Happy Holidays!

It has been a while and I figure I should recap for the sake of posterity. First and foremost, happy holidays to everyone. Yea Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanza and all the others. I had a great holiday filled with family, friends and fun. I wish I could have seen my little nephew Nicholas open the presents I got him but, alas, I will have to wait until next year to experience that with him. I did get him the coolest present though. It is a radio flyer retro rocket that makes astronaut noises and everything. As soon as I get a picture of him on it I will post it. Jimmy sent me one on my phone and he looked so friggin cute it is not even funny.
We did a small Christmas with Rene’s parents, and Nina and Jill (before they left) at Jill and Rene’s house on the 19th. Rene’ cooked a roast and we drank way too much wine. I got to play Santa. Lots a laughs were had all around and everyone got some great presents. For a quick overview, Jill got some much wanted Xbox games, Rene’ got a sweater she really wanted and the new trivial pursuit 80’s addition, Nina got some books and a deal or no deal game, Mom and Gary got a digital camera and I got a new purse and a gift card to get a new phone (awesome!). Those are just a few of the highlights. It was a great night and set off the season just right.
After that and in between Christmas we had to get the Space Shuttle down from orbit. Man, that was a grueling couple of days that involved late nights and much anxiety. Weather was crappy at all the landing sites but it was imperative to get it home in time for the holidays. Word was they were going to end up landing at White Sands, which would have been bad because it costs a lot of money as well as a lot of time to get it processed and back here to Florida. I think luck was on our side though because even though the weather was crap-tacular, we still got it home to FL, and on the 22nd. No working through Christmas! After that though I was spent and looking to just chilling at home. Christmas Eve I had Mom, Gary and Rene’ over for a sleepover. We ate pizza, shrimp and lots of cookies and opened the customary one present. We played games and again drank too much wine. Christmas morning was nice with a breakfast made by me and a ham to follow up for dinner. We watched A Christmas Story (Fragile, must be Italian! Ra, ra, ra…) a couple of times and even took a mid afternoon nap. Mom and Gary got me a grill for the porch too! All in all it was an ideal way to spend the holiday. We even got a call from Nina on Christmas which was great because we all wish she was here with us celebrating instead of on a boat. For all those who think they have crappy plans for the holidays, think of Nina out to sea in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico stuck on a boat with a bunch of dirty sailors. Ok, when you put it that way it might not be that bad ;-) No, she wishes she was with her family and they wish she was with them too. They will have to wait until after her next long job though. Oh, but Nina will be glad to know her Mom sent her the customary Christmas box complete with bras and candy!
Now, it is back to work because everybody and their brother have taken off random days and well, someone has got to be here. Man, I hate being responsible. But lucky for me there is not too much going on so we can screw around a lot. I love times like these. It almost makes getting paid to be here worth it. So, what ot look forward to now that all the chaos is beginning to subside, how about the New Year. For New Year’s Eve it looks like Rene’ and I might be heading down to Ft. Lauderdale to hang out with our friend Mary Beth and her boyfriend for the festivities. Not sure what we are going to do but I can’t refuse a good road trip and a chance to go somewhere new. Should be a good time though. Last time I was in Lauderdale, I had a great time. We shall see.
Oh, wait, before I forget we also ran another race before Christmas and I even got Mom to walk it with us! Rene’s parents were in town so we thought what a great night if we all compete in this 2 mile Jingle Bell Run. The parents walked it and had an awesome time checking out all the lights on people’s houses. I think everyone really enjoyed it and I have a feeling Mom will be doing another one with us soon. Rene’, Jill and I did not do as well as we had wanted to but it was close. We all seemed to have colds or were getting over them, which just makes running that much more difficult. Plus it was humid and those two nuts were wearing Santa hats, hot! Ah, what can you do, this was a fun run. After we went to Coconuts for some dinner and a little Rene’ birthday celebration. As much as she doesn’t want to celebrate getting older, she should be proud of where she is at in her life. We are all proud of her. Plus I really think she liked here Heely’s we got her for her present ;-) She will learn to ride them like all those crazy little kids you see flying around. We also did a little cake celebration for both Nina and Rene' since their b-days are pretty close together. Mmmm, cake. Ok, I am getting exhausted writing all this. Let me know how all your holidays were and most of you will be receiving calls from me soon! Love you all! Peace out.

Happy Birthday Frac!!!

Today is my best friend Abbey's birthday. For those who don't know her, she and I grew up on Long Island together and have been friends for as long as I can remember. From little league softball to prom we have been through it all. She is one of the best people I know and am so lucky to be friends with her.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ABBEY GAIL!!!!

A few busy days...babies and birthdays

Well, it has been a while since i have been able to tell you about allt he happenings of late. To start with I have some additional pictures from the space coast lightfest 5K we did. It was a great run through Wickham Park through all the Christmas lights they have strewn throughout the park. I ran my best race time ever! It was an awesome feeling. Jill did incredible as well. We had great food provided by Carrabas and Mom and Gary even came to watch. Best race ever.

Next we have Nina's birthday celebrations. We started on her actual birthday which was the same day as the Yp function at KB Homes. The homes were beautiful and Nina and I were even able to score a few extra drinks. Always a plus. From there we took her to Tapp's for a few b-day drinks since we couldn't do it up rock star style until the weekemd (work and what not). She had a great time though and probably drank more that she should but hey, it was her birthday!

Saturday night was night to remember. We decided to take Nina to Orlando. We hadn't been there to party in a while and what better excuse to go. We ended up at Lattitudes, which is an outdoor tiki bar seet atop one of the buildings on Church Street. It is probably our favorite place to go down there because it has such a great atmosphere and they play great music you can sing to. Our friend Marsha came with us too and she is just too much fun. We really just started to get to know her but she seems awesome. Since it was Nina's night we had to do all we could to get her silly and happy. Of course that didn't take long but the journey is always fun. Now, Nina just got off the boat full of a bunch of Norwegians and what to we meet at Latts but a bunch of Norwegians. Are we seeing a pattern here? All Nina wanted to do on her birthday was makeout with a random guy and she accomplished that. What a slut ;-) One of the other guys kept hitting on Marsha and I swear he was Ahmed Zappa. Silly boys. So we danced, we sang and we drank the night away. Oh yea and that pic is of Rene' singing the night all the way away. It was good frivolous fun. Enjoy some of the pics!











Sunday was Gretchen's Baby Shower and Mom's Birthday! After a night like Saturday it was amazing we even got up the next day. We couldn't miss G's baby shower though. It was really a great party thrown by her mom. No silly baby games like measure the pregnant chick and make her realize how big she really is. It was mostly laughing, story telling and presents. I think she got some great stuff and had a wonderful time. That kid is going to have an incredible family to come in to. Can't wait to meet Kai! Mommy's b-day was shortly after with a alittle dinner at Olive Garden. We showered mom with presents and flowers. You know she loves that stuff. I think she had a great time.

And for the latest news.....get ready....wait for it......I bought a new car!!!! I know it is about time and I really needed one but the thought of having a car payment again was daunting. I had a long talk with my Dad Sunday night and it was decided I would go seriously look the next day. Well, seriously turned into all day and walking away with a brand new 07 Honda CRV! I am really happy and feel secure again in a reliable vehicle but still scared s*&tless. But alas, we do what we gotta do right? So here is a pic off the website until I can get one of me in front of mine. It is blue (pretty much the same color as the VW, I know creative right?!), has a sunroof, lots of room for people and pooches, CD changer and lots of other things that I am still figuring out. And of course it has that great new car smell. Who doesn't love new cars!