Giving Back

You know what is the best feeling in the world? Helping others.

Every December, my boss brings us out for a holiday lunch. This year, instead of going out to lunch, we decided that we would volunteer at a local not-for-profit for a couple of hours - genius, right? I thought so!

An email went out today from our Events Coordinator saying that we will have a potluck lunch here at work (grab bag optional) and then we would go volunteer at whatever organization we choose. The Ronald McDonald House is looking to be the final destination (that's what I am hoping for anyways!) I suggested that instead of doing a grab bag, we could donate the $10 that we would spend on a silly grab bag gift, to the Ronald McDonald House ($140 total!)

My mom also asked a few of us if we wanted to adopt a family in the Hilltowns - why yes, yes I do! I have the great pleasure of buying some clothes (and a few fun things) for an 11 year old girl. My sister is buying the family a Price Chopper gift card as well as a "movie night" basket, my grandparents bought some clothes for the girls' parents and my mom will be buying a few things for the family as well.

Last but not least, I am on pie making duty for Thanksgiving at my moms. I love making pies and they are pretty easy to make. However, a girl that I work with brought in the owner of Pie ala Moe for a pie tasting. The pies were wonderful and I thought, instead of me making a pie, I should support small businesses and buy one of hers! So, I have a yummy sweet potato, chocolate crumble pie being delivered to me (for free) the day before Thanksgiving!

This holiday season, consider giving back in some way, even if it's donating a small amount of food to your local food pantry. It is so rewarding and I promise it will make you realize just how lucky you are :-)

Crap Giveaway!

Please see Michele's blog for stuff that her and I are giving away for free! Some of it is old and some of it is brand new but just sitting in our basements.

If you want anything, please leave a comment on her blog (family and friends only) - first come, first served.

Companions

These videos will bring a smile to your face! Companions

October 15, 2005 - one of the best days of my life

Yesterday was our 4 year Anniversary. It's amazing how time flies! It seems like yesterday that Joe proposed to me on my dads fishing boat on Lake George.
The date of the proposal was May 7, 2004. It was a brisk, spring day and Joe and I had plans to go up to Lake George for the day to kayak. I asked him if he still wanted to go up since it was pretty cold, but he was pretty adamant about going, so we went! We went to the village and ate at a pizza place (not Capris, some other place that I'm drawing a blank on). We then drove over to my Grandparents' camp and Joe said, "let's take the fishing boat out instead." I replied, "Are you crazy? That thing is dirty and filled with leaves." Again, he was adamant about taking that out instead of the kayak. So we dragged the dirty, old, alumnium fishing boat out from under the crawl space, loaded it into the truck and drove it down to the dock. I could tell something was up, but wasn't quite sure, or maybe I was in denial that I was about to be given a ring! As I mentioned, it was a brisk day which means the water was pretty choppy. We loaded the boat into the water and carefully climbed in trying not to flip over. Joe rowed us out to the middle and started saying, "so, you know we've been together for quite awhile..." This is when I started hearing the voices in my head, "oh.my.god. This is the moment!" He said some other things, but I honestly can't remember because I had so much going through my head "he's asking me to marry him!" "Is this boat going to flip?!" "oh my god I'm going to be a wife!" He actually got down on one knee in the rocky boat and asked me to marry him! I of course said "yes", we quickly hugged so the boat didn't flip and he rowed us back to the dock. He brought a backpack with him which held my ring, a champagne bottle and two champagne glasses.
It was so surreal and so exciting! We drove home and I called a few people to tell them the news.

After that, we spent the next year and a half planning our wedding. We both agreed that Fall would be the best time of year - leaves changing colors, cool weather - all around a nice time of year. I then went dress shopping, tried on a few and saw "the one" on another girl who was trying on dresses. I loved it at first sight! We decided to get our flowers from Rizzo's Florist. They are distant relatives of Joe and they did a wonderful job!! From there, we booked the DJ (who we loved, but he moved to Florida), photographer, Reception, ordered our invitations and wedding bands, chose the bridesmaids dresses and tuxedos.
We decided that our wedding favors would be cd's that consisted of most of the "important" songs played at our wedding.

Everything came together pretty easily.

Then the big day came. It sprinkled pretty much all day and then stopped around 3:30 and the sun came out - just in time for pictures before the wedding!
5:30 rolled around and there I was - walking down the aisle with my father to Pachebel's Canon in D and tearing up as I saw Joe standing at the other end of the church.

I can't believe that it has been four years since that day. It seems like it was yesterday. I fall more in love with Joe every single day. He is the love of my life. I am so lucky to have such a genuine, caring, honest, loving husband.

October 15, 2005 was simply the best day of my life!

We did it!!

Michele and I finished yet another 5k! Not only did we finish, we got our best time ever! We both crossed the finish line at 36:01!
Thank you Michele for introducing me to this athletic world - it feels pretty awesome :-)

Whoops!

Haven't posted in quite a few days!! Ummm, let's see...5k on Saturday!
Stay tuned for the results!

First day of school jitters

As I was driving to work today, I noticed clusters of kids at every corner nervously awaiting the school bus. I remember these days like it was yesterday. I used to dread the first day of school. If only I knew then what I know now.

Some of these kids were laughing, others were moping, and some just looked plain tired.

Cheer up kids and enjoy these days. It's the beginnging of the rest of your life.