Weekend Stuff

My mind has been focused on family and home after the devastation of Sandy.
Thank the good Lord all of my family and friends are safe.
I hope all of yours are, as well.
My in-laws finally got power back last night and my sister and her family were up and running today.  Several of my friends are still living in the dark.
Some are living in hotels.
It has been quite humbling to experience Sandy 500+ miles away, warm and plugged in. 

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It's hard for me to believe we ushered in the first weekend of November.  It's officially red cup season at Starbucks and I couldn't be happier.  I celebrated accordingly with a Peppermint Mocha.  It was better than I remembered.  I'm a little excited to sample the other holiday goodness Sbux has to offer this year...Toasted marshamallow latte?  Uhm, yes, please.  I also am a nerd and looked on their website heard they are serving up S'mores hot chocolate.  So it's basically looking like I'll be meeting (read::exceeding) my calorie quota in liquids for the months of November and December.  Perhaps I'll throw in some holiday cookies for good measure.

So yes, November is off to a good start.

It was a busy weekend around these parts.  Friday is traditionally Pizza Night in our household.  However, we've yet to find anything that resembles pizza out here in the mid-west.  Not hating, just speaking some truth.  I put my foot down to another Friday of Domino's and we wound up at Whole Foods for dinner.  A dangerous place when you're hungry.  Hell, it's a dangerous place even when you're not hungry.  Anyway, Paul decided on some prepared foods and I kept with tradition and got pizza for Elena and I.

Spinach, bacon, apple, and bleu cheese.

After dinner it was bath, play, and bed for the little one...It sure was nice to have Paul home to help battle the witching hour  share the routine and wrap up the day.   After that, I lost him to Fox News.  Not the most romantical evening we've had, but that's what I know to expect during an election.

I actually dragged my butt down to the garage and did my Turbo Fire workout.  I was pretty impressed with myself for getting my workout in.  On a Friday night.  Times sure have changed.

Saturday we had family pictures.  They were scheduled for 10:30 at a park about 20 minutes away so we were up early getting ourselves ready.  It was a beautiful day, albeit a cold one.  I layered Elena good and hoped she'd handle the cold okay.  Honestly, the cold isn't what really concerned me.  And for the record, cold-schmold.  This kid is no wimp like her mama.

My husband is always telling me to manage my expectations.  So, I expected Elena not to sit still.  Or take direction.  I expected her to give the photographer the stink eye and maybe a scowl.  I expected she'd refuse to hold any cute holiday props.  Expected she'd flail about like we were kidnapping her if we tried to hold her for a family shot.  I expected she'd go all psycho-baby-limp-wet-noodle-cray-cray if she saw something she wanted and we didn't give it to her.   Well, I'm happy to report that managing my expectations was just about the smartest thing I could have done.  Thanks, Paul.  She lived up to and even exceeding ALL of my expectations.  I've yet to see a sneak peek and I'm hoping it's b/c the photographer is busy, and not because she's clamoring, trying to find a way to tell me she didn't get a decent shot.

Glad to be leaving the photo shoot

I caved and bought my almost 18 month old daughter Uggs.  They are so cute.  I die.  

We grabbed lunch on the way home.  For some reason I thought it'd be a good idea to get Skyline Chili.  It's kind of so gross it's good.  But not.  I can't even think about it.  Moving on.  Paul had to leave us for a work event in Cincinnati, which totally depressed me so I decided I needed to nap while Elena napped.  Once Elena went to bed I took advantage of my solo girl's night by ordering sushi and watching We Bought a Zoo.  I actually really enjoyed it.


Paul got home in the late morning on Sunday.  We played, cleaned, and played some more.  Paul introduced Elena to cards. 

 

We took a trip to Target after her nap and then attempted to vote early.  Total shit show.  We got stuck in traffic getting to the early voting center, which was a mob scene, complete with the entire Sesame Street gang dancing to Michael Jackson amidst people carrying signs of aborted fetuses.  Total family affair.  Not to mention, the line was about 1,000 deep.  Needless to say we turned around and came home.  

We stopped at Outback for some curbside take away deliciousness and ended the night with some good TV.  #Homeland #BreakingAmish #BoarwalkEmpire #TheWalkingDead

Crazy post-ponytail hair.  This kid loves bread.  

Excited for the week to begin...we're going home to NJ at some point and I'm just hoping our travel doesn't collide with the impending Nor'Easter.  Clearly the world is ending.  Hurricane, earthquake, and Nor'Easter in one week?  #doomsday