A Little Better

2009 just got a little better. I got this beauty in the mail yesterday.

Ladies and gentlemen...let me present the Cannon EOS Rebel XS. My beyond generous mother-in-law offered to get me this beauty as a Christmas gift. Of course I could not pass up the opportunity. I have been talking about taking up photography as a hobby for as long as I can remember, but I just couldn't justify spending that much money on a new DSLR camera when I own not one, but two awesome point and shoots. Now I have no excuses. I have the photographic magic in my hands. Poor Bailey has already been subjected to the wrath of my new hobby and I'm sure that there are a few thousand more pictures in her future. I've already ordered a book on DSLR photography and I am signing up for a class at a local community college.

So, if you are looking for a photographer and have the patience to deal with a novice, call me up peeps!

Will this year ever end?

I entered into 2009 with such hope and optimism for a great year and, now entering the 12th month, I can officially say that this year sucked the big one. For lots of reasons that I don't want to get into. And just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, I'm sick :-( And I flooded our basement last night. Thank goodness I have my dear husband and sweet pup to keep me semi-sane.

So, get lost 2009. I am so done with you. 2010 has to be better, right?

A November to Remember

As you can probably figure out by my bad blogging habits, life for the G's has been rather hectic lately. Since I'm sure you're dying to know (yeah right!), here's the highlights:

• J and I took our first trip to Sarasota and we loved it. In fact, to say that we loved it is probably an understatement. It is such a cool, unique, not your typical Florida area. The downtown is filled with unique shops and a variety of fabulous restaurants. My personal fav was a place called "Sarasota Vineyards" -- a wine bar at which you can sample 80 different kinds of wine! A wine lover's dream come true! But, I digress. There truly is no shortage of things to do...from the happening downtown, to the fun and funky St. Armands Circle, to the various keys off the coast of Sarasota that each have such unique and fascinating characteristics (one has the whitest, softest sand in the U.S., one is filled with thousands of seashells, one has shark teeth wash up onto it, and so on). In summary, Sarasota = Ahhhhhmazing.
• Since we loved it so much, we are going back to Sarasota next month. Woot, Woot! And, we've actually been having some pretty serious conversations about thinking about moving there. Not sure we're quite ready to commit to a move like that, but J and I are seriously considering it.
• My most beloved darling husband turned the big 2-9er! We were in Sarasota for the big day and enjoyed a fabulous day and a fabulous dinner out to celebrate. Love you baby!
• My oh-so-traditional husband nixed my idea of going out to dinner on Thanksgiving because he wants to have a traditional, at home Thanksgiving. So, we will be hosting turkey day festivities a la casa de G. He's already been warned that he better help out with the cooking, or else.
• It's official -- we're old. J and I both have our 10 year high school reunions this coming weekend. They could either be really fun or really lame. We'll see. At least I'll have by bestest girlfriends, Crystal and Sarah, by my side for the excitement.
• I am proud to say that in between all of my travels, social events and responsibilities, I have managed to finish nearly all of my Christmas shopping. There is nothing like a stress-free December.

Well, that's all I've got time for this lovely evening. I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!

10 Years Later

It has been 10 years...a whole decade...since I graduated from high school. Whoa...where did the time go?!?

In late November, I will be attending not one, but two high school reunions. Mine and my hubby's. And they just so happen to fall back to back, with mine on a Friday night and his the very next night. I have mixed feelings about them (well, mostly mine. I am happy to accompany my hubby to his.). One minute I think it will be a lot of fun, and then the next minute I picture an evening filled with awkward conversations with people that I wasn't really friends with in high school (and let's be honest, don't even remember).

Who knows how it will turn out, but I am committed to living a life without regrets, so I'm going to embrace the cheesiness of the high school reunion and go with bells on. It may suck, but you only graduate from high school 10 years ago once, right?

The Heat Is On

As the weather turns cold and the sound of the furnace pumping out heat is a regular sound in our home, I can't help but to longingly think of warmer days. And then I remember that I am leaving for Florida in a few short weeks! Woo Hoo!

Oh No! The Big 5-0!

That's right, folks! My beautiful, wonderful mother turned a half century young on October 4th.

I threw her a surprise party (the first I've ever thrown) and had such a fun time planning it! I totally got into it and I think I've caught the party planning bug! Mom was totally surprised and everyone had an awesome time celebrating her special day. I only had one disappointment in the day...I completely forgot to take pictures. Can you believe that? I got the camera out, took pics of the set up before the guests arrived, and then got so caught up in being the hostest with the mostest that I did not snap one single shot of the party in action. So, here is all I have to share :-(

Pathetic documentation of such an important day, I know. But, the most important thing was that we celebrate my mom and show her how much she's loved, and I'm pretty sure that was accomplished. Love you mumma! Happy 50 to you!

Like my new look?

I can't help but be a little festive this time of year...I love it! I love all things fall...foliage, cider, pumpkins, football, the smell of fire, trick-or-treaters, sweaters, boots...I could go on and on and on. So, in honor of my love of all things fall, the bloggy got a new look. You like?

And speaking of the bloggy, I have something to say.

Dear Bloggy,

I am so sorry that I have been neglecting you. You are always faithful and willing to accept whatever I put in you. You listen to my antics and don't care whether I am writing a happy post or a complainey post. You always proudly wear whatever background I put on you (are you digging the Halloween motif as much as I am?). Yet, I have not shown you the same respect. I only use you when it's convenient for me. And lately that hasn't been much. But, I am going to try harder and even though I can't make any promises, I do hope to be a better partner in this fun, yet semi-narcissistic, journey that we have been on for almost 2 years!

Your semi-faithful partner in blogging,

Melissa

And speaking of new looks, guess who got bangs? That's right...me! I haven't had bangs since junior high and I'm totally freaking out about them. When I got my haircut, we were all but finished up when I made a spur of the moment decision to have them cut. I am still not sure about them, but I am trying to give them a chance. I promise to post a pic as soon as I take one.

Happy fall, peeps!