Vacation in South Carolina

We started out the day after Christmas, leaving our fabulous Blue in Flint with Grandpa Frank and traveling the icy, then foggy, then rainy roads south. We met up with the "Popcorn" family at a mall south of Cincy and chatted away the night via walkie talkie until we stopped in Hendersonville, NC for a quickie nights rest. The following day, after Brian and Mrs. Popcorn had been mistaken as a couple, having breakfast with their "4 beautiful children", we continued on to Charleston, to the home of our friends - Molly, Robert and Master HP. The weather was beautiful - high 70's!

We had dinner at a pirate themed restaurant - then returned for a early night in. On Sunday, our hosts gave us the one day, down n' dirty tour of Charleston, Robert-style! We loved it! Finally, on our third visit to Charleson, Brian and I picked out a sweetgrass basket! Again the weather has cooperated! We started the day at the beach on Sullivan's Island, walked thru the "Battery", past rainbow row, the marketplace, many churches, a cool dungeon - AND topped it off with Ben & Jerry's!

After a fun-filled day, we packed up and made our way to Murrells Inlet - just south of Myrtle Beach. This morning, Mrs. Popcorn and I hit the grocery store - where we saw our first package of chicken feet! We loaded up and visited the Ripley's Aquarium and Ripley's Believe it or not. After dinner (a fabulous crock pot creation), we hit the pool - and now...well, the kids are crashed - and we will be soon too!

I just wanted to give a little update. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas - and has a safe and fun New Years planned! I will post again soon!

Adventures in SAHM-hood.

Isaac's last day at Childtime was yesterday. We were continuing to send him for a few days a week in order to use up our flex spending. It was nice to have a couple days of the week to look for jobs, clean, run errands, etc. However, now...well, that's done.

I am officially a SAHM. This is not really what I intended, when I quit my job in May, although I knew it was a possible consequence. I had hoped I could make my way as an independent contractor. I took a very enjoyable contract for half of the summer....enjoyed the other half vacationing, etc with Brian and Isaac...and then, in September, the job market just seemed to be a different place than it was in May. I have continued to look - but the options out there aren't very pretty. So, I going to not stress about it so much - at least until after the New Year.

So - then, why did I quit my job? Oh, several reasons. I loved my job. It was my dream job. However, things changed. Things ALWAYS change, and it was just time.

Do I want to go back to work? I do. I come from a long line of workaholics. To a certain degree, I think I define myself by my work. I have always been good at what I do, I have enjoyed my work - and, I sort of miss that element of satisfaction.

Not to say that I don't enjoy being home with Isaac. I DO! He's hilarious and awesome. He lives life with gusto. However, he is a project with no end completion date. No kickoff meetings, no jobsite visits. There are no annual reviews. No meetings with kudos. My success is rated in the number (or lack thereof) meltdowns in a day, or if my son used "gentle hands" on Blue and Helen. I just need to adjust, to a different type of kudos.

So - that being said. It's officially day 1 on the job. Wish me luck.

John the Barber and Misc Photos!

I just added a few more photos to the Thanksgiving pictures...

Also - I added some from recently....the day after Thanksgiving, we took Isaac to "John the Barber". Isaac is now the 4th generation to have had their hair cut by John - and it was fun to see him sit in the chair that my Grandfather, Father and brothers have all sat in! Oh - and I love a cute little boy haircut!!!

Click here for pictures!


Also, last weekend, before heading out of town - we were able to stop into the holiday party at Brian's company. Isaac had his first Santa encounter of the year - and he did it with his normal gusto. He just walked right up to him and got on his lap!!!

There are a few other misc photos in that group...

Enjoy!

The Lark - Premier

This weekend was a busy one!

Saturday, we packed up, drove to Flint, lunched with the birthday-Dad, drove to Ferndale in a bit of a snow storm, to Kev and Monica's...so that we could go to the premier of "The Lark". A short, independent film created for my friend's blog. You can see it here! Sandinmyswimsuit.com

After the premier party - we (Brian and I) went to BW3's with Chris, Holly, Kev, Monica, Courtney and Chris. Yummy wings, great way to end the night. Monica and her sprained ankle were fabulous troopers!

Then, Sunday, we picked up Isaac and Blue from Flint - drove home and I attended the annual Christmas party for my Mother & More group. Had a good time.

However, I am thankful for Monday. Quiet, grocery filled Monday.

Have a good one!

Thanksgiving 2008

Since we are off on a whirlwind again this weekend - adventuring to see the premier of "The Lark", I figured it a good time to share some of our pictures from Thanksgiving this year. I am especially excited to share these photos, because I know my relatives in Italy have been stalking my blog! Some of the photos aren't the best (open your eyes Jonathan!) but I put them up anyways, for the relatives sake!

We had Thanksgiving at Grandpa's house this year. Everything turned out wonderfully and we had a great time with a zillion little boys, running amok.

Ciao Giovanna! Godetevi le foto!

Click here for photos!

The Lark!

As some of you know, if you stalk my blog - a few weeks ago, I went to Chicago on an adventure with a group of girls. That adventure has been turned into a short, independent film for my friend, Missive's Blog - http://sandinmyswimsuit.blogspot.com/. There is a trailer on her website if you would like to see it.

It will be premiering this Saturday, in Royal Oak, at the Commune, if anyone is in driving distance and would like to attend!

You will also be able to see it, on her blog, starting December 8th!

We had a great time making it, and I hope you will all enjoy!!!
Enjoy!