Grateful For

Friends. I am really lucky to have a great bunch of people in my life. Here are a few.

Scott's Birthday was Saturday and he invited a bunch of friends, family and co-workers to play in his annual Softball game in Central Park.

I went to do some overtime from 8-2 and Mark picked me up in time to get to the Great Lawn (102nd & 5th) Field 7. It was an absolutely beautiful day.  I sat the game out since I was semi afraid to get hit and hurt my stomach. I definitely had a great time watching everyone.

Not everyone in the pic below played, some were just cheerleaders!



Scott (the bday boy) and his girlfriend:




Me and Mark after he made the GREAT CATCH OF THE DAY as Scott likes to say:

These are pics I stole from Scott.  I have a few on my camera to add later.

All in all it was a perfect day. Even though we got soaked as we were leaving and I totally walked without my flip flops on. I went home and disinfected myself.

Who I am List

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WHO I AM

christian
God-follower
girlfriend
daughter
older sister
friend
adventurer
traveler
list-maker
organizer
New Yorker
former Tennessee inhabitant
former Florida inhabitant
goal-maker
blog author
dreamer
procrastinator
sunshine-lover
cook
gardener
brown haired
italian
water-drinker
swimmer
crafter
reader
doer
church-goer
beach lover
tea-drinker
foodie
designer-lover
photo-taker
summer girl

WHAT I LOVE
my Savior
my boyfriend
my mom
my sister
family
good food
design
sleeping in
sunshine
summer
swimming
the ocean
lakes
water features
snail mail
cleaning
cities
country life - sometimes
tea
hot baths
tan skin
flip-flops
mom’s cooking
sitting by a fire
traveling
blogs
photography
traditions
new music
new shoes
ponytails
water

MY DESIGN STYLE
simple
uncluttered
light
airy
natural
organized
clean
textured
layered
open
beachy

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

STRENGTHS :: task-oriented, visionary, big-picture thinker, hard worker, goal-setter, fast, intelligent, sensitive, logical, organized, personable, passionate, multitasker, writer, project organization, problem solving, DIY, creative, inventive, determined

WEAKNESSES :: bored easy, confidence, follow-through, print, details, negotiating, impatient, finances, can be overwhelmed easily, people pleaser, picky

Looking at these lists makes me realize that, in general, I really need to stop focusing on things that are out of my control. I don’t always follow through on things because I get stressed out too easily.  I love being able to create, but I need to focus on my follow through.

I know Challenges Come, but I WILL learn to stop thinking they are brick walls. I know that with God I can do anything.

The Mountain of God

Even though the journey's long
And I know the road is hard
Well, the One who's gone before me
He will help me carry on
After all that I've been through
Now I realize the truth
That I must go through the valley
To stand upon the mountain of God

~The Mountain of God, Third Day

Letter to Amber before HS

 Being an older sister is something I take very seriously. It doesn't hurt that I have the coolest little sister.


I wrote this to Amber right before she started High School in August:
  

High School. Two little words that invoke many different feelings.  It may sound fun and scary, exciting and make you shake with fear, but you can tackle anything.

Life is about to begin flying by at an increasing speed. As you begin your High School years I have a few things that I want to share with you.

First off, I am so proud to be your sister. I wouldn’t give that up for anything in the world. I will always be here for you.

Now down to business:

You are a fun loving, beautiful, crazy, artistic, creative, incredible, TWERD, blondie (love you), woman that I wouldn’t trade for the world.  I am amazed at how confident you are in yourself. I wish I had that, even now.

You are going to be successful at whatever you decide to do; I have no doubt about that. Remember, it will cost you something. Work hard to be everything you were created to be. This will require sacrifice, self discipline, and determination. Don’t look back with regret and wish you could have done things differently. You have the opportunity to start from scratch.

You may face fear, doubts, discouragement….you may even be ridiculed along the way. I know you will fight your fears. I have faith that no one can talk you out of painting only your left hand while leaving the right one empty.

Here’s a little advice: Ask Questions. People may not always have the right answer, but not knowing is okay. Stand up and speak your mind, challenge the group, act on your instincts. Act on all the “why’s” and bring change to the things you don’t like.

Embrace change and be open to learning what the world and the people in it have to offer you. You will stumble. You will cry, scream, but most of all you will LAUGH. It’s the memories you make now that will last you a lifetime. You’ll be 80 years old in a rocking chair laughing about things that will happen in the next four years. Make every day count.

This is a milestone that you should cherish. You may make new friends that will last a lifetime. These are the people you will talk to 10 years later and say things like, “Remember when…” Have fun making those memories. Go Crazy….

Just have fun. You might make mistakes, that’s what gives you character.



 

Face Masks! Thanks for acting stupid with me kiddo. I <3 you!

Corporate Consideration Law

I work in a cubicle. I'm ok with it. Really I am. I have cute little decorations so I don't go on a killing spree so it looks nice.

Check out my rubber duckies:

Dude, the far right is a Mets ducky that a co-worker made for me. It's totally bad ass.

To the right of my monitors, I have some cute pictures, a happy face mug to hold my paperclips (because my paper clips need to be happy, DUH), I even have a living bamboo plant. I say living, because I'm not sure if it will survive much longer.

I can deal with a lot. I'm an older sister for goodness. Smelly food in the office, is something I can't deal with. Hot Sauce to be exact. I'm even allergic to oranges and if someone eats one near me, my skin turns pink-ish red and really itchy. I would prefer to be called a color -ish and itchy, then smell hot sauce.

Which prompts me to come up with this: Corporate Consideration Law. If the food smells, eat it somewhere else. According to M, this means that they would have to ban all food from the office. I think he's right. Never gonna happen though. They want me to have my occasional gummy bear, otherwise, I would go postal. But Gummy Bears DO NOT emit any type of odor.

Just think people, think. If it smells, just say no.

(end rant)

Kobie Blue

This weekend I bought a 2007 Chevy Cobalt with 59,000 miles! He is a beautiful White color which might make it odd that his name is Kobie Blue. My mom and I are weird, but here he is in all his glory:

He's adorable & I love him.

I bought him on my nonna's 81st birthday. To celebrate his 2nd day in our family, my mom and I drove 43 miles to go to the nearest Cracker Barrrel.....mmmmmm delish.

Goodbye

It's a very hard thing to say aloud, much less type. My grandfather died. My nonna. Mr. Federico Vezza.

I borrowed this from Kim:

God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
 Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

I know that he's in a better place. Suffering from Parkinson's was hard on his family, but so much harder on him. He was born on January 12, 1930 and passed February 15, 2011. He was 81 years old and loved by everyone he touched during that time.

He passed peacefully, which is a wonderful relief to us. Grief is a Challenge that Came and I will have to learn to cope. I really can't get into much more of it right now.

But I will say, that Nonno, the snow the day of your funeral - really not funny.