Shake it Off

After the key situation was all sorted out, I had the freedom (and the wheels) to do whatever I wanted with my Christmas break. This was my first year with MaxPoint, so it was the first time I got to experience an actual “winter break” since college! Our offices were closed from Christmas Eve through New Years Day, and with some extra days, I had a 2-week vacay.

I couldn’t wait! There were so many great things I planned to do – lots of shopping, take the Nuggies to see Santa, attend Christmas Eve service with my family, cook up some apps, and bring in the new year with great friends.

However, that weekend, I came down with some sort of nasty virus. You guys know which one I am talking about, because every person I have talked to has apparently had this too. Everyday was a new terrible sensation – running nose, chest pain, fever and congestion. I was out of commission for the next 2 weeks, missing precious family time, but spending plenty of QT with the couch.

This was only some of our wrapping…we went a tad overboard

The one benefit of the couch time (besides being on my amazing couch) was staring at my Christmas tree. I just love the twinkle lights, and nothing beats a real tree. In between binge watching shows (this season of Homeland was AMAZE) and taking lots of naps, I started to wrap Christmas presents and place them under the tree.

I take my Christmas wrapping pretty seriously. I am definitely not a Pinterest wrapper (ugh) but I love bows, ribbons, and I’m sorry, but our nieces are not getting StarWars wrapping paper (enter gender stereotype convo with Chad). With all of the bows were tied and the sparkly name tags attached, the presents were placed under the tree where I could admire my work. 

As I added and rearranged the gifts (to get ready for Insta pics), I noticed the gifts were a little wet. Then there were others that were very wet. I pulled the presents out and realized that the tree skirt and towel we set down were VERY wet. So soaked, actually.

Almost as fun as a real tree

We are still unsure the exact cause, but we definitely know the effect. Our beautiful wood floors were warped, the gifts needed to be re-wrapped, but equally as devastating – the tree needed to come down. So a few days BEFORE Christmas, feeling miserably ill, I took down all the ornaments and lights, and Chad took the tree to the dumpster. 

For a happy ending – we used a fan on the floors for a few days, and they slowly went back to normal. We lit up a cute little fake tree that we have so I could still enjoy my twinkle lights, and I slowly started to feel normal again after a few weeks. It was definitely not the way I planned to spend 2 weeks away from work, but I can say that I was VERY relaxed upon returning to the office.

The good news is that we had plenty of Frozen wrapping paper that all the girls, including me, had Anna and Elsa wrapped around their presents. And when your present is a Taylor Swift record…well that’s just the best thing in the world. #thanksChad

You can tell me when it's over if the high was worth the pain

The Blog is Back, Alright!

In 2012, I wrote 14 blog posts. 

In 2013, I wrote 11 blog posts. 

In 2014, I wrote 6 blog posts. 

And I haven't blogged since July. 

Guys – this makes me sad. It certainly isn't that I haven't had anything to write about. 2014 was an amazing year of engagements, weddings, vacations, friends, family, a big move, and a new job! It was fun – and you'll have to trust me, because 6 blogs hardly did the year justice. 

This year, I am going to try and document all of the things that happen to me in 2015: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly (because sometimes selfies are not my best angle). I can feel the excitement from you readers growing as I type this. "OMG she is back!!" Look out blogger community! 

So what will my first blog be about? Such suspense! Well, no need to anticipate the content – you are reading it right now. This is my first blog back. Get with it. 

But soon there will be new, wonderful, witty blogs for you to enjoy. In the meantime, I will leave you with a few pics from 2014…enjoy! 

What's My Age Again?

This weekend I celebrated by 30th birthday. That's 3-0. And it was amazing. 

With all the Facebook posts and text messages, I realized how lucky and #blessed I am to have such amazing people in my life. Year after year, I bring in my birthday with some of my favorite people - near and far. Most of us have been friends with for over 10 years, and we somehow made it through our 20's together. 

This video is dedicated to all of you.

I was having issues posting this video (I don't think it will play from phones/tablets) so let me know if it does not work!!

 If you cannot play the video, try clicking HERE from an actual computer.

Kiss me, I'm Irish (and German and Portuguese)

St. Patrick’s Day makes me think of Lucky Charms cereal, Dropkick Murphy’s, Irish Car Bombs, Green Beer, Shamrock Shakes and light-up flair. All my faves.

It also makes me think of luck, and right now, I feel pretty lucky in life. Cue braggy blog post…



I am an aunt to two very smart kids.
Well - they would be smarter if they liked me back. 



I met this guy, and he is pretty great.



I have a very brave and nimble turtle.



I have had a very successful career...thus far.
I have only been in my new gig for a month.
There is still plenty of time for me to screw it up. 



I have an amazing family that all live within a 5hr drive.



I have been on some people's dream vacations.



I LOVE my friends. Period.


Happy St. Patrick's Day!!