Happy New Year!

I feel like I should blog something deep and insightful today due to the fact that another year has passed and we are about to begin 2008. The problem is, I have been working like a maniac today so I can leave work early and head over to Boca so my brain is a little fried. No deep thoughts coming from me this afternoon, I'll have to save that post for later in the week. For now, we're off to Boca Raton to start the night at Galuppi's (the restaurant "The One"'s family owns) for dinner and drinks. Who knows where we'll head after that but I know it will be fun! I have a new dress to wear (yeah for new clothes!) and although I'd love to play paparazzi with my new camera tonight, I'll probably leave it tucked away to make sure it stays safe :(

One more thing, my fantastic mother has started her blog and I already love it! Anyone who knows her knows that she radiates happiness and positive energy and her blog looks like it will be no different!

Happy New Year! I promise I'll be back to blogging away regularly as soon as my schedule returns to its normal insane pace. Love to you all in the blogosphere!

P.S. TV Gold - I'm not a ditcher, you know I love ya.

Christmas in Review

Well, here are some of my pictures from Christmas. I was working on getting the exposures right and learning all of the buttons on the camera so the framing of isn't great but it's a work in progress ...








My grandmother and her twin sister


Lou Lou is my great grandmother

Rambling

I can't believe I took such a long break from blogging! It's been a full week and I must say that it's been nice. Not because I was tired of blogging but more that my mind and body needed a break. Last Friday we left town and went up to my mom & dad's for Christmas. After spending the last several weeks organizing and executing the holiday program for the organization I work for, I was seriously tired. It was a great experience though - it gave me a unique perspective on the holidays and made me feel infinitely blessed. I have felt this way after Christmas for the past few years and it's wonderful! Some people feel stressed by the holidays but not me. This year I was reminded again how blessed I am to have such an amazing family. I am also blessed with so many other things in life, but instead of continuing to gush I will share some other highlights from the past week.

We played "Catch Phrase" on Christmas day with about 20 people at my cousin's house. That was one loud, crazy, happy circle of people. Some of the best clues of the day: "A small dime!" (my sister trying to describe a nickel), "A sniffer" (my sister yelled "pants sniffer!", the word was trout ... it's a long story) You had to be there, it was hilarious.

My great-grandmother who is 101 years old told us she was "getting old" as if this was a new development. She's been old for 30 years!

I met Planner Chick for breakfast at a little country restaurant (and I mean, it was country!!) last Saturday. It was great to catch up! I also met Sassy Chick and her family, it was so much fun to meet people I feel like I already know from blogging! I wanted to ask her son how he was feeling about his "new" shorts these days but thought he probably would not appreciate that. I wish I could have seen all of the chicks but I send my love! You guys are lucky to have each other.

My brother and his girlfriend (The One) came back with us and were here until this morning. I hope he gets a job somewhere close by, I would love to have them in the same city.

We're going to Boca for New Year's Eve!

Best of all ... I am learning how to use my camera and it's so much fun! Now that I'm past being scared of it I am addicted. I went to the museum with The One yesterday and almost fell over because I was too busy looking through the viewfinder to actually pay attention to walking. Here are a couple of pics from yesterday, I'll post Christmas pictures later tonight.

Marriage Material

Tonight we went to a fab Christmas party at our friend's house. We arrived and mingled a bit when I noticed a girl dressed like an elf coming down the hall from another part of the house. This was not your typical elf, she looked like she was part of an entourage from my HalloWhoCares post of gals in revealing costumes. She was wearing thigh-high striped tights and the elf skirt barely covered her butt. The couple hosting the party is very classy so I was a bit startled because I thought she was a cocktail waitress. While I was trying to make sense of it and not stare at her as she walked across the room I realized she was not a waitress but a guest of the party who quickly joined the conversation I was in by asking, "Does anyone know of any guys in this town that are marriage material?" I almost spit out my "Winter White" cosmopolitan.

The Re-gift

I thought everyone participated in re-gifting ... apparently not. I was talking to someone the other day and they acted horrified when I said I had re-gifted something. I know what you're thinking, those of you who know me outside the blogging world and have given me a gift are wondering if I have given it away. Don't worry, it's not something I do often and especially not with gifts that are specifically purchased with me in mind. I'm talking about the random candle or ornament. I don't think there's anything wrong with re-gifting something generic like that. If you honestly don't want it and you know someone else will enjoy it there's no harm done. I had a friend who would not return or exchange anything she received as a wedding gift just in case that person ever came to her house and asked to see it. Not me, I'm not one to hold on to things I don't think I'll use. This whole thing has been prompted by the fact that I've been participating in Secret Santa this week at work. I'm new to this job and the Secret Santa here is pretty crazy - you give a gift every day! Now instead of giving a random Twix bar on day one, don't you think it's nicer to give someone a giant Cinnamon Yankee Candle? It doesn't matter if our bookkeeper gave it to us, she will never know that we didn't burn it and the person who I gave it to thinks her Secret Santa rocks! I bought her personalized gifts for the rest of the week so I don't think re-gifting is in poor taste but honestly, what do you think?

I think I'll lay down right here

I am a fainter. That's right, I faint when anything remotely traumatic happens to me or even around me. I have fainted after having something as simple as blood drawn and if you ever get hurt don't come running to me - I'll fall right over. This afternoon I had an appointment at the dermatologist's office. Nothing involved but after fainting a few times at several different offices (causing great alarm to all of the staff) I have learned to warn every doctor about my "condition." This particular doctor knows all too well because she had to use the smelling salts on me during my very first visit. After I saw the doctor and she made sure I was okay, I went to the front to make my next appointment. I was talking to the receptionist when I felt it coming on. I simply said "I think I'm going to faint" and sunk down behind the counter. She kept asking if I wanted to go into an exam room but when she didn't understand was that I was literally on the edge of losing consciousness. After laying on the floor in the middle of the hallway for a few minutes I finally made it into a chair and after cookies, ice packs and much drama I was finally allowed to leave. It's such an embarrassing problem to have because I actually have a pretty good tolerance for pain but I can faint over just thinking about someone else getting a shot. I don't know what triggers it. Oh well, at least I have learned the signs and I made it to the floor before falling over. If you've ever fainted you know how traumatic it is waking up not knowing where you are or what's happening. Tonight was an improvement over past incidents. I wish I would have had a camera to get the look on the receptionist's face when I said "I think I'll lay down right here."

Speaking of cameras - my new one is so intimidating. I haven't posted any pictures yet because I am still trying to figure out how to use all of the features. I feel like a dummy when I start messing with it. Photochick - I wish you lived here so I could some quick tips ... I'm afraid to ask any of the local pros (including my aunt) because they'll probably think an amateur like me does not deserve such a fab camera. I'm such an overachiever, I feel like I have to immediately have to be an expert.

I'll pay extra

This morning I visited a discount store that everyone knows and seems to share my distaste for, Wal-Mart. Ughh! I haven't been to a local Wal-Mart in over a year but time does make you forget ... I went in thinking I'd score a few deals on some toys I needed to buy for my nieces & nephews. Well, I might have gotten a couple of deals but honestly, next time I'll just pay extra. It was crowded with rude and annoying people. I could go on and on but I won't. Most of you probably already know anyway. It was as painful as getting poked in the eye with a pencil for 30 minutes. Seriously. I visited Target later this afternoon just to get back to a happy place with my shopping experiences.

All in all, I had an extremely productive day. It's kind of scary! For the first time since I started my new job I feel like things are under control. I'm done with my Christmas shopping, packages are wrapped, cards are stamped, house is clean, we have groceries ... is this a dream? If so, I'd like to sleep a little bit longer please :)

And now, presenting another 12 days of Christmas photo from my childhood ... no big story behind this one, just little me finding the lighted reindeer at my great aunt's house delightful. I think she still has the pair of these in her front yard every year (I don't think they look old though so maybe she bought identical replacements).

Puttin on the Ritz

This afternoon my fabulous friend (TV Gold) invited a few of her girlfriends to high tea at the Ritz-Carlton. This was her Christmas gift to us. FABULOUS!! The decorations were up and everything was beautiful, right down to the gingerbread village. There was also live music, a harpist, flutist and a violin. It was so much fun. The menu included finger sandwiches, petit fours, tasty teas and lots of other delicious bites. Our friend Amy announced that she's pregnant and we toasted with champagne. It was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon and one of the best gifts I've ever received from a friend. An experience is so much better than a material object (except I did get TV Gold a present she's gonna love!) I am so fortunate to have so many great friends, makes me feel all warm and fuzzy ...

Miss Manners

On the 6th day of Christmas ... I had good table manners! A few weeks ago, I posted about "the grown-up table" and then I came across this picture. I think I was about 4 years old in this one(?) We were obviously not at the grown-up table but I thought this was funny. We are at a mini table with paper cups but they still gave us Christmas china plates and cloth napkins which we had on our laps no less! No doubt my grandmother had a hand in this. No wonder I am such a stickler for good table manners, they started working on us early!

"It's okay, you don't have to die now"

On the 7th day of Christmas Santa brought to me ... a fabulous faux fur coat. The look on my face says it all, I think I am hot stuff in that coat! Prior to getting this I had asked my grandmother if I could have her fur coat when she died. Apparently after receiving this on Christmas day I said "It's okay, you don't have to die now. I got my own."

I also have a fashion doll hair styling salon at my feet. What more could a girl ask for?

Dear Sister

Dear Sister,

Today you are feeling discouraged and I am writing to tell you to keep smiling. You are an amazing young woman and I am so proud of you. From the moment you arrived on this earth you have been loved and cherished more than you'll ever know. I am so proud of the person you've become and although you are feeling the pressure of life this week, press on. I believe in you and God's plan will reveal itself very soon. I understand on a small level what parents say when they say they wish they could bear the burdens of their children, I would take it all from you if I could. You and I are so alike in our need to push ourselves to the absolute limit. It seems hypocritical when I say this, but don't be too hard on yourself. You are amazing - don't ever doubt that. Just breath, remember how much I love you, and know that no matter how hard the journey may seem I will always be there to hold you up, give you an extra push, and be a support when you need to rest.

All my love,
Gaca

O Holy Night!

I got my camera!!!!! It's a Canon 40D and holy crap, I'm so excited. Just yesterday, I gave someone this whole speech about how I need to learn to wait for things and I was going to hold out on buying the camera until I had set aside every last penny but little did I know my husband already bought it. WOW!

It's awesome and intimidating. I just wanted to share this great news. Hopefully I'll be blogging new photos taken with this amazing camera very soon. Now I have to figure out how to work all of the buttons.

Sabotoge

We went to dinner at a friend's house last night and as we pulled into their driveway and saw their Christmas lights, my husband turned to me and said "you are not allowed to blog about this." "Oh yes I can!" I replied. Within the first 5 minutes of dinner, he told them about my blog and what it was called. (he said uncommon blonde was my "handle," this is not a CB radio I prefer to call it a pseudonym) After he gave them this information he gave me a smug look. How dare he sabotage my blog material! There was some good stuff there too. And if said friends are reading this, don't worry, I wasn't going to say anything bad.

I will share one comment from dinner that was too good to pass up. My husband was talking about the small town he's from and how backwoods it is.

Friend: "Is your family like, intertwined?"
Husband: "Are you asking if I'm inbred? Definitely not!"
Friend: "Well, small towns are where all of the serial killers live."

I about died laughing. It's funny what people's perceptions are about small towns. What is scary is that sometimes they are true :)

On another note, I didn't post yesterday but here's the next photo in my 12 days of Christmas! On the 8th day of Christmas Santa brought to me ... a crazy looking outfit and a western train set. I have no idea what I'm wearing but it sure is funny looking. It's also a good thing my brother was born a year later because my dad was dying to give train sets and tool kits.

Little Angel

For today's 12 days of Christmas photo, I'm sharing proof that I've alway been an angel ... and my halo wasn't even crooked ;)

Snowball fight

Remember JibJab? Well, aside from making hilarious and clever political clips they have new ecard videos that you can make starring yourself and your friends. (kind of like the dancing elves from Office Max that is circulating through email) It's a great way to waste 30 minutes plus, I live in Florida so this is as close as I'll get to having a snowball fight this year.

Non-Crappy Starring You! eCards on JibJab

On the 10th Day of Christmas ...

Santa brought to me - a bear and a bowl cut. Apparently my mother cut my hair herself? (sorry mom but it's true!)

The Christmas Party

For those of you with children, you hear lots of cute little phrases and witness many innocent moments. For me, these experiences are few and far between and I find little kids fascinating. We went to a Christmas party last night at the home of a doctor who is one of my husband's clients. I was sitting at our table down by the pool and this adorable little (blonde!) girl walked up to me. Without a word, she picked up the medallion at the end of my necklace turned it over in her hand, smiled at me and then walked away. Imagine just walking up to a perfect stranger and doing this. It was so cute! I must have passed the test though because when we went to leave the party she grabbed my hand and proceeded to walk me around the house and front yard "showing" me things on my way out. I don't think she wanted me to leave! Like I said, a boring story to those of you who have kids but she melted my heart!

Otherwise the party was uneventful but it was interesting people watching. There are husbands who look like they'd rather be anywhere but at the party, the tipsy women, the doctor who leaves his hand on your lower back just a little too long after the hug goodbye (creepy), the guy with absolutely no personality that when you've exhausted all other topics of conversation still looks at you and just nods (awkward!) Good times ...

On the 11th Day of Christmas

Santa gave to me ... a Playschool kitchen! And I immediately got on the phone. Some things never change :) I got another wagon this year too?!

12 Days of Christmas

I found some old Christmas pictures today so I decided that I would share them over the next 12 days. Presenting the 12 days of Christmas featuring Uncommon Blonde ...

Digging for presents!

In case you missed it, the classic red wagon is in front of me, the school desk is in the right corner and the wonderful noise maker in the back. Plus, I'm rocking the footie pajamas! More good pics (and presents) to come ...

Picture Perfect

Every year I have the same dilemma, Christmas card photo or no photo? It's already decided for me this year (no photo) but I would really like your opinion. Is it boring to receive a photo of just a couple? No kids, no pets, just us. I keep thinking I'll use a photo from one of our trips but when the time comes I forget about the good pics until I start seeing other people's cards. When we went skiing, I forgot about using one of those pics. Same thing for Alaska, New York (that one was even in front of the Rockefeller tree!) and even our wedding! My mind blanks out on the good photos and I end up just sending cards instead. I still write a note and address each one by hand but I still worry that it's boring for people to get our card. Can you tell I'm a perfectionist?! I think I'm feeling particularly unexcited about my cards because the first card we got this year had a picture of what appeared to be wise men riding on camels. But no, I looked closer and saw that it was my friend and her boyfriend riding the camels. It was taken during their trip to Egypt earlier this year. Now that's picture perfect. I guess I'll just wait to do the photo thing until we have kids or ride camels.

"Remember that nothing is more important ..."

" ... than God and family. Don't let anything get in the way of these two things." This was a voicemail from one of my friends this afternoon who knows how much pressure I'm feeling this week. I love her for reminding me to slow down and remember that everything else fades away. It's funny that just last night I was giving my sister advice about her own stress. She's stressing out about school and maintaining her position at the top of her class and I told her to do her best and that's all she can do. Worrying won't make it any better. I should take my own advice as I approach tears every time I think of my growing pile of work.

I'm using my blog these past two days as my own therapy so I'll share a story about priorities that the same friend that called tonight shared with me a couple of years ago. (She seems to have this priorities thing down)

A professor of philosophy stood before his class with some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks about two inches in diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full.

They agreed that it was full.

So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly and watched as the pebbles rolled into the open areas between the rocks. The professor then asked the students again if the jar was full.

They chuckled and agreed that it was indeed full this time.

The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. The sand filled the remaining open areas of the jar. “Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this jar signifies your life. The rocks are the truly important things, such as family, health and relationships. If all else was lost and only the rocks remained, your life would still be meaningful. The pebbles are the other things that matter in your life, such as work or school. The sand signifies the remaining “small stuff” and material possessions.

If you put sand into the jar first, there is no room for the rocks or the pebbles. The same can be applied to your lives. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are truly important.

Pay attention to the things in life that are critical to your happiness and well-being. Take time to get medical check-ups, play with your children, go for a run, write your grandmother a letter. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, or fix the disposal. Take care of the rocks first – things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just pebbles and sand.

Think Happy Thoughts

Where's the panic button? I'm not kidding. I need to find it so someone can send help. I love my job but seriously, if I get through through next 3 weeks it will be nothing short of a miracle. I think I'll go drink a glass of wine and curl up in the fetal position. Must ... protect ... my sanity.

When I think about the title of this blog (Think happy thoughts) I am thinking of my perfect day from this past summer spent on the Amalfi Coast in Italy. It was splendid. We were picked up at the pier in Naples by Roberto, our driver for the day. We drove along the coast that morning, stopping in Positano, Ravello and the charming town of Amalfi. We shopped for pretty things and took lots of pictures. And then there was lunch ... oh the lunch! We were taken to this small, family-owned restaurant called San Giovanni and we were led to a table overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The view was breathtaking! We were given glasses of an amazing white wine and the first course (which we thought was the whole meal) included cheeses, prosciutto, and other amazing little bites - everything was unbelievable. They brought out bruschetta, pasta and pizza. It was the best meal I've ever had. When the dessert came out I thought I could not eat another bite, but somehow I managed to eat it. I can never pass up dessert. The meal was topped off by little shots of Limoncello (which is really strong, especially after a couple glasses of wine). Not only was the food delicious and the atmosphere was unforgettable. After lunch, we headed down through the mountain roads and hairpin turns (napping along the way) and ended up in Pompeii. We explored the ruins of the city which was covered in volcanic ash by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD. It was interesting to see how advanced the city was even that long ago. Many things were preserved really well and it was like a window into another time. We were hot, dusty and exhausted by the end of it all but also exhilarated and happy. We laughed, took lots of pictures and that day made up the most beautiful adventure I've ever had. I had to share some pictures so you can see what I'm talking about!

The beautiful Amalfi coast


The view from our table at lunch


We ate and ate and still lost weight because of all of the walking! I love Italy!


About to collapse in Pompeii


The best day ever ...

The Christmas Lighting Rules (according to me)

Well, NaBloPoMo was exhausting and although I intended to power through I took a couple of days off. However, today I'm taking a lunch break (this is how much I love you) to post my weekend thoughts. I told my husband I was going to blog about this and he said "That sounds really boring" so if I bore you with this I apologize. I am almost doing this in defiance, how dare he imply I could be boring!

We went to the local Christmas parade Saturday night (have I mentioned I LOVE parades?) with our neighbors. It was fun but the parade was kind of lame. Lots of children dressed up like candy canes and such. It seemed like anyone with a group of more than 10 kids and some antlers was granted a spot in the procession. On the way home we had an impromptu session of handing out Christmas light violations. (don't worry, we criticized from the comfort of the car so no one's feelings got hurt) I'm all about holiday cheer but I do believe that people need to think before throwing up the lights thus, I have decided to post:

The Christmas Lighting Rules (according to me)
1. Your plastic Santa does not belong thrown up into a tree, he is not a Keebler elf. (if I'm being honest, you might want to re-think the whole 20 year-old yellowed plastic Santa in the first place).

2. Before putting up the lights, make a plan. Throwing different colors haphazardly into the shrubs does not look cheerful, it looks tacky. As a general rule, you should not combine colored lights, white lights and blue lights - again, tacky.

3. If you use blinking lights, make sure the whole strand(s) blinks together. When the palm tree blinks, the house glitters and the shrubs are still, it makes me want to drive my car into the whole thing just to make it stop.

4. Try to limit your inflatables to 1 or 2. They're cute but have you ever driven by a yard filled with them and oohed & ahhed? Snoopy, Tigger and the carousel do not all belong within 5 feet of each other. Seriously.

5. Less is usually more. You are not Clark W. Griswald or the guy below. There are few people who pull this off well.



I promise I'm not a Grinch. I'm just trying to give a few tips because it seems like enthusiasm gets the best of people ...