Marcel the Shell...

Where has she been all my life....

MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON from Dean Fleischer-Camp on Vimeo.

Groovin'

I feel like the last couple of months I have just been existing going through the motions of each day. Rarely doing anything for me and feeling anxious a lot. But I feel like the last couple of weeks I am slowly but surely coming back to life. I don't know why, maybe it's just something I go through from time to time. I'll go through a period where I am more anti-social than usual, no desire to go out, not investing in hobbies I enjoy (reading, taking pictures, exploring, going to see movies by myself, trying a new recipe) and than suddenly I begin to snap out of it (slowly) and I feel more like myself again. I haven't posted many updates about the baby because... i'm afraid (and superstitious) always learly of the evil eye (aka those who secretly dont wish you well) but im getting over that too. Because let's face it, it's a glorious thing... the good days the bad days.

It's odd that I am snapping out of it now, when the weather is changing because it's right around this time when it's really dark at 4:30 PM, the weather is getting freezing and most people begin their hibernating. I'm not complaining, because really, my mood is directly reflected to the weather. When it's cold, rainy and gray most days so am I... cold, rainy on the inside and gray. Oh well. So here is a quick update on things...

• I got a lot of Christmas shopping done too which makes me so happy because I seriously get the crazies when things aren't orderly and on time. So I crossed off a bunch of names on this years list. Amen.
• I got a Shellac manicure on 11/12/2011 and my manicure is STILL in tact (NO CHIPS) here is a pic but done mind my chunky fingers. This is day 17 so you can how much they've grown over the past two and half weeks but I'll tell you I'm impressed!

• I recently hung some pictures from our wedding ( a year and a half later, whoops) I really like how it turned out!

• I've been reading the Steve Jobs Biography and I am loving it! It's taking me a while to read it since I pick it up before I go to bed and I only manage to read a couple pages before my eyes cant take it anymore. Who knew he was kind of an ass!
  
• I haven't picked up my camera in a long time. Like a really long time people. Probably since my mom and I took our class over the summer. But this weekend I am rectifying that by taking doing a family photo session for my sister in law/brother in law and nephew this weekend. Hopefully the weather is good!
• I saw The Muppets last weekend. Loved it! Jason Segal is a dream boat.
• I am 23 weeks and 2 days pregnant! Baby boy is a little over 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound ( about the size of a large Mango!) I feel him move all the time and it's the greatest feeling in the world knowing he is in there growing and moving and happy. I already love him so much and can't wait to meet him. 17 more weeks to go!
  
• We are moving slowly on his nursery but it's coming along. We have it painted (need to do some touchups) and have some things bought for him. Need to get moving because he'll be here before we know it!
• I am seeing Wicked for the 2nd time next week. This play is so amazing and am looking forward to seeing it again especially with the people going with me. Mom and aunts - girls night out!

Word up

I seriously love Pinterest. I especially love the collection of quotes i've been collecting, here are a couple of my favorite. Also, if you want to find me on Pinterest here I am I also have some invites to give so if you dont have a username, let me know and id be happy to send you one.

Source: timholtz.com via Mariabot on Pinterest

Source: a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net via Mariabot on Pinterest

Source: lylaandblu.com via Mariabot on Pinterest

Source: baileypowell.com via Mariabot on Pinterest

Source: society6.com via Mariabot on Pinterest

Source: thetieguy.tumblr.com via Mariabot on Pinterest

On Judgment

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I receive Gwyneth Paltrow GOOP newsletter and I am catching up on the one I received on Thursday. It was so perfect I had to share some interesting parts with you.

"Often times, when we occupy the space of 'I'm right and you're wrong' it keeps us from seeing our own responsibility in matters. When we judge others' foibles and personality traits, what does it really say about us? What can we do to identify and get rid of judgment in ourselves and in our lives?"

We condemn in others what we are afraid to see in ourselves.

Blame is the projection of guilt.

"Even as the game of judgment keeps society running smoothly, constantly dictating our likes and dislikes, our loves and hates, human beings are born to transcend. We can go beyond the setup of society, the ego and judgment itself. In that innate capacity for seeking the higher self, every hope and promise offered by the world's great spiritual teachers rests."

"When we judge others we often think that we are simply making an observation, and that this action or thought will not affect us. However this is not the case. When we judge others we are awakening and connecting ourselves to a force of judgment. It is like trying to throw mud at someone – we might or might not hit them but we are definitely tainted by the mud. And by acting in this way we don't necessarily affect the other person, but we most definitely draw the energy of judgment and lack into ourselves."

"In order to change and grow we need to be able to know what it is about ourselves that we need to transform. Yet if we are never completely capable of seeing our own faults, how will we change?"

"If we truly integrate this understanding into our lives, the next time we feel the urge to judge others we will instead look inward and find how we too possess the fault we see and forget about judging anyone. By acting in this way we protect ourselves from drawing the energy of judgment and lack into our lives. And most importantly, we gain a clear direction for own transformation and growth."

"Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves." -Carl Gustave Jung

Slowing Down....

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This weekend has been perfection! I really needed a long weekend to get things done yet slow down and enjoy being still. This weekend was a perfect combination of the two.

Thursday:

We woke up and got ready for the day, I had to drop off a couple bowls of cranberry's for my aunt's dinner that I was tasked to make even though our plans changed and we weren't going to be there for the actual dinner only dessert. So Mike and I packed up our dishes, luca's birthday present and Mimi. We dropped off the dishes at my parents had some quick lunch there and headed off to Mike's parents. We got there around 2ish. The house smelled wonderful and my mother in law had lots of yummy snacks to eat before dinner. There was so much food! We literally gorged ourselves. With tons of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, rolls, and more we were definitely in store for a food coma. Shortly after dinner we packed up and headed over to my Aunt and Uncles for dessert and my cousin Luca's birthday. We had dessert and hung out played games - it was wonderful. We got home around 10 and passed out. Even Mimi was pooped.

Friday:

We slept in and lounged in bed for most of the morning. I decided to be productive and cleaned up the house, I get anxious if the house is in shambles for too long. So I scrubbed the floors, vacuumed, dusted, folded laundry, and cleaned the counters. Afterwards, Mike and I decided to go see The Muppets movie with Jason Segel and Amy Adams and let me just tell you it was adorable! We loved it :) Afterwards we stopped by his parents for some leftovers and promptly came home to crash.

Saturday:

Slept in again...amazing. Had some more leftovers. Did some laundry. Then got ready to head over to my parents... Mike was having a game day at our house so I wanted to give them their space so I headed over to keep my Mom company since a.) she wasn't feeling well and b.) my dad went to the MI vs. OH game (we won!) so we watched a freaky ass movie called Melancholia about a planet that was supposed to collide with Earth. It was SO bizarre. I don't even know how to even explain the weirdness that was this movie. Just Google it and decide for yourself. We had more leftovers, made cookies and talked away most of the night.

Sunday:

We had brunch with my sister in law/brother in laws/nephew. Bagels/fruit/bacon/cinnamon rolls/ and juice. A la carte (very nice) afterwards Mike and I went grocery shopping... we needed it SO BAD, we literally had nothing. Afterwards, Jenn and I went up to Homegoods to peruse the aisles. I ended up picking up a new Christmas centerpiece for our table, and some Christmas cards. And here I am... lounging in my sweats in my living room which is by our beautiful Christmas tree. I plan on sitting here for the rest of the day catching up on blog reading and emails.

Tomorrow begins a new work week which I am not too excited about but am grateful that I have. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. Talk soon!

Happy Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving! Today I plan on:

• Spending lots of time with family
• Eating so much food I have to be rolled out of the house
• Laying around
  
• Drinking cappuccinos
  
• Gorging on lots of pumpkin pie
• Eating lots of leftovers
• Watching football
• Laughing
• Praying
• Being Grateful

This is also a 4 day weekend for me. I plan on getting a lot accomplished:

• Catching up on all my stupid laundry
• De-cluttering my closet
• Cleaning/scrubbing down each room
• Touching up baby's room (paint)
• Seeing the Muppet's movie
• Dusting the heck out of my house
• Cleaning out my purse
• Starting our baby registry (or least start researching stuff)
• Cleaning out my car
• Getting an oil change
• Start Christmas shopping (mostly online)

Fourth Thanksgiving

I can't believe this will be our 4th Thanksgiving together! How so much as changed over the last couple years. We'd eat two dinners to make sure we spent time at both families, we'd take two cars, we'd be completely and utterly exhausted but it would be completely and utterly worth it.

This year we are trying things a little bit different. Instead of eating two dinners we are going to have dinner at one family and dessert at the other. Hopefully this will eliminate the feel of having to be rolled around.

Next year will be even more different. Not only are we going to have to lug around our sweet little puppy, Mimi. But we will have a sweet little baby boy too! Who by this time next year will be 8 months :) Wow!

I am looking forward to spending time with family, eating amazing food, gorging myself with dessert and cappuccinos, and laying around enjoying the sounds of our families.

Hope you all enjoy your holiday! Gobble Gobble!

Thankful Thursday

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We only have one more week before Thanksgiving and this makes me crazy happy. There are so many things I am thankful/grateful for, here is just to name a few:

• A good job that helps provide for me and my family and to live comfortably.
• A car that works and gets me from point A to point B.
• Plenty of food in our home to nourish us.
  
• My sweet baby boy who is growing inside me and for his little kicks and punches that are a constant reminder he is there and he is counting on me.
• My wonderful amazing husband who works hard everyday on himself and on our marriage to make it strong and united.
  
• My family who understands me and loves me for me no matter what. Who always have my back because that's what family do. They have each others back.
• My boobooloo puppy Mimi. I can't believe I love her as much as I do and can't believe that this little dog can bring us so much happiness and joy. Everyday I laugh because of her.

If you need a quick smile....

Enjoy

Found here

Life is Simple

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LOL!!!!!!

Laughter is contagious

Have you seen these Wanderlust Video's?? I might be the last. But I love them! It is basically videos from a guy named Rick Mereki where he visited 11 countries in 44 days and experienced and learned as much as he could. Amazing.

LEARN from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

EAT from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

Check out his Tumblr page