Something Blue

I confess that since I got engaged, I have looked at other people's wedding pictures nearly every day, whether it's to look for ideas or to just see the different styles that people go for these days. There are some pretty interesting weddings happening, ya'll!

To give some publicity though, I have to give Jess at Until It Shines a nod for creating a blog for Boston area brides. She just started but she's doing a fabulous job giving Boston etsy sellers exposure (fact: brides LOVE Etsy) and I'm sure she'll become a great go-to for local gals.

I want to direct your attention to her most recent post, because I'm pretty sure if I could plan a wedding all over again for the summertime, this is something I'd like to do. You have to love all the brilliant pops of blue and green this couple put together. And now I am craving Chinese food.

Killer Workout

If you are looking for a workout that will quite literally kick your ass, I've got one for you.

Sean told me about this "ladder" that his buddies make him do when they do their training (t-minus 3 weeks till they climb Mt. Washington!), and I finally tried it tonight. I decided to try the ladder and throw in some of the cardio bursts from Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred (Day 1).

If you want to try this, I recommend being in somewhat good physical shape already. I know it beat the crap out of me!

The Ladder:

Round 1
5 situps
5 crunches
3 pushups
5 squats (I use 2 lb weights and do squat presses)
5 lunges (on each side)

Round 2

10 situps

10 crunches

7 pushups

10 squat-presses

10 lunges

Round 3

15 situps

15 crunches

12 pushups

15 squat-presses

15 lunges

Round 4

10 situps

10 crunches

7 pushups

10 squat-presses

10 lunges

Round 5

5 situps

5 crunches

3 pushups

5 squat-presses

5 lunges

If you are more advanced, keeping going up to reps of 20 and then 25 and work your way back down.

Add bursts of cardio after any of the rounds for an added butt-kicking factor.

Cardio:

30 seconds of each, totaling 2 minutes.

Jumping Jacks

Butt Kicks (jog in place, kicking your feet back)

Stationary Punches (stand with feet hip width apart, squat slightly and punch alternating fists)

Jump Rope (jump rope in place - you don't need an actual jumprope to do this)

I guarantee you will be dripping sweat and ready to punch me in the face if you complete this workout. Have fun!

Why SYTYCD Is Tops

I have come to accept that my love for So You Think You Can Dance is far superior to that of American Idol. AI is fun and I always enjoy watching it, but dance does something completely different that singing just can't.

It's nearly a week old, but when I saw this piece last week, danced by Melissa and Ade, I was moved to tears, like most people who watched it. It was so beautiful, so touching, and I don't know anyone who wouldn't be moved by watching it.

Choreographed by Tyce Diorio, A Tribute to Breast Cancer...

Under Construction

In an attempt to personalize this blog a bit, you may see some whacky color combos in the next week or so. I got very tired of having a cookie cutter template, so I'm trying to teach myself how to make my own template. I'm sure it's easier for some people, but yikes, this is quite a learning experience.

Well, at least for the time being, I have my header. It's Shazzie's Place, because Boston is where my heart is.

I am also going to try to be a better blogger. I know I always say that and then just end up recounting details of my day. So consider this a complete overhaul makeover.

Over and out.

Life's a Party

As a good friend says, "Life's a party, and I'm wearing a Hawaiian shirt!"

We just had a cookout this weekend, which although it was not well attended, was a lot of fun. We probably spent way more than we should have (my bank account is screaming at me this morning), there was tons of food, the margaritas were flowing, and I'm pretty sure everyone had a great time.

First of all, the weather was gorgeous. For such a rainy spring/summer, Saturday was the perfect day. Sunny, not too humid, and not too hot. I'm very glad we lucked out there.

Some highlights...Sean experienced his first motorcycle ride, and I'm pretty sure he won't experience one again for a long time...There was a swordfight using my $1 tiki torches from Christmas Tree Shops...We had a friend of ours who is a priest come by for a couple hours, and he enjoyed my margaritas...Two of Sean's friends from home came, which he loved...Friends from different areas of our lives connected and discovered a mutual love of Star Trek...One person passed out in the living room...A couple running jokes of Sean hiccuping and my inability to successfully handle grilling hotdogs without dropping them on the ground (I advise holding off drinking margaritas until all food is grilled and served)...and the party lasted until about 1:30 when the last guest left.

I loved that the whole party remained outdoors and everyone enjoyed some great weather, great food, and great company. I love seeing people connect. I love seeing people enjoy themselves. And possibly most important of all, I love opening my fridge this morning and NOT seeing 20 cans of Bud Light taking up precious space.

Sadly a lot of people couldn't make it this year, but I'm sure we'll have another next year. After, you know, the other big party we'll be having this winter.

Today's horoscope

You may be in for some unexpected changes at work as today's Solar Eclipse catalyzes your 10th House of Career. Tensions that have been building for a while could suddenly come out into the open and turn your life upside down. Instead of worrying about the unknown, embrace the upcoming shift. Even if there is a temporary loss, what happens now can ultimately help to put your life back into balance.


Interesting indeed...

All My Loving

As I was working out in the yard this morning, I was listening to my iPod shuffle, and reveling in the randomness and awesomeness that is my shuffle's playlist...I went from Seven Nations (Celtic rock) to Adam Lambert singing Aerosmith to Sutton Foster singing Astonishing from Little Women(fantastic song!) to Paul McCartney singing Live and Let Die.....

...when I realized....I am seeing Sir Paul McCartney - tonight! As a (very) early birthday present, Sean is taking me to see Sir Paul at Citi Field, where I will unleash my inner 13 year old Beatlemania loving fangirl self. Now, there are many things in the world that I like and enjoy. There are things that I love...And then there are The Beatles.

My love affair with The Beatles began in 7th grade when my best friends Mariko and Lauren made me listen to some of their music. I had heard songs before, but never really paid attention the the musicality and genius that spanned The Beatles career. We formed a little cover band, jamming out in Mariko's basement. I played piano, Lauren played guitar/bass and Mariko played her big brother Kenji's drums. We were pretty damn good for a couple 7th grade girls. It didn't stop there.

We watched Help! and A Hard Days Night non-stop. The entire Anthology was always checked out of the library by one of the three of us. We watched the scene in Help! where Paul is shrunk down and for a split second you see his bum before he wraps a gum wrapper around - we watched it in slow motion. Over, and over, and over.

There's a part in Help! where they are on a beach in the Caribbean and play a game called "Beep Beeps" where they bend forward and run around as quickly as possible going "beep beep beep beep beep beep" which we did anywhere we went...And of course, the scene in A Hard Days Night when they find the exit to the studio they feel trapped in, burst out the door yelling "WE'RE OUT!" and they run around a field tackling each other and acting like hooligans to Can't Buy Me Love. Every Tuesday afternoon at 1:55 pm (because Tuesday was the day we all stayed after for Jazz Band) we busted out the back door of the school and ran out to the football field for a good 5 minutes of shenanigans.

So yes, I am a Beatle-nut. I got teary when I watched the intro to The Beatles Rock Band edition that comes out in September. I remember the morning my dad woke me up to tell me "another Beatle went to Heaven" when George passed away. I remember when Linda McCartney died of breast cancer and I cried all day. My mom took me to the Strawberry Fields section of Central Park on our first visit to the city. We didn't know it was at the most northern end of the park and that it would take a while to find it, but she knew what it would mean to me, so we went. When many girls plastered their bedroom walls with Backstreet Boys and Spice Girls, I had the Beatles. Album covers, drawings, anything Beatles.

In 2002, Paul toured America, and he played in Boston 2 days before my 19th birthday. The minute tickets went on sale, I bought two for my mom and I. I don't even remember how I paid for them, maybe graduation money. But we were in the top row of the Fleet Center, directly to the right of the stage, and the second Paul came out and you could see his silhouette behind a big white screen, I lost. I bawled, like a little kid. I was so happy.

So , I am emotionally preparing myself for tonight. I warned Sean that in 7 years, he's never seen this true side of me. I think he can handle it.

So my friends, in 3 hours, I will be in absolute Beatle-bliss. I leave you with this video from his 2002 tour...

Another Wedding-related Nightmare

Honestly, I have been having these nightmares since the week after we got engaged, I just hope it all means that the day will go off without a hitch.

So last night's dream involved...

1. For some reason, we had not finalized music for the Mass, and I was literally in the choir loft 2 hours before the wedding frantically picking out Mass parts and prelude music, hoping and praying that our cantor was familiar with them. Oh, and all of the guests were there, TWO HOURS BEFOREHAND! Oh, and I had forgotten to ask my aunt to be a reader, so the priest just picked a random person out of the congregation to read.

2. I ran down to the basement (for some reason I always end up getting ready in a church basement in these dreams) and my mom informed me that although my hair appointment was made for 12 pm, it's now 1:15 and we should get over there. Oh, and the wedding was at 2.

3. My sister told me that in order to get married on time, I would have to get my hair and makeup done with my dress on so we could come straight back to the church, so she starts dressing me and I realize I have no undergarments in the way of bra and crinoline, and my boobs and dress are saggy and sad looking. Oh, and for some reason 6 inches are missing off the bottom of my dress. So we decide to make a quick trip to a bridal shop to purchase undergarments.

Seriously, I think this is why I am being organized to an OCD level. These dreams are playing on some of my worst fears. Luckily I find them more funny than truly scary!

Well, a week later, I still have poison ivy. It cleared up from my face and my hand is mostly healed, but the majority of my stomach is covered. It's itchy, and disgusting, and I just want to feel like a normal human again, instead of one who walks around itching her belly like a 43 year old man with a beer belly and a cigar hanging out of his mouth.

The past few weeks have been very trying at work, to put it lightly, leaving me very little energy to come up with anything interesting to post about. This past weekend we had an overnight camping adventure, which I would love to do again for an extended weekend. It rained all night and we got very little sleep because the size of the tent is meant for 2 people to spoon all night to fit comfortably. Spooning on the ground is not so comfortable or realistic for two people who usually end up on their back or stomach. But we drank beer and had a rocking fire and it was a very relaxing overnight.

Tomorrow is shockingly 6 months until we are married, and I think it's actually starting to hit me. There's something about 6 months that I have been looking to, and now it seems more real than ever. I have so much to do! I do but I don't. If I turn into a crazy, babbling, nutjob of a blogger in the next couple months, I apologize here and now. It's going to be so FUN!

I need to attempt to get some sleep tonight. I did not sleep well last night, thanks to half a bottle of red wine, and 2 Excedrin which I now know I cannot take to prevent headaches. I was up half the night with severe stomach pains, which I've come to realize I only get when I take Excedrin before going to bed. The next few days sure will be interesting so I'll try to post again before Saturday to get some thoughts off my chest.

For now, sleep.

Cheers!

Sitting On the Dock of the Bay

This past weekend was phenomenal, for the sheer reason that it was the first time in a while I felt truly relaxed. Sean and I bopped back and forth between our parent's houses all weekend, eating more barbecue deliciousness than should be allowed in 4 days. We saw family, we hit up two (yes two) of our favorite ice cream shops, and we took our friend Tek out for real fishing town seafood on Sunday for lunch. We sat around, listened to stories, caught up with family and friends, and basically rested from meal to meal. We had burgers and salads and cheese dogs and cake and then Sean's cousin's hubby showed up with a bag of fresh lobsters, which we promptly threw in the pot and gobbled up.

I always worry about 4th of July weekends because it's Sean's birthday, and I want to make sure he has a great birthday, balancing family time, friend time, and us time can get hectic. It was a little crazy at moments, but when we were kissing goodnight Saturday night, I knew he had a great one. He was so happy. He got to spend the weekend with his closest family and friends, we were home and the weather was gorgeous. The whole weekend just felt right and wonderful.

On Sunday evening, after everyone had packed up and left my parent's house, I still had Monday off to look forward to. I sat with my parents on the back deck, we put our feet up, and just watched the sunset. And watched birds fly overhead. Dad fell asleep in Mom's adirondack chair. Mom and I sipped wine (I only had a little!). I was in bed by 10.

On Monday, we started the day by finding our DJ, who is awesome and we know we're going to have a great party after the wedding! Then we headed to the harbor so I could grab a sub from my favorite shop, and the ocean breeze coming off the harbor kept me smiling the rest of the day. We sat on the porch with Sean's mom eating lunch, got some ice cream from Wilbur's, visited Mom at work, visited my Gram and caught up with her, and then were on our way home and got dinner with Sean's sister. I got this delicious chicken sandwich that I will try to recreate this weekend. Pita, grilled chicken breast, fresh spinach, tomato, onion and hummus. Yum.

I have no doubt in my mind that by the time the honeymoon rolls around, I will be ready for more lounging around, getting from meal to meal, with my sweetie.

Adventures with Poison Ivy

Two Saturdays ago, we were blessed with a day of sunshine after what seemed like never-ending rainfall in the month of June. I looked out the kitchen window to observe the rainforest that had grown, hiding our backyard and what used to be a moderately polished garden. I decided to attack.

I weeded the vegetable garden, picked up stray leaves from the flower garden, mowed, whacked weeds, and trimmed the hedges and trees that border 3 sides of the yard. When it was all done and I called it a day, I went inside to take a nice, hot shower.

Fastforward to Monday, I have a spot on my right cheek and a small red area on my right hand. Over the course of last week, it formed what I will nicely call a "chinstrap" shape up the sides of my cheeks and chin, and spread over the tops of my right hand fingers, even between my middle and ring finger. Having dealt with a severe case of poison ivy when I was little, I went to the doctor and she put my on 2 antihistamines (one non-drowsy, one drowsy to help me sleep) and prednasone (sp?), a steroid to help with the rash and inflammation. I was NOT psyched heading into Fourth of July weekend not being able to have a beer and having to be wary of the sun (if it should grace us with it's presence - which it did).

Well, here it is a week later since seeing the doctor. My face is almost back to normal, a couple blemishes I need to be mindful not to touch so they heal cleanly. My finger got worse before it got better because I use my hands, I was in the pool a lot over the weekend, and it didn't get much chance to really dry out. But it's showing promise today, it should be better by next week.

There's really no moral to this story. Poison ivy does grow in urban settings. Always wear gloves when doing yardwork. Know your weed(s). Heh.

What a strange week...

"Strange" is really the only word I've been able to use to describe the overload of deaths in the past week. Sad, yes. Tragic, maybe? But strange, definitely. The world definitely shook for a few days there.

First, our beloved Ed McMahon. Our parents watched him on Johnny Carson, but I grew to love him watching Star Search. Could you imagine all the talent that man witnessed in his career, between those two shows?

Next came Farrah Fawcett on Thursday morning. An "Angel", a sex symbol, and a seemingly genuine, sweet person who had a tough battle with cancer. I remember her stepping out with the other Angels at an awards show last year, and it seemed so bittersweet. My fondest memory of her was as J.T.T.'s mom in Man of the House, back in my J.T.T. lovin' days. I thought she was pretty and her raspy voice was intriguing.

Next was possibly the biggest shock, the loss of Michael Jackson on Thursday afternoon. I got home from work after seeing a "tweet" from The Modern Gal about how she hoped it wasn't true. I checked the internet to see what was going on and was greeted with a media explosion. It was sad in a strange way. I can't say I am a huge MJ fan. I loved his music, and will continue to listen to it and enjoy it. And there's no doubting the influence he had on the world of dance, which I respect him for. He had a tough life, a lot of ghosts, and I feel for his family and children. I hope they can get away from the media to properly grieve, because we know how every single little detail and piece of dirt will be turned over and over in the coming weeks.

The best way I can tribute him is recount my all-time top 5 favorite MJ songs:

5. ABC - with the Jackson 5. In my brief stint as a PeeWee cheerleader, our halftime dance was done to this song and it's one of those fun memories that has always stuck with me.

4. Billie Jean - Great song, great beat to it, a MJ classic.

3. I'll Be There - His sweet young voice sticks with me here.

2. Beat It - I always loved this one for the video with the gang fight and dancing. Reminded me of West Side Story, it was so well choreographed.

1. Black or White - This memory sticks with me the most. I remember seeing the video on MTV as a youngin' and just being fascinated. All the different dance styles, the culture wrapped up into one music video, and the cool morphing at the end.

Thanks for the music. There's no telling how many lives were touched or influenced by him in one way or another.

And lastly, I this this one shook me the hardest...Billy Mays?? We were getting out of church Sunday morning when Sean got a text. Now, with Sean's job, Billy Mays is a daily part with his boisterous sales pitching. He'd become a regular topic of discussion and impersonations in our group of friends, and I must say, I was very sad to hear that he died.

Just a reminder, folks, don't take this life we're given for granted. Whether you live to be 30, 50 or 90, live it up!

WW Weekly

I had another up week, but only .5 pound, and considering I was down 2.5 this morning, I'm not too worried. I got in some good exercise over the weekend playing tennis and doing yardwork (more on the yardwork later). Sean has been doing bit of a bootcamp with a couple of his buddies, and it's been really good for him. We know what we have to do to be healthier, and thank goodness we're making progress and are both willing to make what seems like sacrifices right now to live a healthier lifestyle.

This weekend I will be spending much time in my parents pool and jacuzzi, relaxing and playing with the nephews, as long as the weather holds up (Note: GO AWAY RAIN!). I also need to get to the beach at some point to splash my face with saltwater (more on that later, too). Ahhh the joys of growing up on the coast.

Oh, and Tuesday marked the 200 day countdown to the wedding. Seriously, Time, where are you going and why are you in such a hurry?!