A Case of Wine? Why not?

I took a little trip to Pittsburgh this weekend to visit my friend, Amanda, and her adorable baby! 


Baby Becca is 3 months old and she could be...no IS...the most well-behaved, adorable baby I've ever laid eyes on. She barely cried or fussed, took her naps on command, giggled, cooed and gave toothless smiles all weekend. 


She's such a joy, she makes having a baby around look like a piece of cake. However, she did projectile vomit on me once. But I was bouncing her all around right after she ate, soooo it's probably my fault. I also got to see the breast pump in action. Seriously, it looks like a torture device. I'm not looking forward to that in the future.


Anyway, Amanda's husband took on baby duty Saturday afternoon while we hit the mall and the winery. I love a good winery...especially one with free tastings. Though I've been to the Narcissi Winery several times, they always have something new...and I never turn down free wine. If you live in the Pittsburgh area, I definitely recommend checking it out. 
http://www.narcisiwinery.com/about/Wines.html

Yours truly ended up buying a case...yes, a case, of wine (12 bottles.) I justify this by the fact that I don't get there a whole lot and I love, love their wine. I recommend the Riesling, Peach and De Chaunac. Delicious.


Now I have to unpack. And try to kick my case of the Sunday blues. 

Who Knew Moving Was Expensive?

I took a look at the photo challenge for the day, and it's starting to really trip me up. 


1. Post of a photo of something that's had a major impact on your life recently. 


Mmmkay. I'm not so sure what to post to go with this. I would post a photo of the sandbox that my hubby currently resides in because that certainly has made a huge impact on my life, but I don't want to give away his location. 


The house has impacted our life, but I've already posted a photo of that. 


So I'm at a loss.


On a side note, I got a quote from the movers today to move us about 16 miles. 

$1700

Holy meatballs! Yes, that's right. Onethousandsevenhundreddollars. Crap.


The online quotes I got earlier were anywhere from $400-$1000, so this one knocked me on my butt. However, they seem really reliable. Something I'm not sure about with the other companies. 


Good thing hubs doesn't read my blog religiously, or he probably just passed out. He doesn't think we need movers anyway. He thinks I can round up our friends and pay them in pizza and beer. That worked when we were 22. Not so much now. We have far more crap. Nicer crap. Also, dearest hubs, you left me to do this on my own. Thanks. Movers are essential. 


Love ya though! 

Boot Cut Jeans...Not Just For the Young

A funny conversation with my mother:


Mom: So, I was at the Bon Ton the other day and I bought a pair of jeans. But when I got home, I realized they were boot cut. Am I too old to wear boot cut jeans?


Me: Seriously, mom? You are definitely not too old to wear boot cut jeans. They're pretty widely accepted through the generations. 


Mom: Ok, I was just checking. I didn't want to look stupid.


Me: Mom, I love my boot cut jeans. And I'll probably wear them until I'm 80. Or until I have to switch to elastic band pants so it makes it easier for Nile to change my diaper. 


Happy Monday :)

Who's Your Inspiration?

Day 16: Post of photo of someone who inspires you. 


This one is really, really hard. Have you ever really sat down to think about someone who inspires you? It's actually a very challenging question.


Obviously, I'm inspired by my family. I'm inspired by my mother, my sister, my Nana, my dad, my friends and my husband. They've all inspired me in ways they'll never know. 


Another person that I think is truly inspirational (other than Oprah because we all know I love her) is:

Elizabeth Edwards

She's really inspirational in a few ways. 

1. She had a long, hard battle with cancer. Anyone who has been on this journey deserves an amazing amount of respect. Her last public statement was incredibly moving. This is my favorite part:

"You all know that I have been sustained throughout my life by three saving graces – my family, my friends, and a faith in the power of resilience and hope. These graces have carried me through difficult times and they have brought more joy to the good times than I ever could have imagined."

2. She lost a child, something no woman should ever have to go through. But she underwent fertility treatments, even though she was older, and had 2 children at 48 and 50.

3. Her marriage fell apart in front of the entire nation. A scandalous affair and illegitimate child surfaced amongst the ordeal, but she handled the whole situation with grace and dignity. 

4. She was a strong part of her husband's political campaign and fought for issues that he didn't necessarily agree with, like universal healthcare and gay marriage. 

I haven't read any of her books, but I fully intend to put them on my list. She's certainly an inspiration to every woman.  

Who's your inspiration?

And he leaves again

The day I've dreaded for 6 weeks has finally arrived. Hubs leaves again for his work overseas for another 3 months. Boooo! I was just getting used to having him home. 


Good thing the next three months will be busy. You know, with me moving into a new house and all. Looks like I'll be in at the end of April, over Easter weekend. Convenient? Not really. But I don't have much of a choice. 


Looks like I'll need to get back into my pretend single chick routine. Which really means I get to watch more reality TV and go to bed at 9:00 without anyone harassing me. Also, my house will become infinitely cleaner again. Mainly the bathrooms. Men are so gross. 


Wiggles is probably going to become a bad dog again. He has a serious complex when hubs leaves him. 


And now I'll have to come home right after work to take them out instead of going right to the gym. Which highly decreases my chances of getting off my butt and actually venturing back out. 


But, I don't have to plan meals for 3 months. That's a perk. 


Also, I think some serious retail therapy to ease my pain is in the near future. I don't think he'll mind :)

What I really want to do...

Day 15: Post a photo of something you want to do before you die. 


There's lots of things I want to do. A lot of places I want to go and things to see. Experiences to be had. 


But, before I die, what I really want to do is:

Become a mommy!

I've wanted to have kids forever, but not until about a year ago did I really feel like I was stable enough in my life to be able to care for a child. Hubs and I have been talking seriously about timing. When he gets back from his next overseas work run (3 months starting Sunday), we'll finally be trying. I'm SO excited and also scared. Scared of everything that can go wrong. What if I'm an awful mom? But as you'll see from yesterday's post, I had a really good role model. 

Plus, we just bought a house with the intent on filling it with 2 kids over the next few years. I've already started designing nurseries in my head. 

Now that we've been married nearly 4 years, I think we're getting a hang of the whole marriage thing. Why not shake things up a bit by adding a baby? :)

A Mother's Love

Day 14: Post of photo of someone you couldn't imagine living without.


Now, I very obviously could not imagine living without a lot of people. Like my husband for instance. And I love him to pieces, but he'll never be:

My mommy.

My mom and I are super close. Always have been. Always will be. There are times when I'm upset or worried and Nile knows that what I really need to calm me down is a good chat with mom. 

As my husband, he's come to the realization that there are just some things a girl needs her mother for...no matter how old you are. I always ask my mom's advice. I call her almost everyday. She's one of the most kind-hearted, generous people I know. She'd give my sister and I her last dime if that's what we needed. 

My sister and I have been very blessed to have a mother that's supported our every endeavor. She's been our biggest cheerleader. Our shoulder to cry on. And she doesn't even say "I told you so" when we're wrong. 

I literally can't imagine my world without her.