How to Win a Wii OR The one with all the run-on sentences, Beware OR Sorry I've been remiss in blogging...

...as my mom pointed out. But I have been busy. I'm here to re-enter blogging after a two-week hiatus (much better than the months long breaks many of my friends take if I may point out) by letting you know how you could win a free Wii or an iPod.

Thanks to my hobby of reading random blogs I can across this one where in addition to reading about how others are making a go of it by not spending much, is written by a fellow Hoosier, which makes it read worthy in and of itself, but the tips are good too. Sorry for the really long run on sentences here, or maybe not sorry but I am aware of it. In the comments of one of Karen's posts I came across this blog, which isn't as helpful for me personally, but it's so interesting to read how different our lives are. Oh, and in addition to the fact that she is also a fellow Hoosier, her name is Kacie, so I must read. AND TODAY I READ ABOUT HOW I AND YOU TOO COULD ENTER TO WIN A FREE Wii. Which is a video game system for those who may not know (mom) and is something we definitely don't NEED, but really WANT.

So go to THIS SITE to see how you could enter to win a Wii or an iPod. And it's a Christian Personal Finance site, so you can also read the tips on how to maybe get a handle on all that spending that is sure to happen as soon as you win the Wii, because you totally have to go out and buy all the games and accessories!

Ok, done with the run-on sentances. I'm off to a bachelorette party soon - depending on the party I may or may not be able to blog about it - just kidding. But look soon for a post with pictures from Mom's memorial day visit. And maybe one about all the work I've been doing, hence the too busy to blog. ok now I'm done for real.

Super Summer Spaghetti Salad

I made the recipe last week when Bill and Jessica came over for dinner. And my mom made this a lot for pot lucks, etc... I'm posting this for you Jess.

Note: Modify as you wish. I change up the veggies based on what I have on hand.

1 lb spaghetti
1/2 bottle of Italian Salad Dressing
McCormacks Salad Supreme Seasoning (I haven't had great luck finding this in NYC and had my mom send me some. The ingredient label says: grated romano cheese, salt, sesame seed, poppy seed, paprika, celery seed, garlic, black pepper, and red pepper. I would use grated cheese - parm if you don't have romano, salt, garlic, paprika, and black and red pepper if you have to make your own)

Chopped Veggies:
Green Pepper
Red Pepper
Cucumber
Onion

Mix the veggies, dresssing, and seasoning with cooked spaghetti. Toss and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

Enjoy!

Happy Mother's Day!

To all the mothers in my life. And yes these are lot's and lot's of wedding pictures, because everyone is dressed all snazzy, and I have many pictures from that day. Above is my mom and my mother-in-law. I don't think they've ever seen this pic, it was a snapshot from my cousin that has just been pulled from the archives.

To mom, You're awesome. I absolutely love this picture of you. The things you have accomplished in life are amazing.

To Val, I'm happy I can be your daughter. You raised a son, who is also a wonderful husband.

To my grandmas. You are both so special to me. I love you.

Happy day to all the mothers out there.

Garden in the City

I am trying my hand at gardening again, and expanding some this year. In one box I'm sticking with flowers, the other is devoted to herbs. I have Sweet Basil, Dill, Cilantro, Curly Parsley, and one TBD, because I have room for more than I thought. I bought two new pots for the floor, one for flowers, then we have two tomato plants and one squash plant. We'll see how these veggies do. And now that the balcony is all clean, I swept and washed the table we are beginning the season where we eat all meals outside. Ah, the fresh air. I like this city gardening thing. Not so sure I ever want the responsibility of a garden like my Dad's, but baby steps, and this works for me.

Day Date

Last Saturday Rob stepped up his game. Now that the music video is finished he is able to focus a little attention on me rather than the computer. So Saturday he packed a bag with some wine and picked up some hero sandwiches from Luigi's and took me to Central Park for a picnic. We sat on a rock and watched some Little League action while we ate. Our biggest mistake was forgetting what 80+ degrees really meant - we were both wearing jeans. After finishing our lunch (half of it anyhow, great leftovers) we walked through the park and over to Dylan's Candy Bar. A sugar overload that was giving away snow cones and had a chocolate fountain set up. We went upstairs to the ice cream bar. Where we shard the cookie explosion sundae (cookie mess ice cream, caramel topping, peanut butter chip cookie, candy, whipped cream, I'm sure I'm forgetting something) for $9. It was worth every bit of that, and it defeated us. We could not finish. I ate to much. Definitely ate to much of it, but oh man, it was heavenly. After we left the candy bar Rob took me shopping. Now this is why he is the best husband ever, not the only reason, but one of them, he takes me shopping and is good at helping me find things that look good and fit well.

There was this dress at Ann Taylor that I have been eying, and when we were in Boston, Rob saw the dress in a window and pointed it out. So we went to Ann Taylor, the only dress left in the whole store was the one in the window. So she looked up in the data base if any nearby stores had it. There was a store that had 3 left in my sizes. So Rob said let's do it, but if they don't have it we are going home. OK! I found a 4 and a 4 petite. I tried them on. Rob wasn't so impressed with the 4. He said it was too loose at the top. So I tried on the 4 petite. This one Rob liked, but wasn't so comfortable (as I'm not really petite) because the waist was a little too high. as I was in the fitting room contemplating, another woman in the fitting room wanted to know if I was getting the dress because if not she wanted to try it on. She really needed a 6P but the sales lady was explaining how the sizing worked, which is when I realized that I actually needed a size 2! I am back into a size 2! This is exciting for me. They had one left in the store, on the manican in the window. She got the dress, and it fits so nicely. Rob said I could buy it (there was no waiting for it to go on sale, there are like 3 left, it's sold out online) and I did. I now have the perfect dress for the summer weddings lined up this year.

Recap: Rob is awesome for his date planning and shopping.
I am a size 2 again, and that means there is a 90% chance all my summer clothes will fit this year.

My Sister

Emily is leaving in about a week to take a new job. She will be leading camping trips around the country. Just her, a van, a duffel bag, and a bunch of tourists. She will be gone for months. I will miss her, but I am proud of her for getting such a cool job. Before she goes, she has lots of packing to do and family to see, and she went turkey hunting with Dad. I went turkey hunting with Dad in college, it was more fun than I ever would have imagined (which is why I was 18 before I went for the first time). So here is Emily with her Turkey.

And so she doesn't kill me for posting this on the blog, a picture of us all dressed up at my wedding.

Love you sis, and I will miss you.

Boston

Last weekend Dad was in Boston for the marathon (he was not running), so Rob and I took a Bolt bus up. We love the Bolt bus because of the cheapish price and the on board electrical outlets and wi-fi. I can't be without the internet for too long.
We had a great weekend visiting - here are some pics. And there is only one of an old building. Who wants to look at pictures of old buildings, but on the other hand how can you go to Boston and not get pictures of old buildings...

Rob and I in front of the Old South Meeting house.
Independence Hall
Dad and I at Kingfish Hall where we ate.
Dad being goofy.

A passing Duck Boat. The tour was lots of fun. I went on one back in 2003 when I was living in Boston, and it is just as much fun as I remember. I mean its a truck AND a boat, and the crazy driver telling you all about Boston, some I which I am pretty sure is made up, but my radar isn't so good on that.


Rob and I on the tour. See how cold we are.
April in Boston is COLD. And we were outside in the wind AND on the water. I had the perfect windblown hair going though. And Rob is all bundled up.
Aunt Mary - the coat was the best gift! It is light enough for spring, and so warm and toasty to keep me warm in the wind.