Let's Get Physical, Physical.

 The only exercise some people get is jumping to conclusions, running down their friends, side-stepping responsibility, and pushing their luck! ~Unknown

While Autumn and I were working it at the gym tonight, we had the pleasure of overhearing some entertaining little conversation between three men. I realized on the way home that had I kept my music on and continued with my workout after my elliptical stint (as I usually do) that I would have missed this hilariousness. In just the 3 or 4 minutes we were around them, we heard about vampires, sex, rats, and women at WalMart. I'm sure they knew we were in there, but I think it's funny that they just didn't care. As we were stretching, we couldn't contain it anymore and let out our giggles. I never wanted to workout with guys, but tonight it proved to be not so bad. And perhaps from now on I should keep my music off when around them! It was a fabulous way to end a Monday!

Life is in the Here and Now.

We might as well live it as a daring adventure. And as long as there are no laws keeping me out of any of the states, I will dare to venture. Will you? What is life without a little risk until something comes along that makes you stop in your tracks? Might as well have fun. Road trips are all about adventure. We will be adventurous! Without broken body parts. Atleast not our own. I want to go. Now. And say, Btwfyi...I'm here.

Work it, make it, do it, makes us....

...harder, better, faster, stronger. ~Kanye West 

 These, are my new kicks. I had $50 to spend over my vacation from Christmas, and while I didn't really neeeeeeed new sneakers, I got them anyway. They were $45 and I got free shipping. I mean, while I just adore the hand-me-down Nike's I have, I...am an Adidas girl. ETA was tomorrow...you will imagine my excitement when I checked the tracking today and they were delivered and 'at the front door'. Weeeee! Yes, these are stated as Marathon Running sneakers. Do I care? Psh. LOOK AT THE COLORS!!!! Oh, and...these should be called Destroying the Elliptical sneakers. They are light. They are pretty. They felt fantastic. That's really all I care about.
 
The last song on my workout tonight was 'Stronger' by Kanye. Hence the post title. I always make a deal with myself. If I like the next song that's coming on, I'll keep going just that much further. It works. Since I like most songs I should probably still be at the gym. I have to stop sometime, though. Anyways, just had to write about my sneaks. 

'Now that that don't kill me, can only make me stronger.'

Auld Lang Syne, My Dear.

Oh, 2011. You're gone already? That's such a shame! Nah, not really. While it wasn't a terrible year by any means, there's nothing quite like that ball dropping (really, Lady Gaga? Nice mask.) to make you feel like maybe, just maybe, this will be the year. The year for what? Weight loss goals reached, love (every aspect), road trips, babies (not mine), weddings (again, not mine. I could never throw something together THAT quickly), island time, and whatever else may happen that I don't know about yet.

Is it kind of like starting over? Starting fresh? Starting a new wagon you've decided to jump on. Well, sure. But, shouldn't that be how it is all the time? Every day? Why is that so hard? But, it is. Anyways, while I have no idea what good, bad, pretty, or ugly will be thrown at me in 2012...it's that couple of days after the Dick Clark's Rockin Eve party that makes you think you can handle anything and everything that will happen until the next ball drop.

Here's a few things that happened in 2011 that I had the pleasure of experiencing.....

There's usually that one time a year that I have my Auntie Sweepovah with my two favorite little people. It's the one time a year that I can destroy the kitchen floor with paint and messiness and act like nothing happened at all the next day when April and Jeff come home. They definitely know better. We have fun!


Nana had the pleasure of turning 90 years old! She had been in the hospital off and on previous to this. It was such a blessing to be able to spend her birthday with her. We had a big party and she was quite surprised. I love my Nana.



I got to live out one of my dreams of living in the 70s. Okay, so the tutu and cardigan probably aren't time relevant, but it was still fun. We were the dancing queens. It was nice for our team to come together and plan our attack of All Staff costumes, table decor, and overall showing that we can have a blast. All were accomplished. Yay, us!



For Mandi's 30th birthday I had gotten her tickets to go on the Chocolate Tour via Trolley in Boston. If I only did this once in my lifetime, I would be fine with that. It's definitely one of those things you have to have on your Bucket List. Umm, if you like chocolate. Luckily, we did! Can I also add, if I were told that I could only have one dessert ever again as long as I'm here on God's green earth, this...my, friends, would be it. It was the very first dessert we had on the tour (which is just amazing!!!) and I could've packed up and gone home after this one. Obviously we didn't. It was basically coconut dipped in chocolate. But, so much better than any Mounds bar I've ever had. The last stop was a chocolate buffet. Over 100 items!!! It was like a sugar addict's paradise. *sighs*


Can't say I overly enjoyed the MMA Commencement this year. It meant Christi, Gordon and Kona were leaving the next day. This, I did not like. It has been way too many months since I have seen them. And had a Trashy Tuesday. I will see Christi again in April, when Sara and I are road tripping through. And...Christi and Gordon are getting married in October. Twice in one year? Unheard of!


For some reason, our road trips are always brought to you by the letter 'V'. 2011's was Vermont. 2012's will be Virginia. (And North Carolina...pleeease??) Oh, and in 2013, if I'm not engaged to myself, will be Vegas. I sense a theme. Aaaanyway. We went to Vermont. There had just been a masssssive flood. The tire went flat. Cabot, check! King Arthur Flour, check! Hangover Part Deux. TeaKeg. Phase 10. Cheese. Burlington. Pizza. Exploding body parts. There you have it. Our trip! hahaha It really was fun. But, I dare say, this spring's will be way better, with our thinner selves.



The last time I had been to Fenway Park was in 8th for our class trip. I have no recollection of going, really. But Mum, Uncle Frank, Stephi and I all went in July. So much fun. Must put this on my Must Do List for every single year. Of course, we went on one of the hottest days, but it was still fun! Maybe I'll fit into my seat a whole lot better this year when I go. haha. Those are small! We also hit up a random dinosaur mini golf and the Desert of Maine in Freeport. First time for everything!


With a majorly long road trip to get to Massachusetts with Megan (like...way too long), we actually made it to Journey and Foreigner. I was worried. Megan told me that life begins at the end of your comfort zone. I had been out of it for awhile sitting on the highway in traffic. O'Malley, Mandi, Schmeg and I made it to the Comcast Center. In time enough to tailgate even. All was well. And I was surprised at how many Foreigner songs I actually knew.



Look at these two lovebirds. They got engaged and married within 6 months and it was a beautiful wedding! I wish a lifetime of bliss for these two gingers. ;)



I had the pleasure of turning 30 and throwing myself a party! A wig party. It was totally flirty 30 fabulousness. It was definitely all I ever wanted turning 30 to be. I wish that could happen every year!



Sugarland didn't make their annual appearance at Meadowbrook in 2011, but thankfully Mandi sent me an email letting me know they would be in Manchester! April and I went. Just the two of us. It was on a Thursday night, so it would've been too hard to get the whole crew together. Boo. But, it was a blast just the same. We are true SugarFans. There's nothing like it. I love singing and dancing around to Jennifer and Kristian. I know some people can't stand them, but...o'well! More fun for us! Hoping for 2012 they'll be back at Meadowbrook!



This Cherryfield Reunion came just in time for me. Before the holiday madness, after the summer activities, and it was just perfect. Four friends, together again after SEVERAL years. I cannot even recall when we were all in the same room together for 5 minutes, never mind for a weekend long sleepover! It was a weekend full of laughter, food, drinks, home movie watching, old note reading, and just...terrific. 2012 for the Cherryfield Girls means Pond Island reunion. Heart.



Along with all these things, in 2011, I also found out I will be an Auntie again. (Yay for Mandi and Jeff becoming parents in May of 2012!) Silas and Cheryl will be getting married!. I turned over a new leaf of health and weight loss on Thanksgiving. The above photo was my 'last straw moment'. Here's to a journey of a better me. Cheers!

'Cause Everybody Cries, And Everybody Hurts Sometimes. So Hold On.

~I tried so hard. I tried so hard while they were here to not be sad in front of them. Of course, it didn't help that I hadn't been able to see any of them since Uncle David's passing. So when I was able to see some of them, it was difficult to hold it together. But I knew that they were trying their best to deal with their own grief. I didn't need to add to that. However, the night of Sugarland, it all came crashing down. It probably didn't help that the opener was somewhat of a downer, but the emotion just overtook me. I'm grateful to Autumn, who snapped this shot of Katie leaning over to hug me. It should have been the other way around. But it shows that life's pictures aren't always going to be happy smiling poses. I love you, KatieJo.

~I like the snot to run a little, the tears to accumulate a bit before reaching for the handkerchief. Then I know I'm really crying. Crying just isn't crying unless it's messy. ~Terri Guillemets

**Blog title from R.E.M Everybody Hurts**

*You and Me, Baby, We're Stuck Like Glue*

~It's that time of year again. The annual SUGARLAND trip. Of course, every year is never the same. There's some people that have attended every year, and then we have some newcomers. Everyone is always welcome to attend this event. We had 7 this year!

~Megan couldn't come (neither Clark nor Fraser), so since Katie was here visiting she took Megan (Clark's) ticket and Kim took Megan (Fraser's) ticket. I was sad that neither Megan could come, but was glad that Katie and Kim were able to! Maybe next year everyone will. :)


~We decided this year that since the concert fell on Labor Day weekend, that we would truly make it a weekend event. Autumn, Stephi, Katie and I headed down to NH on Saturday. We had a blast mini golfing, swimming, and just spending time together and having a good time. Atleast, I did. haha. These first few pictures are from Pirate's Cove. We voted and we decided hands down that our Pirate's Cove is better. Yay Bar Harbor!






~This is my best pirate impression. It's quite scary, I know. And Stephi's the happy pirate. She actually stole this eye patch from the treasure chest. I suppose she thought she was entitled to this specialty item. I wish I had only been as smart. An eye patch would've really pulled my pirate act together.








~Many of these photos look fake. It's quite bizarre. This is one of them. I actually think these two would be perfect on the 5th Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Ahoy!












~Cousies! Yay!















~Me and Autumn waiting for the others to arrive so we can head out to the concert!

















~So glad Katie joined us! It wouldn't have been the same if we'd have left her at home and I'm glad that we were able to spend that time together over the weekend.











~We had taken a 'normal' picture and Kim said 'How many pictures do you guys have like that?'...I said 'NOT ENOUGH!' and proceeded to make this a really normal picture. I must say, we don't have many pictures that look like this. I'd say that's probably a good thing. However, there's nothing quite like a good squnch.









~My sweet mesquite. ;)













~Pretty awesome crew if you ask me. And even if you didn't ask me, I'll tell you. Love dese girls.













~Kim is up to no good! This was in the first stages of 'Bob'. You're so crazy, Kim! We love and embrace your craziness, though!












~Inside on the lawn hanging out before the show!














~This one cracks me up!















~There's Jennifer singing 'Incredible Machine'. Woohoo!













~The End!











**Blog Title from Sugarland Stuck Like Glue**

We Are Family.

~Towards the end of summer, Auntie Janet, Dan and Katie came for a visit. It was great to see them and have them around for a little while. Here are some snapshots of their time here with all the family.~

Myself and Dan. This was our 3rd take. And it still isn't that great. Figures.

Katie and Auntie Janet.


This is a pretty typical picture for Uncle Frank and I. I think it explains a lot. Or not. You be the judge!

Nana and Kayla having a moment. I think that's a pretty big yawn for a baby girl. Nana loves her.

Stephi, Grampy and I. And Uncle Frank's head protruding out of Grampy's. Weird.
Katie showing Grampy pictures and a video of Uncle David (Katie's dad) when they were here in July.

Dan and Katie picked up a guitar while they were here so they'd have one on the island to play. I still have yet to hear them play. Someday, I hope! Dan was wondering why I kept taking so many pictures, but I can't help it. And I like this one a lot.


I love this picture. It's at sunset, and I think it's just lovely. Beautiful cousin!


Mum and Dan about to put the boat in the water. With assistance. Smiles now!


They made it!

This is just one of my favorite pictures that I took while they were here and I was around them. Something was clearly very funny. I was so far out of the loop I couldn't even tell it was a loop! :)