Mommies, sisters, and an anniversary

I hope you all had a happy Mother's Day! Did anyone do anything special? Mine was particularly emotional, as my mom had gotten news that her mammogram was wonky. She has since seen her surgeon, and the cancer is not back!!!!

Both of my little sisters had their birthdays recently. One turned 25, and the other 23. The younger got engaged, and I got to see her in her wedding gown yesterday. It was a truly amazing experience. I got teary, of course. She isn't sentimental at all, and even wore her pants under the dress while she was trying it on in the shop. It meant a lot to me, though!

This Saturday marks The Jerseymooners' first wedding anniversary. The year flew by! We are going to Washington, DC for the weekend. I will check in with pictures and sentiments when we return.

What did you learn your first year of marriage?

Five Question Friday (5/7)

http://fivecrookedhalos.blogspot.com/

Five question Friday is hosted by Mama M at My Little Life. Join in!

1. What is your worst memory of your siblings?
I think anytime my siblings were hurt or upset are bad. I can't think of specifics, but as the eldest child, I always felt protective of them, whether they needed or wanted my help or not.

2. What was YOUR naughtiest childhood memory? (Must be something YOU did, no pawning it off on someone else.)
I know you won't believe me, but I really never did anything wrong. I was terrified of breaking rules. Part OCD, part healthy fear of my parents. I do remember covering up that my cat stole a chicken breast that was defrosting on the table. I was 18 at the time, but I hid the chicken in the trash because my dad already barely tolerated the cats. Sorry, mom. I feel bad that I lied by omission.
3. Where do you like to go to relax?
I love the beach, I love reading in the park in the sunshine, and I love drinking tea and reading on my chaise. It was a graduation gift form my mother-in-law, and I love it so much that I slept in it the first few days I had it. lol

4. What was the last thing you won?
During intermission at our dance recital in April, there was a contest to see which of the ladies' men danced the best. I didn't have any men there, as Jeff was working, but I noticed a very out-of-place-for-Philadelphia Cowboy won. The prize was a month of free classes. At the after-party, I chatted him up and found out that he was just passing through town with a friend of a friend, so he didn't "belong" to any of the girls in class. I told him he should give his prize to me. He did. I technically didn't win, I charmed them out of him.

5. If you could be on a game show, what would you choose?
Even just watching Deal or No Deal stresses me out, so I'd pick something a little less intense, like Wheel of Fortune or Cash Cab. Jeopardy is fun but seems boring.

I Still Have It : P

Yesterday I got some bad news, so I was super stressed. My pal Laura convinced me to go to dance class anyway, and like the good friend she is, made sure we got some Ben & Jerry's on the way home. (PS- Try the new Boston Cream Pie flavor- OMG!)

So, I was standing in the aisle with two pints of B&J's in my arms, ratty ponytail, dinosaur t-shirt, and sparkly flip-flops, with circles under my eyes from crying, when a handsome man approached.

"Excuse me, are you single?" asked Handsome.

"Me?" (looked around) "Um, no, haha, I am married."

H: Are you sure? You aren't wearing rings.

S: (looks at fingers) Oh! Um. Crap. I left them at home. I was at dance practice!

Laura: She is married. I can vouch for that.

S: Look, see my wedding ring tan lines?! (I was stressed to the point of hysterical and not expecting human contact)

H: Ok. Well, where do you dance.

S: (blank stare.) Oh. ummmmmm... in Philly?

H: Yeah, but is it jazz? hip hop?

S: Ummmmm.... (looks desparately at Laura. Please save me.)

L: It's... contemporary

H: Ok... Well, are you sure you're not single? You have great legs.


So, that was weird, but hilarious. I guess I should wear my dinosaur tee and look crazy more often.

Five Question Friday

I saw Five Question Friday on Stacie's blog and loved it! It's hosted by My Little Life. Check them both out, and feel free to join in!

1. What was the first car you owned?

I had a '94 Saturn SL2. I loved it! I got it (very) used with 121,00 miles on it. I beat it up, and it never let me down. I had it for 6 years, until Jeff decided it was time for me to get a more updated (read: with OnStar) version because of the long, hilly commute to work I had at that time. My current car is also a Saturn. I am so sad that they are going to stop making them. They're great little cars.

2. What songs are you embarrassed to know the lyrics of?

None! I'm not embarrassed at all. I have the weird ability to remember lyrics for eternity after hearing a song only two or three times. I remember everything. If you want to take it waaaaay back, I remember that the lyrics to the Cabbage Patch Theme Song form the Cabbach Patch Kids album were, "Cabbage Patch Kids, Growing in the garden, Cabbage Patch Kids, Growing in the sun, and the most amazing thing about a Cabbage Patch Kiiiiiid: Each one grown to be a special one." Rainbow Brite? Sure, I remember that, too, "Starlight, Rainbow Brite. A little wish in the moonlght. Sunbeams, sparkle and shine, you'll always be a friend of mine."

I could go on all day. I am like a musical Rain Man.

3. Have you ever had stitches?

I got a mole removed for a total of 2 stitches, plus the stitches from getting my wisdom teeth removed. So, sort of, but nothing that counts.

4. What was your first job?

Besides babysitting, I was a receptionist for a scrap metal recycling company. I was 17. Where my desk was was called "The Meat Locker" because all of the air conditioning would settle there, and it was freezing. Even though it was summer, I would bundle up to go to work. It was a great first job, though.

5. Who is your favorite Sesame Street character?

Kermit the Frog. He is my favorite anything character. Yes, he was on Sesame Street. He was the newscaster (one of the only Muppets with a job!). I love him. In fact, I had a Kermit decal in my above-mentioned first car. Think about it. He's the perfect guy if you take away the amphibian thing. Sensitive, caring, smart, talented...


Happy Friday!

Dancing Queen

Lately, and by lately I mean the last four or five years, I have wanted to be more fit. Not necessarily to lose weight, just to move and feel good again, like I did in my cheerleading days, minus the glitter. I've done yoga, but frankly, I can't afford that right now. My apartment complex has a gym (actually, it's closed for renovations, but theoretically it has a gym), but I hate, HATE, running on an elliptical or a treadmill. It is so boring for me. I feel like a hamster. It also reminds me of my short-lived (read: two-week) track career in high school. I hated running then. I only joined so they'd have enough girls to form a team, and I quit because the school play started.



But I digress.

Anyway, when contemplating fitness recently, I recalled how much I loved my dance team in high school (Go Maroon Jazz!) and my dance classes and swing dance club in college. I am by no means a dancer. I just enjoy dancing. Very different. I searched for dance classes in the area, but was dismayed by the cost. I found one place that seemed like fun and was really inexpensive, so I gathered up all of my moxie and joined in the beginning of March. we even had a recital. Here's me as one of the seven deadly sins (Envy) and as a muse from Xanadu:






(Yes, I realize I did not avoid the glitter. And the white body paint was for glowy effects. Watch Xanadu, you'll get it!)

My dance pals are some of the most fun, supportive, and generally kick-ass women I know. They are so athletic, and the things they are able to do are astounding.

At this point you may be wondering what form of dance I am doing. Don't judge:

Pole dancing!

It's not want you think. There's nothing slutty/dirty/etc about it, and nobody takes off their clothes. Pole Dancing for fitness is a terrific total-body workout. I totally recommend it for anyone looking for a fun way to work out, and if anyone in the area wants to join me for class, check out Poise Dance Studio in Philadelphia.

What do you think?

11 month check in

I have no idea how the last 11 months have gone by so quickly. Jeff and I have been married almost a year, and it feels like time flew.

I recall that before we got married, several of my (disgruntled? dissatisfied?) friends/coworkers were advising me not to get married. Those who were "happily" married said marriage didn't change anything for them.

I disagree.

Somehow, being married to Jeff makes me feel closer to him, in this cosmic, no-way-to-explain-it kind of way. There's something about knowing that we are forever linked that is comforting, secure, and makes me feel rich all the way down to my soul. Sometimes I look at him and think in disbelief, "Wow, I really get to keep him?"

I still feel like a newlywed, and probably will for a long time.

Jeff Fell For Another Girl

I knew it would happen sooner or later.

Jeff is in love with someone else.

Of course, I love her, too. We are honored to have been asked to be godparents to our friends Jackie and Mike's new daughter, Baby L! She was born on 3/3/10, and I have never seen Jeff so in love. It is adorable. He just stares at her with googly eyes. He is a major baby-hog. He talks to her when he feeds and burps her.




He is going to be such a great dad someday!