Piper part deux

As I write this, Piper is sleeping in the bathroom. She's not even on the rug but curled up in the corner between the sink and bathtub. And, I'm on the comfy couch. Also, for the past three mornings, she hasn't eaten all her food. Piper LOVES food and would always gobble it up--well, she once went through a brief period for about two weeks where she didn't like her food and would look at me as if saying: "What the heck is this?" I had to buy doggie gravy to mix in her dry food and that seemed to work.

So on Friday night, she left one piece of kibble (not crazy about that word but can't think of how else to describe it) which I thought was funny. Then yesterday, she left about a quarter of the food in her bowl and then again this morning, she left about the same amount. I think she may be on the Adele Feldman diet. This was a friend of my grandmother's who would say that you should only eat half of the food on your plate so you don't gain weight.

I hope Pipe comes out of her funk. I took Piper out for a walk in her orange monogrammed raincoat yesterday. She looked so cute!

How Quickly They Grow Up

Just back from JP Licks and ready to watch Top Chef. Before I begin, I have to address a pet peeve. It drives me crazy when a patron asks the person behind the counter a zillion questions, not taking into consideration that there is a huge line behind them. Really, you have to ask what's a sundae and does whipped cream count as a topping? And, don't ask what color the ice cream is. This happened tonight and the other week at the restaurant at Bloomingdale's when two girls were pondering what fruit to put in their smoothie like they were making a life-altering decision. Either order or get out of line.

Now on to the subject of the night. The end of August always represents change--going back to school, preparing for the new year and growing up. I'm sure as thousands of families hug their children goodbye as they go off to college, they are also saddened by the quietness of the house. For the first time, I feel like I can relate to families going through this bittersweet process.

For those who know Piper, they know that she is a bit timid and although has a big bark, it masks her shyness. Until you get to know her, she doesn't like to be pet or even looked in the eye. Piper is super dedicated to me, always following me around the apartment, going from the bedroom, living room and kitchen, and almost always sitting with me wherever I am. As I type now, she is curled up laying on my legs. If I run down to get the mail or go to Dunkin Donuts, she acts like I have been gone for days when I return. I have to admit I really do love Pipey's extreme dedication to me. At bedtime, she knows that after we go out, it's bed time and she will jump on the bed while I wash up and brush my teethe. She would always sleep on the bed and jump back and forth between the bed and her dog bed.

However, lately I have noticed that Piper sometimes goes to bed before me or hangs out in the bedroom while we are in the living room. And then, for the past week, I have woken up and found Piper sleeping in the bathroom. While she is always happy to see me, it got me thinking.

Piper is growing up. While this may sound silly, I feel like she is telling us that she wants her own room and doesn't need to sleep with me anymore. On the other hand, how sad is it that her own room is a bathroom...

While this may sound kind of silly,I feel like I can relate to parents getting ready to send their child to kindergarten or even to college. You are happy they are doing well and growing up, but a bit sad that they don't need you as much. I know that a dog is no way equal to having a child but it is a bit of the same thing on a smaller scale.

Anyway, change is part of life and this August is no different. A lot of changes are on the horizon and I'm going to embrace it. I am happy for P's newfound confidence and know that she still loves me best and needs me, especially in thundar storms and apparently during loud Paul McCartney concerts.

I'm looking forward to see what this school new year has to bring. It should be exciting.

Summer loving

I start getting antsy come August, knowing that the summer is almost over. I never enjoy the Fall since it is the precursor to cold weather. This summer, we got gyped out of over a month of good weather, and while some people say this means that we will have a warm September, the fact that it isn't summer anymore doesn't appease me. This year, I will try to enjoy the fall and not think about the coming months but in the meantime here are just some reasons that I love the summer:

• Summer dresses
• Lobster rolls (and any form of lobster)
• Annual Martha's Vineyard trip
• Day trips in the convertible
• The beach, even including the icky, sandy feeling you get after you leave the beach and are too lazy to take a shower
• Frozen yogurt with rainbow sprinkles
• Sandals and flip flops, although I did see a disturbing segment on the Today Show yesterday about how flip flops are ridden with germs. I think as long as I don't lick them I should be okay.
• Blueberries and watermelon, but mainly blueberries
• Walking to the Ice Cream Truck on Boylston St. across from the Four Seasons
• Sangria, red or white, especially when it is full of fruit and I can pretend I'm eating fruit salad
• Eating outside on Newbury Street
• Not wearing jeans or socks
• Piper being exhausted and dirty after playing outside all day

So, here are some things that I will look forward to this fall:

• Pumpkins, with long stems
• Apple picking
• Warm apple cider, prefably with a cinnemon stick
• A new baby to play with and buy things for
• Day trips on nice cool days (but no convertible)
• Halloween
• Getting wedding photos from photographer (although I really think this won't be until December...)
• Thanksgiving, my all time favorite holiday

And finally, here are some things I hate regardless of the weather:

• Tardiness (There is almost no reason to ever be late).
• Mediocrity
• Not caring about doing a good job
• Abbreviations
• Not saying thank you

But back to summer and happy thoughts. I will take full advantage of the next two weeks and wear a dress every day.

Summer fun

Tonight ends what was a great summer weekend and really represents what I love most about summer. Hot weather, beach, friends and good food! Friday night, Tim and I ate at Neptune Oyster, a tiny restaurant in the North End that got Best of Boston for something or other this year and I wanted to check it out. While we had to wait about 45 minutes or maybe an hour for two seats at the bar, it was definitely worth it. The hostess/waitress totally had her hands full--while she must have wanted to smack some of the annoying people who kept coming back saying "I know you said you would call me when our table was ready, but I wanted to check how much longer" (ok, full disclosure, I did it too but nicely), she kept her cool. Anyway, it was great and I recommend the lobster roll which Tim got. There was some fisherman festival in the North End so it was packed with locals and tourists. A great night.

Moving on to Saturday, the girls and I went to what may be the biggest hidden gem in Massachusetts. $5 for beach parking, a beautiful beach and not many people: who needs the Cape? I usually don't frollick in the ocean because I have this weird thing about being able to see my feet and an aversion to seaweed (could be from when I got stung by a man o' war in Florida when I was little but that's another story), but I went in the ocean three times. There were some huge waves and despite getting knocked around a bit, it was so fun. We then hung out in Newburyport (which it turns out I had been to once before), ate, shopped (why pay 50 cents for a lollipop when you can get them for free at the bank?), and ate some more. It was one of those special summer days that make the summer so great and that I will remember come January and it's freezing outside.

While things are definitely going to be changing soon, it was a great semi-end to the summer. Thank you, ladies!

Had another great day on Sunday with a trip to Kittery, Maine. Highlight: Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier. Nothing beats lobster rolls and corn on the cob. It's BYOB so people come with wine, beer, salads, table cloths, watermelon--everything actually. So fun! I want to go back with Tim. I would even go next week!

Weekend's over and now I'm looking forward to Tim getting home to hear about his adventures in NJ, and watch Entourage.

Random thoughts for today

First off, the curling iron was sort of a fiasco and didn't creat the frizz free, perfectly formed curls that I envisioned a la my hair guru Julianna Margulies. For some reason the part that I twisted around the curling iron became all straight and I just had a weird curl at the bottom. Not a great look in case you thought otherwise. I have not given up yet though and will try again before returning it to Target or storing it in the depths of the closet with my hair straightener, various gels, sprays and mouse, headbands that hurt my head too much to wear them and other products that I thought would change my life.


So, on to other equally pressing matters. Movies. Last night during So I Think You Can Dance, I saw the preview for the new Fame remake and while I typically don't believe in remakes, I loved the original and the tv show with my new favorite lady Debbie Allen and I think I will see it. It got me thinking to other favorite movies and I realized that I may have odd tastes. Sure, I liked the John Hughes moves (that is very sad btw), but they don't rank as my favorites. Here are some of my favorite hidden classics (in no particular order as they say on Dancing with the Stars):

• Cousins--Besides me and Mel, I'm not sure who has seen this movie with Ted Danson and Isabella Rosalini that came out in 1989. While I haven't seen it in quite a few years, it was so good! I love this movie.




• Doc Hollywood--Tim actually agrees with me that this is a good one and will watch it when it's on, but not sure if he loves it as much as I do.



• The Fugitive--Dr. Kimble, find the man with the one arm! This may be my favorite "thriller" movies of all times.


• Footloose--I'm not sure sure how the new one will hold up against the classic. I will definitely watch it whever it is on. In a sidenote, I think this is the movie that Mel when she was little asked my mom what a virgin is.
• Forgetting Sarah Marshall--I watched this again last night--the "unedited" version. Still good the third time around.
  

I feel like I'm missing a movie so stay tuned for updates. Enjoy!

Words of Wisdom

Today was Stacey's baby shower and despite a somewhat ugly cake--due to the head baker being out because of a family emergency and the backup baker seemingly not having any cake decorating skills--I think it was a success. Stacey got great presents and I can't believe the baby will be here in about a month wearing the little clothes and being carried around in the Baby Bjorn that she got today.

Barbara (my mom) knitted Stacey the most beautiful blanket and hat--staying up late to make sure it got finished in time for the party--and it got me thinking of all the amazing things she has done for me and my sisters throughout our lives. If I'm half as good as Barbara is at being a mom, I think I will have succeeded. Everyone who meets Barbara loves her and she makes friends wherever she goes, including the young moms in Max's kindergarten class. My sisters and I have learned so much from her growing up, things that stick with us today and I know that we will pass down to our children. For instance:

• Never pick up feathers. They could be from a sick bird.
• Always bring a sweater or jacket when going out at night. Even if it's hot now, it could get cooler or the place where you are going could be cold. (Note, I was probably the only person on Bora Bora who brought a sweater to dinner).
• Never run with scissors and always hold the pointy part in your fist. Both Tracy and I always remember Barbara telling us that when she was in second grade, a girl had a glass eye from running with scissors.
• Rubber soles are essential for children. I would have given anything for patent leather shoes. In kindergarten, I was the only one girl at a birthday party who didn't have them. While I'm sure my leather Stride Rite party shoes were nice, they weren't shiny. (Note, Barbara seemed to lighten up on this rule though by the time Mel was in elementary school. If I remember correctly, she had black AND white ones.) Don't get me and Tracy started on clogs either....
• When trying on jeans, you need to try on multiple pairs of the same size; they all fit differently.
• NEVER take a bubble bath--they cause infections. To this day, I have never taken a bubble bath--although I sometimes threaten too.
• You never know where or when you will meet someone. I really didn't think she was right about this one, but meeting my husband after working together for two years and never speaking, I am a true believer.
• Changing tables are evil--Don't get her started on all the reasons why....

So, these are just some words of wisdom that I pass along to new moms. And to my mom, thank you for everything. You are the best.

Curling Iron

One more quick thing. I have a new bee in my bonnet--a curling iron! While my four year old niece questioned (and probably others are thinking it) why I need a curling iron if I already have curly hair, my hair has a life of its own and very rarely acts like it is supposed to. I got it in my head that a curling iron will let me finally have non-frizzing curls that don't sprout up all over my head.

So on Sunday when Tim and I were at Target, I purchased a Revlon ceramic curling iron, on sale for less than 12 dollars. I had no clue that there were so many options--3/4, 1, 1 1/2 barrel? I have no idea what size curls i want or have--and I could sense that Tim was getting antsy so I just went with the 1--in case you are interested. I haven't used it yet since your hair needs to be dry and I'm always leaving the house with wetish hair, but for that price it got the bee out of my bonnet. Perhaps this weekend I will try it.

Oh, also, I had to get a new ipod because mine was stolen out of my car. Yes, I know I should have had the doors locked, but who knew there was crime in Chestnut Hill? I purchased an Apple Shuffle but this is a new one where apparently you can talk to it and tell it what song you want played. Talking to my ipod is the last thing I will want to do while I'm running and I don't know song names anyway but the guy at the store assured me that I can just keep it on shuffle and not have a conversation with it if I don't want. I am a bit nervous about figuring out how to import my songs to it from my laptop but I should try one of these days. If I do talk to my iPod the first thing I am going to ask is if the Danity Kane Show Stopper song is still there. I swear, I never hear it anymore. I think I may be the only person who likes that one....

So You Think You Can Prance (or wear nighttime underpants)

I discovered a marvelous (a word that my grandmother would use and that I'm trying to bring back into vogue) new show this summer--So You Think You Can Dance. Besides secretly wishing I was the host--Cat Deeley, the dancers are amazing, although I could do without the screeching of Mary Murphy.

What really is the most fun though is the dinner and tv-viewing parties. Stacey (of Clean, Green and Mean infamy), Lisa (of the yet to be published I Hate You and Other Thoughts) and Mel (no blog) and I have gotten together for the past few Wednesday nights to watch and critique the dancers. There is something to be said for mindless tv watching, gabbing with the gals (another word I like that I picked up from a midwestern gal I met in Tahiti) and bonding over food. I learned some interesting tidbits like how a certain someone keeps her cat's whiskers that have fallen out in a plastic baggie and that Piper is like the Ghost Whisperer. She is a bit like me in that she takes a while to warm up to people and show her true self, but last night, she was snuggling with Stacey and laying her head on Stacey's belly. She knew that a little baby (or maybe she thought a puppy) was on the way. so cute!

I hope we continue these Wednesday night dinners and here's to Evan and Melissa getting voted off tonight. While I find Evan homely and a bit pasty, I don't want terrible things to happen to him like some people...And, I'm looking forward to having an addition to our get togethers for the Fall season!

While I've been gone

I'm finally back to the blogging world. While I could blame it on being too busy with the wedding and being in Tahiti, that is only part of it. As my (few) faithful readers will attest, I stopped blogging way before the wedding. Well, I'm back and this time, I promise to post more regularly.

First things first, the wedding was great--best wedding I've ever been too if I can say so myself. While the weather didn't cooporate 100%, it all worked out fine and everyone seemed to have a great time. While the DJ was still missing a tooth, I think he did a great job. And, best of all, I'm married!

Tahiti was beautiful and despite a brief snafu where our luggage missed our flight from LA (we were reunited later that night), everything was great. A few things I discovered while I was away:

-Tim does not believe in sharing a toothbrush, even in an emergency situation. Note: while I'm not a toothbrush sharing proponent, I would do it if necessary. Run it under some water and it's clean in my book. Luckily, I was able to procure one from the hotel along with the smallest, cutest tube of Crest I have ever seen so crisis averted. Lesson learned: always pack your toothbrush and other essentials in your carry on bag.

-While snorkeling is fun, give me a pool and I'm all set. Maybe it's because I wear contacts and the mask is never 100 percent airtight, or the breathing thingy, but snorkeling takes a lot of work.

-I'm very good at doing nothing. Give me a beach chair, a pool and a good book, I can lounge for hours.

-Pigeons belong in the sky or on the ground, not on a dinner plate.

-If you are every in Tahiti in 20-30 years, you may find me as the proprieter of Mrs. Toot's Treats scooping up frozen yogurt--something that was lacking in all of Tahiti--or at one of my outposts of Mrs. Toot's Nails, bringing the beauty of manicures to the island. I will direct people to Mr. Toot's Trinkets, where Tim can sell you t-shirts and most importantly, snow globes, something else lacking on the island.

Splenda is Not Equal

I've been going to the same Dunkin Donuts in Newton for years on my way to work and really love that they know my order without even asking--medium French Vanilla, cream and sugar. The people who work behind the counter are always friendly and efficient and there is rarely a line since they get everyone's orders so quickly. And, the people who buy their coffee always seem pleasant too-until today.

Today, as I got into a brief line, I heard a man say, "I said Splenda, not Equal." As someone who worked in the food business as a waitress for years in college, I can understand getting an order wrong or making a mistake once in a while. When you are serving person after person, sometimes what they are saying blurs.

The woman behind the counter said, "Okay, was it two Splenda?" And the man said, "No, I said four." Not a big deal, right? Personally, I don't think I would be able to tell the difference between the two but if that's what the guy wanted, fine, and the woman could just change the order, right? Wrong. The man then said, "Forget it. I'm out of here" and he stormed off with some lady he was with, muttering about the "idiots behind the counter." Beyond rude and I would be totally embarrassed if I was the woman with that man.

I was very glad to see that the guy next in line said something nice to the woman who made the mistake and a few people chuckled at the man's rudeness. I just don't get sometimes how people can be so rude and don't they realize how they act and what they say affects others? And, to get so mad about something as silly as the blue vs. yellow packets of artificial sweetener is ridiculous.

Not in a million years

Not in a million years of dating horror stories would I have thought I'd be the guest of honor at a bridal shower. I know people say things like that but I really feel in my case it's true. I think I have blocked out some of the bad dates I've been on but as my friend Erin would say, I had some doozies that I could write about. A friend of mine told me recently about her friend who went on a few dates with a guy and then when she Googled him, she found out he had been convicted of raping someone. Mel and I joked that we could see this happening to me: "I finally meet someone and he turns out to be a rapist!"

Anyhoo (as mel says), there I was at my bridal shower last Saturday. The girls surprised me with a cake that had a picture of me in nursery school. I actually remember that day; I loved that Woodstock dress and my mom told me to make sure that both of my braid were in front of my shoulders so they would show. I loved it. And, Mel ordered boxes of Whitman Sampler candy for everyone. I embraced all the traditions I would scoff at as a single woman enduring the shower--notably the opening of the presents. Although, I did not do the bow thing which is just ridiculous. The food was great--highly recommend Baker's Best caterers, esp. the quiche--and I really liked seeing family and friends, especially those who I haven't seen in a long time like Aunt Edith.

So, I guess the point of this story besides saying that I had a great time at my shower is that I probably should have been more receptive and open minded at the previous showers I attended. Oh well.

Sister, Sister

Remember that show with Tia and Tamera and their mom Jackee? Did the parents ever get together? Anyway, I am writing today to say how lucky I am to have the best sisters in the world. While we sometimes have our frustrating moments with each other, these are few and we always bounce back hours, if not minutes later. They know me so well--my quirks, likes, dislikes--soft cantaloupe and peaches, icky people, grape jelly and countless other things that which i won't go through here--and often know what I'm thinking even before I say. When I have children, I can just hope that they are close like we are.

I was just so touched this week when Mel came up to my apartment to go to the gym in the morning and she gave me her gym reimbursement check to help pay for my car door "incident" which happened the night before. She knew I was really upset that it happened and wanted to help me pay for it. She likes to say that "she's not all bad" and that's definitely true.

And today, Tracy suprised me with a lipgloss that we had talked about. She had a gift card at Macy's and bought it for me. I love that she was thinking about me and purchased it bc she knew I would like it.

I don't want you to get the idea that I am touched bc they both spent money on me. These are just two examples of how they think about me and are really just so great. I am lucky to have them.

Weekend

What a great weekend. Friday night, I went to Dali with S and her friend who was visiting. I really think that the Garlic Shrimp is among my top 5 best foods if I had such a list. That and sangria just puts me in a good mood. On Saturday morning, Piper woke up at 6:45, meaning that I woke up at 6:45 and had to take her out. She can sleep forever during the week but come Saturday, she wakes up bright and early. She was in a great mood on Saturday, even playing fetch with bones and looking through her toy chest. In the afternoon, Tim and I took the train downtown to the jeweler and ordered wedding bands. That was fun and I really love mine. Then, we walked over to Houston's in Faneuil Hall and got this crazy artichoke thing and sushi. Very good. There was this really annoying duo of ladies--one of them from France--who kept saying, "In France..." The American lady kept asking the waitress for things and then pretending that she felt bad asking for all these things when you know darn well that she didn't. Then this man joined them, who I think worked at the restaurant as manager or something. He acted like he owned the place. He was complaining about the wait staff and was like, "these people are so ignorant, they don't know the correct way to do things...." Not that I listened to their entire conversation but I couldn't help hear some stuff.

Then, later on that night for dinner, we went to Vinny's at Night and met S. and her friend there. Looking back, I did a lot of eating this weekend! On Sunday, I went home and we cleaned the upstairs and then B and I went shopping. All in all, a great weekend!

Carnival of the Animals

Last night was Max's kindergarten play Carnival of the Animals. They put it on at night for the parents. It was so well done and was really the cutest play ever. One of the teachers was the narrator and different animals came out and did a little dance. Max was an elephant and did such a great job. He didn't break character once and his arm was in front of his nose the entire time. The costumes for all the animals were so great and the little kids were so excited and proud. One little boy fell as he came out but he got right back up again. So so cute. And, one of the cutest parts was the program. They had a little "bio" about each of the children. Some said what they wanted to be when the grow up--one little girl wants to be a nail painter or the person who comes up with the names for crayons--or who was going to be watching them. Max's was super cute. He said that he makes a great elephant because he has a great trunk and that in the audience will be his mom, dad, sister, grandma and aunties. It said that Max is very lucky because he has two aunties! Me and Mel felt so great that he must talk about us at school and that we make a positive impression on him. All in all, a great play.

Looking forward to this weekend. Tonight, I'm going to dinner with S. and a friend who's in town and tomorrow, Tim and I are looking at wedding bands. This is take two since the first time we went two weeks ago, they were closed. We went to Pizzaria Regina instead. Three months from today is the wedding!

Few thoughts

I am so sick of that commercial that is always on the radio about that little boy talking to his father about the baseball game they went to when the boy was young. I'm not even sure what the commercial is for--I think social services or some organization dedicated to spending time with your kids. Anyway, the dad in the commercial couldn't seem more bored and doesn't even remember the story the boy is telling. The boy's like, remember that time we went to the baseball game and you didn't have enough money for hotdogs and we had to walk really far for you to find an ATM and you put me on your shoulders. And, when we finally got back to our seats, the hotdog guy never came? The dad was like: well, i don't remember that part. The boy then says something like, that was fun.

This annoys me for a variety of reasons. First of all, the dad should be prepared with money if he is going to a baseball game. How does he expect to buy hotdogs or any snacks? That is just ridiculous. If you are going to a baseball game with your child, be prepared. And, why doesn't he remember that part? If the boy thought it was so fun and stuck out in his mind, then you would think the father would too. I hope they stop playing this commercial soon. I turn the volume to zero when it comes on.

Tonight, I'm going to Max's school play where he is going to be an elephant. I can't wait. I love going back to Baker School and seeing everything that used to look so big and imposing seem so small. Mel ran into Mrs. Garabedian, our 7th and 8th grade Language Arts teacher, yesterday waiting for the train. Good for her for saying hello. I don't think I would have. She scared me. And, I'm not sure I would have recognized her.

Inaugural Post

I've decided to move on from Piper's blog to create my own. I caution you now that I probably won't have very deep posts but I want it to try it and see what happens. I'm fiddling around with settings and layout so hopefully it will be better looking in a bit.