Tuesday, August 30, 2011

20 Questions - Jenn Gillum

1 Were you named after anyone?
An ancient Guinevere, I imagine.  But, no one more recently.

2 Do you like your own handwriting?
It's never the same thing twice, but when I'm concentrating -- yes -- I like my cursive.  I always got good grades on penmanship in elementry school.  So, others must like it, too.

3 What would your superpower be if you could choose one?
I have given this a lot of thought, actually.  It would be either to speak every language in the world (and then be able to do a lot of traveling) or be a time-traveller but not able to interact with any of the goings-on in things past or future.  Having to make the decision, I probably would go with the first.

4 Are you an Optimist or Pessimist?
I guess that depends on how things are going. I'm optimistic that the children from "Dance Moms" will turn out fine.  I'm pessimistic about the state of our economy and newly downgraded credit rating.

5 What do you collect?
Food lately.  Some who have seen my fridge lately believe a family of 4 lives here.

6 What movie would your friends be surprised that you like?
Mamma Mia!  If you don't like it, please keep that to yourself.  It will break my heart.

7 What are your favorite smells?
Cardamom.  And that Febreeze® Lilac Mr. Clean floor cleaner isn't bad.

8 Coffee or Tea? 
This is the question that has taken me the longest to answer.  I'm also this indecisive in the morning when I need caffeine the most.  I also have a hard time spelling "caffeine."  Oh, I got it that time on the first try.  What was the question?

9 Wine or Beer?
Not really either, except when I'm in Michigan.

10 What is the best thing you've ever eaten?
Kulfi.  Today actually.

11 Mac or PC?
What is this thing?  A PC.

12 What are you listening to right now?
http://youtu.be/RNW3KrUWJco

13 What career would you pursue in another life?
I can't think of any other job where I get to wear a tacky, hibiscus-covered shirt.  So, I guess I have no other prospects....  (I would teach kettlebells.  Actually, I still might do that.)

14 What sound or noise to you love?
The ring tone I have for Hayley Goff coming out of my phone.

15 What sound or noise do you hate?
"Extra, extra read all about it!"  What happened to me when I was little and I heard that phrase?  Obviously something traumatic.

16 Mountains or Beach?
Considering how much I run around in trails, mountains.  My feet sink into the sand while I'm running.

17 Cook or Bake?
Cooking.  Although, that's a recently re-vamped answer.  It's quite a cooking renaissance here in my apartment lately.
18 Do you go to restaurants and movies by yourself?
I prefer to cook if I'm solo, and I don't go to the movies anymore with the TV, OnDemand, Netflix, OnDemand Netflix, Hulu, Hulu Plus, YouTube on my "PC," You Tube on my phone, YouTube on my DVD player, which reminds me I forgot about my DVR.  And the Wii.

19 What is your favorite fairy tale or childhood story?
The BFG, yo!  (Big Friendly Giant.)  Or Pete's Dragon.  Both were big and stuck their heads through your window while you were sleeping.

20 What would you tell the 13 year old you?
For the love of all things decent, stop cheerleading.

Friday, August 26, 2011

20 questions - Charlotte Valentin

1) Where you named after anyone? I was named after a talk show host. The show was popular in Puerto Rico and the hosts name was Charlotte.
2) Do you like your handwriting? No, I have the handwriting of a serial killer.
3)What would your superpower be if you could choose one? I would love to have the super power of invisibility. It would give me the ability anywhere without people knowing. Its probably the creepest power anyone can choose to have.
4) Are you an Optimist or Pessimist? I am cautiously optimistic.
5) What do you collect? I collect sweaters and books.
6) What are your favorite smells? What movie would your friends be surprised that you like?An Indian called Monsoon Wedding. Its one of my favorite movies of all time.
7) My favorite smells are Meghan's perfume (brownie points), fried chicken and fresh laundry.
8) Coffee or tea? If I had to choose it would coffee. Tea reminds of dirty water.
9) Wie or beer? BEER :)
10) What is the best thing you've ever eaten? My grandmother's cooking because every bite feels like home.
11) Mac or PC? PC
12) What are you listening to right now?   Adele - Someone like you.
13) What career would you pursue in another life? In another life I would be a successful screenwriter.
14) What sound or noise to you love?The sounds of the city.
15) What sound or noise do you hate? Children crying at the mall. It makes me re-think the possibility of pro creating.
16) Moutains or Beach? Beach
17) Bake or Cook? Cook.
18) Do you go to restaurants and movies by yourself? No.
19)What is your favorite fairy tale or childhood story? I don't have a favorite fairy tale. I can't even think of one lol.
20) What would you tell the 13 year old you?  If you believe it you can achieve it.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

20 Questions - me

1 Were you named after anyone? No, although everyone thinks I was named after Haley's comet. Or Hayley Mills.

 
2 Do you like your own handwriting? Sometimes - when I'm not being sloppy. I feel like it isn't consistent, it's very dependant on my mood. I kindof like that!

 
3 What would your superpower be if you could choose one? Hmm... to make things appear when I imagine them. Or basically anything Alex Mac could do.

 
4 Are you an Optimist or Pessimist? I think I'm an optimist, but I can certainly be dragged down to a dark place.

 
5 What do you collect? Does lipgloss count? Maybe mugs - nothing deliberately.

 
6 What movie would your friends be surprised that you like? Princess Mononoke. It's Anime.

 
7 What are your favorite smells? Lilacs, the ocean, baking, thanksgiving, grass, candles... tide detergent... tyler's deoderant... ebony after a bath...

 
8 Coffee or Tea? Tea! I'm obsessed with tea, I have an entire cabinet dedicated to it. Love ALL kinds. With honey, lemon, sugar, sweetener, anything.

 
9 Wine or Beer? BOTH! Depends on my mood.

 
10 What is the best thing you've ever eaten? (Where?) There are too many to choose from! Lobsters in Maine, butternut squash raviolis in the north end...
11 Mac or PC? PC, but I do love my itouch.

 
12 What are you listening to right now? Michael Jackson pandora station - specifically "You Are Not Alone"

 
13 What career would you pursue in another life? Lawyer. I like to argue.

 
14 What sound or noise do you love? Crunching leaves, ocean waves, keyboard typing.

 
15 What sound or noise do you hate? Phones ringing.

 
16 Mountains or Beach? BEACH.

 
17 Cook or Bake? I like to cook, but baking is easier. I LOVE decorating sweets.

 
18 Do you go to restaurants and movies by yourself? No - never have.

 
19 What is your favorite fairy tale or childhood story? The Twelve Dancing Princesses

 
20 What would you tell the 13 year old you? To stop being so dramatic. And to sit and be quiet and listen to music more. To slow down. To stop worrying.


Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Things I am looking forward to this fall

Meg, Charlotte & I sat outside last night with the first Sam Oktoberfests of the season and started to get excited for autumn. Here are some things I am excited about.
  • Visiting the Yankee Candle store. Meg & I had so much fun here last year (of course we didn't take pictures - MEG! Take note - this year, we bring a camera.) There is so much more than just candles - I plan on doing 75% of all Christmas shopping here. I also am excited to add to our little Christmas Village!
  • Going apple picking at the Nashoba Valley Winery - Tyler & I did this one year and brought Ebony, it was so much fun. Here's hoping for the perfect weather when we go!
  • Carving pumpkins - we carve pumpkins every year with the Valentin-Tavares clan, and I always do two, because I get so excited but I never have the patience that Meg has to do those stencils... maybe this year!
  • The Backyard - I want to make use of our backyard as long as weather permits - I hope we can play some outdoor games, drink some beers, and maybe have a fall picnic before the s-word comes and turns everything white.
  • Back to school/housewarming party - haven't thought TOO much about this... but hey... could be fun...
  • Baking - I want to make a plan to bake one new thing a week, or maybe to perfect a pie or something. I want the house filled with smells of pumpkin, turkey, apples, etc.
  • Folliage - with our big windows overlooking the little forrest behind our house, this should be pretty.
  • Save the date pictures - we have to take them this fall! That will be fun to plan.
  • FALL CLOTHES - stay tuned for a later post on this.
  • Our -1 year wedding anniversary, 9-9-11! Eek! WEDDING PLANNING! Exciting :-)

Monday, August 22, 2011

Because If I Try To Articulate This Myself Right Now, I Would Cry (an excerpt)

An excerpt from a favorite blog on how I'm feeling about Tyler's work schedule.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

SERiously. This is worse than a splinter, a blister, a cavity, or rug burn. This is worse than low fat ice cream, flat soda, mushy sushi, or raw potatoes. This is worse than rotting mice, poop stuck on your shoe, morning breath, or second hand smoke in your face. This is worse than the subway pulling away just as you swipe your metrocard, than opening up your favorite box of cereal to find only crumbs, than pulling the cookies out of the oven to discover they're burnt, or finally finding shoes you like only to learn they don't have them in your size.

SERiously, Naomi. Come home already.

This being apart is really bad....
 

Friday, August 19, 2011

Craft Party w/New Friends!

I recently helped out my best friend get ready for a surprise party she is throwing her parents by having her & some of her co-workers over for a craft party. We made little favors & garland, and I can't help but think about when we are going to start making things for my wedding! I LOVE crafts.Well,  I love when they come out perfect. Which they did!

paper heart garland


I am so thrilled with our new apartment that it was really fun having guest over. Jackie had been over a few nights before and brought my flowers, and Tyler brought some home from Trader Joes last night so I had fresh flowers everywhere, completely not planned! I tried to stay VERY simple with food since we just moved and still have some boxes in the dining room... but learned, in retrospect, that finger foods (skewers, popcorn, etc.) would have been easier, since our hands were almost always occupied! Using a knife to cut cheese was a bit inconvenient.

Here's what's on the menu:

cucumbers, baby carrots, and red, green & yellow bell peppers
with either
tzazaiki dill dip
or
caramelized onion dip




crackers
cabot cheddar
goat chevre w/raspberries & wild maine rasperry honey drizzle


roasted veggie pizza
or
3 cheese pizza

&, of course, 3 buck chuck from TJs.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Getting Excited...

With my mom's wedding over (it was amazing - will post on that soon!), the focus shifts - I AM GETTING MARRIED! In exactly 390 days. It hasn't sunken in yet (even though I've been engaged over a year!) because the focus has been elsewhere, but now,

it's our turn!









Monday, August 15, 2011

50 Ways To Cope With Stress

  • Get up 15 minutes earlier
  • Prepare for the morning the night before
  • Don't rely on your memory, write things down
  • Repair things that don't work properly
  • Make duplicate keys
  • Say "no" more often
  • Set priorities in your life
  • Avoid negative people
  • Always make copies of important papers
  • Ask for help with jobs you dislike
  • Break large tasks into bite sized portions
  • Look at problems as challenges
  • Smile more
  • Be prepared for rain
  • Schedule a play time into every day
  • Avoid tight fitting clothes
  • Takea  bubble bath
  • Believe in you
  • Visualize yourself winning
  • Develop a sense of humor
  • Stop thinking tomorrow will be a better today
  • Have goals for yourself
  • Say hello to a stranger
  • Look up at the stars
  • Practise breathing slowly
  • Do brand new things
  • Stop a bad habit
  • Take stock of your achievements
  • Do it today
  • Strive for excellence, NOT perfection
  • Look at a work of art
  • Learn a new doodle
  • Learn to meet your own needs
  • Become a better listener
  • Know your limitations and let others know them, too
  • Throw a paper airplane
  • Excercise every day
  • Get to work early
  • Clean out one closet
  • Take a different route to work
  • Leave work early (with permission)
  • Remember you always have options
  • Quit trying to "fix" other people
  • Get enough sleep
  • Praise other people
  • Relax, take each day at a time... you have the rest of your life to live.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Things I Need To Find In Quincy

a yoga studio
a place to get a massage
a place that will trim ebony's nails
go-to delivery place with amazing buffalo chicken pizza
not-too-greasy chinese food with amazing crab rangoons
go-to sports bar with good beers on tap
grocery store
great mani/pedi spot
mexican place with authentic margaritas
great outdoor patio
COFFEE PLACES (dunkies, starbucks AND others!)
good sushi
ice cream spot
healthy salad/wrap place
somewhere to try rockclimbing
the best place to buy toilet paper
a good route to work/ belmont
a CVS for prescriptions
a good place for a run

Monday, August 1, 2011

How I Feel Today - an excerpt

because i can't even begin to muster the energy to articulate myself today, here is exactly how I feel, as beautifully written by a favorite blog.

i spilled coffee on my laptop last week--on the keys. and in an attempt to dry it up before it reached the...well, whatever it is that it reaches before the computer stops working, i pulled out my hairdryer.


i melted the shift key. the ctrl key now sticks.


i'm a disaster.


{most days, i'm a disaster}.


i'm the girl who spills coffee on her laptop. i wish i wasn't but i am. (and i can say that now because it's not the first time it's happened). i'm terribly judgmental and i complain. all the time, i complain. and i second guess and doubt--i'm a veritable whirling dervish of insecurities.


but i am funny. every once in a while, when you least expect it, i make a good joke--a mouthful of a joke that'll make your cheeks hurt and your eyes burn.


i want to grow vegetables in the backyard. i want to go to the farmer's market every saturday. i want our children to grow up in the kitchen--surrounded by whole grains and colorful fruit and ice cream we make in the cuisinardt. that's not too much to ask its it?


you do know i'm going to be that crazy mom who doesn't allow refined sugar in the house (or at least holds off for as long as possible). i'll be the mom making vegan cookies for the bake sale and packing brown sack lunches with zucchini fries and raw-goat-cheese pizza.


i don't have a mind for dates or numbers. i'll forget all that stuff. or confuse it. or wake one morning and realize the trip i've been planning for several months was off by two days. and so there will be a mad shuffle as flights are rearranged and work is rearranged and the whole thing will be so ridiculous all we'll be able to do is laugh. because it's small fries. that stuff is small fries. i'll remember the good stuff: where we went on our first date and what we ate and your shoes, too. i'll remember your shoes.


it's gonna be a hard life. because life is hard. but it'll be really worth-it. i promise you that--i promise the worth.


and i promise you the attempt. the attempt to be good. and the attempt to be kind. to not worry so much. to not care what others think. to not complain at every turn. the attempt at humor--always, the attempt at a joke.


i promise you the space between perfection and utter chaos. the marrow of life--that'll be my gift to you.




me

courtesty of the wild & wily ways of a brunette bombshell