A little R & R...

It's been a hectic few weeks for us.  As some of my girlfriends witnessed at book club a few weeks ago, I sort of had a mini meltdown because I was trying to do too much before our trip to Boston.  Picture me frantically running through Tyson's after work one night.  I had an hour to spare before our book club meeting, and I needed to get something to wear to Anthony's graduation, buy a gift for Lea's confirmation, do a return to WHBM, pick something up at Nordstrom, and stop by Papyrus for a bunch of cards.  Let's just say I finished my errands in a little over an hour, and by the time I sat down at dinner, all it took was the diligent Coastal Flats waiter asking me what I'd like to drink, to set me over the edge.  I was flushed, sweating my butt off, and I felt completely overwhelmed - so I started to cry...Totally crazy!!  Why couldn't I give the guy a simple answer?  How hard is it to say "water" or "I'll have a giant glass of wine, please"?  Instead I kind of shooed him away.  The girls probably think I'm INSANE!!! 

Luckily, after a few deep breaths, and a little venting, I was calm again.  Needless to say, it has been a busy few months; it's crazy at work (not complaining because it's better than no work) and crazy at home (I don't think we've had a day to just rest since January)!  So that is why I haven't updated the blog in a few weeks.  This week, life is still hectic, and I should probably be pumping out more estimate data, but I'm taking a quick break for sanity purposes.  Brace yourself for a bunch of blog posts over the next few days...

I'll rewind a few weeks back to Memorial Day weekend.  Craig, Sawyer and I traveled to Lake Anna to spend time with a few friends and Craig's family.  Karl and Peggy just finished a major renovation to the basement of the lake house, and it looks fabulous!  There are two additional bedrooms, a sewing room for Peggy, and the majority of the space is a large entertainment room, which will eventually have a pool table, bar, and entertainment system in it.  We've actually decided to relocate our bedroom to one of the basement rooms because it has a little more space, which means KING SIZE BED!!!  Yippee! :)

We arrived on Saturday afternoon around lunch time, and while we were enjoying burgers on the back porch, a soaking wet Sawyer came running up the stairs.  The poor thing must have fallen off the dock because he was drenched, and literally looked like a wet rat!!  That was when we decided two things: 1) We needed to get him accustomed to the water; 2) We had to cut his hair for the warmer weather. The first objective wasn't that difficult because he loves to follow his "cousins" Charlie and Oscar wherever they go.  So all we had to do was put Charlie in the water, and Sawyer was in.  The puppy can probably swim better than me - I was never taught how to swim, and still struggle in the water today;)  Here are a few pictures of Sawyer enjoying the water at the lake:

 See what I mean about looking like a wet rat?? 

 

Another problem we encounter at the lake is lots of ticks.  After finding a few on him that night, we decided it was best if we let Amy and Peggy give him a haircut (the poor thing was also panting all the time because he was soo hot during the 100 degree weather).  He seriously looks like a completely different dog now.  A huge thanks to Sawyer's stylists, Amy and Peggy!

 Right before he had his haircut...

Look at all that hair...

A clean-shaven Sawyer

While Sawyer practiced his swimming, and played with his cousins, we all relaxed on the dock with our kindles.  We are extremely fortunate to have such a beautiful place to retreat to every once in a while, and of course, to have such loving family and friends to enjoy it with!  Hope you all had a fantastic Memorial Day, too!  xoxo

30 Day Picture Challenge, Day 4...

Day 4- A picture of your night.


I'm not quite sure what "a picture of your night" means, but I'll interpret it as being what my typical night is like.  So here is a picture of an alarm clock...

Yes, one of my biggest fears (if it even qualifies as being a fear) is not being able to fall asleep.  I could care less about how much sleep I get because I actually function better with less, but I worry about the act of getting to sleep, and I've had this problem since I was a child.  I remember sharing a bedroom with my sister Julie, and almost every school night I would stress myself out.  Usually this happened when the 11 o'clock news came on.  My mom would come into my bedroom, turn off the TV, and head to bed down the hall.  As soon as her light would go out, the panic would set in, the flash light would go on, and I'd toss and turn for hours constantly glaring at the clock to see what time it was.  12:30 am, 1:45 am, 2:22 am, and so on...

My 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. LaMonica, even called my mom in for conferences at one point because she noticed I was yawning a lot and wanted to make sure everything was alright at home;)  Well, fast-forward 23 years, and I still have this problem.  Of course Craig is the type of person who falls asleep the second his head hits the pillow, and is out like a light.  Literally he'll be snoring and completely unresponsive 30 seconds after he closes the Kindle (sometimes if I'm lucky, he falls asleep while reading, and ends up blinding me with the Kindle light).  A few years ago it got so bad that occasionally I would sleep in a different room than Craig.  INSANE!!! 

When I had my surgery last year, my fear sort of fixed itself.  I was afraid to sleep alone, and now, instead of completely freaking myself out, upsetting my stomach, or crying when I'm having trouble, I just continue reading.  Usually the reading helps me take my mind off whatever I'm thinking about, but sometimes when my book is real good, I keep going and going until 4:30 am.  Not the best idea for a girl in construction who should be at work by 7 am, huh? 

30 Day Picture Challenge, Day 3

Day 3 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show.
 

Another easy / predictable one for me: The original Beverly Hills, 90210, or as my dad calls it "9-0, 9-0".  Yes, the show has been off the air for 11 years, but I'm still addicted.  Even though I ordered every season on DVD as they were released, I continue to watch on SOAPnet whenever I get the chance (oh, Breakfast in Bed how I will miss thee in 2012).  While my DVR is constantly full of episodes of Vampire Diaries, One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl, and Secret Life (I know this show is so BAD, but I continue to watch), none of them compare to the original teenage drama that I grew up watching.  Which episode is my favorite?  "Something in the Air" from Season 3; this was the episode where Brandon and the gang march to Donna's rescue, and fight the school board so that she can graduate.  Who can forget them all chanting, "Donna Martin graduates"!  Who was my favorite character?  Kelly Taylor.  The poor girl went through everything - dealt with a drug addict / recovering alcoholic mother, had a dead beat dad, had an eating disorder / nearly overdosed on diet pills, was trapped in a fire, joined a cult, became addicted to cocaine, had an unexpected pregnancy and miscarriage, was shot and had amnesia...the list goes on and on.  She ended up studying psychology, and became a guidance counselor in the new 90210.  Ha!

Did you know that Potomac, Maryland was the inspiration for the show?  Yep, Darren Star, who was one of the show's creators, grew up in the Maryland town, but thought "Potomac, 20854" wouldn't be as catchy as Beverly Hills would.  "Brandon Walsh" was also the name of one of the lead characters in "The Goonies", another one of my childhood favorites.  I could go on and on with little tidbits about the show.  So, before you begin to think I need some serious help, I'll leave you with this picture from one of the summer seasons.  I wish Steve Sanders was sporting his typical beach get-up... :D xoxo

P.S. If you are like me at all, and need to get your fix of the BH gang, you can find it on SOAPnet M-F from 11am-1pm and 4pm-6pm or during Breakfast in Bed on the weekends.  :)

30 Day Picture Challenge, Day 2

“All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother."  ~Abraham Lincoln

Day 2 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest.

Such an easy request; a picture of my mom and me.  She has been my rock ever since I decided to enter this world two months premature on February 26th, 1980.  I was actually talking with her about the relationships she has with all five of us, and whether it is possible to love one child more than another.  She said she loves us all uniquely.  We all have our own personalities, talents, and place in her heart.  This picture is from my wedding day (obviously). Which reminds me, Craig and I are coming up on our five year anniversary - almost time to start harassing the wedding photographer for a disc of our images.  I think it's about time they cave in and let us buy it from them, don't you? xoxo

Road Trip

Cousins are those childhood playmates who grow up to be forever friends. ~Unknown

This past weekend my sister Gina flew down from Boston to accompany me on a 6+ hour trek to New Bern, NC to visit my cousin Chrissy.  Even though we left Alexandria at 1:30 pm, somehow 95 S was  a parking lot.  Had we not "parked" the first two and half hours, we might have arrived at Chrissy's just in time for dinner.  It didn't matter how long the drive took, however, because I had Gina with me, which meant hours and hours of entertainment.  Gina is seriously the type of person you can sit in a cardboard box with, and have the time of your life.  I'm trying to get her to write a blog because her daily life is freaking HYSTERICAL!!  But, I digress...

We had a few chuckles along the way, including driving through the town of "Farmville" - where Gina ended up checking-in on Facebook, tagging Craig, and stating that we were "searching for all the lost animals on facebook".  On a sadder note, we drove through a town that had been demolished by the tornadoes a few weeks ago.  It was literally perfect houses and yards on the left side of the road, and flattened houses with uprooted trees on the right.  Never in my life had I seen such sights...It was so awful! :'(

Eventually we made it to Chrissy's house, where we were greeted by Chrissy and a sleepy 2 year-old, Samantha Grace.  It was our first time visiting Chrissy in North Carolina, and her house is absolutely adorable.  She has done a great job making their house, a home, while her husband Jeramy, is deployed with the Marines.  We didn't do too much on Friday night because we were all exhausted - we basically talked, drank wine, and munched on junk food.  Chrissy made this one appetizer everyone refers to as  "Crack Chicken" because it's highly addictive.  Turns out it's a super easy Paula Deen recipe; here it is:

Ingredients - 

1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 (1 lb) package sliced bacon

3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

2 tablespoons chili powder

Directions - 

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes.

Cut each bacon slice into thirds. Wrap each chicken cube with bacon and secure with a wooden pick inserted on the diagonal starting where bacon seam overlaps.

Stir together brown sugar and chili powder. Dredge wrapped chicken in mixture.

Coat a rack and broiler pan with non-stick cooking spray. Place chicken on rack in broiler pan.

Bake at 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes, or until bacon is crisp.

These are seriously DELISH - it was so hard to eat just a few!! 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saturday we slept in a little bit, and awaited cousin Sue's arrival.  Once Susie arrived, we were all feeling a bit lazy, so we sat around the backyard and watched Sami (and Gina) play in the kiddie pool.  It was beautiful out, so it was great to just relax, and get a little sun.  Chrissy's friend was able to babysit that night, so that we could go out and enjoy a few adult beverages, and Chrissy could have a peaceful meal.  We ate at a local Mexican restaurant, then decided to watch the Sox play the Yankees and the Bruins game at a local pub.  Susie and I had Sangria, while Gina and Chrissy enjoyed giant frozen cocktails. Here are a few pictures of our Girls Night Out:

Gina and her Jumbo Mango Frozen Margarita...

 

Chrissy and her Jumbo Pina Colada...

Chrissy & Susie at Half Time Pub watching the B's & Sox...

Gina & me at the Pub...

Unfortunately, we had to get up fairly early on Sunday to head back to reality.  Chrissy cooked us a delicious Belgian waffle breakfast, and Sami entertained us by playing with her "A-who" (her name for Mr. Potato Head, "tous-tousing" (her term for coloring), and opening a few early birthday presents.  Happy 2nd Birthday to Sami!  Chrissy has done a fantastic job as a mom these past two years.  Here are a few pictures of the absolutely adorable Sami Grace:

 

This picture cracks me up!  Sami was "trying" on her new 

bathing suit that Uncle Craig and I bought her for her birthday.

We all had a fabulous weekend together even though we didn't do anything extremely exciting - but it just proves that "it's not where, but who you're with that matters".   Thank you for the hospitality Chrissy & Sami!  We can't wait until you both come up to Northern Virginia for a visit!  xoxo

30 Day Picture Challenge...

So I got this idea from my cousin, Chrissy.  It is actually a Facebook activity, but I thought it would be less annoying on my blog because I wouldn't be blowing up the Facebook news feed all the time (I probably won't actually do one of these each day).  Hopefully it will keep me blogging, and I won't take another 3-year hiatus...Here are the daily picture challenges:

Day 1- A picture of yourself with ten facts about yourself.
Day 2- A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest.
Day 3- A picture of the cast from your favorite show.
Day 4- A picture of your night.
Day 5- A picture of a favorite memory.
Day 6- A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day.
Day 7- A picture of your most treasured item.
Day 8- A picture that makes you laugh.
Day 9- A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most.
Day 10- A picture of the person you do the silliest things with.
Day 11- A picture of something you can’t stand.
Day 12- A picture of something you love.
Day 13- A picture of your favorite band or artist.
Day 14- A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.
Day 15- A picture of something you want to do before you die.
Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you.
Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently.
Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity.
Day 19 - A picture of you when you were little.
Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel.
Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget.
Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at.
Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book.
Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change.
Day 25 - A picture of your day.
Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you.
Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member.
Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of.
Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile.
Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss.

Ready, Set, Go - Day 1:

1. My mom is my hero.  She is by far the most thoughtful and loving person in my life.  In my 31 years, she has always put everyone else above herself.  People often say one of my fatal flaws is that I worry too much about others, and not enough about me.  Well, I don't really consider that a flaw - I look at it as being like my mom.  I can only wish that someday, I'll be as good of a mother as she is.

2. I am 100% a type A personality.

3.  Growing up, I hated reading.  Each summer you would find me frantically cramming the summer reading requirements the week before school started, and sometimes I would only read the Cliffs Notes version.  This year, however, I have been watching less TV (sorry DVR), and instead I've been reading.  Maybe it is the Kindle's fault - it's so much fun having so many book options at your fingertips.  Since I received the Kindle for Christmas, I have read 21 books.  I'm also planning on "re-reading" the books I was supposed to have read in High School.  Mrs. Erickson would be so proud! ;)

4. I love to dance.  I took 15 years of dancing, along with many years of cheer-leading, and today you would never know it.  Being 5'10" I often find myself feeling awkward on the dance floor, and I feel as if I'm lacking in the rhythm department.  How can that be with so much experience???  Well, I'm taking a hip-hop class with some friends this summer.  Hopefully, I won't look like too much of a fool! :)

5.  I still have a small section of my "blankie" from when I was a baby.  As a kid, I could not sleep without it in my hand or under my pillow.  I even took it with me to my first overnight trip to Florida with one of my friends.  Unfortunately, during that trip I didn't put blankie in my suitcase when we got up one morning, and one of the maids threw her out!!  I was devastated, but luckily I had left a small piece that had broken off at home.  Blankie is still with me, in my night stand - maybe if I took her out of hiding, I wouldn't have my sleeping problems anymore! ;)

6.  Not a day goes by where I don't think of my grandmother.  Sometimes it might be because I hear a Barbara Streisand or Johnny Mathis song, sometimes it's a certain fragrance in the air, or a rerun on TV that I stumble upon while flipping.  Sometimes when I'm sad or having a tough day, I take out her guardian angel necklace, hold it in my hand, and it brings a smile to my face. I <3 you and miss you, Gram!

7.  My favorite number is 11.  Billy Mueller - enough said;)

8.  I would love to have a big family just like my parents.  Five kids would be ideal, but seeing that I am already 31, and there are no kiddos, yet, this might be difficult to achieve.  Even though growing up with four younger siblings was a struggle at times, nothing beats birthdays, holidays, and vacations with the Viola household!

9.  I love Maple Walnut ice-cream with chocolate sprinkles.  Not too many places in Northern Virginia have this flavor, so when I do find it no matter how full I am, or what diet I am on, I order it!

10.  I am a huge sports fan.  Not sure if this is because I grew up cheerleader, and spent many nights and weekends cheering on the football and basketball teams, but I LOVE rooting for my boys!  Lately the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins have made being a Boston sports fan extremely easy.  I also have grown to love some of the local teams in the DC area - the Capitals (I LOVE me some OV), the Nationals, and the Red Skins.

Heather & Vaughan Visit Virginia

Last weekend my best friend from home, Heather, visited with her daughter, Vaughan.  Chris, Heather's husband, was unable to make the trip this time around due to his work schedule (a major bummer).  So we were prepared to have a fun-filled girls weekend! :)  Originally, we planned on going to the Red Sox v. Orioles game at Camden Yards on Thursday night, but Mother Nature decided to mess travel up on the East Coast - thus, they were delayed for a few hours.  Poor Heather was stuck at Logan Airport for 5 hours with a 10 month old.  Vaughan was such a trooper though, and behaved like the little angel she is - absolutely NO meltdowns whatsoever...not even on the plane!!  So by the time they landed at BWI, it was 8 o'clock; and somehow the Sox were already in the 5th inning.  Doesn't it figure that the Sox decide to play a speedy game the one night we are running late?!  By the time we figured out how to install Vaughan's car seat in my car, it was too late to head into Camden Yards.  (Side note - I definitely need to get an SUV when my lease is up this summer because there is no way I will be able to fit in a car, with a baby, said baby gear, and another passenger). 

Friday morning we started our day watching our DVR'd version of the Royal Wedding (wasn't Kate GORGEOUS!!) - there was no way that I was getting up at o' dark thirty on a day off, so DVR was the way to go! Eventually, we got our butts off the couch, and headed into DC to tour the monuments.  We visited the Washington Monument, WWII Memorial, the Vietnam War Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, and finished up in front of the White House.  Here are a few pictures from DC: 

That night, we picked up Craig,  and headed into Old Town to our new Friday Night pizza place, Pizzeria Paradiso.  We love this place because we never had to wait, they have a decent beer selection, the sangria is yummy, the food is quick, and it's next door to an ice-cream shop that actually sells Maple Walnut - my FAVE!!!  As you can tell by the picture of Vaughan above, we had a terrific day!

Saturday we had another girls day (poor Craig was home with Sawyer all weekend working).  Earlier this year, we became Cellar Club members at Breaux Vineyards, and we have not had a chance to pick up our March selections, so we decided to take a trip out to the vineyard for a tasting and some lunch.  Breaux is offering free tastings for Cellar Club members and a guest until the end of May - fabulous!  It was Heather and Vaughan's first visit to a winery, and I think it's safe to say it won't be their last.  We ended up staying for a few hours, enjoying a bottle of their "Jolie Blonde" and "Cabernet Rose" - yum!  Unfortunately, Heather and I both ended up with farmer's tans (more like burns, but at least we didn't end up with gills).

We were pretty tired after our trip to wine country, so we spent Saturday night relaxing at home, playing with Sawyer.  If you've met Sawyer, you know that he LOVES new people - especially children.  It was great watching Vaughan crawl around the living room, with the puppy right on her tail.  Each time she stopped, he would run by her, causing her to laugh hysterically...it was really cute!  I didn't get any good pictures of the two of them together because my camera is too slow.  We dropped the girls off at Dulles Airport on Sunday morning, and luckily they had no delays!  Even though the weekend flew by, we had a fantastic time, and Craig, Sawyer, and I look forward to having them visit again soon - hopefully with Chris!