Happy Flag Day

By and large, Flag Day is one of those "holidays" that people either don't know about...or ignore.

However, my elementary school made a huge deal about it.  We sang flag songs, took a school picture in front of the flagpole, made little flags and learned the history of flag day.

All these years later - my elementary friends and I still wish each other a happy Flag Day (and Army birthday) on Facebook.  It's still a precious memory that only a select group of us share.  :-)

Kristin's Bridal Shower

This Sunday was Kristin's bridal shower.  She wanted a surprise...and after wearing dresses to EVERYTHING for the past few weeks and being prepared for the shower to happen at any time, hopefully she's happy with how it turned out.  :-)



Kristin with her bridesmaids and flower girls.



Kristin and some of our work peeps.

 

 





The awesome cake that Jackie (Kristin's future SIL) made. 

 



I made tropical body scrub (coconut lemon/lime) as the shower favors.  As a group we then "beached it up" by putting the little containers in a cute plastic martini glass with a little umbrella.  Fun!

We had two REALLY funny moments at Kristin's shower.  The first one was before Kristin even got there!  It seems we should have been more clear with the restaurant hostess what Kristin and her fiancé look like.  The hostess tried to lead an adorable couple into our function room.  I've never seen a guy jump away from his girlfriend and emphatically shake his head "no" as fast as that guy did!

The second funny was courtesy of my mom.  As part of her gift, she gave a few Yankee Candles.  The "blueberry scone" candle smelled yummy!  However, the "mmm....bacon" candle; not so much.  It was so bad that it made it's way around the room for all to smell.  As a group we all decided that it smells like Kibbles n' Bits.  Lesson learned!  Always smell the candle before you buy it; even if the sales associate tells you that it's a best seller.

The Nail Files

For a little change of pace, I'm participating in this week's nail files with My Vickilicious Life and Fabulous but Evil.

I mean, if I'm going to sit in front of my computer watching the Boston Strong concert - I might as well paint my nails. You know...the girliest version of multi-tasking known to man woman!

 

 

 

It was hard getting a good picture of my sparkly nails.  It looks *so* much better in person!

 

OPI Bubblebath (my favorite neutral pink) as coats 1 & 3.  OPI Lights of Emerald City is sandwiched in between.  Sparkly...but subtle.

 

 

 

The Chronicles of a Klutz...

After telling you from time to time how much of a klutz I am, I've decided to start a recurring series.  First, it makes me feel better if I think someone is laughing *with* me and my stupidity antics.  Second, I think some of you can actually relate to this!

Just call me Princess Grace!  I preface my next statement by saying that I was neither drinking nor wearing footwear (such as heels or flip-flops) that can cause your regular stride to change.

I fell up my friend's deck stairs on Memorial Day. You know that feeling when you know you're going to go down and can try and brace yourself?  Yeah....that didn't happen this time.  One second I'm upright; the next, I'm inspecting the wood planking...as my friends gasp in unison.

 On the bright side - I didn't break any bones!

I now sport some pretty spectacular bruises.  A HUGE one from my left knee down to mid-shin, linear ones on my right and left thighs (where I hit the top two steps) and a big circle on my inner arm that I just. can't. explain. I don't see skirts in my future for a while!

I also pulled some muscles starting at my hip all the way down to my ankle and have bone bruises.  What?!?!  It takes talent to do that much damage!

I take solace in knowing that none of my friends got that on video.  Anyone else as clumsy as I am?

A Day At Gillette...Or Why I Now Have Office Keys

Those of you that follow me on Twitter or Instagram know I was at a conference at Gillette Stadium last week with some of my co-workers.

First, let me say - the parts of the stadium you don't usually get to see during a game are gorgeous!  I was skeptical when I heard that we'd have approximately 500 people at the stadium for the conference, but I couldn't have been more wrong.  The marketing, sales, security and catering staff are pretty darn awesome!

Great views of the field (and the occasional football and soccer player)

Now, let me tell you a little of the back story...  We were supposed to load up my car at 6 AM and be at Gillette by 7 or so.  Around 5:30 AM, we realized that no one had keys to the office.  Don't look at me like that!  I'm not the one that had lost their keys days before cough *Eric* cough.  After lots of calling around (and an attempt to wake up my cousin/co-worker Kristin at 5:50 AM), we finally got in and were only marginally late.

Max and I having a little fun. :-)

 

 

Stephen, Max and Eric (l-r) By the end of the day, our team was exhausted to the point of "jazz hands" or almost tears.  The boys are a liiiitle hyper, so I might have chosen tears too. *giggle* (Note: Max wasn't actually crying, just making faces.)

 

Before our next conference (a two day affair), I'm demanding a raise.  Or more coffee...  Yeah, probably just the coffee.



 

 

Let Me Tell You About Jacob

I'm on a mission.  I want to help my lovely high school friend, Nicole and her little boy, Jacob get a service dog.

You see, Jacob is a sweet, cuddly little boy who is almost three year old.  He just happens to be autistic.  You can read his full story on Nicole's blog HERE.  Recently, Jacob was evaluated and it was determined that he'd be an ideal candidate for a service dog.  As an advocate for dogs, and having grown up with them my entire life - I know the joy and stability that a dog can bring to a child's life.  And that's just a "pet"!  A service dog for Jacob could change his life.

Here is a blurb from Nicole and Jacob's First Giving Page:
We are raising money for 4 Paws for Ability to help them give Jacob and children like him service dogs to expand their quality of life. Jacob was born in June 2010 and was diagnosed in 2012 with suspected autism, his formal diagnoses coming in 2013: Autism Spectrum Disorder ("classic" autism), Sensory Processing Dysfunction and Expressive/Receptive Language Disorder. He is a bright, funny, sweet, physically gregarious and overwhelmingly curious little boy who could sincerely use the help of a service dog to enhance his ability to interact with the world at large in a safe manner and ease the strains that come with autism. He is considered non-verbal right now and has a hard time following instructions or commands, including responding to his own name, especially in unfamiliar locations and easily can find himself in danger without strict, stressful vigilance by any and all adults attending to him.

Now that Jacob has been approved for a service dog - the challenge to raise funds for the dog begins.  The recipient family of each service dog through 4 Paws For Ability must raise $13,000 of the $22,000 it costs to raise and train the dog. 

I'm proud to say that Nicole has raised a bit over $3,000 - but there's a long way to go!  If any of my favorite dog moms are going to be buying new toys for their herd soon, I might suggest checking out Schnoodleware Dog Toys and using the code: 4Jacob10 at checkout.  They'll be donating10% of purchases using that code to Jacob's service dog fund!

Just look at this handsome little guy!

(Picture stolen from Nicole's blog)

Happy Mother's Day

I'm wishing all my human moms, fur mom's, aunts that act as surrogate moms and grandmas a VERY Happy Mother's Day!  I hope you all get spoiled by your respective kids.  :-)