Saturday, January 29, 2011

Snow!

Poor Buster doesn't have a place to go to the bathroom with all this snow. It's deeper than him!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Smuggs Pictures

Here are some pictures from our ski trip to Smugglers Notch. I wanted to share a few of my favorites :)










At the end of the day we'd always have a roaring fire going. It was a perfect way to end a great day on the slopes.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Balloon Fun

We went to dinner with friends the other night and there was a balloon artist who made us a princess and an Elmo! How cool!

Cold Monday Morning

And that isnt even with the wind chill!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Canine Commandments

I saw this on a friends page and wanted to share. It's cute, true, and since I'm pretty attached to my dog, sad.

1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you will be painful to me. Remember that before you buy me.
2. Give me time to understand what you want from me.
3. Place your trust in me. It’s crucial to my well-being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long, and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your entertainment and your friends. I only have you.
5. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don’t understand your words, I understand your voice when it’s speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I’ll never forget it.
7. Remember before you hit me: I have teeth that could easily crush the bones of your hand, but I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, or I’ve been out in the sun too long, or my heart is getting old and weak.
9. Take care of me when I get old. You too will grow old.
10. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say: “I can’t bear to watch it”, or “Let it happen in my absence.” Everything is easier for me if you are there.

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. ~Roger Caras

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Lavender Vanilla Car Freshener

When we were at the Yankee Candle Flagship Store we picked up a few things, including some new car air fresheners. Rob likes them, but I always thought the ones from Yankee Candle were over-rated until I put this one in my car. The lavender vanilla scent is so calming - it even makes sitting in traffic not as stressful!

I hope the other scents in that package smell as great as this one!

Trip to Yankee Candle Flagship Store

We recently took a ski trip to Vermont with some friends, and on our drive up we passed by the Yankee Candle flagship store in South Deerfield, MA. This place was enormous, and divided into several sections. They had a whole area dedicated to Christmas Villages:


and coo-coo clocks:

and a Bavarian village, complete with a castle, a king and queen, and armed guards:






We went with our friends Jacki and Mike, who had fun on the pirate ship:



while I was in heaven in the candy section and the "I Love Lucy" memorabilia area I stumbled upon (in a different part):



We also passed through Santa Land. Surprisingly the sled was all metal and sturdy enough to hold all four of us!


They even have an area dedicated to the history of Yankee Candle, where you can see them make candlesticks the old fashioned way:



and a fragrance area, which was right next to where you can create your own candle. Jacki was first in line!



The store went on much further - including giant candles (made of more than 1,377 pounds of wax), fudge stores, candy apples, fresh popcorn, a winery, multiple restaurants, areas where it snowed every four minutes, Santa's workshop and toy factory - and several other areas. I'd highly recommend the trip if you're anywhere in that area. It was definitely a cool place to visit and a spot you could easily spend the half the day in.

We also took another trip to the Ben and Jerry Factory in Stowe. We passed right by it on the way towards the ski resort, and thought Jacki and Mike would definitely want to check it out. Plus, how can you turn down ice cream? :)

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Bubbling Over with Fun

Each year I like to buy a new statue for my Precious Moments collection. Yesterday I picked up this new one called "Bubbling Over with Fun" from this store called Diann's. It reminds me of bath time fun with Buster - minus the cat.


Thursday, January 13, 2011

7 Year Ago Today...

Seven years ago tonight Rob and I first met. Our friend, Dave, and I wanted to meet for coffee to catch up before going back to college after winter break. He asked if I cared that his friend was with him. I didn't mind - it was around 10pm, I was in sweats and we were going to Dunkin Donuts - obviously I wasn't looking to meet anyone. But I guess it's true what they say.. you meet someone when you least expect it.

I remember the smell of his cologne, and how he turned around in the car and said "Hi, I'm Rob."

In a passing mention, we said too bad we couldn't meet up in a few weeks - we'd be 21 and could go for a beer instead of coffee. Small world, his birthday is February 6th and mine is the 7th.

Hanging out at Dunkin' Donuts, I thought he was a goofball - but a cute one.

A few nights later we met again when our group of mutual friends went bowling. He still made me laugh, but I also got to see his sweet side. It was on that cold night in January - January 16th to be exact - we had our first kiss.

Before going back to school, we had a special date. He picked me up and we went to the mall. This was the first time we went out alone, and I remember being a little nervous. Walking around the mall, we passed by Build a Bear. He took me in to get a stuffed puppy to go back to school with, and I can still picture him spinning in a circle as they made him "make a wish" with the heart. I still have the stuffed animal on the bed.

He was funny, caring and talented. Although I was hesitant to get involved in a relationship, I wanted to get to know him better.

We talked on the phone a lot the first few weeks we were away at college. Over the next few months, we became close. It was in those conversations and emails I knew he could be "The One."

Although we lived six hours apart, he came to visit me any chance he had. He drove through snowstorms, traveled through the night, and even slept at rest stops so we could be together on weekends.

I remember our first "I love you," how excited I got whenever an instant message or email popped on my screen, and the anticipation of opening the cards I would get in my mailbox. I remember how he always held my hand, and how they fit together just so.

When I imagined my future, it was with him. That's when saying good-bye got harder and harder.

I know we have our ups and downs and that I annoy him with my type-A personality. But no matter what he is my strength, my better half, and my best friend. I know as long as he is by my side, everything will be okay.

Our wedding song was "I Finally Found Someone." One of the main lines that sold us was:

It started over coffee. We started out as friends. It's funny how from simple things the best things begin.

I love you, honey. I never would have thought going out for a cup of coffee would have changed my life. Happy Anniversary!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Birthday Plans

I work for a great company, and one of the many perks is that we get our birthday off. Since my birthday can fall on a random day during the week, I try to do something that's fun and I can do on my own since most of my friends and Rob are at work. Enter Spa Day.

A few years ago I decided to go for a massage on my birthday. It was a nice little treat and a perfect getaway that has quickly become a tradition. Each year I seem to have added a service, with my favorite being a package that includes a full body massage, facial and manicure. After my wonderful experience with warm stone massages back in December, I decided to upgrade the package so I can get that massage. Although I am dread getting older, spending the day at the spa is such a lovely way to ring in my birthday. Let the countdown begin!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Madonna Mountain

The largest peak at Smugglers Notch... nearly 3,700 feet up. The conditions at the top were awesome!

Monday, January 10, 2011

I'm going to put Rob in a bubble

After his first car accident in mid-December, I never would have thought that once he got the car back it would get hit again. No joke. He picked up his truck around 4pm on December 30th, and was very excited to have his "baby" back. By 8pm that night, it got hit again.

After chatting about what to make for the New Years Eve parties, we decided to run to a few stores after dinner. On our way out of BJ's, the guy coming down the road didn't see Rob's truck and hit the front end of it. It all honestly happened so fast I didn't know what happened. Since I was text messaging when he got hit, I thought he drove over the curb by accident until I saw the bumper and part of his front light go flying off the road.

Hopefully no one will want to play bumper cars with him again for a long, long time. On the plus side, with both the back end and front end of his car replaced, it's practically brand new!

Bath Time for Buster

As much as he probably hates getting a bath - especially the blow drying part - there are some days that Buster just loves the warm water and relaxing in the bath tub. You can't really see it here, but he's resting his head on my arm and started to fall asleep in the tub. Too cute!