Say What? You have a girlfriend?!?

Aaron is a Saint-- Saint Aaron. He should be recognized by the dioceses. In order to understand why I say that you'd have to live with me for a terrifying twenty-four-hours-per-day-seven-days-per-week-three-hundred-sixty-five/six-days-per-year. And that, my friends, I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

I'm not at all spontaneous, I'm rigid, structured, demanding and a bit neurotic. I literally have instructions written out for every possible task on top of having insane rules: You can't write in the checkbook registry in anything but pencil, you have to make the bed a certain way, your keys go in a specific place, the gas gauge can't go below 1/4 tank, there always has to be three hand towels in the kitchen and they are coordinated by season, my coffee cup can only be filled to a certain point or you get "the look", and I must sweep the floor at least once per day. (I could go on and on and on) But, Aaron loves me. Better yet, he is obsessed, smitten and utterly enamoured with me. It sounds awful and conceited, but he LOVES me. Why? I have no idea. He's making up for sins in a past life I suppose.

Decorating for the Christmas season usually involves me trying out each and every decoration in at least 5 or 6 different places before I like where I put it. Aaron, bless his heart, always tries to help and usually ends up following me around so I can "check" the placement of each item with him:

J: "Do you like the nativity there, or in the place I had it before?"
A: "It looks great there, Babe."
J: (Squinting at it) "No, help me move it."

Or sometimes he'll put a decorative Santa on an end-table only to find it missing 5 minutes later because I've moved it to a more aesthetically pleasing area. My definition of him helping usually involves me making him go into the storage area, "bring this downstairs," "bring this upstairs", "look at the mess the glitter made --where's the dust-buster?" I don't know why he bothers sometimes.

Decorating for Christmas 2010 wasn't any better. While we do have amazing decorations a-plenty, it took us about 7 hours to put them all in their place (and we didn't even decorate the tree the same night.) So, as I sat on the floor debating where to move one of my nativity scenes (for the millionth time), a conversation between me and my wonderful husband went something like this:

A: (almost defeatedly grabbing his wallet and cell phone) "I'll be right back, I need to get something out of the truck."
J: (playfully) "Yeah, you need to go outside to call your girlfriend and tell her how awful I am."
A: "Oh, she already knows." (closes front door)

The house phone rings

J: Hello?
A: (in a secretive scheming whisper) "Hey, it's me. You'll never believe what the bitch is making me do tonight!!!"

That was all I needed from him to bring me back to the reality and fun of decorating the house instead of stressing over perfection. I don't know how he does it, or why he does it but, he does it for me. He's a Saint and he knows just how to handle this devil.

Menu Monday: The Perfect Dog

Today is Bing's 6th Birthday. Six, I can't believe it! He's six. I hate that he's six. I want him to stay young and little forever (well, he'll always be little).

For today's Menu Monday, please find the recipe to make a healthy and happy dog.

Ingredients:

• Handful of kisses
• 8C spoiling
• 1/3 portion of a queen-sized bed, nightly
• 1 monthly bath
• Eggs on the weekends
• Lovies every second
• 4+ walks per day
• 3 baskets of toys
• 1 drawer of clothing
• 1 drawer of costumes for every holiday/season
• 8C unconditional love
• 1 can smiles

 Directions:

Start first thing in the morning by saying, "Good morning, I missed you last night!" Cuddle, then take canine outside to walk and sniff surroundings (if chilly, first get pup dressed [boots may be required in the winter.]) Bring puppy back inside and prepare breakfast. Serve breakfast to the dog on the couch, out of reach of other animals so he may relax. Praise, praise, praise. Take for a long walk (1 mile- or less depending on the weather) and then when inside, play fetch for approximately 15 minutes. Leave pup for a few hours in a warm house with toys and water available.

When you return: Act like you haven't seen the pup in years-- squeal and jump around. Immediately following a greeting that would be embarrassing for a stranger to witness, take pup out for a walk to stretch his legs (this will make him juicier and leaner.) Bring pup back inside and prepare dinner/treats (you can add fresh carrots or green beans to mixture, but cut into small pieces.) Following dinner, bring dog out promptly for another walk- let him run and play.

Retire dog to your choice of location for the night (couch, bed, easy chair) and let dog sit on your lap while you absentmindedly pet him non-stop while watching TV. When ready for bed, carry puppy upstairs and put under the covers. Give the dog the majority of the room in the bed for they are most comfortable when they are able to completely stretch out. Continue daily.

** This recipe will yield a happy 8 pound chihuahua. You may need to adjust ingredients/directions per dog.

End result:

The Happiest 8 pound BIRTHDAY BOY

Happy 6th Birthday to Bing Francis Molloy. You are loved beyond words.
Now, please stop aging, 6 is enough.

We love you!

Love,
Mama, Daddy, Rocko, Shredda and your favorite thing in the whole world....


Your pesky brother, Manny!

95 self-disclosures

YOUR LAST:

1. Last beverage:
Coffee

2. Last phone call:
My Dad

3. Last text message:
My Brother

4. Last song you listened to:
Knocking on Heaven's Door- Gun's N' Roses

5. Last time you cried:
Monday, when I left Pepe's house

HAVE YOU EVER:

6. Dated someone twice:
Yes, in high school I dated someone my freshman year then again my junior year; didn't work out either time

7. Regretted meeting one of your friends:
Yes

8. Lied to a friend:
Not maliciously. Maybe in a "No, those pants look great! They highlight your camel-toe in a good way!" type of lie

9. Lost someone special:
Yes

10 Broken a bone:
Yes: fingers, toes, tailbone and my right arm

11. Been drunk and thrown up:
YES! Fail

Right after Aaron made me throw up in my Nine West purse; it was either that or our brand new car.

List three favorite colors:
12. Black
13. Gray
14. Forest Green

THIS YEAR HAVE YOU:

15. Made a new friend:
Hmmm. I think so

16. Detention:
Huh? No?

17. Laughed until you cried:
Yes, the other night when Aaron was playing with photo shop and making pictures of him look like a fun house mirror. I was cracking up. I don't laugh enough. I'm way too serious

18. Met someone who changed you:
Yes. Every client I work with changes me

19. Found out who your true friends were:
This year? Did I ever!

20. Found out someone was talking about you:
Talking, degrading, facebook defaming. Yeah, it's all good. Who looks like the asshole now? Yeah, that's right, not this girl

21. How many kids do you want:
Undecided. I'll probably give birth to one, maybe adopt one. The world's population is already past a point of self-sustainability so I don't want to contribute to it

22-23- Missing questions

24. Do you have any pets:
4, but they own us

25. Do you want to change your name:
Yes, I do actually. Since I can remember EVERYONE has always called me Jessi, my parents have actually said they wish they would have just named me Jessi. I should change it

26. What did you do for your last birthday:
I don't remember. I'm pretty sure I was at work

27. What time did you wake up today:
9:00 am. That's the latest I've slept in probably a year. Thank you, Tryptophan

28. What were you doing at midnight last night:
Watching CNN's Hero's, grateful for good people left in the world.

29. Name something you CANNOT wait for:
New York City with Aaron, Nickie and Jay-- The LION KING!

30. Last time you saw your Mother:
Monday

31. What is one thing you wish you could change about your life:
My perfectionism. I mean, really? Who tediously proof reads a blog to the point they notice and perseverate on missing questions? Yeah. I need PA (Perfectionism Anonymous) I wonder what those twelve steps would look like. Regardless of the steps, I bet they'd be written out perfectly-- sans any errors.

32. What are you listening to right now:
Pink Floyd

33. Have you ever talked to a person named Tom:
Yes

34. Who's getting on your nerves right now:
No one, really. I don't get annoyed easily.

35. Most visited web page:
Lately? Ticketmaster, LOL

36. What's your real name:
Jessica Frances Molloy

37. Any nicknames:
Bubby, Princess Fesses, 243, Sess

38. Relationship Status:
Married

39. Zodiac sign:
Gemini- and boy am I one

40. Male or female:
Female

41. Birthday:
June 16

42.Current School:
I teach at NHTI, does that count?

43. High school/College:
Spaulding High School
Husson University
Antioch University New England

44. Write w/e you want here:
w/e you want here

45. Long or short:
What exactly are we talking about? Why must you be so cryptic?

46. Height:
5'2

47. Do you have a crush on someone:
Gerard Butler and that sexy Asian dancer on Glee

48. What do you like about yourself:
I'm strong, I'm intelligent and I'm a hard worker. I respect myself

49. Piercings:
Several

51. Righty or lefty:
Righty

FIRSTS:

52. First surgery:
Cosmetic

53. First piercing:
Ears

54. First true best friend:
My sister. Tried and True. Always has been, always will be. She's my rock

55. First sport you joined:
Gymnastics

56. First vacation:
Camp

57. Question missing

58. First pair of trainers:
Huh? Ixnay on the upidstay estionsquay

NOW:

59. Eating:
Just had a piece of pumpkin roll

60. Drinking:
washed it down with Coke-- straight from the 2-liter bottle
pig

61. I'm about to:
Head over to Barnes & Noble

62. Listening to:
Aaron installing trim in the bathroom... and the radio

63. Waiting for:
5:00- we're going to the movies. I want to see Love and Other Drugs. Should be good

YOUR FUTURE:

64. Want kids:
Yes!!

65. Get married:
I'm set. This one's a keeper

66. Career:
I'm always looking to build the old resume but, I'm happy doing what I'm doing. It pays the bills

WHICH IS BETTER:

67. Lips or eyes:
Eyes

68. Hugs or kisses:
HUGS- but only if you're on the approved "hug" list. Otherwise I don't like being touched

69. Shorter or taller:
Shorter

70. Older or Younger:
Older

71. Romantic or spontaneous:
Me? Neither, LOL

72. Nice stomach or nice arms:
Do I have to choose?

73. Sensitive or loud:
Ugh. I hate loud. Loud noises/people put me on edge; ready to dart for the door. But, I don't really like it when people (not including my clients) lick their wounds for the better part of the day- toughen up, will ya?

74. Hair or body:
I'm not answering that. It's another stupid question

75. Question missing

HAVE YOU EVER:

76. Kissed a stranger:
Like a peck, or open mouth? No to the latter

77. Drank hard liquor:
Ugh. Yes

78. Lost glasses/contacts:
No

79. Sex on first date:
For me? No thanks. If you want to that's fine with me. Have fun and be safe, please

80. Broken someones heart:
See number 6

81. Been in the backseat of a cop car:
Ewww. NO!

82. Been arrested:
NO!

83. Turned someone down:
Yes. Just the other night some guy asked me to dinner- a complete stranger actually. Yeah, drink another one buddy

84. Cried when someone died:
Who wrote these? Sheesh. "No, (eyes rolling) I've never cried when someone died (sarcasm)."
Moron.

85. Fallen for a friend:
No

DO YOU BELIEVE IN:

86. Yourself:
Absolutely. I can do whatever I set my mind to

87. Miracles:
Kind of. I believe people make miracles

88. Love at first sight:
No


89. Heaven:
Yes, but not in the sense that everyone believes it to be

90. Santa Claus:
Yes, but not as in the white-bearded-jolly old fella. More of the spirit of giving

91. Kiss on the first date:
Yes, if it feels right

92. Angels:
Yes

ANSWER TRUTHFULLY:

93. Question missing

94. Had more than 1 girlfriend/boyfriend at a time:
In high school I did, yes

95. Did you sing today:
No

96. Ever cheated on somebody:
Define "cheat"- I don't think stuff from high school counts, right?

97. If you could go back in time, how far would you go?:
Not too far. I'd love to have known my grandfather when he was my age

98. The moment you would choose to re-live:
That's tough. I don't know

99. Are you afraid of falling in love:
I'm not afraid to love

100. Are you afraid of posting this as 100 truths:
A little. This one is pretty personal

Photographic Friday: Obedience

A couple of weeks ago, the baby of the family (Shamus Arizona) graduated obedience school. You know, for someone who pretends claims he fell prey to his manipulative wife and daughter's ploy to buy a dog, McPepe doesn't seem to be suffering too much; look at that million dollar smile.

That's right, Linda and I are the alpha dogs around here.

Fun Fact Thursday: 25 Things

A while back, on Facebook, I did the "25-things-chain-mail-thingy" that was circulating through every page on my news-feed. For a long time I held out but once I did it, I must admit, it was fun. I haven't read the last one I did in a LONG time so, I hope there aren't any repeats. If I found 25 new/interesting things about myself then, hey, that's not too shabby.

1. I talk in my sleep. BIG TIME and VERY OFTEN-- full blown conversations. The only problem is that they don't make any sense.

2. I would not want to live in a world without coffee or dogs.

3. I never wear sunscreen although, I know I should.

4. I can't stand, I loath, despise, hate and detest being barefoot.

5. *Controversial- dont' read if you're easily offended* I think the American flag is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen and I think we are so incredibly privileged and lucky to live in the U.S.A. I also get really pissed when people disrespect this country; I would personally love to throw their whiny ass out. If the grass is greener, shithead, go mow it.

6. If I thought I could get away with it, I would never shave my armpits or legs. Ever again

7. I love onions.

8. I get strange urges when I am on a boat or near water. I always feel like I'm going to grab my wedding rings and throw them into the abyss. Not that I think I actually would, it's just this fear I have of losing them by winging them into the deep.

9. I am a Republican (something I used to fear saying out loud-- we are so misunderstood.) BUT, I think there is a HUGE difference between being a Republican and a Conservative. I *am not* a conservative in most ways.

10. When nobody is looking I can be very sweet and thoughtful. ;)

11. A friend told me "the pen is mightier than the sword." That was some of the best advice I was ever given and one of the reasons I started writing.

12. I have a huge fear of the liquid inside ice packs; I was told once that it's poison. Now I wrap all my ice packs in a Ziploc baggy.

13. For the past 10 years my dream car has been a station wagon. Two years ago I bought one :)

14. I want to visit and photograph all the lighthouses in New England.

15. All the covered bridges too.

16. I could easily spend $1000 at Zales.

17. I am obsessed with all things Vera Bradley.

18. I feel badly for inanimate objects. It's an illness.

19. I hate most cheeses. Although, I do like cheddar cheese with grapes (eating both in the same bite.)

20. I don't like to go out to eat very often because I can't see the kitchen.

21. I miss Ashley every day and feel guilty that my bone marrow wasn't strong enough. I still can't bring myself to talk about her.

22. I have some of the very best friends a girl could ask for. I really do. Unfortunately, I'm a pretty solitary creature incapable of small talk which, I think, hurts my friendships sometimes.

23. I love red-winged-blackbirds.

24. My next tattoo will be a seahorse. In first grade I became fascinated with them and begged my mother to make me a purple sequined seahorse costume for Halloween- I wish I could find the pictures- it was amazing!! Now, when I think of seahorses, I always feel my Pepe's presence. Only recently I found out that male seahorses give birth and raise their young. So fitting.

25. I wish I could half ass something. I can't, unfortunately, it's not how I am made.

Pittsburg, Oui?

The trip we took to Pittsburg, New Hampshire, over our anniversary weekend (10/10/10) was one of the best trips we've ever taken together. If you haven't been to Pittsburg, I must warn you that it's not a place to go if you like nightlife. We aren't much for the nightlife, so we loved it there. We were about 10 miles for the Canadian border; far away from any cell phone tower or strip mall. Pittsburg, and our cabin, gave us the privacy we needed to recharge our batteries and celebrate our first year of marriage. I can't put into words how much we loved this vacation but we just kept saying "it feels like we're in another world." I DID NOT want to leave.

The cabin we rented was absolutely perfect! Private, on a lake, cozy, pristine and had a full kitchen!

Some of the best animal viewing in Pittsburg, I tell ya!

Us, standing in front of border patrol. That's right, you can walk right into Canada.

On one of our excursions down a logging road (most of Pittsburg is like that) we ran across a small campsite selling honey, cookies and such. We made friends with not only the camper, but also a Canada Jay, which are incredibly tame birds. I loved him!

The restaurants in Pittsburg made "good old home cooked food"; nothing felt commercial or rushed. There wasn't a chain restaurant there so, everything was independently owned. The staff (and everyone) we encountered treated us like old friends. I can't get over the generosity and approachability of these small town folks.

Bing did a lot of sleeping on his vacation.

While there we climbed Mount Magalloway- almost a 4000 ft. peak. There was, indeed, ice in the middle of October. Actually, we were so far north the digital thermometer in my car never went above 40* the entire weekend!

 

In addition to lighthouses and covered bridges, we love fire towers. At the top of the mountain we were able to climb the tower to the top. I don't do heights so Aaron was only able to coax me about 1/4 of the way up before I almost passed out but, the view was amazing. (See how scared I looked!!) :(

Aaron went up the rest of the way. **Please note my jeans: I actually slipped on ice into mud. Luckily my bony hip caught my fall and I was still able to limp my way up (and down) the rest of the mountain. One of these days I will go on a hike and not injure myself in some way.

I picked Pittsburg as our anniversary destination because I wanted some place quiet where we were guaranteed to see a Moose. Our second day there (Saturday evening) we found one!!

Hi Moooosssiiieeee! 

On the day of our actual anniversary (Sunday, 10/10) we dressed the boys in the tuxes they wore to our ceremony... then went off exploring.

I wanted to go back to find our bird again.

and see more Moose!

You may remember this summer, in Bingham, Maine we hit the 45th parallel. Well, in a border town to Pittsburg (where we went antiquing) we ran into another one!

True story, there are three covered bridges in Pittsburg. We went to them all :)

Monday was our last day there and we started our morning with breakfast at Tall Timbers. It was so romantic (and if you're ever in the area, note- Tall Timbers is RESERVATION ONLY). With full bellies we went for a paddle on Back Lake (where our cabin sat- you can see it behind the tree, below)

 

One thing I loved about this cabin was its "updated antique" feeling-- complete with skeleton key!

On the long drive home from Pittsburg we stopped at many touristy places, including several more covered bridges and a waterfall. When we pulled out of the driveway of our little rented cabin, I had tears in my eyes because I had such an amazing weekend. There was so many moments when Aaron was driving us all around the wilderness that I just couldn't help but think how lucky we are to have the life we do and are able to share it with one another. We will definitely go back again and again.