HAPPY EASTER !!

Happy Easter Everyone!

So I survived!  40 days without Facebook was a tough thing to do for me.  But I come away from this experience with a whole new outlook on life.  We as a society need to value relationships more on a physical level and intellectual level, rather than just on a social networking site.  It really is a shame how much people are missing out on by only communicating through a computer or even text messages.  Before I started this whole thing...I couldn't even remember the last time I talked to one of my friends on the phone...and now I find myself making more and more phone calls to people to simply just say hello or to catch up.  I have really taken for granted the people in my life and have realized that ...you never know when your time may be up, so you need to tell people how you really feel and appreciate them to the fullest.  Treasure the moments you spend with your family and friends, and really just live life to the fullest!  I just wanna thank everyone who has always supported me and been there for me in my life, you all mean the world to me and I love you all so much.  And to my family, thanks for always being my number one fans and believing in me in whatever I set my mind to. xooxox  HAPPY EASTER!

THE LAST DAY!

Two little girls gave me these Justin Bieber trivia cards for Easter... it made me smile haha

Today was my last day of not going on Facebook and I spent it wisely!  I woke up early and did some Zumba, went tanning, then ran to the store for my mom.  Then I came home and helped clean and made some lunch.  After that mom and I went shopping all day...and squeezed in a nice relaxing pedicure!  Dinner was a team effort...we made angel hair with asparagus and tomatoes... it was so yummy!!  I dyed Easter Eggs with my parents...Dad's didn't come out so great but he gets an "A" for effort.  Then I took the time to paint mommy's nails since she never paints them herself...I think she really appreciated it, which is good. :-)  I like to see her happy..because then it makes me happy.  I finally got to watch Shawshank Redemption tonight after hearing how great of a movie it is from my dad for months now.  And it really was a great movie...highly recommend watching it if you haven't already!  And now It's time for me to get some sleep.  Good night! :-)

it's a good, good friday!

This is Sally, my 102 year old bff.  She is such an amazing woman and has the best stories ever!  She always puts a smile on my face when I see her.  I just feel so honored to be able to talk to her and hear her life stories firsthand.  It really is an amazing thing.

Friday's are always pretty laid back at work and sometimes can be boring.  I look forward to Friday's all week..the last day of the week and the start of the weekend.  After work I decided to go to Old Navy to do some shopping....epic fail!  So I came home and my parent's were busy planting away in front of the house.  I told them it was good they were actually doing something for Earth day...they weren't too amused by it.  But, since they decided to rip the shrubs out, they knew they had to put new ones in!  We went to Vincenzo's for dinner, which was amazing as always!  Then when we got home, Mom and I decided to watch T.V. in her room.  At 3 a.m. I woke up so confused as to where I was.  Then I realized I had fallen asleep in my moms bed....so I went to my room to go into my own bed but my dad was in there.  It was pretty funny actually.  But it was nice to have a sleepover with mommy :-)

Baby Ty Thursday !

Baby Ty!!! Such a cutie!

I was excited all day and could hardly wait for Jenn and baby Ty to arrive!  I couldn't even concentrate at work.  It was so nice to get to spend time with one of my oldest and dearest friends and her son!  He is simply ADORABLE!! We talked for a long time, catching up and reminiscing about the old times.  I miss having her live across the street.  Life was so much easier back then...we could just walk a few feet and see each other.  But now, we have to drive an hour...which is better than the 8 hours away she used to be! But still, it'd be nice if she was still right across the street.  She misses living there as much as we miss her and her family living there.  But we do keep in touch and it was so nice of her to come visit! We had a nice dinner ...she got to eat the Jersey pizza that she's been missing!  Nothing compares to NJ pizza, just saying!  Baby Ty is the absolute cutest baby ever!  He's such a happy baby, doesn't care who's holding him, feeding him, he loves everyone...especially my dog Dallas.  But I think Dallas liked Ty more...he wanted to be near the baby the whole time! All in all it was a great day and it was so nice to get to spend a few hours with the both of them! Hope we get to see more of them in the near future!

Weigh-in Wednesday!

Chinese food dates with mom make me happy... here's the Fortune from Dinner after Weight Watchers!  ...Interesting....

Wednesday's are always really hard.  I'm always nervous to weigh-in...worried I've gained weight rather than lost it.  So all day I'm really careful about the things I eat.  The clothes you wear to weigh-in really do matter.  The outfit I usually wear was in the wash so I was trying to find something that would equal about the same amount of weight of the clothes I usually wear.  Well, I kept trying on outfits and running back and forth to the scale to see if I weighed what I was suppose to weigh.  SUCH A PAIN! My mom was laughing at me because I asked if they could just weigh me naked...then it would be accurate!  But all went well.. I reached my 5% goal and I lost 3 pounds for the week! So I'm Happy!!!  I'm down 13.4 pounds and my mom is down 13.6!  I even got her to go for a 30 minute walk with me the other day ... so we've been good! :-)

let the good times roll...

This quote is SO TRUE.  LOVE LOVE LOVE It.

Tuesday was a slow day.. I haven't had much to do at work this week so I've been bored most of the time.  Amusing myself with stumble upon was the only thing that got me through the day!  I was suppose to go out to dinner with my parent's and my dad's family that was up to visit from South Carolina...buttttt I had other plans.  I went out to dinner and for some drinks with an old friend.  It was a really good time ! We had a lot of laughs about the past and about how crazy our parents are (mind you our parents are best friends).  I can't believe I've lasted this long without Facebook.  I'll tell you it's hard because I don't remember everyone's birthday's without the little reminders on facebook and I feel so out of the loop not knowing what all my friends are up to.  But this has been a really good experience so far so I can't really complain!

getting active

hahaha we have a little too much fun at work

Work went by really slow Monday.  I don't have much to do lately, so it's kind of boring...unless the resident's are busy telling me stories...then my time goes by a little quicker.  After work I went tanning...gotta get ready for Vegas!  Mom decided she wanted to start walking, so we went for a nice long walk for about a half hour.  When we were almost home I told her to jog to the driveway.  She wasn't having it!  She kept being like "people are watching me!"  She's gotta learn to not worry about what people think of her and just to do what she's gotta do.  But I do give her a lot of credit for getting off her butt and walking 30 minutes! I'm so proud of her, that's a big step!  Now let's see if we can both keep it up!  After our walk, I did Zumba for a little while and then I came upstairs to relax and shower.  I got to talk briefly with an old friend yesterday and she's coming to visit later this week with her son!  I can't wait to see them both and to finally meet Ty! :-)

shopping and puppies

this is the cutie that i fell in love with today.  I think it's better to fall in love with puppies than boys....puppies won't break your heart ;-)

Today was a very productive day.  I woke up and had  a nice breakfast with mom and then headed to the basement for a nice workout.  I even helped mom clean the house a little bit...yes I do clean once in a while, shocking I know!  Then I got to see Kim, whom I haven't seen in months!  We have such opposite schedules that it's hard to hang out.  But I'm glad we got to spend the whole day together today! We did some shopping at Marshall's and DSW and then we met my parents for lunch at the Stagehouse.  On the way home I decided it would be a good idea to stop at the puppy store.  I instantly fell in love with this chocolate lab and HAD to see him out of his cage so I requested to take him out.  WHAT A CUTIE!  Kim and I played with him in the room for probably a half hour.   Too bad he was like $1300, otherwise he'd totally be home with me right now lol.  Puppies make me happy, although puppy stores make me sad.  Most of those dogs are from puppy mills which is just plain wrong!  These puppy mills just keep breeding dogs when there's enough dogs out there in shelter's that need homes.  But, that's a topic that I clearly feel strongly against.  I really think puppy mills should be illegal and someone should do something about it.  Anyways...today marks one week until I'm back on Facebook! I can't believe I've actually lasted this long without it.  Yeah, I do feel out of the loop...two of my sorority sisters got engaged and I had no idea until someone told me.  With Facebook, I would have known right away!  It's crazy how much we depends on networking sites to keep in touch with people and keep up with their lives!  Well now I'm going to watch the Wizard of Oz since it's on T.V. and it's my FAVORITE MOVIE EVER!

April Shower's

This is one of my bestest and oldest friends.  We were neighbors for quite a while, but she moved to NY and we go long periods of time without seeing each other.  But whenever we do see each other..we pick up right where we left off.  This picture was taken at her baby shower... I can't wait to meet her son Ty! and obviously to see her! :-)

I understand it's April and all but really? all this rain is not necessary! I went shopping ALL day today with my mom.  I had to get some things for my Vegas trip.  I hate bathing suit shopping more than anything in the world, and I'm sure I'm not alone on that!  BUT...for once I actually found 2 bathing suits that I loved and fit me really well, so I was happy!  I can't wait til Vegas so I can wear all my new clothes..and for the warm weather there.  The rain really puts a damper on things...makes me wanna cuddle up in bed all day.  Ali and I decided to do dinner and a movie.  We went for Sushi and Shogun on 22 and then went to go see Rio in 3d...it was actually a really good movie, even if it is a kids movie!  Since it was so rainy, I didn't feel like doing much else so I got a good night's sleep.

one really big catch up post

Sorry I've been MIA lately... been busy with a lot of things.  For starters, this past weekend was the Easter Egg hunt at work... I went to help out even though I wasn't working.  It was a good time...my mom got her face painted to look like a lion..it was pretty hilarious.  After the Egg hunt I headed up to Hartford for Kyle's wake.  It was nice to see all of my sisters and friends...but not so nice under the circumstances.  It was bittersweet being up there again.  I got to attend one of the ritual event before initiation, which brought back memories of my collegiate days and experiences.  My Biffy and I got to have lunch together at Cheesecake Factory and got to catch up (Since we haven't seen each other since January...definitely WAY too long!)  The wake was really nice..they had great pictures of Kyle and all the people who cared about him were there.  We got in line at 2:30 and didn't get up to give our condolences to the family until like 5:45...that's how many people were there to pay their respects.  But we all know he is in a better place now.

Monday meant back to work.  I was busy Monday and Tuesday working on a report for the state.  It was pretty easy, but a pain in the butt!  Wednesday I was pretty busy making a ton of copies and the phone was ringing off the hook for some reason.  And Thursday and Today were pretty laid back.


Tonight I'm hoping to go to this new place in Branchburg called Willie Mcbride's.  Hopefully it's good, we shall see!

And that's the quick update...not very interesting I know. haha Hopefully next week will be more interesting.... 9 more days til I'm back on Facebook.  I think I'm not going to be as addicted to it anymore as I was before lent.  I have a whole new outlook on life now...and more appreciation for the people in my life.  I'd rather spend time with the people that I love and am friends with, rather than just talk to them on Facebook.  So that's what I'm going to do...spend more time with people.

i love taking pictures at the beach

i love the fact that i finished college in 4 years and got my degree!

i really have an obsession of taking pictures of animals and reptiles on vacation.. this is by far my favorite pic!

this makes me happy and defines my relationship with my parents

best spring break of my life with some amazing sisters

this picture makes me laugh every time

LOVE light houses!

love taking crazy pictures..especially on the beach.  (p.s. this pic took like 15 minutes to take bc sara couldn't get it right hahaha)

Sad day....

i love my sisters <3

Today was really slow all day at work.  It's been nice since the boss lady has been at a convention all week in Florida.  Everyone is much more laid back and less stressed than usual which is good.  I went tanning after work for the first time in almost a year.  I figured I'd better start tanning before I go to Vegas so I don't look like I'm a member of the Cullen Clan. haha.  I've been bored without mom being home.  She's in AC right now with my aunt and grandma...and I'm stuck here at home.  I made turkey burgers tonight for me and dad..they were pretty good.  Then I got some bad news about my sorority sisters brother passing away today.  We all knew him because we went to school with him.  He was an RA around campus and actually dated my second little for a while.  He even helped me sneak into her room one night so I could decorate it for big little and we talked about how he liked to watch Gilmore Girls and that we shouldn't judge him by it ....which we didn't.  He would come to our apartment all the time complaining of the noise level...when really we were just singing Lion King songs.  He was seriously a really smart, funny, and nice guy and will be missed by everyone who knew him.  Rest in Peace Kyle...may the angels lead you in.

Weight Watcher Wednesday

My favorite little cheerleader! This is my cousins girlfriend Meredith.   I absolutely adore her! She's like a little sister to me and she is one of the nicest people I know!

So I was freaking out all day since it was my weigh-in day.  Everyone knows you barely eat on weigh-in day...hoping you weigh less by the time you weigh in haha.  Anyways.. I really didn't think I was going to lose anything because I had a bagel, pizza, drinks, and filet mignon this weekend.  BUT I learned at the meeting that you shouldn't deprive yourself of the food that you love because one day you will break down and eat a whole pizza in one sitting...or a dozen bagels.  And I definitely don't want that!  I ended up losing 2.8 pounds bring me down to a total of...9.8 pounds in 3 weeks! I am SO happy..you have no idea.  It's been so hard to lose weight, but weight watchers has made it easy.  It's also helped to keep my mind off of Facebook.  It's made me more active and more interested in cooking healthier meals...it's actually fun!

never want to see another easter egg again!

these are the eggs and beach balls i had to blow up haha

So...since the egg hunt is coming up, I had to stuff plastic Easter eggs ALL Day!  I kid you not.  It was fun to play with the toys while I put them into the eggs though, I can't lie haha.  And we had a little egg fight in the lobby so that was pretty entertaining.  Needless to say...I was EGGhausted hahahaha. I'm corny sorry.  Then after I had to blow some eggs up and beach balls for the babies.  I was so tired when I got home that I just put my PJ's on and laid on the couch.

hi-ho hi-ho it's off to work I go...

god I miss Aruba...being tan...andddd MY BIFFY!

Another Monday...they all seem like a blur.  As usual I was busy...Phone ringing off the hook, stuffing some easter eggs for an egg hunt that's coming up Saturday, and copying a lot of papers.  I was unusually tired though for some reason and couldn't wait to get home.  When I got home, instead of taking a nap I decided to push through and do some Zumba and work out a little.  I'm so happy I did!  After, I went outside in the hot tub since it was sooooooo nice out!  Then mom and I enjoyed watching Secret Life of the American Teenager together... such losers I know! haha but I love the show despite the terrible acting!

Steak Sunday

This is one of my bestest friends in the whole world!  Kim has been there for me through everything and I love her to death!

Sunday, Mom and I went food shopping and to Home Depot.  Home Depot took foreverrrrrr because she was trying to return a light that she bought 2 years ago.  After we got home and unloaded the groceries, we went to get some steak on a rock in Elizabeth.  Steak on a rock is SO GOOD.... if you haven't tried it.. YOU MUST! you cook it yourself at the table and put some nice garlic and butter on it...DELICIOUS!!!  Then we came home and relaxed for a little until Army Wives came on.  Mom, Dad, and I watch it every Sunday...cute, I know.  I feel like these weekends just fly by!

Happy Birthday Ali

This picture is kinds old but happy birthday ali! Love you!

Saturday was my cousins 22nd birthday! I slept ALL day since we didn't get home til 5:30am.  Finally I got the motivation to get ready and Sara and I went down to Long Branch to Avenue to celebrate with Ali. Shitshow doesn't even describe the events that occurred. But, It was a good time.  Sara and I headed out early since we were exhausted.

Happy April Fool's

I really love the backstreet boys.  Nick and I had a moment outside of the gym at Mohegan Sun before this concert.   He was on the elliptical and I was leaving the pool area... I took a double take and We locked eyes...I was shocked...he realized I recognized who he was...smiled and waved.  I was star struck

Everyone kept calling me Ms. Brandystar at work.  Quite comical..but I am proud to have won the award!  I got April Fooled by a 90 year old...that was amusing. haha.  I had a hair appointment after work.  My hair dresser and one of the other hair dresser's ...and myself were the only one's in the place.  So we were obviously talking about crazy things.  It was a lot of fun and helped to pass the time while my dye was setting in.  The phone rang at one point and I was so confused bc I had a feeling it might be my mom.  Well with that, the one hair dresser's boyfriend was there and he goes..I'm going outside for a cigarette I'll be back.  He comes back in and goes..."Man someone's car got really messed up...looks like it was a hit and run."  and I was just sitting there and my hair dresser goes... "What kind of car is it?"  and he responds "some ford...it's kind of like an SUV...it's a brownish color and parked on the right.  The tail light is off and everything."  I said yeah right and asked if he was paying an April Fool's joke...he kept the straightest face in the world and I ran outside to check....my car was fine and they all yelled april fools! Such jerks...but my mom DID call and tell them to do it haha.  After my hair, I wasn't sure if I wanted to go out or not but I decided just to go since it was our friend Jenna's birthday.  The night was insane and that's all I can really say.  I walked into my house at 5:30 a.m. and proceeded to talk to my parent's as if it was 5 in the evening. haha I just had to tell them about my night.. They think i'm crazy but that's okay!