been planning this thing since October so there have been so many times when I've been tempted to blog about something shower-related but couldn't. Like the invites I made...

Or the number of ways we planned to throw her off. We chose her fiance's birthday as the day to have it, we all picked a different day to post it on our shared google calendars and most importantly, and most fun, was the fake pre-shower we held a few hours before the real one. Ambitious, I know.

We gathered at one of the "classiest" bars in Kelly's hometown to host a good old fashion white trash shower...with 6 guests, no gifts, plenty of beers at 10:30 am and a smattering of old men regulars in the background.

Kelly's mom pulled off an Oscar-worthy performance to get Kelly to actually walk in this bar and when she did, she saw us and she turned around and walked right back out. Then she came back in again and was pretty much in shock.

We apologized for the small turnout and the lack of gifts. Kelly was completely wierded out. Mostly because of the location and partly because she couldn't figure out what we were up to. The rest of us were cracking up the whole time, we just couldn't believe it was turning out so well.

After torturing her for a little while longer (and putting away 3 Michelob Ultras), we decided it was time to head out for her real shower. Katie had brought a change of clothes for Kelly in case she wasn't dressed up enough. So Kelly went and changed and we told her we were taking her out for lunch, some place realll fancy. Ruby Tuesday. I don't think she believed us.

We headed downtown to Kelly's favorite restaurant, Positano Coast, which itself is gorgeous and didn't need any trashing up with paper bells or anything. We waited a few minuted until all the guests arrived and then gave Kelly's mom the ok for her to bring her in. Once again, she was surprised and happy and loving the whole thing.

Me and the bridey-to-be

the bridesmaids

Katie, Me and Adrienne

Kelly and my adorable Mama

and the crowd in general...

We couldn't have asked for a better day, it was sunny and 75 that day, while two days later it's 40 and rainy. Kelly cleaned up in the bed, bath and beyond department and Jeff got his luggage, thank god. It was fun to see her get the things her & I registered for! Anyway, I hope you had an awesome time Kel, we had a good time planning it. Congratulations!

it's raining babies!

Last week I helped to host a baby shower for one of the girls at work, who had her baby boy just this weekend, so we got her just in time. I really do get a little too excited about planning these types of things.

We did the ubiquitous baby clothes on clotheslines decorations, which really? They're friggin adorable. I would like to use this decorating technique for every party from now on. Bridal Shower? I'm hanging pillow cases. Retirement Party? I'm hanging Medicare forms. Can you see where I'm going with this? Anyway, the effect is somewhat lost when they're hung across cubicles, but whatev, I work with what i have.

I also whipped up the most complicated dessert/favor ever. The Rice Krispie treat. Is it sad that this recipe contains 3 ingredients, one of them being the Rice Krispie and I still have to google the recipe every time I make them?

mmmm marshmallowy birds.

Hey Lisa, your Dad's got nothin on me!

(Lisa's dad paints ducks. Like, for a living)

sad day in philadelphia

Harry Kalas, the voice of the Phillies, died today. When I think of Harry's voice, I think of spring & summer nights when the Phils were on in the background of whereever I was and Harry's catch phrase "Outta here!". He will be missed by many.

Read up on the legend

will the movers take him?

Ever since our house went on the market, I’m sure this guy has been wondering what the hell has been going on. All these random people walking through the bedroom when he’s trying to sleep. Strangers coming up and petting him. At night when we’re home and things seem normal, he either can’t get enough of us and settles down on our laps or he runs up and down the stairs, under the bed, on top of the bed going all bat-shit crazy. He’s no lightweight either, he sounds like a damn horse. Anyway, we’ve been trying to anticipate how he’s going to handle the move. I kinda feel bad for him, he must know something’s up but he has no idea what he’s in for in a few weeks. Any tips on moving the feline? Making him comfy?

oh and can you tell i've finally discovered Picnik?

movin' on up

Well it’s official, we’ve got a buyer! We accepted an offer on Sunday and plan to move in just 2 and a half weeks. Luckily we’ve been moving boxes every night when we go over to the new house to work out so I just need to hire some movers for the biggies. This is such a huge relief. Life has sorta been put on hold for the past 2 months and it’s nice to be able to move forward with our plans.

And apparently those plans include all new appliances. John and I went to a little appliance store the other day at the recommendation of his buddy, who knows the owner. In our typical fashion, we walk in with a list: Washer, Dryer, Refrigerator and Microwave. The new kitchen already has a stainless steel range and dishwasher so I was under the impression that we didn’t need these. Oh was I wrong. It turns out, John has a major problem with the dishwasher saying Frigidaire and the refrigerator saying GE. Silly boy. So by the time we walked out of the store, we were ordering the GE Profile Washer, Dryer, French Door Refrigerator, Dishwasher, Range and Convection Oven/Microwave. But I don’t dare complain about the added expense because I know what I’m doing. I can use this to my advantage. When it comes time to put the deck on and Shannon starts planning it around a glorious new hot tub, John won’t be able to complain. I will keep this little nugget of extra spending that I don’t necessarily agree with for some bargaining power. I am in great need of a hot tub. I will win any hot tub argument. It will be mine, oh yes, it will be mine.

guess who's having the...

that would be me.


Ok, well the best week started right after sitting at the courthouse all day in horribly uncomfortable chairs, only to find out that they had no use for me as a juror. Honestly, I was kinda wishing they would pick me so the boredom would have at least been justified. Oh well. My best week ever started that night when I was told I lost 6 lbs this week! Ho-lee crap! That's better than some of the Biggest Loser contestants and I don't spend 6 hours a day working out. So anyway, my total is now 79lbs and I couldn't be happier.


The awesomeness continued on Wednesday when WE GOT AN OFFER ON THE HOUSE! We've countered the offer and are waiting to see if this other couple who came a few times have any interest in bidding. Either way, I do believe our house will be sold relatively quickly. The bidder wants to settle by the end of the month (holy shit!) so that means we need to hightail it out of here. If I show up at Easter dinner with packing peanuts stuck in my hair, don't mind me. So keep your fingers crossed once more that things go smoothly.


And now, you might not think there is anything more exciting than selling your house when you're carrying two mortgages but I'm here to tell you there is. I get an email from my best friend Kelly yesterday who tells me she has news. She then proceeds to keep me hanging for 20 minutes. I instantly forgave her when she told me the news. This girl puts the B in BFF. She is the fountain Coke to my hangover, the green coverup to my teenage acne, the most amazing person ever.

She's taking me to see this. In September. At Giants Stadium.




U2. I'm dying.


ETA: Make that 2 offers! Life is good.