Friday, January 28, 2011

Celebrating the Day My Nephew Was Born

Cutest Nephew Back in the day.
Well, he was actually one-day old here.

Now, he's FIVE!!!!!!!
(Here we are on Christmas eve)

Monday, January 24, 2011

Day 8: I'm a VEGETARIAN again.

Well...It's happened again.

I say again because it has been at least 14 years since I've been down this path of plants. Back then, I had a part-time job at the library where I, similar to this time around, found a lot of disturbing information about what the food industry is doing to what we eat, and how they're hurting our environment. And holy cow, I am shocked and ready for a change.

So, with that in mind, I've turned a new leaf or really re-lifted it, and have decided to take a break from eating animals. After reading a few blogs like this, and an entertaining yet harsh truth book, I'm convinced that this is what I'm intended to do right now for the following reasons:

1 - Since I can remember, I've hated to cook with meat...The handling of it and the cutting...Sometimes cleaning (YUCK!). It makes me want to to vomit the way that my friend Heather (who was one of my college roommates) wants to puke at the thought of cleaning a toilet. And then the disposing of the packaging and any misellaneous pieces...what trash can to put it in so it doesn't attract the wrong four-legged animal to my garage door.

2 - Without even realizing it, I already go for days without eating meat. It's not the top of my list of food choices. I remember the line I'd give, "Well I only eat chicken, not beef." Come to find out and after actually EDUCATING myself, chicken is by far more disgusting in the way their handled through every step of the way to your plate. (Just thinking about it now makes me want to throw up on my laptop.)

3 - When not having to come up with a meat, a starch and a veggie for dinner, I'm actually thinking more creatively about what I want to prepare for meals, and there's a sense of consciousness (not sure if that word is spelled the way I'm thinking) that I have when coming up with what my family and I should eat. I can't just pick up fried chicken and call it dinner. Instead, I'm thinking of roasted vegetables and orzo pasta with some sauteed spinach. Honestly, that sounds so much better to me than a piece of fried chicken right now.

So, for now, I'm going for it. I'm not requiring Mr. Wonderful and the baby girl to jump on the bandwagon just yet. This is a decision that I made eight days ago for me. I have a feeling my family will get the benefits of it along the way.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Merry Christmas to the Newlyweds!

Deck the Halls with Cindy....
The Boys to Men Christmas Choir

Three generations

Cousin Shelly and I with my Mommy Glowie

My baby brother and I

Cutest Nephew and I

My Auntie, Baby Girl's YiaYia

My Uncle Bob, Baby Girl's "NoeNoe"

Cousins!

Sunday, January 09, 2011

Holiday Party - quick pics

super shah all pretty in pink

mr. wonderful and mr. super shah

fio and i without our little ones...watch out!

posh, sporty and scary
(the spice girls and guy are back!)

mr. wonderful and i enjoying the holiday party.
by this point, i had danced, karaoked and talked to everyone at the party.

the after-party tradition. oysters anyone?

Saturday, January 08, 2011

Baby Girl and J. Go to EPCOT

Ready to conquer EPCOT together!

Living in our future world!

Of course, we've gotta go to Nemo!
Unfortunately, the ride got stuck and we got to
hear the turtles talk all surfer-dude for five minutes.

DUFFY - the Disney Bear, Baby Girl and I striking a pose.
Thanks to J., she seemed fine with going over to see him.

Super Shah and I at EPCOT. Love that girl!

Friday, January 07, 2011

SeaWorld on Black Friday

Baby girl loves SeaWorld...I think family time is far better than a day shopping at the mall for things that people don't really need. There's not a sale that could be more valuable than a day with the people I love. It's so true.

Love my nephew M!

All the J's at the Shark Restaurant...The name escapes me right now.
Shark Grill? (Can't believe I am forgetting.)

Trying to get a family pic before they head to football practice.



YiaYia, Papou and Baby Girl after Shamu Show

Thursday, January 06, 2011

Catching up on Turkey Day...


Ummm...Yes, please.

Mr. Wonderful's 2010 Turkey - Citrus Parsley flavored,
made on the grill. Deeeee-lish!
C and M enjoying the lazy boy after Thanksgiving.
This is their first year at our home for this holiday.
C's first visit to our house. Glad they could be a part of this year's Thanks day!

Fab Father-in-law, Mr. Wonderful and my new mother-in-law
making it happen in the kitchen.