Spring Awakening

Wowzer - has it really been 4 months since I last blogged?  Geez…the last time I left you, I was enjoying a nice quiet Christmas Eve by the fireplace with my two pooches.  I feel like a bear that has just awoken from a long winter nap….seriously!!!

Just to give you a crash course of what’s been going on – Christmas was wonderful.  Spent a nice day with the family and the babes spoiled me with my iPad (thanks again babes).  We rang in the New Year with a few close friends and had a great time (although I’m saddened by the recent passing of Dick Clark).  January went by in a complete blur (that is also my busy busy season at work with year-end and stuff).  The winter was great, we rarely got snow (insert happy dance) and I was able to get out and get back into running.  I’m feeling really good about where I am with it and I’m looking forward to a few races coming up in the next few months.  Ed took me out to dinner and gave me beautiful roses for Valentine’s Day.  Sometime in March, I took a mini-vacation from work and generally for the past few weeks, I’ve just been keeping a low profile and enjoying the warm weather.  We finally booked our trip to Chicago and we are planning a trip to Boston for our 10 year anniversary! Oh, and I’ve gardening too, but that’s not all peaches and roses – yes, I do not have a green thumb!

So what have you been up to?  Stay tuned – I’ll have updates on my 101 in 1001 journey in the next few days…..

Season’s Greetings

To My Dear Friends,

I just wanted to take an opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

From my home to yours,
Shannon, Ed, Mario, and Mia

Thankful Journal V – November 20th to November 24th

**12/20/11 – Happy belated Thanksgiving.  I had this post written to be published on 11/25, but given my need to jump into all things Christmas, I sort of forgot to hit the update button (and when I went to write a new post today, I saw this was still listed as a draft – whoops).  So if you have a leftover turkey leg (although I must put in a disclaimer that it may or may not be good for you), enjoy my final installment of my Thankful Journal.  I hope you have found a silver lining in each day like I have**

Sunday – November 20, 2011 - The little people in my life – I have four nieces and nephews that I love dearly and I cherish each and every one of them.  They are all awesome in their own way – Dana is my teenage diva, Riley has no fear, Makenzie is my creative and artsy child, and Colton is just pure sweetness and can melt my heart.  Love these little brats

Monday – November 21, 2011 – Kind Co-Workers – I’m working on an Advent Calendar and one of my co-workers was nice enough to lend me a staple gun to help with my project.  More on that soon!

Tuesday – November 22, 2011 - Getting Skunked - So my co-worker had an issue with her dog and a skunk (basically the dog got sprayed with a skunk) and her whole house smelled like skunk.  So she came into work on Tuesday and had a bit of an odor.  We all teased her (I told her that “she was bringing skunky back”) and had a good laugh at her expense.  Looks like she got skunked (much love to you Skunky Chrissy!!!)

Wednesday – November 23, 2011 – General Happiness – So normally I’m a pretty pleasant, happy-go-lucky type, but today I’m just generally more happy.  I don’t know if it’s because I’m on the horizon of a 4-day weekend (YES!!!!) or that I’m just generally blessed.  Either way, there was an extra pep in my step and I’m loving it!

Thursday – November 24, 2011 - An Attitude of Gratitude - Well, Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!  I’m thankful for my family, friends, a day off from work, and just having a blessed life!  I’ve been through my share of ups and downs, but I’m glad that I have chosen to use these as lessons and have them help me shape who I am today.  I hope that you and your families have lots to be thankful for too!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankful Journal IV – November 13th to November 19th

Wow,  Thanksgiving is less than a week away.  That’s insane, but so is one local radio station playing Christmas Music (and as a self-professed Christmas Junkie, this even irritates me – although I may have slightly contradicted myself below).  So, I’m back with my 4th installment of the Thankful Journal…..

Sunday – November 13, 2011 – Old Jokes - Back in HS, I had this one teacher who on the 13th of any given month would say “Friday the 13th Comes on a Sunday this month” (assuming the 13th would be on a Sunday).  So this morning I was awoken with this little reminder – and of course I had to beat my BFF Val to it and posted it on her Facebook wall (it is now a challenge to see who gets to it first every month)

Monday – November 14, 2011 – Warm Weather and Christmas Music Collide – it was a very nice day (and nice I mean sunny and 70 – which is very rare for NJ in November).  I happened to be flipping through the stations and found myself belting out Winter Wonderland.  Seemed odd, especially since it’s not even Thanksgiving yet (I don’t like Christmas Music until the day after Thanksgiving), but admittingly there was just something refreshing about it.

Tuesday – November 15, 2011 – Pinterest - Have you checked out Pinterest?  OMG, I’m hooked. Not only do you get to browse different ideas (DIY, Home, food, etc), but you get to pin your inspirations on a virtual board.  It keeps me busy for hours – especially the Humor section, where I found these gems:

By the way, if you are a friend on Facebook and want a Pinterest invite, let me know; I’ll email you an invitation!

Wednesday - November 16, 2011 – Carside Take-Out - I have a sinus infection and on this particular day, I felt like I was repeatedly getting punched in the face.  After realizing that I had left overs from the previous nights dinner for the babes, I ordered some soup from Carrabbas.  It was nice not having to cook!

Thursday – November 17, 2011 – Being Creative - I’m working on a project, which is rather funny, unfortunately I can’t share many details, at least until after the recipient receives it (and I will remain tight-lipped until then)

Friday – November 18, 2011 – End of a Work Week – Friday was a little hectic and stressful and I was more than happy to know it was also the end of a work week.  Woo hoo for the weekend (even though it was a busy one)

Saturday – November 19, 2011 – Facebook and Extended Family - I have a very unconventional family.  I barely know anything aside my Mother’s – Mother’s side (if that make sense).  So thanks to Facebook, I reconnected with my cousin Kim and my cousin Anita (they are relatives on my Mother’s-Father’s side aka the Hagerthey side).  I hosted a dinner and it was great to have everyone over (and finally meet Anita), learn a little about the Hagerthey side and just general conversation.  I hope we can all get together again soon!

I’ve loved seeing the different happy thankful posts on Facebook – keep them coming!

Thankful Journal – Part III – November 6 – November 12

Well, I’m almost halfway through the Thankful Journal and I have to admit it’s been pretty nice to quietly reflect each day and be thankful for at least something (especially since someone’s situation is always worse than yours):

Sunday – November 6, 2011 – Productive Sundays - I love lazy Sundays as much as the next person, but I also love love love when I get lots accomplished on the home front too.  Had a pretty busy day of food shopping, cleaning, cooking, and leaf blowing.  Guess I put that extra hour to good use, huh?

Monday – November 7, 2011 – Patience - Today was one of those days where everything that could go wrong, went wrong.  I was thankful that I did remain patient and calm.  Normally I would have had a meltdown like a 5-year-old in ToysRUS flopped on the floor crying, kicking, and screaming.  But I was good

Tuesday – November 8, 2011 – The Right To Vote - I’m sort of self-proclaimed geek with politics.  I follow it by watching debates, reading news, reviewing past voting history, etc.  I vote based on issues, not party lines.  I feel privileged that I live in a country where we are allowed to elect our officials.

Wednesday – November 9, 2011 – Pretty Fall Foliage – When I got home, I snapped this picture.  There is nothing like fall in the northeast.

Thursday – November 10, 2011 – The Babes – I’m thankful for Eddie every day, but this day in particular, he saved me from one of my 5-year-old meltdowns (I’m sensing a theme here) when accidentally lost half of the pasta I was draining down the drain.  I thought dinner was ruined, but he reassured me that everything would be ok.  Thanks babes – much love.

Friday – November 11, 2011 – Veteran’s Day – Thanks to all the veterans who have served this great country and continue to fight for my freedom.  I’m forever grateful.

Saturday – November 12, 2011 – Changes in plans - We were supposed to go to a family function, but the babes was ill, so we ended up not going.  After all the crazy running around in Lancaster the day before, I definitely needed a day of rest; although I didn’t really do much of that – I went to a yard sale & caught up with my BFF’s parents, saw my nephew’s football game, ordered some take out and watched a few episodes of The Wonder Years on my DVR. 

What about you – what are you thankful for this week?

Thankful Journal – Part II – 10.30.11 – 11.05.11

Well, I’m back with the second part of my Thankful Journal….As always, there’s plenty to be thankful for:

Sunday October 30, 2011 - Anniversaries – 10 years ago on this date we purchased/made settlement on our dear condo and moved from Westville & Bellmawr to Washington Twp (or Twp, or South Philly East as I call it).  I loved that place and there are times (especially since taking care of this house can be quite overwhelming) that I still wish we were there.  It’s was the best investment we may have ever made!  Cheers to 10 years in S. Philly East

Monday, October 31, 2011 – Comfort Food - there’s something about the fall and comfort food.  Since it was Halloween, normally we order a pizza and my nieces/nephews come over to go trick or treating.  They are now getting too old to hang out with Aunt Shanny, so I decided since it was a cool fall day, I’d make some homemade chili and it was delicious (please refrain from drooling on your keyboard)

Tuesday – November 1, 2011 – Doggie Snuggles – Every night it has been crazy cold in our house (thanks babes, for NOT using the heater), so I’ve been snuggling up on the couch with an old comforter and every night, both Mario and Mia are right beside me.  Such sweetness (and yes, I know they need haircuts)

Wednesday – November 2, 2011 – Fabulous Female Influences - Typically, this day is bittersweet for me.  It’s the anniversary of my mother’s death (32 years) and also Ed’s grandmother’s birthday (sadly she passed in 2003).  Instead of mourning and feeling bitter about things I have no control over, I decided that I’m going to celebrate their lives as well as all the other fabulous female influences in my life – Thanks also to my Grandmother (RIP), my sisters Kelly & Jennifer, Teresa (Mother-In-Law), Future Sis-in-Law Linda,  & of course my BFF’s Val, & Meg – you all rock!

Thursday – November 3 – Monthly Girls Night Out – At least once a month, my dear friend Megan and I go to dinner to catch up on news, etc.  Both of us have fairly busy lives and to just take one night out and go to dinner w/o the boyfriend/the babes is always refreshing (Shout to Val – We wish you were here to join us like the old days - maybe one time we’ll have “Flat Valerie” come!)

Friday – November 4, 2011 – Pandora Radio – Since my favorite radio station switched formats to a sports station (I may or may not have cried like a baby when I found out), I have yet to find a morning show to replace it.  Thankfully I have the Pandora App on my iPhone and all I had my own “Hair-Band Friday”on the drive into work.  Imagine the looks I got when I was belting out ‘Two Steps Behind” by Def Leppard (I can say it may or may not have been as bad as the time I was rapping to “Big Poppa” – along with white girl rap gestures/dancing – whoops)

Saturday – November 5, 2011 – Supporting a Great Cause – Eddie and I along with some other family members walked Purple Stride Philly to raise money for Pancreatic Cancer.  It was great to be involved in something that has directly impacted us both (I lost my grandmother, Dottie Ganly, in 1996 and Ed lost his uncle, William Venella, back in 2008).  For more information, click here.

So, what are you thankful for this week?

Thankful Journal – Part 1 – 10.24.11-10.29.11

Well, as promised in my last update for my 101 in 1001 challenge, I wanted to complete task #99 – Keep a journal for one month and write down 1 thing I’m thankful for each day.  So, I’m keeping this journal right here on my bloggy-blog, for you all to read.  I figured I’d start on 10/24/11 to 11/24/11 (Thanksgiving).  So here’s the first week (figuring I’d go Sunday – Saturday, although this first week starts with Monday).

Monday – October 24, 2011 – Kind Words - my birthday is 10/24 and I was thankful for the many kind words I received through phone calls/text messages/facebook posts.  Thank you all for taking a moment out of your day to think of me! Some of the sweetest words came from the babes @ 8:30 AM when I woke up – “Happy Birthday sweetie” with a kiss on my forehead – ahhh, love

Tuesday – October 25, 2011 – Quality Time With My Family - On Tuesday Night, my sister Kelly and I, along with her daughter Makenzie, went out to dinner and then created some pottery. We all had a great time, and I found that I’m more creative than I thought (when we pick up the final pieces, I will share with you!).  Here’s my niece, Makenzie, showing off her artwork:

Wednesday – October 26, 2011 - Running - I had a particularly rough day at work (hey it happens), so after I got home, I went out for a nice long run (3.65 miles).  It was nice to (a) enjoy the beautiful fall weather and (b) let go of some much-needed stress.

Thursday – October 27, 2011 - Alone Time - Eddie went out to watch the Miami/Virginia game, so I seized the opportunity to catch up and write some blog notes (one of my goals is to create a better blog with more content other than my 101 in 1001 challenge), talk to one of the BFF’s (Megan), and chat with my niece Dana on Facebook. 

Friday – October 28, 2011 – Pretty Sunrises - On my way to work, I happened to see this pretty sky.  Made me happy and made my day!

Saturday – October 29, 2011 - Celebrations - Within our close circle of friends, there are 5 birthdays (including mine) from October 20 – November 4 (Happy Birthday Jimmy, Chris L, Kelly, and Chrissy).  So we decided to go out and celebrate all the birthdays.  Since many have children now, it’s difficult to all get together, but I know wehad a great time, and it was nice catching up and celebrating another year!  Cheers!