Pick your color

{click the chart to enlarge}

I borrowed this from the girls over at Sweet Nothings because I thought it was fun. What does your color say about you?

Mine is bluebell: You have a classic style, are a romantic, easy to love, and people find you appealing. Some may think of you as quiet, but you are really thinking deeply about what is going on around you, and then coming up with the perfect solution.

Extreme Makeover: Me Edition - Overcoming Obstacles

By SheWatchedTheSky

By now, I hope you have discovered Amber's blog for yourself and been introduced to this inspiring meme.

If not, quick run-down: Amber started the Extreme Makeover: Me Edition a few weeks ago where we concentrate on how to take time out of our hectic lives and days for ourselves. To make ourselves better. The empty cup cannot quench the thirst of those who need it. In the same way, we cannot be great mothers, wives, sisters, friends, daughters, employees, bosses, etc. unless we refresh ourselves!

Each week, we update each other on our progress and address a specific question...

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This week's question: What is your biggest obstacle right now?

How are you making plans to overcome/push forward?

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This week, my progress update can be incorporated into my answer, which is great for me.

A couple of the obstacles I've found myself facing are:

1. Being too lazy to exercise.

2. Becoming increasingly anti-social since working from home.

As far as #1, I have really made an effort to exercise in the past week. It helped when I realized I'm leaving for Palm Beach next Saturday, which means it is not long before I'm going to have to wear a bathing suit in public. And I would like to look somewhat toned.

Friday I spent an hour vigorously vacuuming the entire house, then did a few triceps chair dips, which I've tried to do daily. Over the weekend, I took the dog for a few walks and threw in some crunches. Monday night, I did the same while watching football, and then last night I did a 30-minute On Demand Yoga workout focusing on thighs and butt. Whew! That was a workout for the whole body! I plan on doing another 30 minutes of On Demand Yoga tonight as well. It's slowly incorporating little things every day, setting aside just a half hour to devote to exercise. I'm considering signing up for formal Yoga classes in another week or so to force me to continue my practice and help me address #2...

Working from home is an amazing luxury I'm so grateful for, but it has its downsides. Obviously there's the motivation/distraction factor, but I'm a pretty disciplined person when it comes to work, so that hasn't been my problem. The problem is that the only interaction I have during the day is talking to the dog. Especially with Jed traveling the past two weeks... I've had little human interaction outside of conference calls.

I've shared this feeling with a couple coworkers who offered for me to call them when I feel the need for real conversation. I also plan on making the effort to go into the office more just to socialize, be visible, catch up with people. Then there's the Yoga classes, and I'm going to make more of an effort to make plans the nights Jed isn't around just to share my day with someone.

So, there are my current obstacles to being a better me. What about you? What obstacles are you facing? Any tips on how to overcome them?

Tears fall like raindrops...

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I just got some very sad news, and I'm not sure how to take it. One of my old coworkers who sat next to me for the first year I worked at my company (dropping sunflower seed shells all around my desk, no less) died last night when she was hit by a car in Brooklyn, NY. I can't yet grasp the tragedy of this event. She was such a lively, optimistic, friendly person that anyone was glad to know who did. It reminds you how fragile life really is.

Woman critical after car strike

By Kerry Burke and John Lauinger

Daily News Staff Writers

Tuesday, September 29th 2009, 4:00 AM

A 29-year-old woman was in critical condition Monday night after she was mowed down by a Mercedes-Benzwhile trying to cross a busy Brooklyn street during a rainstorm, police said.

The woman had just stepped from the sidewalk onto Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights when she was struck by the silver Mercedes traveling westbound, police and a witness said.

She was attempting to cross the major thoroughfare at Nostrand Ave., and the force of the collision threw her some 25 feet into the roadway.

Her sneakers were knocked off her feet and landed several yards apart. The Chinese food she had been carrying was splattered on a bike path along a roadway median.

"The accident was very bad. She was laid out on her back," said witness Delicien Estime, 43.

The woman, who was not immediately identified Monday night, was in "extremely critical condition" at Kings County Hospital, a police source said.

The crash was ruled an accident, but the driver, Pedro Hazel, 71, of Brooklyn, was taken into custody and issued a summons for driving with a suspended license, police said.

Hazel told the Daily News the woman crossed against the light. "She stepped out in front of my car," he said. "It was terrible."

FMM: Some Things I Can't Live Without

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List a few things that you cannot live without.
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One of my best friends and my boyfriend, Jed.

A comfy place to curl up and read, watch, write and listen.

Patriots football... and Tom Brady.

A good-looking pair of comfy flare jeans.

Life's a beach, or at least my house is!

{Hello Megan!}

I found this quiz on Megan's blog and had to take it because who doesn't love quizzes to find more about herself?

So, my result was a tie between Nantucket Style and Traditional Country. While my house definitely incorporates elements of both, I'm gong with Nantucket Style because, if I could, my entire house would be a beach!

Nantucket Style

Oh how you love the beach! Who doesn't, right? And so your dream home is either perched in your favorite beach town, or you've brought that favorite beach town into your house.

Materials

Your art and accessories speak directly to the activities that are found at the beach. Pieces of driftwood you found here, pictures or paintings of the amazing views there. Things that remind you of the coast - surf boards or fishing boats - are found throughout the house. The feeling of the seaside is both abstract and literal in the design of your space. The fabrics are natural, cottons and linens and are light in color and touch. Much of the furniture is wood or wood framed (the lighter the better, think driftwood!) and wicker, when done right, is a must.

Colors

And since your true inspiration is the sea, the colors and textures in your home are the same that you would find at your favorite beach: white, light beiges and grays of the sand and driftwood, a variety of blues for the ocean and sky, and greens and vibrant blues of the sea glass... but the key is white! Your space should feel light and airy and give off the mood one has when at the beach: laid back!

Space Planning

Your furniture is comfortable and the layout is cozy. The more it reminds you of actually sitting on the warm sand the better! And what do you do at the beach? Hang out with family and friends - and your home is just an extension of this play place... and though the space is filled with large white furniture, it somehow manages to feel both durable and casual.

That room is gorgeous right? So relaxing and inviting. I love everything about it. EVERYTHING!

Ok, quick weekend recap...

Friday night I picked up Jed at the train station right now time and drove down to Warwick to get me some Hooters. Um, awkward. I meant wings... and a nice cold Blue Moon pumpkin! I dunno about the rest of you, but I'm one chick who loves Hooter's. I take it all in good fun. Which is why I was extremely disappointed when our waitress came over wearing black boy shorts! Black! What happened to the shiny, tacky, fluorescent orange shorts??? Don't even THINK about bringing Hooter's into the 21st century. Don't.Even.Think.About.It.

Saturday morning we got up early to sort out some car stuff, then came home and lounged on the couch in our PJs catching up on TV shows we had recorded. Mostly the House season premiere, and it was depressing. We finally decided it would be a good idea to get dressed... for more lounging on the couch catching up on TV. LOL! We did leave the couch to go to my parents' house for dinner. My mom made one of my favs: roast pork with roasted potatoes, along with asparagus, whipped butternut squash and cinnamon apples. Yum! Then warm homemade brownies topped with ice cream and caramel sauce for dessert. More yum!

Sunday we slept in, went to Mass, met up with Jed's parents and grandfather for a delicious lunch at this place, then went back to Pepe's house for birthday cake for Jed's dad. Last night we caught up on more TV, made nachos and garlic bread for dinner (yes, healthy, doesn't even compare to the night before) and went to bed somewhat early.

Now it's back to another week! I missed out on football yesterday because of the fam stuff, so I'm going to watch the Patriots game tonight, which I'm sure you'll hear about when it's over (for me).

How was your weekend? How's your Monday going?

First Weekend of Fall!

This is me not being lazy and taking time to blog when I could be lounging on the couch (still doing) watching Samantha Brown's Passport to Great Weekends (also still doing).

Since I'm multi-tasking, we'll make this simple. Here are my five things to do this weekend, fall-theme since this is the first official weekend of fall, and boy does it feel like it in Rhode Island!

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Go on an adventure -- large or small. Road trip to see the foliage, try a new restaurant, read a new book, plan a vacation. And tell me about them!

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Check out the season premiere of SNL tomorrow night on NBC. I'm told it's the 35th season, wouldn't know, never really caught onto it. When the show was in its heyday, I was too young to stay up that late. Even though "everyone was doing it." Megan Fox, of Transformers fame, is hosting the opener, which should be interesting. She doesn't strike me as very funny. And, (this is for K.Law) Ryan Reynolds(!) hosts next Saturday, October 3!! Now THAT is one to DVR while you are bar-hopping!

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Go to a local farm and pick out your pumpkin! I was out driving the other day, and I saw the first pumpkin on someone's front porch. I instantly wanted a pumpkin (or two or three) for my front and side stairs.

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GO SEE FAME! I am wicked excited for this movie, mostly because it features this lovely lady, Kherington Payne from So You Think You Can Dance, along with season four winner Joshua. I love me a good modern musical film, even though I never saw the original. Maybe this will inspire me to Netflix it.

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While you are picking out your pumpkin, don't forget the apples! Apple-picking is one of my all-time, ok my all-time, favorite fall pastime. Climbing trees to reach that perfect apple (even though you're not supposed to), pulling a red wagon full of your bright red treats around the orchard, and getting them home for apple pies, warm apple crisp, apple bread and a healthy addition to your daily lunch. Hint: if you Google apple picking, you should be able to pull up a database on you-pick-it orchards in your area.

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This weekend, I am hitting up Hooter's in Warwick for some wings and cold beer after I pick Jed up from his travels this week. Tomorrow is supposed to be gorgeous so I really want to take Morris to the dog park in Providence for a frolic, then tomorrow night we're heading to my parents' house for dinner (and to move some more of my stuff to the new house). Sunday it's Mass then lunch with Jed's parents and grandfather followed by cake for his dad's birthday (which is today - Happy Birthday!). Somewhere in there, I hope to catch up on all the shows we recorded that I have not watched because I'm waiting for Jed.

Have a great weekend everyone! Let me know what you are up to!

Oh Mr. Postman...

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Wow, I haven't been so excited about mail in a while! I had some pretty sweet surprises waiting for me today, my friends, and I couldn't wait to share them with you!

First, the good...

I don't know if y'all know, but I won my very first bloggy giveaway from the lovely Miss K. Law: Inspired! {Dudes, if you haven't checked out her blog after all the free PR I'm giving her today, I just don't know what's wrong with you... unless you follow her already, of course.}

So, I had this in my mailbox today...

And my grand prize are these adorable, PERSONALIZED note-cards from Michelle Harrod at Peony Paperie on Etsy!

Aren't they the cutest??? I can't wait to write my first note in one! And after seeing these beauties, you can bet I'll be ordering from her in the future! Hmmm... wedding invites anyone?? Nah, teasing, nothing yet. {And I promised myself I would stop talking about it, bugging Jed about it, and thinking about it. Well... maybe not thinking about it...}

Anyway, wicked cute... thank you Kristen and thank you Michelle!

Now for the shocker in the metal can that's my mailbox... I could not believe this!

This is the front of the invitation to my 10-year high school reunion.

Cute huh? All of us back in the day when we were so excited our theme song was Prince, and we partied like it was 1999 for four years. I pulled this out backside up and would have never noticed unless the reunion chair didn't include a personal note saying she hopes I like the photo...

Oh yes! OH NOOOOO!!!! Friends, (sorry for the blur) in the bottom right corner, right next to our graduation year is one of my not-so-fabulous high school candids!

That is me and Jed (when we first started dating!) at our senior retreat weekend (we went to a Catholic high school). That is before I discovered that shampoo and conditioner came in separate bottles. That is before I knew hair products worked wonders for curly frizz. That is before makeup that wasn't worn at dance recitals and before I realized I looked a million times better in clothes that actually fit me.

Wow.

Well, on the up side, if I go, it'll be even more of a shock when they see how absolutely STUNNING I am today... 10 years later... bitches!