HAPPY NEW YEAR- 2009 !!!

I am so glad 2008 is over- it was seriously the worst year I've had yet! Sure, there were some highlights, namely the new additions to the family and friends and engagements to celebrate but as far as my personal well-being goes...2008 blew!
I am looking forward to 2009 bringing better health, luck and financial stability.
We were very happy to bring in the New Year with some wonderful friends. Brittani and Raymond had us over to their beautiful new home in the historical district of Boston Edison in Detroit. They're home was originally built for the Segals, a famous textile family from early in the 19th century. There home is amazing ! Built in 1915 and 7,500 square feet their home is a nostalgic and historical dream! Everywhere you look are remnants of the 1920's; ceramic ceiling decor, foot high crown moldings, 12 foot ceilings and marble fireplaces. It was truly the perfect setting for a New Years party!
The front of the home

The huge Christmas tree in the parlor in the front of the home

The festivities began with a Mexican Fiesta dinner; fajitas, enchiladas, nachos, Mexican rice, margaritas and more...everything was delish ! Brittani and Raymond took great care in making sure I had gluten-free options available, which I greatly appreciated! Then Raymond took us all on a tour of the home, the home is pretty large so this took awhile...but learning all about how "the rich" lived back in the early 1900's was fascinating. Then of course, Brandon broke out the guitar hero and Lori showed us her skills. The night continued with champagne, festive shots, dancing in the foyer and some card games. A wonderful and memorable New Years!

The girls and I having a laugh before the ball drops...and before the drinking continues....
(Brittani, Me and Lori)

Christmas' last hoorah...

This Christmas the budget was very limited, but I still managed to get (and give) some pretty cool stuff. My mother spoiled Fred and I, as usual- the perks of being an only child I guess : )
She gave Fred "Metallica" tickets for their concert coming in January and she bought be the speedlite I've been wanting for my DSLR, the Canon Speedlite 430ex.Saturday afternoon I had lunch with some girlfriends and got to see Michelle who was in town from Delaware. I love this girl! She was the first of the LTU girls I really "clicked" with, and boy I wish she still lived in Michigan. But even from afar she manages to still be an awesome friend... (Me, Brittani, Michelle, Caleb, Rachel, Lori and Melanie)
Saturday evening we had some friends over to celebrate Christmas. Jake and Carrie were in town from Chicago and we ended up with about 20 people! Unfortunately my leg was hurting so I didnt get to enjoy the fun as much as I normally might- but it was good to see everyone just the same...The kids acting silly on the stairway (taken with my P&S...feeling too icky to pull out the "fancy" camera...clockwise from left: Maverick, Emma, Quinn and Electra)

Our good friend Barb was over and thoughtfully bought us this Gluten-Free Gourmet Cookbook.

And of course with some gift cards and exchange money from Fred's mothers' gifts I was able to buy myself an outfit and cute purse. I got some awesome deals! Everything was 50% off !

Sweater from MaxRave- $7.50

Levi Strauss low-rise, boot-cut jeans $19.99

Jackyln Smith purse in Olive- $10.00
And eventhough Fred and I swore not to get each other gifts, he did buy me Season One of my favorite show, "House." And I bought him a bottle of his favorite cologne, Drakkar. I guess we just couldn't help ourselves...

My friend Genevieve, who I went to WSU with just had her baby December 7th. Adorable Sophia Camille- congratulations Genevieve and Steven!!!...I told you you'd have a girl ; )

Quote of the day: "Life is a series of rooms and who we are stuck in those rooms with decides what our life is all about."
Bitch of the day: MY FREAKIN' BODY! I feel like an 80 year old today!

Christmas 3 & 4

So our Christmas continues with Christmas Eve over my mother's with her side of the family and Christmas Day with Fred's family at his sister's house. It was nice being able to spend some time with my cousins, uncle, aunt and baby Amelie, she is getting so big and chubby so fast! I can't believe how much she's changed since last time I saw her! And of course there are new babies on Fred's side as well- so many new babies this year in the families! Ethan and Ashley are the newest additions on Fred's side. We had a ton of fun at his sisters, but with seven little ones running/crawling around we were happy to get back home where its quiet LOL!!!
Six month old Ethan, he's already trying to walk !!! And just about the sweetest lil' guy!!!


Little nine month old Ashley, so tiny...but very cute and sweet.

The coolest two year old around, my girl Gentry.

I've been realizing this year how very lucky I am to have such awesome in-laws. Fred's family is so caring, loving, accepting and supportive of me. His family has been more supportive, in many instances, than some members of my own family. I guess family comes in all shapes and sizes and its not always blood that bonds...its love.

Quote of the day: "Never underestimate the ability of a small group of people to change the world, for they are the only ones who ever have."

Bitch of the day: PMS. Such a horrible, horrible thing to have to put up with every single month...I swear I feel like throwing up, crying, killing someone and sleeping all at the same time!

Christmas 1 & 2

Every year my husband and I attend at least four or five Christmas parties for our families, we have my Dad's side, my Mom's side, my Step-Dad's side, my Husbands side and sometimes a Christmas party with some of our friends... it is great to see everyone...but sometimes it can be exhausting trying to cram it all in...lol!
Last weekend was Christmas #1 with my Dad's family (Saturday), this year we had the first Christmas party ever at our place! It was fun, a lot of preparation and clean-up, but everyone seemed to have a very good time! Unfortunately my father couldn't make it, he was in too much pain...maybe next year Dad...
Me and my favorite Elf, Alicia

The boys of the family
(and yes my cousin's shirt says: "Half Man, Half Horse"...sigh...)

And then we enjoyed Christmas #2 at my Step-Father's brothers house (Sunday). At the party I got to catch up with some of the family and take pictures of the newest additions, Zaren and Emily.

Quote of the day: There's nothing that can help you understand your beliefs more than trying to explain them to an inquisitive child.
~Frank A. Clark
The most hilarious thing I have heard in awhile, my husband text messages me to tell me that our friends daugther Emma (who is four) had decided on names for her new baby brother or sister due in June. If its a girl she wants to name her new sister, Sunshine Rainbow...and if its a boy...Hampster.

Bitch of the day: SNOW. 'Nuff said.

Holiday Nights @ Greenfield Village

The hubby and I visited Greenfield Village last night with my mom and Craig for the opening weekend of 'Holiday Nights.' We browsed through the old homes, had fun in the snow, and looked around in the old shops. I love how all of the homes in Greenfield Village are so much smaller...smaller doorways, smaller beds, lower cabinets- I feel like they're made for my size!

The Ford Model T

Mom and Craig all bundled up

Playing snow bunny

Good times with a great friend!

Fore Lakes Golf Club- Kimbal, Michigan

Last night I joined my friend Courtney at her employer's holiday party. It was a lot of fun! The event was hosted by Fore Lakes Golf Club in Kimball, Michigan- I had been there before for Gail and Tristan's wedding last year. We drank, ate, danced and, if I do say so myself, were the life of the party! That tends to happen when we get together....
We also had some interesting "high school" moments in the bathroom stall that left us giggling ridiculously...LOL!
We both forgot our cameras so I don't have any pictures, but we made some awesome memories.

Quote of the night: "These God damn pantyhose, roll-free my ass!" ~Miss Courtney
Bitch of the night: When men twice your age feel its appropriate to openly stare at your boobs while talking to you- get a life pervert!

My friend Courtney and I met while pursuing our bachelor degrees in Psychology at Oakland University. We hit it off almost from the start being the only two students actually answering questions in class! Soon we were running the research labs in Pryale Hall and while we secretly think many of the students hated us, we didn't care. And after all most of them came to us for help with their assignments! We've been tight ever since- helping each other through our Master of Social Work degrees and life's ups and downs- she truly is one of the friends I am most grateful to have in my life. She is smart, funny, beautiful, honest, extremely down to earth and fun! She tells ya like it is, but in a way that is not judgmental or hurtful. She was born to help people and I admire her ability to do so with class and tact...a trait I feel so many are lacking these days...

Courtney and I this past August celebrating her birthday
Courtney and I on my wedding day-October 2007

'Tis the Season

HO, HO, HO!!!

Sooooo, yeah this blogging thing- addictive! Anyway this weekend after some much needed time with friends and family, the hubby and I decided to put up our Christmas tree. I love our tree, its cheap but cute and the perfact size for our condo.
I love all of our oranments, some are just cheap ones we picked up last year, but most of them have some type of meaning to one or both of us.

There are many things I would like for Christmas, namely the diamond right hand ring, Canon 50mm and Tamron 18-200mm lenses I've been drooling over...I already know my mom is getting me the Canon 430ex speedlite for my camera...but things are tight right now and the last thing we have money for are luxaries...so Fred and I have decided to not buy each other gifts this year and instead we plan to have "date nights" where we spend quality time together and do fun things.

This Saturday we plan to attend 'Holiday Nights' in Greenfield Village with my mom and Craig (the tickets are an early gift from my mother) and maybe take a carriage ride and cozy up near the bonfire.

"As visitors enter the village this month, it may seem as though the Dearborn tourist attraction has fallen into a time warp thanks to "Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village."They'll stroll along the lantern-lit paths of a bygone era, past historic homes decorated in the holiday styles of long ago. Carolers walk the streets in harmony and old-world storytellers tell Christmas stories alongside bonfires while roasting fresh s'mores as revelers warm their stomachs and mittened hands. The scent of cinnamon and freshly-roasted nuts wafts through the brisk winter air as a horse-drawn carriage whooshes by with passengers singing carols."

Bitch of the day:
People who rush through traffic during afternoon grid lock, just so they can get in the left lane that is not going any damn faster than the other two lanes they just crossed, driving like an asshole will not part traffic like the Red Sea, Moron!

Quote of the day:
"If I get a Weight Watchers gift card for Christmas you'r gonna be pulling back a nub."
~Kyra "Mojo in the Morning"