Breathless

Last night as I was out with friends I took notice to my surroundings. I am in Risk Management so being observant is part of my job that has brushed off into my off hours as well. Plus, I love to people watch.

As I sat in the booth watching the couple across from me you knew they were just freshly dating and very much into each other. She sat nervously holding onto every word the handsome fella was saying as did he to her. When listening he brushed his hand gently against hers and really heard not just the words but what she was actually saying. It was amazing to watch.

After dinner, the couple stood to leave, he grabbed her jacket and helped her put it on. I swear my heart skipped a beat when I saw this. She smiled gently and looked shyly towards him whispering thanks.

As he gently glided his hand on the small of her back leading her out the door you could tell her heart was pounding at how diviner her date had been.

I sat and smiled as I watched this couple hoping the gentleness of acts will continue to take place.

I also realized that it is the small acts of kindness that mean more than any other part of a date.

This left me...breathless.

Ahhhh, new love

I am in love all over again...I got the bestest present ever yesterday from the sweetest gal-friend EVER.

When shopping a week ago we saw goose down comforters on sale and I mentioned how much I would love to get one but I knew I couldn't get one right now at that moment...

Well....it so happens that last night what appears at my door - no not 8 tiny reindeer - but how freaking cool would that have been???

But my gal-friend with a huge bag - inside the bag - a KING SIZE GOOSE DOWN COMFORTER. Her reason, for being such a great friend. Talk about a full teary eyed situation.

I tore that baby open like it was the last gift I'd ever get; ran upstairs to my bedroom ripped all the covers off and replaced them with the ever so fluffy; soft; warm; white down comforter.

Last night was the best sleep I've had in months...although my little man was quite the cuddler last night - which is more than fine - he's 3.5 - that is the best kind of cuddler to have.

I am IN...LOVE... - and I can be in love with object...as it'll keep me warm at night and all I have to do is cuddle with it. IN...LOVE...Simple enough...

Merry Christmas...

Merry Christmas

Just a mushy post to say Merry Christmas to all my fellow blog readers and blogging pals. I hope Santa is good to you all whether you were naughty or nice. As I'm always on the naughty list no matter what seems to happen in my life. It's naughty in a good way though. I mean really is there anything but...

While you're all out celebrating the Yule Time Carols be safe.

Team Photo

Not the best photo of us - but really who cares it's not a beauty contest when you're out there on the court sweating it up for charity.

Back row Left to Right - Bob; Marcus (who is from Berlin, Germany); Travis
Front row Left to Right - Emily; Darla; Jeff

And the Winners Are...

Yesterday, Sunday, I was asked to play in a charity volleyball tourney in the Martinsburg, PA area. This tourney has been ongoing for years and is a co-ed 6's event. The teams consisted of 2 girls and 4 guys. Two 5 team pools of intense players who all have amazing skills.

I have been playing with the same team for about 6 years now and adore them all. Although we had a little change up of a girl and a guy we all managed to play hard and gel well. This is not a tourney for the weak at heart. The level of play is as intense as it can get and everyone is out to win and take title - even if it is for the kids.

After a heartbreaking first three game losses we picked ourselves up and never looked back entering the fourth game. Sweet victory has never tasted so good. A few of the teams were stacked and entering the first round of playoffs we knew the team we were about to face was mighty strong and stacked like a child's collection of lego blocks. Our goal - knock that building down.

We lost the first game and knew we had to pick it up a notch had we wanted to be in the final round. After a grueling game and many lead changes we took charge and won game two and three.

By this time, our team dead on our feet and feeling pretty icky; sticky and stinky knew it was time for finals - the do or die situation of the day. The team we played had won the tourney the last 2 years in a row and we were ready to regain that Champion title back.

We pulled it together, took no names gave no mercy and never let a ball drop without at least getting a touch on it. A coach couldn't have been prouder with this team of 6. We finally won in 2 close knit games.

Great job done by all who played. I couldn't have played well or won without the amazing support of my teammates. I love this team!! Our final record was 10-4 - not a bad day.

No injury's of the day, although, I did receive a 6 pack (a spiked ball to the face) which stung a little but the moment of play was to incredible I never even notice it. All I could think of was I hope the ball was playable after it hit me.

Team picture to be posted at a later date.

The Joy of Giving

There is nothing I love more than the joys of gift giving. On Tuesday, my girl TK and I played hookey from work and went shopping for our little darlings.

I had so much fun in the Toy Barn - maybe to much fun. Kids have the coolest toys now a days and well maybe I'm just a kid in a grown up body. It's not even about how much money I spend or don't it's all about seeing the joy of that little man of mine when he's screaming in excitement over his presents. I seriously, think that is the best Christmas Present E.V.E.R.

Next we are off to the Wonderful World of Disney. I hear the squeal of delight over the Minnie Mouse coffee mug. Shouting, I. LOVE. MINNIE. Look at the size of this cup, it's huge. I just smiled, kept on shopping, asking aren't you going to buy that - if you really want it you should have it.

I pick it up looked at it and just smiled, next thing you know I'm at the register purchasing the mug and ah, one for myself - Tinkerbell. It was too good of a deal to pass up. Two mugs for $12.00.

Last stop of the day - Hallmark - you know, buy 3 Hallmark cards and get the animated singing snowman and penguin thingy which is simply adorable. I have one from the previous year and had to have the new one as well. I end up getting some of the best friendship cards ever, finally I'm off to the register.

I'm now going to fastforward to the giving part cause you really don't need to hear about our awesome lunch at the Olive Garden. Let me just say Y U M M Y. Endless soup; salad; breadstix - $4.95 - WOWZA...now that's a deal.

I get into work with said gift, wrap it in a box, interoffice it over to TK, as she's in a different building than me and WAIT...PATIENTLY...WAIT...

I get the jabber message from TK stating UR A DORK...I.LOVE.YOU...

She loves her mug and cannot wait to have that huge ass cup of Jo with Minnie. So worth the small effort when you are putting a smile of someone's face.

Ah, the joys of giving, nothing beats it.

Accused

Why is it when a spouse chooses to leave there is the automatic accusation of everything from A to Z? Can society just not believe that there were/are private issues that the couple could not work out?

It is more hurtful to be put thru accusations then the actual separation or divorce proceedings. So the next time you want to be the gossipmonger make sure you know what you're talking about.

One last thing, you really have no business talking about the couple in the first place. It is most likely you don't know what you're talking about in the first place.

Christmas Gala

On Saturday, it was our infamous Christmas Gala for the company that I work for. I will start by saying it's a black tie affair and o so much fun. It is held at a ski resort in which employees are offered a discounted rate for skiing and rooms for the evening.

Had I known the weather was going to be gorgous I would have taken my ski gear and took a few runs down the moutain.

I started the evening off with some appetizers which were tremendous. We're talking jumbo shrimp; bite size crab balls; scallops wrapped in bacon; some type of pesto flat bread that was just yummy; fruit and beer.

I wolfed down several shrimp and crab balls - then onto the main meal. Salad; sherbet to clean the palat finally bringing on the Jumbo shrimp; lobster kebob and filet with rice and asperagus. Dessert was cheesecake with a chocolate icing coating and was quite delicious.

I love this company's Christmas party - there were about 1300 people who attended and O the fun. The employee who puts the party together does a great job!! However, I do not envy her one bit for the job she has. Although, with my bossy and organized attitude I could handle it, but I'm glad it's her job and not mine.

Kudos to her for yet another great year of partying it up and a job well done!!

I have added several photos to my Flickr Account so feel free to browse on thru them. Everyone looked great. Surprisely we all clean up pretty nicely.

Going stag was not bad - I was free to mingle and my only worry - finding my room at the end of the night.

The First Snow

Ah, it is really truly winter. Last night we received the first real snow fall - that actually accumulated in some serious inches. Well, ok, maybe not serious inches, but to me anything that causes traffic to slow down to a halt and makes me just shutter is serious.

I'm not a big fan of the snow unless it is not on the roadways. I have had one major accident due to snow several years ago where I was T-boned by an SUV. Having that accident still freaks me out in the winter time - damn SUV's thinking they can just plow their way through anything.

This is the time of year I wish I could work from the luxury of my home. Wearing nothing but wild colored fuzzy slippers and soft flannel pj's all day would be the ultimate dream in the winter time.

I am not a fan of cleaning off the car and letting it warm up. I like to be able to get in my car and go go go. Nor am I a huge fan of big sweaters and bulky coats.

I guess I just need to head south for the winter like the birds ...

What's in a Name?

Last night I headed out down over the mountain to do some much needed shopping for LM and of course myself then to meet a good friend for dinner.

As I'm pulling out of one of the many shopping plazas to go on to the next spending venture I looked across the highway and noticed a business sign which read:

Good Funeral Home

At this point, I began to chuckle to myself thinking - what is so "Good" about a funeral home?

I'm sure it's family owned and that is most likely their last name, but still, they couldn't have come up with another name?

I'm still thinking about it 24 hours later...Good Funeral Home...All I know, it is never good to be at a funeral home anytime.

Once you go Wireless

How about that - I am now so 21st Century...I have just had an encounter with WIRELESS. My new found love of sitting on the floor in LM's playroom as he licks his red popsicle staring at me wondering why I'm tickled pink right now.

Ah, the joys of the little things in life...Wireless...

Who would have thought having a computer not attached to anything other than your lap could be so much fun? It's a good feeling to be able to just wonder around carrying my laptop being all cool and such. Now, I don't have to be tied to just one room/area when plugging away- imagine the possibilities.

O sweet summertime of sipping that cold beer on the front porch and pounding away on the keyboard - woo I can hardly wait...

It's like being a giddy teenager again. Ya know, being that school girl that gets asked out by that cool kid on the football team. Ok...Ok... maybe not that extreme but for me - it's the little things that make me smile.

Ah, the finer things in life. O how sweet it is!!