Melia's Blessing

Last Sunday was Melias blessing. And of course I went out for it. It was another large family affair. Here are a few pictures taken from that day.

Taking a nap after a long day! Not the best angle.

Jack taking a picture of himself. I love this little face!

Pirates Party

Today was my nephew Taylor's 6th Birthday. It was a Pirates Theme, and most everyone dressed up with some Pirate something. It was great. My brother and his wife do a great job with each of the birthdays and make them so special for the kids. My personal joy that gets be to drive 4 hrs on a weekday night, is the Ice Cream Cake that my brother makes to go along with the theme. This year he make cannonballs via fried ice cream. It was really good. Here are some pictures from the night.

Out of about 8 pictures, there were only about three that didnt have a kid picking their nose! Kent, Taylor, birthday boy, Evie, Jack, and Addie.

Taylor riding a ride at Chuck E Cheeses at the Pre-party.

Caption Jack! And this is why I cant stay away!!

Moving Day

So. I did it. I officially am a resident of Cambridge, MA! I never thought I would utter those words. Not that I ever saw a problem with Cambridge. Its just that it wasnt Boston. When I moved here 3+ plus years ago, I wanted to live in 'the city'. To experiences the greatness of Boston. To enjoy the randomness that this wonderful city holds. To be in 'the city' . . .

About 2 hrs, 3 cars, and 7 friends later, and I was moved in. About 2 more hours, and my room was pretty much unpacked. I think that it was the easiest move I have been apart of, and considering it was for me, I love that! I still havent seen two of my roommates as they have been out of town. So I kinda just took the license to move into the kitchen, etc. I dont think they will be mad. Ill have to post a picture of what my "house" looks like. Its rather a funny looking front. Im not sure what the builder was thinking. . .

Bring on the new experiences, the new loves, the new friendships, the new roommates, the new, the new, the new! Im ready!

Solitude

I had a great Saturday. I first got some errands done, and checked a few things off my mental check list for my upcoming move. Then I took the rest of the day the enjoy the few things I love about New England in the summer.

I first headed to the beach. I have been hearing about Nantasket Beach for along time, so I figured as my other activities involved going to Southern Mass, I would try it out. . . It left so much to the imagination. The sand was this gray/brown color. Not inviting. It was ROCKY, and there was a hill. Not really conducive to lying on the beach. The water was way too cold. Just simply not impressed.

So I took off and meandered my way to the Finnish Suomi (Sauna). I love this place. Its a real, working Finnish Sauna. Its separates the men from the women, atleast from the sauna portion. You are able to throw water on the coles to heat up the room. There is a refreshing lake about 10 feet away from the door to dive into when the heat becomes unbearable. I just love going. You repeat this process as often as you would like. Its sort of family run, and just pleasent to go to. I just simply feel so much better, and sleep so much better when I go. (Some old guy 45+ was totally hitting on me. Not exactly what I was looking for. Something about him telling me about his son who is about to start college that was a complete turn off. I only graduated college 4 years ago.)

I have been wanting a new pair of jeans. So I headed off to the Outlets in Wrentham, MA. I really have liked my Joe Jeans that I found for such a bargain at Anthro awhile back for $20 (they are usually about $180). I knew that they sold them at the Off 5th Ave store. Well, they were still $100, which was alittle more than I really wanted to pay just for jeans. . . . So I headed to Nordstroms in Providence, which was only about 20 minutes from where I was. (I know, the gas really can make up that difference fast, but that is a different part of the budget!) There is something about Nordstroms that I just love. I cant really put my finger on it. But I was glad to be back! I really had fun and tried on all sorts of things. And I walked out with a pair of jeans, a cute yellow button down shirt, a white cardigan (Ive never had one, and always wanted one, Weird I know!) and a really adorable black and white Pok-a-dot dress. I have been on the search for great dresses so I was stoked for this find. . . I love great finds.

I had a great weekend. I know I spent most of it alone, but it was great. I know that I need to not enjoy my solitude Saturdays too much, as Im less likely to meet new people, yada yada. But this week, I didnt care!

A Precious Commodity

I have had a couple of interesting conversations today. And Im just so reminded at the precious commodity that we call life. Im so glad that it is mine. And Im so glad that there is so much to experience.

Im so thankful for the experiences I have had in life. For the places I have been in my life, those physical and emotional. For the people I have meet. For the oppurtunities I am yet to have.

Post July 4th

July 4th was great this year. Boston has a widely known tradition surrounding America's Independence, as there were numerous events that took place in Boston.

It started on July 3rd with the rehearsal for the Pops 4th Concert. It was great. There were about 40+ friends that showed up.

The 4th started early with the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the National Antheum. Then they had a parade to the place were the Declaration of Independence was read for many past years, as it was read this year.

I was with Cheryl and Amy, as their husbands were in far away lands (or New York and Cali.) It was fun to hang out with them. Especially since Cheryl is moving to N Cali. After all the traditional 4th events, we took a ferry ride out to the "oldest" lighthouse in America, Brewster Lighthouse on Little Brewster Island in the Boston Harbor. (I quote it becuase everyone says there whatever is the "oldest.") It was really windy and we werent able to even get off. Which was fine as by this point I was feeling very under the weather with allergies.

Vanilla

I now work in the land of vanilla. The boring, quiet people of the 5th floor at 347 Congress St

Along with the new position, There came a new place for my desk, or rather, cube. I was working on the 6th floor of a 6 floor building. It is the 'Executive Floor', and, therefore, can be view by others in the company, as the "scary floor." There are stories circulating about how the owner would just show up to work, and do random things like fire people on the spot when he would pass them in the hallways. Or how he would ask you Gross Profit on the Top 5 Cruises in Europe. Or what was the average response rate of a Catalog promotion that was mailed to atleast 60% FTs. All alittle scary if these were not your areas of concern.

Well, I never had any negative encounters with him. In fact, my experience on the 6th floor was all realitively positive. I especially enjoyed those that worked around me. Lots of fun people, and wild stories to tell. . . .

But now, Im on the 5th floor. The decor leads one to think that its the money floor. In fact, a large portion of it is dedicated to Finance. There are also IS people, and Inventory people. And then the, sometimes, three Paul Gauguin people.

ITS SO QUIET! I can hear my self think. I can heard everyone's conversations. I can hear everyone typing. I can hear all the creaking from the floor about me. (Oh, how I know they are having fun up there. I know, I was there once.)

Im totally rethinking this whole new position thing. Is it really worth it?