Happy Birthday Charlie!

Happy Birthday to one of our most loyal readers.

Charlie, we hope you have a great day!

XOXO

A&J

February Vacation: Day 3

On Monday, still tired from the hike, we didn't have much planned. There had been something we had been talking about doing for quite some time, and that was paint pottery. We went to the local pottery place, You're Fired, to begin a project.

I worked on a post-it holder for my office and Aaron has big plans for a mug he's painting. We are both perfectionists, so we weren't able to complete the project in one sitting, but that just gives us an excuse to go back... there is a ceramic snake I am eyeballing... perhaps I will paint that too. If you have never painted pottery, I have to tell you, it is so much fun! I will post pictures of our completed work eventually.

Wacky Tag

So I am starting this game of Blog Tag. If I tag you, you have to answer these questions and tag another reader. If I don't tag you, and you don't want to wait to be tagged, begin your own game. Here are some bazaar wacky questions. I'm not holding back so expect brutal honesty.

1. Do you like blue cheese?

No. I, for the most part, hate all cheese in general- Specifically feta, blue cheese, and those ones in the store that come wrapped in a red skin and in a small onion-like-bag...

2. Have you ever smoked heroin?

Um, no.

3. Do you own a gun?

Yes. I own a purple water gun that I keep in the bedroom to shoot the cats at night, and any intruders... but it's filled with acid, not water.

4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic?

We don't have a Sonic; and I don't drink soda.

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?

What kind of doctor are we talking about? I'm not a fan of the stirrups, and if I have to get a shot, I freak.

6. What do you think of hot dogs?

I'll eat one off the grill, as long as it's unrecognizably burned. I refuse to eat the red ones. Not this girl. Your body can digest that red dye... it's just not natural... has anyone ever actually seen a dog's penis... they look alarmingly similar.

7. Favorite Christmas movie?

Of course, the one and only, original Grinchy-poo. I think we were separated at birth.

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?

Tequila, minus the worm. Just kidding, coffee, and I'm pretty sure you guys could have answered that one for me.

9. Can you do push ups?

Must I?

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry?

A big beautiful pendant my brother got for me, and a ring I have had since high school.

11. Favorite hobby?

Blogging, hiking, kayaking, birding, cleaning, eating, camping, walking the dogs.

12. Do you have A.D.D.?

Actually, I do not meet the diagnostic criteria, but when I watch TV, I suspect I may have tendencies.

13. What's one trait you hate about yourself?

I am a perfectionist to a fault. I can't leave the house in the morning with dishes in the sink, bed unmade... I also secretly critique people who are messy-ish.

14. Middle name?

Frances.

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment:

Was number 13 rude? Is the hangnail on my thumb long enough to bite off? Number 14 was an incomplete sentence/fragment... that irritates me.

16. Name 3 things you bought yesterday.

Tickets to the Vagina Monologues. Breakfast at Panera. Renters Insurance.

17. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink?

Coffee, vitamin water, regular H2O.

18. Current worry?

That I am not going to stop eating like I have been lately, and get fat.

That something is going to happen to my dogs.

That something is going to happen to someone I love.

That the world will indeed end on 12/12/2012 at 12:00.

That I won't stop sweating the small stuff.

That I won't pass my licensure exam.

That I won't be able to have children someday.

19. Current hate right now?

My terrible allergies, luke warm coffee, and my incessant worrying.

20. Favorite place to be?

Outside.

21. How did you bring in the New Year?

Sheesh. I can't remember. Let me check the archives...

Vomiting.

22. Where would you like to go?

Alaska

23. Name three people who will complete this:

Probably Nicki, Wally and Erica (they better)

24. Do you own slippers?

Several pairs. I refuse to go barefoot.

25. What shirt are you wearing?

An Old Navy sweater

26. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?

I don't know. I never have. Maybe I would.

27. Can you whistle?

Yep.

28. Favorite color?

Black. I know it's a shade. But it's my favorite.

29. Would you be a pirate?

For Halloween, or for a profession? Or are we talking about downloading illegal material from the internet? No, No, and of course not.

30. What songs do you sing in the shower?

I don't sing. I am a conservationist. I get in and out. No dilly-dallying.

31. Favorite girl's name?

I will tell you in about 5 years, simply because I still have friends/readers who want to have children and if anyone takes this name for a dog, cat or child I will be so angry.

32. Favorite boy's name?

Utah. Yes, like the state. I plan to name my son that. No, I'm not kidding. No, I have never been there. I just really like the name. I made the risk putting that on up here because if you steal it... well you won't. Nobody gets the appeal of that name, so I'm not overly concerned.

33. What's in your pocket right now?

Nothing. But I'm wearing the Dancin' Pants folks!

34. What's something that made you laugh today?

I haven't yet. I am usually apathetic when I first wake up.

35. Best bed sheets as a child?

Dinosaurs.

36. Worst injury you've ever had?

Two weeks ago I dropped a bottle of tea tree shampoo on my toe in the shower- that is the freshest in my mind, so it is currently the worst!

37. Do you love where you live?

I love the U.S.A. I love New England. I love my city. I love this apartment. I hate my street.

38. How many TVs do you have in your house?

Dos

39. Who is your loudest friend?

I have a ton of friends, but don't normally gravitate toward loud people. I don't like loud noises. My dad is really loud. Does that count?

40. How many dogs do you have?

2. But I hope to add to the collection.

41. Does someone have a crush on you?

Yes.

42. What is your favorite book?

That's a tough one. Maybe Mrs. Mike, or anything by Shel Silverstein. I really like Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy by Yalom.

43. What is your favorite candy bar?

Reese's.

44. Favorite Sports Team?

Metlife ProAm Cycling Team.

45. What were you doing 12 AM last night?

Sleeping, and 12 AM was actually this morning.

46. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up?

Where are the dogs?

Tag! Erica of the Cray and Bickford Family Blog is it!

February Vacation: Day 2

It had been a long time since Aaron and I had done anything outside, and as I have stated many times before, I am happiest when I am outside. I love nature. I have always been that way. When we were small, my mom would have to drag my sister and I into the house after being outside since the crack of dawn.

We woke up Sunday morning, our second day of vacation, and I immediately knew what I wanted to do. It was a gorgeous day, why waste it doing chores or watching the tube? I stated, "Let's go on a hike." Something I love about Aaron is that he is always up for any adventure. I say what I want and he organizes/plans it. He decided Mt. Kearsarge in Wilmot, NH (practically our back yard) would be the perfect climb considering the current conditions (icy & snowy.)

We got all packed up and after stopping at S&W Sports for a new hat (I, of course, needed a new hat to match my new jacket) we were on our way. The ride up was beautiful. I really enjoyed this climb. It seems each hike I always say "this is my favorite mountain" (with the exception of Mt. Lafayette)

This is Kearsarge. It is about a 4-mile-round- trip hike. Very strenuous this time of year due to the conditions. Additionally, it is not accessible by vehicle in the winter, so you have to hike the auto-road to the base of the mountain which adds another mile each way.

This tree was at the base of the Mountain. I do love and often photograph trees. One of my favorite things about hiking in observing the vegetation and how it varies as you near the summit.

A view, about half way up, of Mt. Monadnock

Aaron says this summer I have to start carrying a pack too... I guess I have to use the "stair- climber" a little harder at Planet Fitness :( But I bet I can weasel out of it ;)

If you look in the very back, a clear view of snow-covered Mt. Washington. You could see several peaks from this spot: Mt. Sunapee, Pat's Peak, Crotched Mt., Mt. Monadnock.

All in all it took us about 4 hours. Whew! Some spots were very icy and difficult to navigate, but it wouldn't be a challenge if it were easy.

After our hike, we went straight home, ate some leftovers and hung out in bed for the rest of the night... we were exhausted!

A wasteful Wednesday, Oui?

"Yesssssss, a penny!!!"

I am so torn. I don't know what to post about this lovely icy day. It's not that I have a lack of material; I have too much material. I could post one of the perfect days from my vacation, I could post about my exciting plans for the weekend, or how happy I am to be back in the blogosphere posting and commenting on blogs.

The purpose of my Wednesday Oui? has always been to post about something that makes me smile, laugh, or feel good about life. Honestly, I have 10 vacation/birthday postings in "draft" waiting to be published, all of which are wonderful, and all deserved of 'Oui' status. The fact that I can't decide what, out of a million good things, is the best of them should be the Oui, but I know my readers would kill me if I didn't elect one of the best things.

So here goes. This will make you and me smile.

I cut Aaron's hair. He likes me to do it, he trusts me, and I do a great job. Mainly I cut his hair for three reasons:

1. I worked in a salon when I was in grad school, so I know a thing or two about a thing or two.
2. Aaron is too cheap to pay for a haircut and too busy to schedule time out of his day.
3. He REALLY likes it when I cut his hair and beard.

Recently, after cutting his hair he asked me, "how much money did we just save?" I told him, "about $20," and he said we should go put that $20 in the bank (he is all about saving $ lately, which is great because I am the same way- but he has become pretty obsessed with the prospect of (as he calls it) "buying me a house"(like I am going to be the only one living there) so he literally gets all giddy when he finds a penny in the parking lot at Blockbuster, "Yesssssss, a penny" [true story] he's been watching househunters on TV nonstop, and making a budget, as seen below)

I'm not so much worried about the $20 for a haircut, or the penny at Blockbuster... It seems he wastes much more than that!!!!! ;0)

And just so you know... the story behind the chapstick... Aaron is obsessed with chapstick. He always has one or two in his pocket. Always. Including when his clothes go into the washer and dryer.