A Letter to a Friend

Dearest Flo,

We've been friends for a long time now; 27 years to be exact. I feel as though I haven't been honest with you. You see, I hate you Flo. I really, really do. You always overstay your welcome and you seem to delight in showing up at the exact wrong moment. Many times you've ruined a perfectly good beach day or vacation. You make me sick! Literally.

It seems that the only people who like you, Flo, are girls in college who wait anxiously for you to arrive after a couple of crazy, drunken weekends. Otherwise, you're not welcome.

It may sound harsh, but I've tried hinting around and you just don't seem to get the point. I think we should see less of each other. I think we'd both be happier that way. Don't worry, you'd make new friends. I'm sure there are some 13 year-old girls just dying to hang out with you. Go introduce yourself to them. I'm not saying that we have to say goodbye forever, just maybe not see as much of each other. Once every few months would be okay. I'm just getting a little tired of you knocking on my door every 28 days. It's a little rude.

There, I said it. I hope I didn't hurt your feelings. That wasn't my intention. I just wanted you to know how much you're not welcome around here.

Best of luck in the future.

XO,

Loopy

Happy Earth Day!

I wouldn't exactly call myself a tree hugger..despite the evidence below:

Although, I do recycle like a crazy person. Last year I worked for a family that didn't recycle. I would literally go through their garbage and take the recyclables home withe me. It pains me to see someone throw away a plastic milk container. I just can't sleep at night knowing that I didn't prevent it. Seriously.

My dad is the one that got us all into recycling. He did it before it was even trendy. About 15 years ago the town that they live in announced that they would have recycling bins available for residents. My dad picked one up and the rest is history. We would call him "The Recycle Police." God help you if you threw something away that had a #1 or #2 on the bottom. You'd get a lecture on how those don't go in the trash, they go in the recycle bin.

In honor of Earth Day I took my nephews out for a "nature hike." Okay, I really took them out so my sister could get her house in order for Easter. But, I made a big deal about going on this hike and it being Earth Day. I think it made an impact since the first words out of my 6 year old nephews mouth when he saw me today was, "Happy Earth Day!"

Here are some pictures from our day:

A rare sweet moment

Climbing up a cliff

"We made it!"

We brought some bird seed for the birds.

Tired after our hike up the hill.

We had a great day out in the fresh air honoring Mother Nature.

As my dad would say, "Rememba to recycle!"

Scarred for Life

When I was younger, my family called our girlie private parts your "tooney." Not that private parts were ever discussed. It was more like when you got out of the tub, my mom would ask "did you wash your tooney?"

One day, when I was about seven years old, I playing in my playroom while watching one of my favorite shows, "Donny & Marie." I loved those two crazy Mormons! I was only half watching when they started singing a song and dancing. The song went something like this:

"Shake your tooneys

Shake your tooneys,

Yeah, yeah!"

I stopped dead in my tracks. Why on earth would Donny & Marie be singing about tooneys? Why would ANYONE sing about tooneys? They must be some kind of sickos! It looked like they were actually trying to shake their tooney's while singing it! I almost ran to my mom and told her when I realized what they were really singing:

"Shake your two knees

Shake your two knees

Yeah, yeah!"

Yes, I was scarred for life by Donny & Marie.

Home Parties

There is a new trend in in-home parties. Gone are the days of the Tupperware party. The latest trend is hosting parties for brands. Companies like House Party and Mommy Parties are looking for moms (or non-moms) to invite people into their homes to talk about and sample brands that we use everyday.

Forget about inviting people over to buy things and getting excuses like:

"Sorry, I have to give my dog a bikini wax that night."

or

"I can't make it. I'm waiting for George Clooney to call me back and he only has my home phone number."

or

"No can do. I have plans to color my hair with a Sharpie that night."

Now people will be thrilled to come over and not spend a dime. Oh and they get to leave with a goodie bag containing items about the product showcased. How cool is that?

Recently, Kelly and I were invited to a party by the fabulous Melanie (aka The Coupon Goddess). She hosted a Nutella party in her home. She made crepes with Nutella, bananas and even strawberries.

They were so delicious!

We also got to meet some really cool women.

Tracey (Family in Construction), Darby, Melanie (The Coupon Goddess), Kelly and Me

Here's how these home parties work:

It's free to sign up. You give them your info and they email you when they have a party available for hosting. You fill out a short questionnaire and they contact you (via email) if you've been selected as a host. In a few short weeks you get a package in the mail containing everything you need to host your party. Easy and fun!

Give it a try!

*This was not a sponsored post. I just love spreading the word about these companies.

40 Things I Cannot Do

Since I recently turned 40, I started thinking about some things that I can't do. Here's a list of some of those things:

1. Climb a tree
2. Parallel park
3. Speak French
4. Say no to chocolate
5. Jog
6. Cook a turkey
7. Keep my car clean
8. Make coffee
9. Braid my hair
10. Apply make-up (especially lipstick)
11. Read a map
12. Ride in the backseat
13. Color my own hair
14. Paint my own toenails
15. Take the subway (it smells like urine)
16. Perform surgery
17. Change a flat tire
18. Speak Italian
19. Write with my right hand
20. Drive a standard
21. Make meatballs
22. Use a lawnmower
23. Wear a bikini
24. Dodge a bullet
25. Play guitar
26. Waterski
27. Skydive
28. Go through a revolving door alone
29. Play poker
30. PowerPoint
31. Write neatly
32. Drink alcohol
33. Pivot tables in Excel
34. Resist mashed potatoes
35. Trigonometry
36. Watch horror movies
37. Use margarine
38. Cut my own cheeseburger
39. Ride a motorcycle
40. Make serious lists

I'm sure there are a million other things I can't do, but I'll stick with these 40 for now.

Getting Outside

Today was the first day of spring. Well, actually it was at 7:21 PM this evening. It was a beautiful, sunny, chilly day. I'm so excited to get outside. I'm just done being cooped up in the house. I crave fresh air.

Today I went to Weir River Farm.

They have llamas, sheep, horses, cows and many more animals. I got up close and personal with the cows and horses.

They have great walking trails.

I just love the wide open spaces.

If you look very closely, you can even see the Boston skyline.

Weir River Farm's walking trails are open year round. It's a great place to visit.

The Vault

The Vault is a group of friends that worked together once upon a time. People always ask us where the name came from. Well, I'll tell you; when we worked together, we would acquire lots of office gossip and we'd usually be the first to know all of the office goings-on. When we would share this news with one of us we would say "Vault it." That meant that we were only to tell the other members of the Vault and no one else. It was a very effective system.

Here's a recent photo of The Vault:

The Vault started out as six women but we had to phase one of the gals out. She was just a negative person with a rather large chip on her shoulder and she really brought the group down. We're a pretty upbeat, happy bunch. We don't have any room for negativity. So, "Operation Phase Out" began. Of course, the person who was being phased out reached out to the nicest one in our group (or as we called her during "OPO" The Weakest Link). She felt bad for the phased out girl and invited her to her wedding. Well, she went to the wedding with her dud of a boyfriend, sat in a corner all night, didn't talk to anyone, and here's the kicker: she didn't bring a gift! Not even a card! That pretty much completed Operation Phase Out.

I love hanging out with these women. They're all incredibly smart and beautiful, inside and out. They are all moms who work full-time. I'm in awe of each and every one of them.

They also make me laugh. They have some great one-liners. Here are a few that I've heard recently from this group:

On going to a buffet, "A buffet is a friend to no one."

On being hungover, "There was a little hitch in my giddy-up"

When someone is unattractive, "They're homely as a bag of cats"

When you want someone to leave, "Don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya"

We also have some unique, Vault dance moves. And nicknames for most of the people that we once worked with.

I love these women. I feel so blessed that I've had them in my life for the past 10 years.

Life in the Breakdown Lane

Since I'm going to be 40 in 25 days, I've noticed a few things; my body is starting to turn on me. Not on the outside. That's still lumpy, bumpy, soft and squishy. I'm talking about the inside. For the past few weeks I've had some *ahem* digestive issues. I've never had this particular problem in my life. I have a cold right now as well. That's not a big deal but I have this weird rash on my chest. Oh and my hair is brittle and dry.

That's all.

Thanks for attending my pity party.

It's My Blogiversary!

It was one year ago today I started this little blog.

There have been times where I've posted like crazy. There have also been times that I've lost my blogging mojo. All I usually need to get it back is one good post.

Along the way, I've met some really wonderful people. These women are my inspiration and I'm thankful that I met them through blogging.

I'm still trying to find my blogging niche but I'll get there someday.

According to my stats these are my most popular posts:

Burning Questions

Finding Inner Peace

My Parents Called Me Fat Today

I'm looking forward to seeing where this journey is taking me. For right now, I'll take it one post at a time.

Thanks to all of my readers!!

Worth Celebrating

Yesterday was the birthday of a dear friend of mine. After leaving her gift on her door, I sent her a text at work. I wished her a happy 40th and asked if she had any big plans for the evening. She replied, "No, no plans. The kids have dance and hockey. Just another day." That made me so sad. Is it because she's a mom that she doesn't feel like she should be able to celebrate her birthday?

I posed this question to a friend that is married with no children. She said that in Spain, where her husband is from, that they don't even acknowledge adult birthdays. She mentioned that parents have birthday parties for their children but that's it.

Am I the only one that loves celebrating birthdays? Not just mine, but my family and friends birthdays as well. I think it's important to have a day to celebrate you! You only have one birthday a year, it should be celebrated. When I was in the business world and a co-worker/friend was having a birthday, I would stay late and decorate their office/cube so that when they came in on their birthday, they would have a smile on their face. Keep in mind, these were friends that I knew well. I wouldn't do it for someone that I didn't know well.

In my family, we rarely let a birthday pass without a cake and/or presents. Even for the adults. We ALWAYS have cake and presents for my parents on their birthdays. For my siblings, we usually combine it with their children's parties. For my sister, I like to have the kids make cards and I'll usually make "Happy Birthday Mom!" signs on the computer. Her husband will pick up her favorite cake at the bakery.

So, is it me? Do you celebrate your special day?

And so it begins...

Today was a pretty eventful day.

We had a major snowstorm. A large tree branch fell across my driveway.

Luckily, I didn't have any plans to leave the house today so it wasn't that big of a deal.

After shoveling, I had a craving for some chips and salsa. The salsa jar was new and I had trouble opening it. It slipped out of my hands and crashed to the floor and broke in a hundred pieces.

These two things pale in comparison, however, to what I just found.

A chin hair.

The hair was white. I'm not sure if that's good or bad.

My downward spiral into middle age has official begun.

All In A Days Work

I'm babysitting all weekend for a family that I've known for over 16 years. When I took the 13 year old to his basketball game this afternoon, I got a call from the 17 year old at home. He told me that the neighbors horses were in the yard and he couldn't get them to leave. I rushed back to find the two of them still in the yard.

They're beautiful to look at but they do a number on the grass.

I tried to lure them out of the yard with apples. They ate them but wouldn't leave. They're beautiful to look at, but one of them was pretty aggressive. While the 17 year old was taking video of her, she charged. I'm not sure if she was aiming for him but he got pretty scared. He actually shrieked like a girl, but that's neither here nor there.

We tried calling the owners on both home and cell phones but we couldn't get in touch with them . We thought of calling animal control but we couldn't find the phone number. We called the police (non-emergency line) and they sent an officer out. I told him about trying to lure them home and then showed him. I looked over and both the officer and the 17 year old were on the other side of the fence while I was in the main yard with the horses. I said to them, "why are the men on that side and I'm over here with the horses?" They assured me that they were supervising.

Finally, we got in touch with the owner and she came over and got them out of the yard, but not before one of them left a big, hot, smelly package in the yard. The owner didn't offer to clean it up. It's still out there. I have a feeling it will be for a while.

I'm Reading a Book!

I know it doesn't sound very exciting, but it is. I haven't read a book in months. I go through phases where I'll read a book a week for a few months and then I'll just stop. I won't pick up another one for months and months. I'm not sure why this happens.

Winter is a great time to start reading again. The book I'm currently reading is called "Still Missing" by Chevy Stevens. I picked it up at the library. It's a rental book, so I'm assuming it's new. Does your library have rental books? You pay $1 and you have a week to read it. These are the books that have just been published. I don't mind paying a dollar to read a brand new, hardcover book. It beats paying full price at the bookstore.

I'm trying to decide what to read next. Any suggestions? I don't want to lose my reading mojo.

My Pack-a-Day Habit

Most of you don't know that I have a pack-a-day habit. It's getting pretty expensive. I've tried to quit, but I just can't. Maybe there is somewhere I can turn for help.

This is what I just can't quit:

I keep these in my car. I use them every time I leave someone's house. I also use them after I handle money (think Dunkin' Donuts drive-thru) and if I happen to be eating in the car (which happens a lot). I love these things! They have no alcohol, so they don't dry out my hands, yet they make them feel fresh and clean. At 99 cents a pack, they don't break the bank. Although, I guess I could try cutting down to a half-a-pack a day.

Happy New Year!

A Letter To Burglars

There have been a string of break-ins in my town (and surrounding towns) recently. I decided to write a letter to the burglars. I'm just not sure where to send it. I'm hoping, maybe they read my blog.

Dear Burglars,

I wanted to let you know that you can skip my house. There's nothing here worth anything, trust me. When I leave the house, I usually take my laptop with me. My television is a 17 inch, non-HD, non-flat screen, heavy, clunky, old television. If you come into the bedroom, looking for a tv, you'll find an even smaller one, again, non-flat screen, non-HD. However, it DOES have the added bonus of a built-in VCR. I'm sure it would catch big bucks if you tried to sell it on the streets. If you're thinking of taking my jewelry, don't. My entire collection is valued at about 80 cents. If it's worth something, I'm usually wearing it. I also read that you're stealing prescription medications. I'm not sure if you'd be interested in my Collitis medicine or my allergy medicine. If you do steal those, rest assured you will have no blood in your stool and you won't be sneezing. Good for you.

I do have something worth value though. It's a nightstick that my grandfather made years ago. It has a place of honor beside my bed. If you do decide to break-in when I'm sleeping, I will be using this to smash your brains all over my white walls.

Again, feel free to pass right by my house.

Best personal regards,

Loopy

Coastin'

My dad calls sledding, "coastin". Maybe that's what they called it in the old days. I love doing it, no matter what it's called.

My sister and I took the kids yesterday to the local country club. My dad met us there. Of course he had to take a few runs down the hill, you know, "for the kids." Here are some pictures of our sledding/coastin' adventures:

Gramps & Meg

(He brought his coffee with him sledding. Who does that?)

Gramps & the boys

Blizzard 2010

It's been a windy, snowy 24 hours here in the Boston area. It's so pretty...

but, boy is it heavy. There's a layer of slush on the bottom which makes it difficult to pick up. I went out my front door to shovel and I couldn't find it. Turns out the wind knocked it over and then it got buried under a pile of snow.

I was pleasantly surprised when I started to shovel. The snow wasn't nearly as deep as I thought it would be.

That is, until I went out my back door to shovel the walkway back there:

Wherever you live, I hope you're staying warm and safe.

Christmas Wrap-up

Ahhh, it's over. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas. It's my favorite holiday. I love giving presents. I also love getting presents from my nieces and nephews that they pick out for me. The look on their faces as I'm unwrapping them is priceless. They're so proud of themselves. It's great.

My tradition is to go to my sister's on Christmas Eve day and bake to get ready for the next day. I also bring presents for her and the kids and we open them then.

Here's one of my favorite gifts:

Yes, that's a pack of toilet paper. I just love practical gifts.

After we get the baking done, I head home (for a nap) and head off to my BFF's in-law's for Christmas Eve.

Here we are with her youngest child. It's her first Christmas. She looks pretty excited about it.

Here are the stockings at my parents house. Notice that the cats stocking is bigger than mine.

I had a great Christmas. How about you?

Special Day

Yes, I know it' s "Christmas Eve Day" but it's a special day for another reason. Exactly two months from today, I will no longer be 39. YIKES!

I have a new list of goals to reach before the big day:

• Learn to fly a 747
• Learn how to board a 747 without vomiting
• Learn how to drive a standard
• Lose 46 pounds
• Grow out my new bangs
• Learn to cook
• Finally realize that there is such a thing as eating too many brussels sprouts
• Go to a casino
• Clean under my bed
• Meet Jon Bon Jovi
• Forget about George Clooney since he won't return my calls.

I have a feeling that 2011 will be a great year. Who cares if I'm going to be 40? It's just a number, right? Yeah, right! You know who says that? The people who aren't 40 yet!

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

"It's Fine"

"It's fine!" This is what my mom says when you bring to her attention that something in her kitchen is expired.

Me: "This salad dressing expired in July 06.

Mom: "It's fine"

Me: "Ewww, this cheese is completely moldy."

Mom: "It's fine!"

Me: "I think this soda is flat. Oh, look at that, it expired in 2004"

Mom: "It's fine!"

Meanwhile, she won't eat/drink any of the expired stuff, she'll just let someone else eat/drink it.

The scariest part of all? I find myself saying "it's fine" to my sisters kids all the time. Isn't it weird how we turn into our parents?