9.24.2010

September

It's hard to follow up on that last post. I still feel lucky but now I feel bad if I complain... dang.
Oh well. September has continued to be a long and chock full month. Last weekend was so super fun and full of activity. Hubby and I are season ticket holders to the newest football craze, UFL; Go HartfordColonials!!! Saturday was the first game and what a super good time. We weren't quite sure what to expect as far as tailgate and pre-game; so we made some mistakes: 1) we did not bring any food 2) we did not bring any beer 3) we did not bring lawn games, tables, blankets, music or anything overly fun. We did bring some bottles of water and skip-bo. We are huge skip-bo fans so the card game was fun as always but you try playing in the back of your car, while 14,000 people are grilling and tailgating. The kids in the car next to us were laughing at us, not with us, I'm pretty sure. We walked around the parking area looking for any folks that we knew were coming to the game. We didn't find anyone but we witnessed all sorts of "tailgate" fun. It looks like pretty serious business. Huge flags, lots of beer, some beer pong, grills of all sizes and flavors and lots of food. The smells were amazing. This is not just dogs and burgers my friends. There was seafood and steak and sausage and kabobs. This is gourmet back of the car goodness. After spending some time exploring we made our way into the stadium and into the food line. You try walking around all that tailgating and not get hungry. We had sausage and peppers that left a LOT to be desired. Especially after witnessing the food goodness right outside.
The game was AWESOME! The Colonials played a great game. I enjoy football and let me tell you live football is even better. The only thing that got really lame towards the end was the live feed. There is a guy that stands near the edge of the field and whenever he crosses his arms it means that the station that is televising the event is on a commercial break. The game would have ended a half hour earlier if it wasn't for that dude. I did not like him and was getting kinda cranky towards the end of the game. We stayed until the last few minutes and then ran out trying to get ahead of the parking lot traffic. The best parts of the game were: 1) the canon being shot for every TD 2) the people we sat with were awesome 3) of course getting to spend some time with hubby. Things I learned: 1) Bring some food to "tailgate with". I think we will start small next time and just buy some grinders or something and then maybe buy a portable grill in the future (maybe). 2) Wear a hat during the game. We sat on the sunny side of the stadium and although it was cool and cloudy out, my face was tight and red the next morning. 3) Do not eat the stadium food.
The other super fun awesome event that we attended last weekend was the wedding of our friends Todd&Rebecca. The wedding was at the NewHavenLawnClub. Beautiful venue, great people, awesome wedding. The ceremony was really sweet and so full of love. Todd chose his 6 year old son as his best man; so adorable. The food was good, the band was fun and the company was even better. I got to hang and dance and celebrate with some seriously great people. Some that I haven't seen in a really long time.
I can't believe that was already a week ago. On to the next wedding couple. Going to a bridal shower tomorrow at one of my FAVORITE restaurants AGAVE! Love it. I am really excited for Kyle&Kenny; super cute couple.
Okay peeps, have a great weekend.
Ciao
S

9.16.2010

Feeling pretty lucky

Throughout this bought of crazed life business I am happy to say that I feel pretty lucky. I know that I am knocking on Murphy's door by saying this but I do.
Hubby and I have been together for 15 years this year and we still laugh at each other and sit through lunch having a million stories to share. Don't get me wrong, it isn't always that way but it always ends up that way and isn't that the most important thing. I love my job. It isn't the most glamorous or most challenging job that I have ever had. But the community is amazing and the folks that I work with on a daily basis are wonderful. I get to go back to school for a steep discount and that is also pretty cool. Not only it is a great benefit of the job but it is so rewarding in it's own way. I never thought that I would go back and here I am. It's not easy but it feels right.
About 5 years ago I suffered from a herniated disc and it was crazy painful. I elected to not have surgery and manage it on my own through chiropractic care and exercise. I can say today that it was the best decision. I feel great. Once again, this isn't always the case but I have learned a lot about my body and limitations and to me that was much more rewarding that undergoing a "quick" fix that might not have been quick or a fix.
I have never been one to go forward with life full speed ahead and make peace with my decisions. I have always fretted over every decision, doubting the outcome. But from where I stand right now I'm pretty happy with where I am. It only makes me that much happier to see where we go from here. I know that I will still fret and second guess myself, but at least I can rest assured that no matter what the decision, it is always the right one.

Ciao
S

9.14.2010

September is kicking my butt

It is one of those months that is CHOCK FULL of fun, and work and other crap that isn't fun.
Today though.... today was one of those rare days that was a sneaky treat. Hubby and I had an unexpected lunch date. It was wonderful. I'm pretty sure if he's reading this he is rolling his eyes, but I had a wonderful time. First it was DELISH. We went to GinzaJapanese restaurant in Bloomfield. If you haven't gone... GO. I had a special roll called "Out of Control" and hubby had the angry dragon (which is pretty appropriate if you know him) and we both thoroughly enjoyed them. It was a beautiful day and we were joking and laughing and just happy. Yup I said it... we were both just happy (and no sake was involved!). I'm feeling pretty lucky today, even in the midst of a CRAZZZEEE month I am happy. This upcoming weekend we are headed to a football game and a wedding. I will tell you all about it next week.
Ciao peeps. Smile.

S

9.05.2010

Today

Today was one of those days that you dream about. One of the days that you feel like you want to bottle up and take with you for always.
I worked yesterday so I was super tired and when we finally made plans we had to get going right away to get to where we wanted to go in time. We originally had plans to go to the Woodstock fair but because of reasons too numerous and not story worthy we weren't going. Instead we decided to go to the HillStead Museum farmers market and then go to RosedaleFarms vineyard for a wine tasting. Last week I met an Italian exchange grad student at the University and invited her to spend the day with us, turns out it was her birthday, so I was super happy that she wasn't alone today. When I studied abroad I spent my birthday there and remembered how lonely it was. Interestingly enough I also remember that we had a wine tasting that night as well.
We started at the farmers market and had a really wonderful time tasting all the cheeses and checking out all the gorgeous produce. There were peppers the size of a small child's head. I bought some manchego cheese from BeltaneFarm... delish. My girlfriend bought some cow's milk cheese from another vendor. That vendor also sold lamb sausage that we really want to go back and pick up. HillStead Museum grounds are gorgeous. The day was so bright and breezy and beautiful. From there we drove through Simsbury to get to RosedaleFarms. Gorgeous drive. The wines were wonderful and we bought some super expensive produce to make a caprese salad for dinner. When we got back to my friends house we cooked eggplant on the grill, made the salad, smoked/grilled some burgers, sausage and steaks. It was a meal fit for a king. All the while drinking really good wine. We ended the gorgeous meal with an apple pie. I am so stuffed. And so happy.
My new italian friend had a fabulous birthday, I soaked up an amazing day. Really truly what more could a girl ask for.
Ciao
S

9.04.2010

Looong weekend

Hi Peeps.
Today marks the beginning of a long weekend. Oh the thought. I love it! I, personally, think every weekend should be three days long, but that is neither here nor there. This weekend is the emotional end of the summer and beginning of school, although most people have already gone back to school. Today is a gorgeous day, so get out there and enjoy.
Today I am assisting on a wedding photo shoot. I have been doing a lot of these this summer and loving it. Today is no difference. Tomorrow we are headed to the Woodstock Fair. I've never been and look forward to spending some time with friends. Monday I will be home catching up on homework and housework and married work.

Ciao
S