Blocked

I have realized the less you write, the less inspiration you have to write. That said, I'm back this week, every day - no matter how painful it may be to work through the blogger's block I am suffering from. Since I have nothing fabulous to say, I'll update you on my last few days in hopes that it shakes something more interesting loose.

My mom came to visit this weekend, we had tea at the Ritz, shopped and had a wonderful dinner together. It was divine.

Also had a work event on Friday night. Bleh.

Celebrated our 5 year anniversary on Saturday!!! It's been a wonderful so far and the best is yet to come!

The magazine interview went well today, the writer told me the title of the article and I feel both honored and unworthy to be profiled.

I found a new best friend and it's much less fattening than the last one - Edy's Strawberry Frozen Yogurt. yumm!

Note to self - no matter how cute your outfit may be, do not wear a trendy dress with leggings to an event with a bunch of old ladies. They don't get trendy and they will just stare you up & down and scrunch up their noses. I should have done a little shimmy and really gave them something to talk about.

That's all I've got for now, hopefully I'll get a blinding flash of inspiration in the morning and be much more interesting.

Barely Blogging

A friend called me today to check and see if I was okay. She said that I didn't seem myself lately and that I was barely blogging. Well, just to assure her and anyone else who might be wondering - I'm fine and no, I'm not pregnant. (she won't believe me!) This week has been more challenging than most so instead of blogging about somber things and stress, I've just tried to wait until I had something fun or witty to share. I am dealing with some extremely difficult people through work and although it's nothing serious in the terms of life and death or even anything that affects me on a personal level - it's exhausting just observing the charade. My usual enthusiasm and cheer has been replaced by biting sarcasm that is dying to come out but that's no good. I hope it will all blow over soon because I've been biting my tongue so hard I think it might fall out soon.

On another note, I am being interviewed for a magazine article on Monday. Along with the usual info about myself and my community involvement, the interviewer has asked me to share a fact that most people don't know or that would surprise them. What immediately comes to mind is the fact that I love blogging. However, there's a problem with putting my blog out there for all to see. It's not so much a secret but I don't necessarily want my boss or people who know me but don't really KNOW me to read this and assign meanings to things I write. However, that is my interesting fact. What to do ...

Beware

Just a note of housekeeping - if you see a comment on my page from a strange name/id with a link that says something like "see here," please do not click on the link. Since I took the code verification off of my comments I've had some strange comments and I don't want anyone to click and get spyware or something inappropriate! As long as these stay minimal I'll leave the annoying verification thingy off.

For good measure

Just had to share a few more pics of my favorite couple for good measure.

If it was easy everyone would do it

That's what I tell myself after days like this. Once a month I have a meeting that is a doozy. Difficult does not even begin to describe the people I'm dealing with. I'm making progress though. Today, instead of bursting into tears after I left I just realized the ridiculousness of the issues and then brushed it off. Well, not totally - I did vent a lot this afternoon but I definitely didn't let it ruin my day. Now that I have some distance from the situation I have even more clarity. Instead of going with my orignial plan of blogging sarcastic things about these people, I am going to work hard to truly love these people. "Pretty is, as pretty does" and they aren't going to pull me into their ugliness. Who needs that? I am blessed beyond measure and I am so happy I don't have to dwell in negativity and common attitudes.

The Happy Couple

My brother and his new fiance came down to visit this weekend for engagement pictures and they let me try my skills out on them. (a huge thing for them to trust me with since our aunt here in town is a professional and they drove a long way!) We got rained out yesterday so we joined the sunrise crowd at the beach this morning. I can hardly believe my little brother is getting married. They were a lot of fun to be around because they are SO happy and in love! It was a beautiful day and a lot of fun spending Easter with my family!! Hope your day was wonderful too!

Meet my new best friend ...

Makes me feel better after a long day.

Is always there for me when I need it most.

Is very sweet.

Will be right there with me while I watch Jon & Kate Plus 8, even when Uncommon Husband has retreated to his office.

Oh how I love thee ...

Meet my new best friend



If this photo looks familiar, it's because Dooce blogged about this a week ago (except her's said Dreyers, not Edy's - weird!). I took one look and had to have it. If I get fat, it's all her fault (and I'll be fat and happy because this ice cream is soooo good)

My new "thing"

I referenced this in a previous post but now I will elaborate. My new thing is being a more mindful spender. If you know me don't laugh, I'm being serious. I have been trying to shop less this year. It's not about saving money, it's about being aware of what I am spending my money on and recognizing the cost vs. benefit. Every time I go to buy something I ask myself "do I really need this?" Even better is when I catch myself before even heading out to a store - I don't go unless I have a specific purpose. I realized during the holidays that I am too much of a consumer. I always want the newest, the best, the stuff. I must be ill because I think I am sick of "stuff" (but not clothes, never sick of new clothes) I'm beginning to wonder if this new attitude is just an attitude or if I'm actually buying less. You would think I'd have more money left over but it doesn't seem like it. Either way, I'm making an effort. I would like to say I will use my blog as an accountability measure (posting about what I buy so you can tell me if you think I need it) but that's just too much work. We'll see how it goes.

One thing I do NEED is another camera lens but that costs $300 and I can't figure out a way to justify that one. If I get a new lens, then Uncommon Husband gets a new golf driver and that's a lot of chicken for a couple of "toys." Poor me.

I'm Back

I realized last night that I had not blogged in 5 days! Yikes! I do have a good excuse, in-laws visiting, 5:30 am wake up calls for the gym, meetings, blah, blah, blah. I've been busy, but hey - who isn't? So I've officially returned. I know you were on the edge of your seat in anticipation for this day (dripping sarcasm).

Too good to pass up

I know it's not polite to make fun of people (and I am the queen of polite) but this was just too good to pass up. Tonight we went to a Cincinnati Reds spring training game and I saw the best combover I've ever seen. Sitting right in front of me. And he had no idea that I was photographing his hair in all of its glory. Uncommon husband saw what I was doing and said "Poor guy, he has no idea that he's going to be on the internet later tonight"

How did he know I was going to blog this?

Lobster Tales

Tonight we went to Red Lobster with my in-laws who are in town visiting. I'm not the biggest fan of chain restaurants (with a few exceptions). Call it what you will but I prefer to go somewhere unique and locally owned. I understand that it's about consistency for many people but I like the atmosphere and experience of local places. Anyway, we get all settled in our booth (that has that lovely feeling of being wiped down with tarter sauce) when I realize that I have been given me an extra special treat tonight. Not only do I get to relish the experience of being seated in a badly decorated ship's gally, I get to do it with a little person screaming shrilly in my ear. Not just fussing. He was screaming at a pitch that I thought only dogs could hear. It would start out low and get higher and higher until I would literally winch in pain. Over and over again. I realized at the end of dinner that I had been clenching my napkin tightly through the entire meal. I know that all of the mother's that are reading this are thinking "you just wait." Maybe you're right but it doesn't change the fact that I had to endure an hour of feeling like someone was poking my eardrums out. After dinner I saw that little rascal with a waitress who was letting him pet one of the lobsters. I couldn't help but wish it would pinch one of his little fingers and really give him something to squeal about.

There go any future photo shoots with little kids ... I promise I'm not a mean person, just one who doesn't have kids yet to realize how hard it must be to enjoy a meal at a restaurant with a screaming banshee. I'm sorry, I really am.

Love is in the air

My brother got engaged tonight! I am sooooo excited, you would think it was me! He sent me a text message earlier tonight that told me it was about to happen and also said not to reply. I have been DYING for the past three hours but now it's official. I'm going to have another sister and that's the best news ever! She could not be a better match for him and our family just adores her. Now I just wish I was in Boca so I could celebrate with them!! I'm so happy, now let's keep our fingers crossed that he gets a job here and they move to Sarasota ;)

Water logged

Someone fell into the pool at the lovely brunch I attended on Friday. As unfortunate as it was for her, it certainly added some action to the event. Just imagine, a bunch of ladies standing around a beautiful home in floofy hats and someone takes a spill right into the deep end. (and yes, I did use the word floofy) I swear last Friday was like a movie but in real life. Also, should I mention that the hostess had a shoe closet that rivaled one on "Cribs?" It literally took my breath away.

I am still plotting ways to get fang boy and the wild neighbors to move away. Too bad they don't have a bunny ...

You would think

You would think that I have kids with as many baby pictures that are appearing on this blog lately. At this moment, I am happy to just enjoy the little cuties and then go back to my quiet house. Ask me again next week - I'll probably be freaking out again and analyzing it for the millionth time. Uncommon Husband has gotten used to my insanity and pretty much ignores all of my unreasonable questions of "when? No, really when do you think?" Here are some pics of the little one I took pictures of yesterday. We were faced with an unexpected cold snap and had to stay inside but there was no deterring the cuteness.

You Can't Make This Stuff Up

It's early and already, I've had a very interesting morning. It started when I was in the bathroom putting on my makeup this morning and Uncommon Husband came to the door and said "There's someone on the back porch, stay in here."

What?!?! Well, I stood in there with the door cracked trying to figure out if I should call the police while he went out to investigate. I heard him bang on the sliding glass door and yell "Hey man, what are you doing?" and then some talking that I could not decipher. It turns out it was our neighbor's boyfriend (not the Bunny Foo Foo neighbor) who must have been drunk last night and found himself on the wrong back porch when he woke up. This is strange for so many reasons. We live in a neighborhood of ALL old people. Literally, there are only 3 young households and we're all side by side. Nothing dangerous or even remotely exciting ever happens so to find someone sleeping on your patio furniture is quite shocking. It gets better, this guy has fangs tattooed on the sides of his mouth. Seriously, fangs and face piercings! You have to be strange to put permanent fangs on your face. We are quite sure that he will never be back, uncommon husband used a certain home protection device to gently tap (lol) on the window. My feelings on that are a whole different blog topic. After all of this died down, Ally (the Bunny Foo Foo neighbor) called and said there was something odd behind her place and asked if we'd come over. There were shoes and socks out there. Was this guy on smack or something? I already did not like these people, now I want them out! (They are renting and are already on all of the old people's lists to try and boot out) What a way to start a Friday.

You can call me fabulous

Some people call me Uncommon Blonde but today, you can call me fabulous. I am going to a fundraiser brunch today and everyone is supposed to wear hats. I am so loving it! I never wear hats but this gave me the perfect excuse to go out and buy something fun - can't wait!


(gotta love the cliche self portrait in the mirror)

Smack

While watching a show about heroin use ...

Uncommon Husband: "You know why they call it smack don't you"

Uncommon Blonde: "Why? Because it makes go go like this (smacking lips) when you use it?"

Uncommon Husband: "That's the the most ridiculous answer I've ever heard"

Uncommon Blonde: "What? I thought that might be the reason ..."

Foo foo flowers

I was checking out my site stats tonight and saw some pretty funny keywords/phrases that people used on Google that lead them to my blog. Can't say that I can figure it out but it's funny ...

"uncommon ways to get pregnant"

"sith election 2008"

"blondes with 40d" (what!?!?)

"sexy rain boots"

and my favorite ...

"foo foo flowers"

The little old man

Here are a few more pics from Sunday. I think he looks like a cute little old man.

Wine, Cupcakes, and Friends

Who could ask for anything more? Tonight was book club night again and it was fabulous. Francesca made a delicious dinner with yummy cupcakes for dessert. This month's book was The Buenos Aires Broken Hearts Club and it was unanimously more popular than last month's book. The best part was that the book's main character is a blogger! When I read that part, I was like "me too!!" lol Anyway, the book was a great light read that made us all want to throw out "the plan," travel more, and believe in true love. Once again, a shout out to my favorite girls - I know that in 25 years we'll still be together talking about love, heartbreak, family, careers and all of the things we hold dear in our lives. I am so blessed to have you all in my life!

If you are interested in this month's book, leave a comment and I'll randomly draw a name and send it to you. It's a good one!

Babies, babies, everywhere!

I just realized it's been almost a week since my last post - how unlike me! Last week was crazy, I had some type of event or meeting every night after work and I just couldn't look at the computer when I got home. This weekend I attended two baby showers, took maternity pictures for a friend and photographed another friend and her adorable baby. I'm surrounded by pregnancy and babies! Lots of pictures that I'll be sharing over the next few days. I love taking pictures, despite being really busy this weekend I could not stop smiling. It makes me happy to do it and hopefully as I get better I'll be able to give my talents to make my friends and loved ones happy too. For now, here's my favorite pic of the family from yesterday.