Life has been boring... thank God for FIMD.

So while I'd love to keep this blog going at full speed, it's quite difficult. There are times in my life where things couldn't get any more hectic and strange and dramatic. And then there are times like the present... where my life seriously couldn't get any more boooooore-iiiiiing!

Boring is good though... it means things are going at a steady pace. But when you are trying to entertain people (read: family members who are forced to read) the pressure to come up with something... anything... is overwhelming.

So today, I figure I would tell you about Aa's most recent FIMD (Foot In Mouth Disease) episode.

FIMD, in case you are unaware, is an extremely maintainable condition that, at time, can have severe flare ups causing embarrassing moments and awkward silence. No one is safe from FIMD in any capacity.

We were at our friend B & J's house on Saturday night. It was an impromptu BBQ with beers and Ladder Ball (a quite addicting game that you MUST look into... and if anyone was curious, I TOTALLY carried out team). When Aa and B get together, many beers are consumed while me and J chat about what RETARDS our husbands are and how we ever got so lucky (insert some from-the-heart sarcasm).

As the night went on, more beers were consumed, B lost his shoes and eventually his awesome parents came by to get in on the action. We lit the fire pit and got ready to roast some marshmallows as the conversation (and have I mentioned, alcohol?) flowed. OUT OF NOWHERE, Aa's FIMD flares up.

Let me just preface the following conversation by mentioning that my husband has a skewed sense of humor... the kind not everyone finds funny. Luckily (or regretfully), B shares in his sense of humor. So keep that in mind as you read the following conversation.

Aa (to B's mom): So I hear Dan (her grandson... WHO'S 4!) is a real asshole.
B's mom: What? B! What?
Aa: Yeah, B said he's a real asshole.
B: Uhhhhh, no, I said the kid is hell on wheels (clearly trying to cover the fact that he did indeed tell Aa that his nephew/godson is an asshole).
Aa: LOLOLOLOL.. ::slurps beer::
B's mom: B, why would say that about your nephew. He's not an asshole.
Me: {I'm sooo death staring Aa down}
J: LOLOLOL!!!
B: Anyone want some S'mores?!?

My husband called a 4 year old and asshole... to the 4 year old's grandmother. Who knows what kind of chaos ensued the following day with B and his mom, but all I can say is that that was the WORST case of FIMD I have ever seen in my life! Luckily, B thought it was hilarious and him and J did confirm that the child is in fact an asshole (although I'm having a hard time with everyone calling a 4 year old an asshole) and everyone lived happily ever after (accept for Aa who's conscious finally kicked in on the ride home and couldn't get over what had spewed from his mouth and how guilty he felt).

In some cases, I will take boredom over FIMD ANY DAY!!!!

ABC... 123

Because nothing too exciting happened this weekend aside from just good times with good friends, I figured I'd entertain with a "survey". Instead of emailing it around for others to fill out and send back cloging my inbox, I thought I'd just post it here.

Here are the ABC's of me...

A-Age: 27
B-Birth date: 7/6/82 (belated birthday wishes are welcomed)
C-Chore you hate: Laundry
D-Dog's name: Cooper
E-Enter or Exit: Enter
F-Favorite color: Blue
H-Hair color: Blonde
I-Instrument: Air guitar
J-Job Title: Officially - Sales Assistant; Unofficially - Surfer of Internet
K-Kids: No kids, only furbabies.
L-Living arrangements: With the hubster
M-Monkey or Moose: I'll take a monkey
N-Nicknames: Just Kim... not much you can do with three letters.
O-Odd thing about you: Most of my cleaning binges happen when I'm trying to get into bed... they tend to spiral out of control.
P-Pet Peeve: It's "COULDN'T HAVE CARED LESS" not "COULD HAVE CARED LESS".
Q-Quote from a movie: "YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID!!" (LOL... from What Happens in Vegas at the very end when the friend goes to the ex-bf's house and punches him in his manhood. LOL!!)
R-Right/Left Handed: Righty
S-Siblings: 2 younger sisters.
T-Time you wake up? A little after 5am (I have a 6am train to catch).
U-Underwear: Yes.
V-Veggie you dislike: Lima beans
W-What makes you run late: The snooze button.
X-X-Rays: Mouth and collar bone.
Y-Yummy food you make: Just made a delish chicken and shrimp scampi over the weekend. It was a crowd pleaser.
Z-Zoo Animal: Penguins.

There is just something about those red soles...

I'm in a fashion-y, pretend-I-can-actually-afford, shoe shopping/browsing (drooling over) kind of mood.

Isn't it just our luck that the things we covet most in the world (not actual needs, but meaningless wants) are those that in no way shape or form we could ever afford. It sucks. But it doesn't stop me from going to websites like Net-A-Porter.com or Saks.com and browsing their shoe pages and filling up my virtual shopping cart (of course I later close out of whatever page I'm on, thus losing every mortgage-payment priced item I added to said cart).

Every woman has something that makes her stop in her tracks. Makeup, jewlery, handbags, dresses, etc. For me... it's shoes. I own quite a few pairs (an understatement) and wear most of them as often as I can (even if it is just around the house when I'm wearing sweats). I don't recall when my love of shoes started, but all I know is that the right pair makes me feel amazing. The thing about shoes is that no matter how much weight you gain or lose, your shoes ALWAYS fit. It's comforting, especially for a gal like me who's weight is on a constant roller coaster ride (I'm currently climbing a quite steep hill).

Since being married, I've really tried to curb my shoe shopping ways. I've never really been one to spend a fortune on a single pair, but still, money is money and I'd be spending OUR money, not MY money. Guilt is the enemy!

So today, I thought I would share some of my unattainable desires. Consider this post if you will, as shoe porn....


Christian Louboutin Very Prive peep-toes. These will set you back about $745.


Versace Mesh Rose T-Strap. A measley $895.


OMG! Look at that heel! Jimmy Choo Eliza Suede Sandal $665. I think there are other versions of this shoe floating around because I remember seeing something very similar on Caroline from Real Housewives of NJ Reunion Show and being in awe.


LOVE LOVE. Jimmy Choo Suede Platform Sandal $1,195 on sale for $417.95


These are the kind of shoe I would wear with a simple black dress. Oscar de la Renta $625 on sale for $218.45


Christian Louboutin Decocolico Mary Jane Pump $855


Christian Louboutin Very Galaxy Platform Pump $1,295. And it all ends with those red soles... a girl can die happy.


... Now if you'll excuse me, I must sucumb to my shoe coma.

Wannabe photog...

At the end of May, our good friends daughter was Christened. Aa was honored to be asked to be her godfather. I was excited at the opportunity to get some really great shots throughout the day. Here are just a few of my favorites... the more photojournalistic angel of the day.


This is the cross that Aa bought his goddaughter.


Happy baby... proud papa.


What is it about a sleeping baby.... ::swoooon::


Someone is wrapped right around this child's finger. Looks like Aa... it's love.


Baby toes... the perfect snack.

When Aa's away....

So last week proved to be an interesting one - well only a few hours of the last week but man did they test my patience.

Aa was away on business (Shit, I don't feel old enough to have a husband, let alone one that goes away on business) last week from Monday to Thursday - D.C. I was left to ponder life as a bachelorette. To me this means the following:

*Bed made every morning (yay!)
*All pillows on the couch where they belong (yay!)
*CLEAN BATHROOM (YAAAAY!)
*Healthy meals
*The whole bed to myself (and Cooper of course)
*TV shows of my choosing!!!

As much as I miss Aa while he's away I'm always excited for the alone time (this excitement only lasts for a short time - read ahead).

After I drop Aa at the airport Monday I head home to take care of Cooper and settle in for a peaceful week. Cooper was a little out of sorts as per usual of night one of Aa's absence. We were off to a good start.

Cute to Tuesday (Day two)... I get home to find my overly eager dog going crazy in anticipation of going out to pee, eat dinner and disobey me. As I pick him up to lift him over the gate we use to keep him in the kitchen, he gives me a swift (albeit, accidental) swipe across the face (note to self - Cooper's nails need a trim). I wrestle his collar onto him, get him outside to pee and back inside for dinner - where the fun begins.

I'll preface by saying Cooper is a chewer... his specialty is pillow. We just got a new couch with huge cushions that look like - what else - pillows. As I'm fixing his dinner I hear the familiar sound of his name tag jingling... it could only mean one thing - he's ruining my couch!! Luckily the damage was nil - drool wipes off. I put his dinner down and begin to prepare my own - Velveeta w/veggies (healthy, remember??).

Cooper has eaten, my dinner is ready, the DVR is cued up, let the relaxing night begin. I settle myself on the couch sighing in light of said relaxation and begin to grab my once-a-day soda for a nice refreshing swig... I DROP THE ENTIRE GLASS OF SODA on me, the rug and the coffee table. I'm clumsy, I'll be the first to admit it, but even this was ridiculous for me.

I strip my wet clothes and run to the kitchen screaming for Cooper to not drink the mess. Let me tell you... thank GOD my husband had a moment of weakness in Bed Bath & Beyond and bought the Sham-Wow! Those things are amazing. I've got 4 Sham-Wows laid out and soaking up my mess with Cooper looking on (I'm half naked by the way) when I hear a trickle. I look up to see Cooper looking right at me peeing right there on the carpet next to the mess of soda. Another Sham-Wow to the rescue and more yelling at Cooper. When it rains it pours... Pun intended!

About an hour later as I'm *trying* to relax and my fury is decreasing I hear from Aa. I tell him all about my night much to his amusement. As he's telling me how awesome Georgetown would be if he wasn't there for work I see a giant spider on the ceiling with legs like a supermodel. I HATE spiders but I decide to leave it be assuming he would have his log legs carry him right out the door being he's right about it. Off to be I go... Totally unrelaxed.

Cut to the following morning. I wake up groggy (hello! It's 5am, who's not groggy???) and prepare to shower. I turn on the water and go thru my pre-shower routine. I derobe to get in and as I pull back the curtain, who's there? Supermodel spider - I think I even heard him say "Good morning Mrs. Gooley, I heard your husband is out of town." I scream one of those noiseless screams as I wonder if I would draw much attention if I grabbed the dog and ran outside buck-ass naked. I proceed to run around in horror waking up Cooper (remember that saying, "Let sleeping dogs lie"... couldn't be truer for Cooper). With all of the bravery I could muster I killed the supermodel spider(granted it was with almost a whole roll of paper towel).

I wasn't right for the rest of the day. My nerves were shot and my patience tried. I couldn't wait for Aa to come home. Screw the mock bachelorette-hood... I NEED my husband!!!!!!!!!!

An Homage to Puttin Head

Friends are undoubtedly awesome, right? No need to answer... yes - friends are awesome. Today, my blog is about my awesome, a little left of center friend Shannon.

I'm certainly at a loss as to where to begin with this one, but I guess I'll start from the beginning and tell a brief version of Shannon's favorite story. The day we met (cue dream sequence music).............

Oneonta, NY Aug. 2000. The most exciting and nerve-wracking experience in a person's life is their first day away from home and at college. I fell into step day one when I walked into my room and there was Jackie... my roomie. She needed a lot of work but was quiet (little did I know) and sweet and easy to get along with. I knew there was a girl on my floor that I had met at orientation and I wanted to go find her. Turns out she wasn't there, but her roommate was... SHANNON!! The second Shannon saw me and Jackie she knew she'd be Okaaaaaaay (thumbs up!). From that day on, it was as if we'd all been friends for years. We instantly were comfortable talking about poop - which is ALWAYS a good sign - and knew one another would be there to hold back our hair when we were puking from drinking to much (OK, maybe not me so much with my aversion to vomit).

To me, Shannon was the be all end all of advice (and boy did I need a ton of it with the shitty ass boyfriend I had that year). She sounded like she knew what she was talking about and she used big words - it was all very comforting and accurate... what more did we all need? The years rolled on as few more people were added to our group of friends bringing us to Sophomore year. The most awesome year EVER! This year was actually a big blur to me because I think I was drunk 75% of the time... but pictures proved that we all had a blast. This was the year that we really "dressed up" to go out... we're talking black pants and sequin shirts!

Cut to Junior year. We're off campus and in our own (DISGUSTING) apartment. This is where I think who Shannon is really came into play. She's a slob... there's no denying it. However, she is kind enough to keep the slobbery to her own room. She never spent much time in her room blaming it on the fact that the room itself didn't have a window. Looking back, I'm thinking it was because her room was too messy because if we're being honest, the only two windows in the whole apartment were in my room and Jackie's room.

Either way, this was a very "growing" year for me and Shannon - 2 reasons... 1) We both were in relationships that would be very telling of our future and 2) the roommates were totally split down the middle. What did you expect with 4 girls living together. So it was me and Shannon against them. Being the so non-confrontational people that we were, we kind just laid low and thanked GOD that they didn't spend much time in the apartment. (Shannon.. do you remember when we were texting back and forth when they were talking shit about us right out in the kitchen?!?!? LOL!).

Senior year Shannon and I moved into our own amazing apartment together. We promptly painted the kitchen green (ew) and decided "Americana" was the way to go in the living room. If Shannon and I thought we knew each other before... forget it! Between our pooping and our every so convenient 24 hour stomach bug... it was all out on the table. We were approaching graduation and wondering what was about to happen to us after we left what turned out to be home. After our graduation ceremony, we pranced around Oneonta in our "Unemployed" tank tops we made thinking we were hysterical... but we actually were hysterical and unemployed. So what happened next???

Shannon moved to Long Island, initially for her boyfriend... but we all knew. She moved here to be close to me (LOL!). That was 5 years ago (holy shit!)... tallying up the total time of our relationship (because at this point it's more than a friendship even though I always told her that I could never be in a relationship with her... no way) to 9 glorious years. She's been a roommate, a friend, a maid of honor, my own personal basketcase... you name it.

I say basketcase because, and this is what inspired me to write this, Shannon is flying this weekend. Oh dear Lord, that's never a good thing. She's a nut about quite a few things (croch-up underwear being one of them) but when it comes to flying, I've never seen someone get so panicy (and I hate to fly) - I actually had to text her on my HONEYMOON that I landed safely... so she's not just a nervous flyer about herself but about the people she loves too (which also goes to show what kind of friend she is). She asks for some flying prayers (she even had her dad light a candle at church this past weekend)... so fork 'em over as she heads to Michigan to attend a bachelorette party weekend for another friend.

So to my friend Shannon - you're awesome... may you travel safely this weekend (and please take notes on what everyone was wearing!).

Strolling

What is wrong with this picture???



Kinda scary, no?
This is the kind of "chaos" I run into just on my leisurly walk to Penn Station to catch my train.
Never a dull moment.

Random

Here are just a few random thoughts I'm pondering today....

*I'm going back and forth between really enjoying my outfit and wondering what the hell I was thinking this morning.

*I have a halo of frizz atop my head. More gel would've been key this morning.

*This month is National Accordian Appreciation month. I leanred that on the community website for my apartment complex. Why did they include that in this month's activities.

*Rain rain go away, come again NEVER.

*I wish I were independantly wheathy. Wouldn't that be awesome?

*Referring back to my last blog... We actually have a costume party to go to in Oct. (Aa's goddaughters 1st birthday party). What should we go as (Jan & Dan would be awesome but no one would get it)????

*I'm currently obsessed with Cinamon Toast Crunch cereal.

*I desparately want a new couch. Preferably one that costs $1. They're hard to come by.

*I'm really looking foward to watching episode II of True Blood on the train ride home. However, there are tons of sex scenes ("Vamp Porn" as my friend Alicia puts it) and I worry that someone will see what I'm watching and think I'm gross for watching it on the train (honestly, it's a show based on a series of books about Vampires... it's totally innocent, save for the Vamp Porn).

*How does one of the woman I work with know so many people who speak German. She's speaking German on the phone alllll daaay looooong.

*I'm very excited that The Closer (on TNT) is back with a new season. I'm equally excited that Aa and I have found a new show to watch together (this rarely happens), Royal Pains on USA.

*Beer! (That one is for Shannon).

*There are so many movies coming out that I NEED TO SEE that I'm having trouble keeping track... My Sisters Keeper; Harry Potter; New Moon; The Hangover; Night At The Museum; The Proposal................

I think that's all for now... no, that's a lie, my head is always swimming.
Tcuss!!!! (That's "goodbye" in German)

Jan & Dan

**Warning, this particular entry may not be understood by non-family members. I apologize and you may consider yourselves lucky (ha!!).

Yesterday on our way home, my friend Shannon (**shout out!**) and I were having another meaningless and only-funny-to-us conversations. It started off about how much traffic sucks for her and how much my ride on the rails sucks for me. Since she is stuck in her car without the option to sleep, read, or play on a DS (all options I have available to me during my daily commute) I suggested to her books on tape. She laughs even though she knows I'm serious. And I was... completely and totally serious... and that is when it occurred to me......................................................

Ever since I was little they (being my family) always called me "Lil' Judy" (Judy being my aunt, my mom's older, wiser, and gorgeous sister who can bake the pants off anyone!). I never really understood why I was deemed little Judy. Was it because I looked like her (fair and blond)? Was it because I sounded like her? Was it because I acted like her? Perhaps all of these things attributed to the "Lil' Judy" status. But as soon as I made the suggestion to Shannon about the books on tape, I knew I was in fact "Lil' Judy".

Our love of books is not unusual. I think it's the fact that we would suggest books on tape to others (in fact, she had recommended I listen to books on tape during my commute just a few short weeks ago) and think it was a totally normal, not-nerdy thing to suggest. However, despite my great efforts to help a friend in need during a crap commute, I'm being laughed at. At that very moment an idea sprung into my head.....

I wondered if Aa could be Uncle Donald to my Aunt Judy... I thought Halloween... I thought family costume party... I thought "WE'D BE THE HIT OF THE COSTUME PARTY!". I'd just bought my very first pair of Crocs (albeit flippy-floppies... not the clogs, but thus thrusting my "Lil' Judy" status further into real life) so I already had that part of the costume down! Aa has the height... it would totally work and it would be HILARIOUS!!! Even when I brought the idea to Aa, he laughed and said it was a good one (surprising because he always kind of just nods and smiles to appease me). Anyone up for having a family Halloween party???

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. And because Aunt Judy and Uncle Donald have such a great sense of humor they would find them being someones Halloween costume hilarious. But despite poking fun in the most loving way, I'm proud to be coming into my own as "Lil' Judy"... so go get your books on tape and settle in for the long haul. And if you need help picking out a good one, I've got a ton of suggestions... and if I can't think of one, I'll go to my wise book-loving Aunt Judy!

Summer in the City

Since I started working in the city I've developed a love/hate relationship with it... I mostly hate it in the winter and I kinda like it (some days love it) in the summer. Here is a short list of reasons to give you some insight into summer in the city thru the eyes of a not-so-typical Long Island gal.

1) The aromas of the city streets are totally heightened in the summer making those roasted peanuts smell divine and the flowers that sit outside of the bodegas smell magnificent. HOWEVER, the subways smell wretched, and the smell of the garbage that sits on the streets permeates a little quicker with a longer lasting effect. One hones their breath-holding skills walking these streets. Not to mention the streets themselves radiate heat, so between heat coming at you from all sides and you holding your breath, you barely stand a chance.

2) The vendors are out in full force. You can get books, videos, sunglasses, bags (the pashminas are exclusive to the winter months unfortunately), perfumes, paintings and pictures... you name it, in the summer it can be bought on the street. HOWEVER, while these vendors supply an array of goodies at such a valued price, they are pushy and almost ALWAYS refuse to bargain. And these vendor tables are flooded with tourists (I won't even elaborate on that one, it deserves a spot on the list of it's very own). And of course, you always run the risk when buying a bag or the likes from a street vendor that you will run into 100 in 10 blocks who are wearing that same identical item (mom... must I remind you of the faux Burberry scarves???).

3) Bryant Park and the New York Public Library. OMGOSH! 2 of my favorite places in the city in the warm weather months... there is no denying it. It is the most perfect place to take a snack, grab your camera and people watch. The steps of the library are a great in-the-sun relaxation place and the little bistro tables in Bryant Park are perfect to catch a shady spot with a nice breeze. HOWEVER, right now, the library is under construction so everyone floods to the park making it even more crowded than normal and actually getting a seat impossible.

4) Believe it or not, the LIRR... specifically, my train home. Despite my recent move, I'm still taking the train home that I always have... the 5:09pm train to Speonk. Now that train remains my trusty (and quiet) stead Mon-Thurs. HOWEVER, come Fridays from Memorial Day thru Labor Day, all hell breaks loose. It becomes the 5:10pm train to Montauk <>. There is an upside and (of course) a downside to this. First, the train is exceedingly more crowded than usual. It is filled to the brim with 20-somethings (yes, I poo-poo my own generation) with their collars popped, their Chanel sunglasses at the ready, and their Louis Vuitton speedy bags packed full of raw carrots and cheese......... and they're screaming..... and their taking up the aisle with their multiple suitcases for 1 short weekend at the beach. And God help us all if they add some alcohol to all of the above. Ugh! I'm so happy I took off this coming Friday but I still have to survive every Friday there after until Labor Day.

5) The tourists. Gotta love 'em, but we mostly hate 'em. I love seeing a young family so excited about seeing this mecca we take for granted for the first time. And some of the photo ops I've seen are so creative it makes me wish I had my camera and the guts to say "hold it, I'd like a picture of you doing that too". HOWEVER, the 20-student tour groups from France with their yellow backpacks and wandering eyes... they can go. I don't necessarily mind that they're here, it's that they're here during rush hour staring at Macy's like it's the Goddamn Vatican. They are impossible to maneuver around because there's just so many of them and you can't say "excuse me!" because they don't speak English so they don't even know what you're saying. And they walk.... so.... slooooooooow!


With all that said, it's a city I love and a city I love to hate. What can I say, I guess I'm just a snobby, complainy, judgementaly girl from Lawn-guy-land after all.

Pet Peeve (1)

It's "I COULDN'T care less". Not "I COULD care less"... how does that make any sense. You detest/despise something or someone so much that you "could care less"? WRONG.

I have many pet peeves... this is one of them.

Outside Inside.... UPDATED!

UPDATE AT THE BOTTOM!

So, one of the best things about spring time and warm(ish) weather is sleeping with the windows wide open. You are able to air out the house (mainly the bedroom which reeks of sweat, farts, and sleep - yes, sleep has a smell... it's quite unpleasent) and turn off the "Sounds of Nature" cd that sooths you to sleep thru the winter (read: windows closed) months in exchage for the real thing.

So you can imagine my excitement when, not only the warm weather shows it's pretty face, but when we discovered the amazing breeze that we get in our new apartment. Comfortable sleep was on the horizon and I know that Aa. was just as excited as I was.

The first 2 weeks were sleepless for several reasons... new/unfamiliar place, weird setup, whacked out schedule, Cooper's unease (please refer to a specific blog from last week regarding this very topic). I walked around looking like poo... sleep deprived poo. I knew it could only get better from here.

Week 3 was starting to get good. Sleep was coming with ease and we were actually looking forward to getting ito bed in our new home. Cooper was calming down and it was starting to feel less like a really long visit at someone else's house and more like my own home. I still looked like poo, but just a little more like well-rested poo.

We're now in week 4... HELL! In recent years I've stopped sleeping thru the night. I always get up at least once to pee or take Cooper out. No big deal because I can always fall right back to sleep. Monday night I woke up (as per usual) and as I settled back in to continue my REM where I left off I hear this awful crying noise coupled with the sound cats killing each other. It was bizzare to say the least but only lasted about 10 minutes... off to sleep I went.

Then last night (Tuesday) as Aa. and I were getting into bed we hear this familiar noise again, but this time it sounds like a newborn baby screaming. I didn't think anything of it and casually mentioned that there were cats going at it the night before and it sounded like that.... off to bed we go. 4am... the sound is deafening... even Cooper wakes up from it (Aa? fast asleep he was... lucky bastid). I get up to look out the window to of course see nothing. But the noise! OMG! It sounded like crying babies, cats being tourtured and killed, and cats running into each other at full speed. This went on for 40 mins. Every time it would stop, I would smile and think "sleeeeep"... but nope, it would just start up again. What pisses me off about this whole situation is that I get up at 5am and at this time of night/morning every little minute counts and these damn cats are cutting into my precious sleep time. At one point I here someone open up a door/window and say "shhh, go away"... like that is really going to help... although at this point I don't know that I would have had a better plan of action.

I think I'll wait until tonight to see if these noises happen again and then I'll have to take action (read: call animal control).

I swear, the winter months of a closed up, smelly room are really looking good about now.

UPDATE:
Turns out, after doing some asking around and a little research on my own, the sounds I'm hearing are that of cats bumping uglies... doing the grown-up... MATING!! I think I'll definitely call animal control now because I know how risky it is for animals not to be spayed and neutered. And I'm a lazy animal lover... definitely not the type to spend my time doing some TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release).

Green...

Nope, not the environmental kind... the envious kind.

Working in the city during spring time lends itself to serious outfit envy. It's a condition that involves tons of obvious staring and head-to-toe body once-overs and in some cases a little bit of drool.

I assume that everyone who looks impeccably dressed and accessorized must live in the city.. what Long Islander has time to get up each and every morning to style their hair, try out new makeup, wear heels out the door and make it look good even after being slumped over and asleep for the hour and a half train ride in? I swear, 5 days out of the month (yes, I said month, not week) I put forth the effort but it's the train ride that kills it all.

This condition only occurs in the warm weather seasons due to the fact that no one is wearing a jacket so every open sidewalk is a runway... walking down 34th street at 7:30am is one big fashion show and I'm just a schlumpy bystander.

It is fun though to sit on the sides and watch all of the beautiful people walk by... just be prepared with a good pair of sunglasses to avoid any noticable staring. I've suffered from this condition for a few years now, so I may be schlumpy but I'm seasoned and always prepared.

Lunch Call

Am I the only one who, Monday thru Friday, stresses about what they're going to have for lunch the second they are done with breakfast??? I don't eat for sustenance or nutrition or to, ya know, stay alive... I eat for pure satisfaction so I don't want to have an unsatisfying, last-minute-decision kind of lunch. I think I have a problem.

I think I have 2 problems... 1) I stress about meals... 2) I actually just blogged about stressing about meals.

I think I need a snack..........

Weekend? What weekend?

Busy busy busy!

I love having stuff to do over the weekend, but this was OVERKILL! Saturday consisted of TONS of running around mixed in with really poor timing. For some unknown reason (coughcoughCOOPERcoughcough) I was up at the ungodly hour of 6am on Saturday. Instead of going back to bed, I figured I would take advantage of the quiet to snuggle up and finally watch and be completely consumed by the 2 hour season finale of Grey's Anatomy that I had DVR'd on Thursday. After Grey's was over, I was now not only tired from being up so early after having gone to bed pretty late the night before, but I was exhausted from crying for almost 2 hours straight... I FRIGGIN LOVE THAT SHOW!!!! So off to bed I went until about 10-ish. I got up again, puttered around, found the shower, and was ready to get out the door to begin all of my errands.... Aa was still sound asleep.

I was so excited for the majority of these errands because they involved picking up stuff for the apt. I got most of what was on my list, making a mental note as I was leaving Wal-Mart to head over to Target to finish up. But on my way, the things I needed at Target fell out of my head and I forgot why I even needed to go to Target so I headed home instead... FAIL. Once I got home from that trip, we unpacked all the crap I bought, ate a little something, Aa ran out for some of his errands, I vaccumed and dusted, Aa came back and I figured since I have about 2 hours before our friends came over it would be a good time to head out for a major grocery shop. WRONG. When I got back I had barely stuff the last of the groceries in their appropriate places before the bell rang.... FRIENDS!

It was a good night... about 2 bottles of wine killed (it was a slow night), tons of gossip spewed, our wireless internet hooked up (Ant's a genius), wedding stories shared, and a little bit of old school Mario Brothers played. Everyone was gone by about 12:30 and that's when I relized I haven't even ironed clothes for us to wear to my sister's graudation the following day. There I am, ironing at 1am while the dog is going crazy due to some crazy thunderstorms and hubs is passed out on the couch (lucky!).

The next day, we were up and out by 8:15 to be at my parents house to caravan over to her graduation. We were exhausted but were excited to see and spend time with family and to see my sister graduate. During the graduation my cousin began writing notes to my sister (the graduate). They went a little something like this...

Dear Kerry,
Your graduation is long and boring. Yelling and screaming was imbaressing and fun. It was boring because my DS went red and didn't work long. Congratulations.

Dear Kerry,
I want to go to college because I don't want to go to school everyday. You might not understand.

I took pictures of said notes, but because I'm lazy, I have yet to upload them... maybe tonight. After the graduation we headed to brunch where we all stuffed our faces true to our family tradition... what can I say, we're eaters. After brunch it was back to my parents house to eat some more... ahhh, eating! While at my parents house, the kids put on High School Musical 3. I'm not ashamed to admit that I LOVE this movie... today, all of the songs are stuck in my head... I'm not mad.

We headed home around dinner time to get settled, feed the hound, and get ready for a new week (boo!). I proceeded to fall asleep around 8:00 missing the whole episode of the Simpsons (boo!). I woke up, had a Bagelful (yum!) got ready for bed and promptly fell asleep missing the whole episode of Family Guy (boo!). But, thank God Aa DVRs these... because in case I wake up next Saturday at 6am at least I'll have something to do!

Amateur

I've always loved to take pictures. Right before the wedding, I bought myself an awesome camera... the Nikon D60 **droooool**.

Once I got the camera, I was taking pictures of EVERYTHING. I'm not great, but I'm learning. My friend's sister, who also is getting into picture-taking sent me a link to a great (FREE) online photography class >>> http://www.michaelthementor.com/

It's really basic, but he gives good tips on how to take a great picture.

Wanna see some of my work????

One of the worst feelings in the world...

Just when I start to think I'm well-rested (is there even such a thing) and recovered from Wed. night.... there I go starting to feel my eyelids becoming heavy and my mind begin to wander. I HATE THAT! It brings me back to high school and college classes when you HAD to stay awake - there was no cube to hide your brief power nap from other students and a teacher's watchful gaze. It's an almost painful feeling.... no, I stand corrected. It's not *almost* painful... it IS painful. I'm counting down the hours until I can settle into my seat on the train, cleverly taking up the seat next to me with my bag so that another commuter can't sit down rest their weary eyes, and let the motion of the train lull me to sleep like an infant.

Switching gears... I have the worst self-restraint. And right now, I'm doing all that I can to keep myself from reading blogs and spoilers about last night's Grey's Anatomy. IT'S KILLING ME (that and the agonizing effort it is taking to keep my eyes open). Thank God for DVR!

More later.....

The cheap Pottery Barn.

Who doesn't love Pottery Barn? Even when you have a fully decorated house, it's fun to browse and daydream while on the Pottery Barn website or when leafing thru their catalog. Well, as someone who is decorating a new space, I'm addicting to Pottery Barn. What I'm NOT addicted to are their prices. They've got to be kidding me with the balls they have to price some of the stuff the way they do... don't they know I'm broke?!!?

Anyway, a friend of mine clued me in on a little secret. JC Penny furniture and knick-knacks are like a cheaper version of Pottery Barn!!! What prompted this little tid-bit was my search for lamps ("I LOVE LAMP"). We are in desparate need of some artificial lighting in the apartment. And as luck has it, all of the lamps we have are mismatching... not a pair to be found.

When I asked said friend what she thought of a certain style lamp, she gave her opinion and pointed me in the direction of JC Penny. And wouldn't you know... there was the lamp I was looking for!!!!

Let me state my case.....


This is the Glass Candlestick Lamp from PB for $129. http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p11876/index.cfm?pkey=ctable%2Dbedside%2Dlamps


This is the Briana Glass Table Lamp for $139. http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p12924/index.cfm?pkey=ctable%2Dbedside%2Dlamps



These are the Bancroft Crystal Lamps that go for $179.00 - $229.00.
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p12153/index.cfm?pkey=ctable%2Dbedside%2Dlamps


I found this lamp... Crystal Ball Table Lamp by Studio for $79 at JCP!!!
http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?DeptID=57088&CatID=58220&GrpTyp=PRD&ItemID=1580cde&attrtype=&attrvalue=&CMID=57088%7c57325&Fltr=&Srt=&QL=F&IND=14&cmVirtualCat=&CmCatId=570885732558220



After comparing and contrasting the two websites and what they sell, JCP definitely has, for lack of a better term, tons of PB knock-offs for much better prices and the customer reviews are really positive.

Now I just have to convice Aa. that these lamps would look great in our living room!!!

Don't let this face fool you!

Don't be fooled by this innocent looking face. He may look sweet and cuddley and adorable but he WILL keep you up all hours of the night like a screaming newborn.

Welcome to my night last night. Cooper... I love you bubby, but I swear, mommy was about ready to toss you out the window.

Before I get into last night, lets cut to Tuesday night... return of the "bumpies". Cooper has a plethora of health issues (old news to anyone who knows about us and Cooper, so I'll leave it at that). The latest has been crazy looking hives ("bumpies") that cover his handsome face... it has caused multiple trips to the ER Vet ($$$$$). After the last visit, where he looked like this...

...We were told by the very nice (and flaboinantly gay) Dr. told us to give him a half tab of Benadryl every 6 hours for 3 days. It works! Crisis averted until next time. Next time being this past Tuesday, I get a frantic phone call from Aa. that the bumpies are back and that we've begun the Benadryl. (*Sidenote, what's great about Benadryl and a hyper dog... he passes out! I used this trick the night before my wedding to ensure a peaceful night's sleep for both me and the hound). Again, success!

Wednesday night.. same thing... BUMPIES! Well, we give him the Benadryl and he settles down for a cozy night in bed with mom and ANTM and L&O SVU... until he hears Aa. refilling his tupperwear container with food... he's up..... FOR THE REST OF THE NIGHT!!! We had to give him another does of Benadryl at 11:30 so we set the alarm in case we fell asleep (which we did). Alarm goes off, I'm up and giving Cooper his Nutri-Cal laced with Benadryl (Nutri-Cal is a gross gel supplement for dogs... he loves it and it makes giving him pills that much easier). I get back into bed anticpating him passing out within 20 mins but it never happens. He's up, he's walking around, he's barking, he's scratching at the door... finally at 2:30am I've reached my limit. I let him out of the bedroom, take him out, bring him back in where he proceeds to run around like a crazy man and starts barking at the sliding glass door... me? I start to cry. I'm EXHAUSTED! And I have to wake up in 2 and a half hours. I can't for the life of me figure out why the Benadryl isn't making him sleepy. I finally come to terms with the fact that my husband is dead to the world and no help to me, my dog is an ass, and I'm a crying lunatic who needs sleep. I usher Cooper back to the bedroom where he licks, plays, runs, jumps and finally falls alseep somewhere in the bedroom.

When I wake up at the ass-crack of dawn to get ready for the day I look down to see that stupid little pink pill on the carpet. Cooper was onto us... he didn't care that he had bumpies all over his gorgeous face - he refused to be drugged so he somehow bypassed the pill that was mixed with the Nutri-Cal and enjoyed a drug free midnight snack.

So... now here I am, puffy-eyed, pounding head, walking zombie while my precious little puppy is sleeping off the night's activites on his comfy cozy bed in the kitchen. Cooper -1... Kim - 0.

Oooooh the outfits!

Spring is here. You know what that means... BUSY WEEKENDS!!!! I always have tons of momentum in the beginning of spring and summer to go to every event we're invited too. Aside from grilled meats, Corona with lime (and other yummy alcoholic beverages), hanging out with friends outside until all hours of the night, one of the best things about these busy weekends are the OUTFITS!!!!

So here's a line-up of what I'll be wearing in the coming weeks...

This weekend is my sister's graduation. She's graduating with her masters and we're all super pumped (me?.. pumped for her and pumped that I get to showcase a cute new dress.).

From the Gap, I will be wearing this dress. Now the color I have is different... it's navy blue with white pencil-thin drawings of flowers.

I was thinking of pairing the dress with these DKNY gladiator style shoes... we'll see though, I'll have to give it a test run.

Next up we have our very good friend's daughter's Christening on Memorial Day weekend. Aa. is the godfather and we're so happy!

Got this dress at Macy's and I LOVE IT! I has a Jackson Pollack look to the print and it's very springy and flattering.

I'll probably pair it with patent leather Nine West peep-toe wedges that have this awesome buckle and ankel strap. I got them last summer so I doubt they're anywhere to be found online anymore... just use your imagination.

We also have a wedding coming up in the beginning of June. I love weddings and I love getting dressed up for them. I have TONS of dresses but I always feel the need to get a new one for every wedding we attend (and there have been lots... hence the TONS of dresses).

This is the one I got...

It's from Newport News, which is an AWESOME place to go if your looking for something quick, easy and cheap!

I'll pair it with some gold shoes and accessories and I'll be good to go. I will probably repeat this dress for a wedding we have the day after Thanksgiving because of the fall colors.

Now... onto the next events outfit... TBD!

PAINT!!!!!!!

So... we moved into our new place this past weekend (remember, PTSD?). A new beginning with my new husband and our furbaby (Cooper).

The new apartment comes newly carpeted, fresh white walls, and a brand spankin new kitchen. It's a totally blank canvas... where to begin???

PAINT! When we first decided we were moving I started to research paint colors. I knew that our living room and bedroom were south facing which means TONS of great sunlight so I knew I could go a little darker on the paint in those rooms. And so I did....

Smokey Blue (Behr) for the bedroom. In person it's actually much bluer than this.

Stone Brown (Behr) for the living room. I describe it as coffee... light and sweet.

So far those are the only two rooms I've painted (OK... I'm totally taking credit for work that we actually hired someone to do... shame on me). I'll eventually get to the kitchen at some point.

Now, unlike my mother, I went onto the Behr website (http://www.behr.com/Behr/home#) and looked at colors that caught my eye - colors picked in less than a day. My mother on the other hand will hem and haw over colors for up to two weeks (or more if necessary). She will buy samples, paint swatches, invite strangers over to get their opinions on what color to paint a room. When I told her my process, she nearly fainted.

Furniture next!

New marriage... New apartment (aka... new project!)

So, Aa. (the hubs) and I have moved. We left the place where we became parents (to a dog)... the place where we got engaged... the place where we fought about having a harpist at our wedding cermony... <> the memories..........

We had lived at 1514 1st St. for 4 years. And as you can see from above, a lot has happened while we lived there. Friends got married, friends had babies, friends bought houses.... The decision to move was not an easy one despite the fact that we were busting at the seams in our tiny 1 bedroom. We had become incredibly close with our amazing landlord and we were super comfortable where we were... but it was time. It SUCKED to not be able to afford a house, but something had to be done.

We found a great 2 bedroom apartment in a complex that we loved. It was further out east from where we were (aka... longer commute!) but it was really close to my parents and almost all of our friends. The only problem was, the price was NOT right. So we walked away... Not even a week later the leasing agent we met with called up Aa. to let us know that the price had dropped on the apartment we were interested in. How could we pass up the opportunity?! We were MOVING!!!

That was 3 weeks ago. This past weekend we made the big move... I'm traumatized. From packing to unpacking and everything in between... I swear I have PTSD.

So now... we settle in and make this extra large apartment home. I will post more about all of my decorating ideas (and there are a TON) and schemeing ways of getting what I want vs. the hubs getting what he wants.

You're WHAT?!?

Blogging? Kim?

Yes, that's right, I've started blogging. I've been inspired by so many new blogs (new to me that is) that I thought I should go ahead and start documenting (coughcoughBLOGGINGcoughcough) my day-to-day. <>.... Also, I needed something to do at work since the wedding planning is O.V.E.R.

So enjoy... comment (please)... and keep coming back for updates.