Friends Making Monday: All About The Blog

I have today "off" and while I am not at school, I am working today. 

How was your weekend? Do you have today off?

Friday afternoon, I went to an open pole class and worked on some tricks. I really like the open atmosphere of the open pole classes. They're very laid back. 

 On Saturday, Ryan and the teenager went to his cousins' for the day so I spent some time at my parents' house before heading up to my best friend's house (an hour and a half away) to spend the night. One of my camp friends was in town and I haven't seen her in nearly three years so it was so much fun to be able to see each other. 

camp friends are best friends

Yesterday, we went out for breakfast and then the girls did a little shopping before I headed back home where Ryan and I enjoyed a night with a few beers (mmmm Smoked Porter and Mean Old Tom) and Chinese food delivery in front of the fire. 

We watched the first episode of American Horror Story (did anyone else see it? Yikes!!!!) and attempted to watch a movie called 42 about Jackie Robinson but we both fell asleep pretty quickly. It was good so I'm looking forward to watching the rest of it. Unfortunately, i ALWAYS fall asleep during movies.

I am going to get back to my work but before I do, this post is brought to you, as always, with Friends Making Monday's. 

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

All about the Blog

1.  How long have you been blogging?  About five months or so.....so not very long at all. 

2.  What is the overwhelming theme of your blog? I first started as a way to document the changes we made as we renovated and redecorated our house but it seems as if it is becoming more of a daily life/my on going to-do list sort of theme. Whatever. it works for me. 

3.  Have you connected with people in person after meeting them through blogging?  No....not yet at least.  

4.  What do you enjoy most about blogging?  I really enjoy documenting and putting my every day happenings into words and then seeing them come intro fruition.  I like that I started my ten-things-Tuesday series and my 101 in 1001 list (It once again solidifies that I thrive on lists and having set goals to accomplish). And I cannot neglect the satisfaction that comes when someone comments on the blog. It was such a highlight of my "blogging career" (ha!) when another blogger 

5.  How often do you blog? Over the summer, I had more time and was able to blog a few times per week. Lately, it feels like I can get out a post on Monday (For FMM) and Tuesday's for Ten Things Tuesday. I have a bunch of draft posts that are constantly in the works but since I am so NOT technologically savvy, it sometimes takes me a long time to deal with pictures and formatting, etc. I just bought a keyboard for the iPad so since I won't be forced to stay in the computer room to work on a computer, I will be able to sit on the couch at night and type from the iPad. 

6.  Share one thing that you don’t like about blogging. Nothing major comes to mind. I once got stressed that I wasn't able to post as frequently as some other bloggers but then I put it into perspective that those bloggers do this for a full time job, and my blogging is strictly hobby. I also don't like the spam comments!

7. Do you talk about your blog in everyday life?  Not at all. Very few people know that I do this and of those few people, not very many know the name of the blog or how to find it. I don't even really talk about it with Ryan. 

8.  What is the coolest and most unexpected thing that has happened to you as a result of blogging?  Another blogger has referenced a recipe of mine on her blog! (FYI-it was the homemade applesauce)

9.  Are there topics that are off-limits on your blog?  If so, name a few…I won't go into detail about the Teenager or anything related him. I won't talk too much about my family or the situations that happened. 

10.  If you could accomplish one thing through your blog before the end of this year, what would you want to accomplish? I just want to be able to continue having this online scrapbooking for myself. 

Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions!  Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments, and say hello to someone new!  

Friend Making Monday

Yikes. It’s been a while. I promise I’m still here!

I was sick last week-not horrible-on my-death-bed-type-of-sick, but enough where I took a few days off from work and was annoyingly uncomfortable. 

I’m making this a quick post, but before I get into Friends Making Monday, I wanted to acknowledge Rebecca at My Little Devils With Wings who is starting her own 101 in 1001 list after reading about mine. Good luck and have fun! I hope you have as much satisfaction out of crossing things off your list as I do!!! 

Moving on to Monday’s usual routine…..

 

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

This or That? 

1.  Meat and potatoes or pasta?  This is torture. I love a good steak and mashed potatoes are one of my comfort foods but....how could I give up pasta. 

2.  Do you prefer Apple or Android?  Easy. Android. I am anti-apple products. I am still having a hard time getting used to the Mac I have at work.

3.  Do you kiss and tell, or do you keep it private? My friends and I have have conversations as honest as those from Sex and the City. 

4. If you had to choose one, would you choose Facebook or Twitter? Facebook. I've never once looked at twitter nor do I have a twitter account.

5.  Christmas or Valentine’s Day?  I am a sucker for Valentine’s day.

6.  If you joined a band, would you prefer to do vocals or play an instrument?  As much as I love singing, I am sure the entire world would prefer if I chose an instrument. I have the world's worst voice.

7.  Hot weather or cold weather?  I’d much rather be too cold than too hot.

8.  Calorie counting or tracking points?  Hmmm. I think tracking points is much more realistic in terms of living a balanced lifestyle but I do tend to look at how many calories things are.

9.  Yoga or kickboxing?  Kickboxing. I found yoga to be way too boring but at the same time, I've never tried kickboxing. Sounds like fun though.

10.  East Coast or West Coast?  I’m a New Englander.

Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions!  Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments!  Happy Monday, friends!

Typical Me and Friend Making Monday But Really It Is Tuesday

Typical me...day late and a dollar short. But, it's been a great start of the week. I recently started a position at a new school district and I am super excited about it. It is in an urban environment and I am really looking forward to joining a district in this type of environment. I tried working in a suburban environment for a little while and although there are perks to working in that type of environment, my heart really belongs to the urban environment. Needless to say, I am really looking forward to the upcoming school year and I sincerely hope I have found my "forever school" where I will be until I retire. Now I just need to know what school I will be working in-seeing that school starts tomorrow! 

We had a district-wide orientation and welcoming this morning followed by a few hour break. This afternoon, I will be heading to the administration office with my other fellow SLP's (who I got to meet yesterday) and will find out my school assignment. 

With that being said, it's time for another edition of Friends Making Monday! (uhh, Tuesday. See-day late and a dollar short.)

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Questions and Answers

1.  What is a typical weekday like for you?  Loaded question. I am new to the school district so I am not quite sure what it will exactly look like but I am assuming it is something like this: Hour and a half -two hours before school starts: Wake up, press snooze, whine about it being early, finally get out of bed, get dressed, try on three different outfits before selecting something that I have worn a gazillion times, do hair-decide I don't like how it looks and throw it up in a ponytail, do makeup, eat breakfast, make coffee, pack lunch, drive to work, work until school gets out, drive home, and spend the rest of the evening doing stuff around the house and cooking dinner. 

2.  Name one song that never fails to make you happy and one song that you always listen to when you’re sad. Any song that is a "camp" song will automatically make me nostalgic and think of camp

3.  Did you watch the VMA’s last night? No, and after hearing all the Miley crap, I'm glad I didn't.

4.  Share at least two that you possess.Two skills I am assuming. I am pretty good at fine-motor things-like untangling necklaces and untying knots. And I can fold laundry well. Pathetic, but true. 

5.  Share one thing that you wish you had the confidence to do.  Enter a pole competition. I recently heard about these competitions and while I am no where near ready, I think it would be really fun to get into competing. After all, I was a competitive dancer while growing up and loved it. 

6. Tell us about one insecurity that people might be surprised that you have.  I am petrified about driving in Boston. All the one way streets and crazy drivers-it's so overwhelming! 

7.  If you could be the CEO of any company, which one would you choose to lead?  I wouldn't. want to be a CEO- I know nothing of business, let alone running a business. I wouldn't want all that responsibility. 

8. List at least three hobbies that make you happy. Puzzles, dancing, and baking. 

Latest update in the 2000 piece puzzle. This one is taking me forever!

9.  Is there someone in your life that you wish you could say “I love you” to?  Ummm, not really. Well yes, but I am choosing to keep that private. 

10.  Share one cool thing that happened over the weekend.  I signed up for a ten class commitment at a new pole studio and Ryan is almost done building out my dance room! We bought floors yesterday and ordered a new piece to secure the pole into the ceiling. Check back soon for pictures of the final product! 

Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions.  Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments!  Happy Monday Tuesday, friends!

Friends Making Monday-Have You Ever

Happy Monday! What's been going on in your neck of the woods?

This is the extent to what I have been doing.

I don't have much of anything that is interesting (yet..wait a few days, I will have something fun to post then!)

In the meantime, it's time for another edition of FMM. 

((If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!))- Kenlie

Have You Ever?

1. Jumped out of an airplane? YES! Twice! The most exhilarating thing I have ever done. The first time I felt a euphoric high for at least a week. I went with a group of guy friends a few months a few weeks before I had my hip reconstructed and a few months before I moved for Grad School. 

First time -May 2007
L-R: Brian, Dave, Tim, Alex, Me, Ed

The first of the foot picture

Post jump

It is impossible to take a decent looking picture as you are hanging out of an airplane. 

The second time was two years after our first jump. Most of the original jumpers were there. I took Ryan as a present for our first anniversary. 

The second timers. May 2009

May 2009.

May 2009. I wore the same sneakers to both 

2. Lived alone?  Yes. I lived with roommates in college and for a little while after college, but then I got my first "real" apartment and lived alone there. I LOVED IT! 

3. Met a celebrity? Bobbie Brown and Whitney Houston. They came to my dance recital for a few years. No big deal. And this was during the mid-1990's, just a few years into the height of her career. 

4. Said something to someone that you immediately regret saying? Can't really think of anything off the top of my head but I don't doubt that I have done that

5. Had a manicure/pedicure? Yep. I actually spoiled myself and got a pedicure over the weekend. I don't get them regularly but every now and then, I will treat myself to a pedicure. 

6.  Gotten a hickey? No comment

7. Owned a pet that was not a dog or a cat?  Hmmm. We had a parrot named Ruffles when I was really young. I don't remember too much about him other than when my father would walk into the room wearing his uniform, Ruffles would say "Go ahead. Make my day," and then proceed to fall off the perch and pretend he was dead. 

8. Been outside of your home country?  Yes. I've traveled to Israel when I was 15 with my camp, 

1999-Dead Sea in Israel

Paris with my high school (when my mother decided to be a "chaperon" so we could go to Paris together), Aruba a couple of times with my family, Puerto Rico, Florence, Italy to visit my sister...

April 2010. Noses at Trevi Fountain, Rome

And most recently, Mexico with Ryan

August 2012. Carmen del Playa, Mexico

9. Kissed your best friend? Nope

10. Eaten food that fell on the floor?  5 second rule. 

11. Met someone online? No

12. Been on TV? Yes! Ryan and I went to a wedding last year that was feature on TLC's 4 weddings. When watching it back, we were able to catch glimpses of ourselves on T.V. and Ryan had a really funny moment when they featured his "Anyone have any water balloons?" comment after they released wish lanterns and one got caught in a tree. 

13. Had braces?  Twice. I had the regular silver braces in middle school while I was waiting for teeth to grow in. Then, a few years later, I had the pleasure of having braces while I was a junior and senior in high school. I was an orthodontic nightmare and I'm pretty sure that my parents ultimately paid for my orthodontists summer home after all the work I had done. 

14. Gone skinny dipping? I legitimately cannot remember

15. Been to the opera? Can't say that I have

16. Been caught making out by a policeman?  Not that I can remember

17. Sung in public? I have no shame in singing but I have the worlds worst voice. My favorite singing story is from a few years ago when Ryan and I were still in the beginning of our relationship and everything we did was hilarious and fun. We were at his house and started singing-like, belting out songs at the top of our lungs... "Baby Got Back," "Ice Ice Baby," Disney songs, and you name it-we sang it. Or shouted it at the top of our lungs as loud as possible for a decent period of time. A little while later, Ryan's roommate comes home, knocks on the door and says to us, "Hey, I just pulled into the driveway and could hear you guys singing. So can the entire street. In fact, the neighbors across the street set out some lawn chairs and grabbed a few beers. They're just sitting there, enjoying the free concert and laughing their asses off at you guys".  

18. Handed out candy on Halloween? Yes, I love doing that. I'm hoping we get trick-or-treaters in our new neighborhood this year. 

19. Been snowed in? Yes. Being from the Boston area, we get snow a lot. I love being snowed in and losing power.  

20. Fallen in front of other people? Don't think so

21. Cheated on a test? Yes. No further comment

22. Regretted saying “I love you” to someone? No. 

23. Finished a meal in a restaurant and realized that you didn't have your wallet? I realized mid-meal that I didn't have my wallet and called Ryan to bring it to me. 

24. Shot a gun? Yep. My camp offered riflery as an elective and it was always one one of my favorite activities. I actually want to go to a shooting range with my father soon. 

25. Heard a song that was written for (or about) you? Nothing comes to mind. 

Now its your turn! Ansdwer this week's questions and come back here to link up in the comments. 

Happy Monday-enjoy your week

Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions! Don’t forget to come back here and link up in the comments! Happy Monday, friends!

Friend Makin Mondays-My Community

Happy Monday Folks! I hope you all had a great weekend. I had a really good weekend, especially Saturday, but first, another installment for Friend Makin Monday. 

Kenlie has a another fun set on her series Friend Makin Mondays. If you're new to this, here is what she writes:

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

This week's topic: My Community

1. Where were you born? Did you grow up there?

I was born in Boston but grew up in a town outside of Boston until I was 9 years old. My family moved to another small, suburban town, half-way between Boston and Providence, which is where I consider the place I grew up. 

2. Tell us about your favorite spot in your city.  

I lived in a part of Boston called Brookline for a about a year when I was in my early 20's and really testing out my independence for the first time. Near my apartment, there was a grassy, park area where people would bring their dogs, lay out, read, etc. It was small, quiet, and hidden but I loved it. I would bring Bauer, my Olde English Bulldog, down there with me and I would read. I loved it. 

3. Do you volunteer for any organizations? If so, will you tell us about it?

Not for any particular organization. 

4. Tell us about your favorite local restaurant. 

Local people in my area will absolutely know about Town Spa in Stoughton, Ma. We would spend so much time there back in high school. They are known for their pizzas, french fries, but especially the honey mustard sauce. I still go back and order pints of honey mustard sauce to take home. Their pizza is so infamous around here that they began the pizza by mail! 

photo credit

5. Has your city ever experienced tragedy?  If so, how did it recover?

The Boston Marathon bombings. 

"Today I learned if you mess with Boston, Boston will shut down the entire city until they find you. Don’t mess with Boston"

Marathon To be honest, I don't know where that quote originally came from but I think it's the most honest and appropriate way to answer this question. 

6. Share at least one unique thing about your neighborhood. 

I just bought my house a few months ago in a new to us town, so I am still getting used to it and learning about it. I will say that there are two different farm stands within walking distance from my house (I really gotta go there more often!) 

7. If you could do one small thing to change your community, what would you do? 

I live in a quiet suburban town, very close to conservation land and a state forest. I love living "in the woods" with amenities very close by but I also live near the Outlets and it causes some horrible traffic. I would change the traffic situation.

8. The Powerball is currently up to 400 million dollars. Would you move to a different place if you won?

Not at all. We just bought the house here a few months ago! I would pay off my mortgage though! 

Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions! Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments! Happy Monday

Friend Making Monday-10 Things That Make Me Happy

Aaaah, Monday. We meet again. It is Friend Making Monday though and after a busy weekend (where I completed 4 things from my 101 in 1001 list-read about it tomorrow), I feel ready for Monday. Weird, huh?

Anyways, Friend Making Monday...here's what Kenlie writes:

"If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

I found this last week and decided to join in on the fun again this week. 

10 Things That Make Me Happy

1. Puppies.  Seriously, there is nothing better than a puppy sitting on your lap or curled up next to you. Puppies and dogs are instant smiles for me.

The day we took Mulder home

Love this one of Mulder. 

2. When Ryan and I finish each others sentences or say the same thing at the same time. For some reason, it makes me feel good knowing that we think similarly.

3. The tree in girls area. Let me explain. Throughout my childhood and adolescence, I went to an overnight camp as both a camper and a counselor. During my last few summers as a counselor, a bunch of us would gather around this one particular tree in the middle of girls area and read. That's where I fell in love with reading

4. Dancing. There are times when I hear music and it literally hurts from the inside to sit still.


5. Which leads me to "So You Think You Can Dance"

6. Moments when the teenager feels well deserved pride. Like last week, he finally did a pull-up on the pull-up bar we've had for over a year. He has been trying and trying all year long and he finally did it. Watching him finally do the pull-up and seeing the smile on his face was priceless and it is one of my favorite moments with him.

7. The girls. I know I've spoken about them before but I can guarantee I will be laughing till my stomach hurts when i am with them, especially if we play the dirty name game.

8. My afternoon phone calls with my best friend, Julie. We don't live near each other so we spend most of our friendship over the phone.

9. The feeling of going to bed without having to set your alarm for the next morning.

10. Nieces and nephews. I promise I am not being biased, but these little ones are the cutest!

Your turn to answer this week's questions and link back up.