Florida.... flying vs. driving.

We just returned from a trip to Florida for our kids spring break from school a couple of weeks ago and now that I have finally unpacked the suitcases (two weeks to unpack is okay, right), I took some time to go over the credit card bills and our spending to see if spending four days in the car vs. flying (a short 2.5 hour flight each way) was really a financial savings and I was shocked that we didn't save much money at all.   Not to mention the time we spent driving was wasted time we could of spent on vacation or doing anything else other then sitting and staring out a window.

We visited Steve's Dad in Naples and tickets usually cost us around $1,000 - $1,400 for four tickets roundtrip from JFK.  Plus we would have to figure in a car rental which I usually get a good deal on priceline.com or hotwire.com for about $200 - $300/week, plus parking at the airport which is about $100/week. With that said the low cost of all that would be $1,300 and the high cost would be $1,800.  After adding up our expenses for gas, tolls, hotels, and food for our 4 days of driving we spent $1,150.

Therefore our savings for driving vs. flying were between $150 - $650 for the week.  The drive itself really wasn't that bad, the kids were great and we made it there and back safely, however, for the cost difference I just don't think it was worth the time we gave up and don't see us doing it again anytime soon.  I would much rather spend those four days sitting on a beach then in my car.  I am not really sure what the savings would have to be for me to justify the drive again, perhaps if we had a couple of weeks to spend in Florida it would of made the drive not seem as though it took up so much of our vacation, but next time I'll see you 30,000 feet up!

We did however have a great trip.  We visited Naples and spent a lot of time just relaxing.  Tyler thoroughly enjoyed the hot tub and Juliana loved all of the extended family time.  We went to the beach, the pool, and the best day was our trip to the Everglades.  We took an airboat tour of the Everglades and everyone had a blast.  Juliana said it was one of the most fun things she has ever done.

Steve's family and I:

 The kids and Papa:

 Speedys Airboat Tours:

 Handstands in the park:

 Florida Gator (eek):

 Ty with neighbor dog Sophie:

 Juliana and Sophie:

 Day at the beach:

 Thumbs up for the airboats:

 Handstands at Papas:

After Naples we stopped in Orlando on our way home for a couple of nights.  We decided to spend the day at Disney's Animal Kingdom.  We've been to all the other parks many times and had never visited Animal Kingdom.  It was a smaller park and didn't necessarily have the "Disney" feel the others had.  We did have an enjoyable day, although I don't think we will be in a hurry to return to this park.  The safari was really great and we got to see some really cool animals.

Overall it was a great trip, I just don't think we will be driving again anytime soon...

Two rules for marriage and hopefully 50 more years to use them.

I am not by any means saying I am a marriage expert.  I have learned a lot over the past almost 15 years of marriage, and if all goes well I am hoping to learn a lot more over the next 50.  Steve and I have always used two rules that have been quite helpful over the years.  I am sure everyone has their own ways of doing things and rules, but these have worked very well for us so far...


1.  The Diametrically Opposed Rule!  We started using this when we were dating and it seems to have worked well for us.  I think in a marriage it's important to let each other have their own lives, make their own mistakes, and basically do what they each want.  However, it's also important to compromise, to think of the other person before acting on something, and to sometimes make decisions together.  The only way we could think of to blend the ability to do what you want while also making compromises was to institute the diametrically opposed rule.  Basically if a spouse wants to do something and the other is absolutely 100% against it (diametrically opposed) then it cannot be done.  This has worked fabulous in our marriage and really it's only something we have used a handful of times.  If it was used all of the time it would never work out, it's saved for only the things that we feel so strongly about we wouldn't be able to sleep if it wasn't invoked.

2.  Rock, Paper, Scissors!  You know that game where you throw out a certain hand gesture (rock, paper, or scissors) and there is a winner.  We use it all the time when making decisions on who has to do what.  Most often it's used for things like, we are sitting comfortably watching a movie and the dog has to be let out, or a kid needs a glass of water.  It saves a lot of arguments and resentment.  We don't keep track of who does more in these situations, because the rock, paper, scissors game is in control.  Steve did try to cheat by studying the psychology of the game online, but it didn't help him one bit.

Christmas 2013... The good, the bad... and the early!

As I do every year, I promised myself I would get Christmas shopping done early (I bought my first two gifts in October, I was so proud of myself), unfortunately once again I failed.  Other then the first two gifts I bought in October, nothing else was purchased until after Thanksgiving, and even saying that is a stretch.  I really didn't plan ahead at all! I didn't know what I was buying anyone, how I was decorating, or what I was cooking for Christmas dinner.  I actually wasn't that far behind at first.  I had done some shopping, ordered some gifts online, and had gotten the Christmas tree up and then it happened, I GOT SICK!  It started as a cold and then it just kicked my butt.  I ended up with a horrible sinus infection and my asthma was flaring up, basically getting off the couch was a chore for the 1.5 weeks leading up to Christmas.  Thankfully I was able to pull up my big girl pants (aka Mom jeans) and with the help of my best friend Amazon, I was able to get "most" of my shopping done.  And also thanks to antibiotics I had a day or two where I could stand up in the morning without my head feeling like a bowling ball and was able to wrap my gifts (even though most of them lacked bows and looked like my dog had wrapped them while blindfolded), I got it done.  And finally thankfully my husband agreed to go to the store two days before Christmas and purchase everything I needed for the Christmas dinner I would be preparing for 15 people on Christmas day.  So even though I was sick and behind, and kicking myself for not getting everything done sooner (lesson learned), I am happy to say we all had a wonderful Christmas... even with my kids getting up at the ass crack of dawn!  Next year I will definitely going to start early (hahahaha).

The elusive New Year's Revolution....

It's that time a year again, the start of a new year, the time for everyone to sit down and think about what they want out of life for the new year.  I personally am not even sure I think making resolutions is a good idea, and every year I say the same two things, I am going to diet/exercise more and organize my house, and every year I am a little disappointed (although not surprised) I barely met my resolutions.  This year I thought I would mix things up and actually write them down (if it doesn't help I give up).

So without further ado, here are my 2014 New Year's Resolutions (can you handle the excitement)!

1.  I will blog more, this seems like a good place to start since I am writing this on my blog.  I have so many thoughts and ideas running through my head, it's time I started sharing more.

2.  I will wear yoga pants more.  Okay this may not be a true New Year's resolution, but it's F#@&ing freezing outside and I am wearing yoga pants right now and I am comfortable and happy!  I think for that reason alone yoga pants should be worn more often.

3.  To take better care of myself.  This is a big one and one that everyone should follow (I'm not saying everyone shouldn't follow the yoga pants resolution, just this one may be a bit more important).  Last year I spent a good portion of the year feeling run down and tired all the time.  I kept putting off going to the doctor and once I did it changed everything.  I ended up finding out I was quite anemic and deficient in Vitamin D, a few supplements and I am feeling so much better, I just wish I hadn't waited so long to go to the doctor.  I also should have an exercise routine, I am quite sporadic about it right now and I know if I put it into my schedule I would be sure to get it done.  And of course eating healthy is never a bad goal either.  

4.  Spend more time with my photography.  I have been a photographer since I was 10, okay maybe not a professional since then, but I have always loved taking pictures (remember 110 cameras).  I've been taking pictures professionally since 2005 and I love it.  Last year was a slow year for me, but I think a lot of that had to do with me being lazy (or tired because I put off going to the doctor).  This year I want to put more time and energy into taking more pictures of more people and anything else that tickles my fancy.

5.  This is one of my favorites, travel more!  I love to travel and try to do it as much as possible (more like as much as we can afford).  Last year we traveled to Florida, went on a cruise to Mexico, took a road trip to DC and Atlantic City, and did a few overnights in upstate New York, Boston, and New York City.  This year I hope to be able to do more.  Not only do I love to travel, but Steve and the kids do as well, so I am hoping our suitcases will be packed often!

6.  My last and probably one that everyone could follow is to HAVE MORE FUN!  I sometimes get stuck in the everyday of life, and I forget to have fun.  Often when I am laying in bed at night I am not thinking about how much fun I had that day, I am thinking about what bills have to be paid and where I have to drive the kids the next day.  I am not thinking about how I doubled over in laughter, I am thinking about how I doubled over in pain when I dropped the laundry basket on my toes.  I am not saying everyday will be a free for all fun extravaganza (although that sure does sound fun), I am saying that I will put more effort into planning things that are fun.  I will remember to relax and just be silly and laugh with the kids.  I will smile more and stress less.  I really hope out of all my resolutions this one I will achieve, because let's face it, having fun sounds fun.

So there you have it, my 2014 New Year's Resolutions!  Like everyone I am an imperfect human being and probably won't reach all of my goals, but I am going to try (I am already wearing yoga pants, so in my book I am ahead of the game)!  

More then a cat.

It has taken me a long time to write about the passing of our cat Miles, and that's because he was so loved it is heartbreaking to sometimes think of him not being in our lives.  When I met Steve he had never had a pet.  I on the other hand have always had pets and probably always will.  We visited his friend often who had a cat and Steve fell in love and we decided we should get our own.  We went to the pound and there were so many cats it was a bit overwhelming.  But Miles was meowing at us and we just knew the first time we held him he was our cat.  We named him Miles because Steve had a love of airline miles (still do).  He was with us for 12.5 years and basically died of old age.  He lived in our apartment and three houses with us.  He was never afraid of the kids and they could do anything to him.  He was always a bit... plump, but that just meant more of him to love.  He knew his name and always came running when you called him.  The last couple of years he became very close with Juliana, she even referred to him as her boyfriend.  He slept with her every single night (he actually would lay his head on her pillow and she would cuddle him).  Having to tell Juliana and Tyler that it was time to let him go was so hard.  Juliana was the last one to hug him and told him she would always remember him.  We still all get sad about him every now and then and I always say we were lucky to have him in our lives and we should just cherish the memories of him forever.  He may of just been a cat, but to all of us he was so very loved.

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Kindness... am I a kind person?

I was watching TV this morning and there was a segment about kindness, and everyday things we can do to make sure we are being kind and spreading kindness everyday.  I feel like I am a kind person most of the time, but I am sure I have my moments when people would say the opposite.  If I am in a good mood I will smile at strangers, and they usually smile back.  I always hold the door if someone is close behind me.  I always say please and thank you when ordering food (even in a drive thru).  I always wave a thank you when driving if someone lets me into traffic.  If possible I always do a "favor" when asked.... but is this enough?  Does this make me a "kind" person?

There are people I don't like, and if they say hello to me I will say hello back, but I would never go out of my way to say hello first.  When I am out shopping, in my head I swear at people if they are in my way, I may be smiling on the outside but on the inside I am spewing out insults.  I've been known to "not get" a phone message, text, or email to avoid having to talk with someone.  If someone has done something bad to someone, I wish for something bad to happen to them (eye for an eye).  Do all these things make me unkind?  Am I a mean person?

I feel like I am a nice person, I try to be a nice decent human being.  Could I be nicer?  Couldn't we all?  I would never do anything to intentionally hurt someone, and try my hardest to always be there when someone needs me (I sometimes feel like an unpaid therapist).  All I can do is try to be the best authentic me there is.  If I sometimes hate people, then that's just me and probably always be me.  I have a kind heart, even on days I don't feel like being kind.  I try to surround myself with other kind people, and hopefully we are all just doing the best with what we have.

Sometimes a gesture from someone will remind me about the kindness in the world.  Yesterday my best friend sent me flowers...  they were "Just because" flowers, which are the best kind of flowers in the world.  They once again reminded me of what spreading a little kindness can do.

Celebrity Crush... we all have them...

Like most girls I spent much of my adolescence pouring over Teen Beat magazines, fantasizing about a world where the hunk of the month wanted to date me, and marry me, and wanted me to have his babies...  Cory Haim was my favorite for a long time, I remember when "License to drive" was in the theater, I about passed out waiting for it to come on the big screen.  Kirk Cameron, Tom Cruise, and every member of the New Kids on the Block were high on the list of crushes as well.

And now that I am an adult I still find myself watching a movie and drooling over a character (Magic Mike... need I say more).

When my husband and I got married we both jokingly made lists of celebrities we could have relations with if we ever met them, and as time goes on those lists have changed numerous times.  His have included celebrities such as Heather Locklear, Fergie, Maria Menounos, and I am sure any woman that has ever been on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition.  I actually met Maria Menounos a few years back... the husband is so jealous!

My list has changed so often I can't keep up with it.  If I see an actor with talented abdominal muscles, then I am sure he gets added to the list (and may even show up in a dream or two).  Everyone has celebrity crushes, it's fun to "imagine", and we almost forget that they are normal people when fantasizing about them.  Surely the hot guy in the movie would never pass gas... no way!  Of course I love my husband and think he's quite handsome, but that doesn't stop my celebrity crushes.  Although my husband is getting nervous, the whole idea of a celebrity crush is that they are unobtainable, people we'd never meet....  well, I have met one of mine, yay me!  Donnie Wahlberg has been at the top of my list for a long, long time.

I wonder what celebrities think of having people "crush" on them.

10 Random things....

10 Random things about.... me:

1.  When I was a kid I wanted to be a drummer (although I never had and never will have any musical talent).
2.  Watermelon is my most favorite food in the entire world (pizza is a close second).
3.  One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone says, "Have a good one..." (finish the sentence for crying out loud).
4.  I won't go into a store in the mall if there aren't any other customers (who needs all that pressure to buy something).
5.  New Kids on the Block is my absolute favorite band/group EVER!!!! (some may say I am obsessed, I think I am just an overly enthusiastic fan).
6.  I hate feet (seriously if I didn't need mine to walk I would have them removed).
7.  I am not so good at math (I stand behind my kids with a calculator when they do their homework to without them knowing I have one).
8.  I think it's funny when adults fall (not when they get hurt, but that face they make when they know they are going down yet they try to stop themselves, it cracks me up).
9.  I think I am at the age when I think I am cooler then I really am (what do you mean I am closer to 50 then 20)!
10.  I am not great at house cleaning (if my house is clean when you come over it's because I ran around like a mad woman 20 minutes before you got here).

A new spot for photos....

You can usually find me at the beach or a park taking pictures of families and adorable kids running around in the summer.  I was looking for something different and on the last week of dropping my daughter off at Middle School this school year I had a lightbulb moment.  As I looked around at the building I noticed all the cool bricks, the woods behind me, and the long staircase leading to the gymnasium.  I was so excited about all the possibilities I begged Juliana to do a little modeling shoot for me that night.  I was excited to test my theory that it would make a great backdrop.... and I was right!  I can't wait to have more shoots there.  It's fun to look outside of the box for new places to use as a backdrop!