It's time to face the facts, I'm getting old

I used to dye my hair all the time, to change the color, just for fun. Now I have to dye my hair every few months to keep my hair the color it is. Is it just me or do those pesky [color unnamed] hairs seem to multiply overnight?

I first noticed this change when I was turning 30 (the year I became hyper aware of age) and I had all those horrible feelings and felt bad for myself about "getting old" but my BFF put it in perspective for me [thank god for her] and after a couple months I came to terms with this new up-keeping.

But now I'm starting to see those fine lines (aka: wrinkles) - when the hell did they arrive??! (And btw that little quote about wrinkles merely indicating where smiles have been; it doesn't make me feel any better! And how messed up is that - punishment for smiling??!) So instead of locking myself in a closet and crying (I am almost 31 after all and it wasn't many years ago I believed 30 to be ancient!) I went to The Body Shop and got myself a new skin regimen.

And I have to admit I took offense when the women that work there wanted to help me find something suitable to my skin type! It's a hard thing for me to admit out loud to a complete stranger that I'm looking for anti-aging creams! So my pride took the better of me and I (with the help of my sister) found exactly what I was looking for on my own. Lets just hope it does what is says and I can be strict enough to follow the instructions twice a day, every day.

I can hardly wait to see what's next?!? Varicose veins?? At least my boobs aren't big enough to sag.

New Outlook in the New Year

Oliver is at it again; in a week he's managed to put a nice size hole in both dog beds! And right after I washed and re-stuffed them. Such a little shit!

But after getting this email and laughing each time I read it (all before Oliver's latest destruction) I promised myself this year I would do my best to keep my cool.

may you have as much fun as you can until someone makes you stop

No need in getting all stressed out and heated over a hole that just needs to be patched up, right?!?! Currently I'm much to busy to be bothered with sewing up the holes so for now the dog beds just get flipped and Oliver is put on lock down whenever I can't keep my eyes on him!

The Year in Review

Our year started off with a new niece, Emily (she missed being a New Year's baby by 1 day)

Our baby had to have surgery on his head to remove a cyst that ruptured and got infected

(when I first saw him after his surgery it was one of the saddest days of my life)

We started working on our wood paneled bedroom



I turned 30

But that didn't stop me from swinging on the swing above the bar!


We celebrated Beth turning 30 again


Mary and Chuck shared their "free" tickets with us to see Citifield for the first time


Went to Citifield again with Mike and Jaira; best seats I've ever sat in to see the Mets



I started sewing


Dave grew some really nice grass


We installed an electric fence for the Roxy and Oliver


Celebrated Pirrello turning 30


Dave turned 30

We had a huge party at our house on 4th of July celebrating both or our birthdays


Watched our nieces grow


I got to spend a VIP night in NYC with the girls


I reconnected with some old friends from St. James


Got to visit Citifield again with family


Started creating the man cave


I climbed Mt. Greylock (the highest peak in MA) with Cary and Summit


Watched Oliver grow from a timid puppy into a fearless dog


And put some meat on his bones

He never did grow into his ears

Trained the dogs on the electric fence


I taught myself to wood burn


Were supposed to go skydiving but the weather didn't cooperate


So I psyched myself up for another week and we actually went; I had a great time and can't wait to go again


Celebrated Jen and Joe's engagement


I tried a furniture re-do and am now hooked

Celebrated Caroline turning 3


And our 3 year anniversary

Celebrated the marriage of Cary and James


Dave installed some new lights

Went to the Big E and I got to try fried pickles


Celebrated my cousin Tiffany's wedding

And went on a cruise to Bermuda with the bride and groom and some family


Got in our first moped accident

(before the accident)

Explored Bermuda


Celebrated Halloween


Had some fall fun


Our tv broke so Dave finally got his flat screen


Which motivated us to re-do the "pink room"


We attempted a Thanksgivings dinner again

and succeeded


We snuck in a weekend getaway to Vermont to celebrate Joe and Monique's marriage




Got home just in time to play in all the snow we missed while we were gone



Upgraded our bed


Had a wonderful Christmas


And we ended the year with a bang: Dave started taking down the wall paper in the 3rd bedroom