Details of a Love

A Day Off

2011-11-28T11:08:00.003-05:00

It doesn't happen often that I get a day to do whatever I want without any obligation. I'm sure that's much the same for everyone. Being in school full-time and working full-time doesn't leave much time for anything, really. I so cherish the days that I can just go shopping with mom, get lunch, spend time with my sister-in-law, Lindi and niece, Avalene. Getting to play my piano is definitely a huge treat. I get lost in the music... I forget about everything else that needs done and just focus on the notes my fingers are playing... letting myself get anxious with each crescendo and relax again with every decrescendo. Fortunately for me, I have a husband who enjoys my music just as much as I do. Once being with the opposite, I know what a treasure it is to have someone that doesn't stifle your desires.

Outfit:

Boots: Toms Vegan Boots

Jeans: D Jeans

Tank: Gap

Scarf: Marshall's

Silk Blazer: Chaser Collection

Jewelry: F21 and some little shop in the Strip District

Bundled Up for Il Pizzaiolo

2011-11-17T14:17:00.000-05:00

I'm sure you've realized by now that Tom and I eat out A LOT. We both work full time and go to school full time. Cooking is not a luxury we often have the patience or energy for lately. One of our favorite spots to regular is Il Pizzaiolo. Simply put, it's the most amazing authentic Italian food that we've found in the city. Tom has been all over Italy with the US Air Force and said that Il Pizzaiolo is better than some of the food he had when he was there. If you're even in the Mt. Lebanon area you MUST try it!

Gnocci alla Sorentina - simply the most delicious food my tastebuds have ever encountered!

Since the temperature had dropped almost 10 degrees while we were eating, I warmed up with a Grande Soy Decaf Caramel Macchiato.

So sleepy

GQ baby. GQ.

Scarf, Vest & Wristlet: Gap

Tee & Bracelets: F21

Denim: D Jeans

Boots: Restricted

Vanity Pinboard 2

2011-11-16T12:45:00.001-05:00

Here are some more of my favorite Pinterest pins that I've stumbled upon in the past week. I love how inspiring all of these girls are and their unique styles.

Maxi skirt, striped tee and belt? Heck yes!

Navy, orange and camel leather... perfection.

LOOOOVE the colors.. and the room?? Everything about this is awesomeness.

Classic B&W with a wedge bootie twist. <3

Baggy pink sweater with boyfriend jeans... perfect contradiction.

I'll tell you what.. It's kinda hard to NOT want to look cute everyday after browsing through all the awesome outfits floating around Pinterest. These girls make it look so effortless! And apparently, after looking at this selection, I have a thing for solid colored shirts. There's so much to be done with them!

Saturday Shopping Awesomeness

2011-11-14T16:06:00.000-05:00

Saturday was a day full of shopping and amazing fall Pittsburgh weather! We hit Shadyside and the Strip District early in the am. In between we hit Handmade Arcade for all the handmade goodies that it has to offer. What an amazing bunch of talent there was gathered in one place. Can't wait for it again next fall!

Chilly Evening In the Burgh

2011-11-14T10:00:00.004-05:00

One of our absolute favorite places to eat spur of the moment is Aladdin's Eatery. Tom being Lebanese and I being Greek, we both feel right at home chowing down on some Mediterranean cuisine. Fortunately, Aladdin's is within walking distance from our house. And, they're open late, so it's perfect on a week night when I get home late from school and am too lazy to cook!

Tom was spilling some juicy gossip at the time... you can tell by his eyes..

Tabouli! Yum!

Chateau Kafraya Lebanese Red Wine.. so yummy!

Turkey Salad Pocket w/ Aladdin's dressing. My fave!

Hat: F21

Sweater & Leggings: H&M

Jacket: Gap

Boots: Steve Madden

Vanity Pinboard

2011-11-03T10:42:00.000-04:00

Here are a few of my favorite fall looks that I've recently stumbled upon via Pinterest.

A classic vneck tee with layers of jewlery.

Rustic boots with leg warmers and skinny jeans.

White knit dress with camel boots... a little turquoise never hurts.

Classic sweater, sleeves rolled up with a skirt... effortless.

An oversized sweater and too-long scarf... perfect for a Pennsylvania winter.

I can't wait to get cozied up in my winter clothing and do some outdoor Christmas shopping!

Frock It All

2011-11-02T21:11:00.008-04:00

This is what you couldn't see under my boots. And no, I'm not ashamed!!

Tunic & Leggings: H&M

Jewlery: F21

Boots: Aldo

Socks: HUE

Purse: Bookhou

Tuesday Work Wear: Classic Black Dress

2011-11-01T20:21:00.001-04:00

And this is the "I have no idea how to pose anymore" pose.

Dress & Belt: H&M

Tights: Can't remember. Oops.

Shoes: Shoedazzle

Bracelet: Charming Charlie's

The Biltmore Estate: My Dressing Room

2011-10-31T20:38:00.000-04:00

Ever since moving into the Biltmore Estate a little over a year ago, the small 3rd bedroom on the second floor has been intended to be my beloved dressing room. Finally, at long last, we got off our butts, ripped the carpet out, exposed the battered 100 year old oak floors, painted the walls a harsh bright white, brought in industrial garment racks giving me 24 feet of hanging space and installed Ikea Billy Bookcases for shoes. (holy run-on sentence!!). Alas, my long sought after dressing room has been brought to reality. I warmed up the floor with a genuine cowhide rug, added a wicker chair donning a sheepskin pelt and threw in some rustic estate sale finds to add some personality.

Arm Parties: The More the Merrier

2011-09-29T13:54:00.000-04:00

Dining @ The Biltmore Estate

2011-09-23T10:43:00.000-04:00

Finally have some photos of the dining room to show! However, they're minimal because I have yet to take pictures of it since the addition of this baby:

My beautiful candy apple red Palatino PUP 123T with a custom manufacturer's finish. Scored this one of a kind gem off Craigslist from some guy desperate for cash to pay off the IRS. Seriously.

Black Juju Chairs c/o Zuo Modern

Table c/o Pier 1 Imports

Runner c/o Chilewich

Wall Sconces c/o DK Living. Unfortunately, it's very difficult to get your hands on DK Lighting. I was lucky enough to score these on The Foundary for a ridiculously cheap price. I haven't been able to find any DK Living lighting for sale since then. They mostly display their pieces at shows.

Chair c/o South Hills A of G Rummage Sale - $25!

Collage c/o ME!

White dining chairs c/o of K-Mart... no joke! (Tried to find them on the site, but they don't seem to be available anymore... bummer)

Chandelier c/o Lighting by Erik. If anyone is looking for some amazing lighting, I highly suggest going to Lighting by Erik in Dormont. They know their stuff and have some one of a kind quality pieces.

Skilo absolutely loving on the new FLOR tiles. Stay tuned for a step by step of how freaking easy it is to lay a FLOR rug. Honestly, I'm sold for life!

I'll be posting more photos of the dining room soon. I just recently finished accessorizing it to a t. I'm finally happy with everything in there... it only took a year!

Working Girl

2011-09-22T11:17:00.000-04:00

Let's face it. I don't exactly have the most exciting job on the planet. I work for a college, and although I believe 100% in the institution, it doesn't really encourage a creative work environment. I literally die a little every day I'm there from lack of artistic stimulation. So, to counter the absence of creativity, I try to express my artsy fartsy side through my clothing. I don't wear the run of the mill pants suits or button down blouses. (mainly because I hate buttons)

I seriously was looking at my dog... this wasn't just some lame attempt to pose.

I love this skirt. It's so flamboyant that you don't have to do much at all to dress it up.

Top: Loft
Skirt: H&M
Shoes: Aldos
Jewelry: F21

Highway Robbery Vintage & PI Coal Fired Pizza

2011-09-22T10:36:00.001-04:00

Tom and I decided to forego the oh-so desperately needed grocery shopping and check out the newest vintage shop that just opened in the Southside, Highway Robbery. It had a carefully curated collection of old finds and we were not disappointed! Tom ended up getting a vintage leather belt (that I don't have a photo of, unfortunately). I walked away empty handed this time, but there will be more trips there in the future.

Walking around Southside on a rainy Thursday night is actually quite refreshing. We stopped at PI for some delicious thin crust coal fired pizza while we were down there.

Outfit Details:

Jacket - Delia's (Like 9 years ago, no joke)

Top - H&M

Denim - D Jeans

Flats - Marc Fisher

Bag - Matt & Nat

Jewelry - F21 & H&M

Check out The Pleated Poppy for more fabulous What I Wore Wednesday outfits!

For the Love of Etsy: Geometric Design

2011-07-01T11:17:00.000-04:00

There's one thing I cannot get enough of and it's geometric shapes. It's been a thing of mine since I began studying Architectural CAD. My mind has ceased to think along the lines of organic design and moved into the form of structure, lines and the way they interact with each other. Here are some of my favorite Geometric Designs found on Etsy.

Studio Fludd
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Lepidoptery

Heather Future
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Maria Handmade
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States & Kingdoms
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Leah Duncan
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Magnets by A Second Life
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Veronika Maria
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I've created some geometric art of my own that graces the walls of my dining room. I'll be sharing that with you later this weekend. I'm pretty sure at some point or another I will own one of everything I've shown here. This stuff is so irresistible!

Flash Sales: My Secret Best Friend

2011-06-30T10:02:00.001-04:00

Two years ago I was introduced to something that has literally changed my life. FLASH SALES. For those of you who don't know what a flash sale is, let me fill you in. A flash sale is when an item or collection of items is discounted to a ridiculously low cost for a VERY short period of time.

As a result, I've gotten numerous designer goods that I normally would not have been able to afford unless I starved myself and my husband for an indefinite amount of time.

Here are the Flash Sites that I fancy.

The Foundary has been my source for my Zuo Modern dining chairs, my teak porch swing, and my Museum of Robot dishes. I've honestly saved hundreds of $$$ by scooping items up in their flash sales.

Next, for clothing, vacations and accessories:

Rue la la, everyday, opens new boutiques featuring only the most awesome designs and vacations. From Kate Spade and Dolce & Gabanna to weekends at St. Vincent and Grenadines, you can pretty much find whatever luxury you so desire at an absolutely breath taking cost.

Now there is Fab.com. This site pretty much has the most awesome stuff ever. If you look super-modern and hip stuff, this is the place to go. There's a lot of stuff that, until released on Fab.com, couldn't even be purchased in the states. If you want cool... go to Fab.com. I have yet to purchase anything from Fab.com, but it's only because I want EVERYTHING and my brain starts melting down if I try to pick and choose, so I usually just give up and try not to think about it.

Joss & Main is another amazing flash sale site that offers mostly homegoods. Their selection is mostly more traditional than a site like Fab.com, but they still have absolutely beautiful items to check out.

These are my four favorite flash sale sites. More and more keep popping up everyday, so as I discover them I will share them with you!

Each title in the post has a hyperlink to the site that, if you sign up, will give me credit for the referral. Please use them!

I'm telling you, the benefits are most definitely worth it. I will admit, I'm addicted to flash sales. Almost everyday I see something I want to buy. Don't miss the chance to find something awesome for your home!

Lost Control & Now I'm Paying For It!

2011-06-29T21:50:00.000-04:00

I'm a little overly organized at times. When I say "at times" it means always. This has the adverse affect on my home that you think it would. A room is either completely clean and organized or completely disheveled and out of whack. When a room like my studio needs organized, things usually get worse.. for a very very long time, before they get better. I must organize every scrap of paper before I deem the task complete.

It's somewhat of a curse.

Anyway, last weekend I decided to paint the studio which meant taking everything off the walls and off the shelves... and now... it's chaos.

Never fear, a much needed trip to Ikea will be taken this weekend and everything should be back as was by Monday... my Independence Day.... Independence from an untidy room.

Here's the photos of what I'm dealing with now and a little bit of what I've been doing tonight.

The AFTERS will come next week some time once I get the OCD satiated. Sharing my closet with you was a HUGE step on my part. So embarrassing!!

Pictorial Tutorial: Button Down Rehab Pillow Monster

2011-06-29T10:00:00.000-04:00

Last week, this tutorial was featured on My Own Road as part of Jen's Button Down Rehab project. Last night it was featured on One Pretty Thing. Now I'm putting it here! This was somewhat of a traumatizing project for me to put together given my fear of buttons. It's real, look it up. But the final outcome is totally worth it.

With this any-ding-dong-can-do-it pictorial tutorial, I'll have you making a pillow monster in 15 easy steps! I'm going to stop before I start sounding too much like an infomercial. Like I said up there, I'm Shannon. You can find me over at Details of a Love (when my insanely hectic life gives me the time to be there). Right now I work full-time and go to school full-time for architectural drafting. So that leaves very little time for the fun things in life.

I started making pillow monsters as gifts for the nieces / nephew. It's completely baby-friendly because there are no hard pieces, and 100% cuddle-able. The best part... you can make it look like whatever you want! I never use a pattern. It's just kind of a go-with-the-moment type of project.

What you need for this, aside from the basic sewing paraphernalia, is your button down shirt to rehabilitate and some plush fabric that is snugglicious. The monster can be any size you like, any shape and any color.

Anyway, LET'S GET STARTED!

Photo Drive: Southside & Mt. Washington

2011-06-28T11:00:00.000-04:00

Anyone that has ever been in a car with me as we emerge from the Fort Pitt Tunnels knows that the first thing out of my mouth is always, "I love this city".

If you've ever been to Pittsburgh and have experienced the breath taking exit out of the mountain and into the city, you know what I'm talking about. There's a certain sense of pride that us Pittsburghers have in our little, but culturally diverse city built in the middle of a fortress of mountains and rivers.

I moved away for about 5 years to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and that time away just made me realize even more how amazingly beautiful this city of mine is. I couldn't wait to get back here, and now I never want to leave it.

For the Love of Etsy: Word Art

2011-06-24T16:14:00.001-04:00

I love words. I mean, who doesn't? Without them how would we communicate? Most likely with a series of grunts and maybe some gurgling, but that wouldn't be very attractive now, would it? Well, maybe to some people, I'm not one to judge.

I, however, prefer the use of eloquent wording and phrases that convey precisely what I'm thinking or feeling. I've put together for you some of my favorite word art creations found on Etsy. (which is a pretty great made-up word in itself!)

Handz

Representin' my favorite chair!

LUCIUSart

Who doesn't love a good beard, I mean seriously, now?

LetterHappy

Inspiring? I think so!

Simone's Printables

Yes, please.

The Decorium Studio

Every woman should have this print.

Oh Dier

I <3 these with all my <3!

Yellow Heart Art

Anything with Dinos is a MUST HAVE!

Parada Creations

Oh so true!

Arty Maps

Everyone needs a good map to get around with...

So what about you? Do you have a favorite piece of word art? How about a favorite word? Mine, inadvertently, is awesome. I say it way too much, but it most accurately describes what I want it to.

I'm A Picker, Apparently

2011-03-22T15:17:00.002-04:00

I contemplated doing a before/after on this, but the befores just weren't that exciting. The exciting part about this is that I found it in the garbage! Yep, Mt Lebanon garbage is the best garbage of all garbage. Of course, we asked for permission before snatching this up off the curb. It seemed to have been abandoned by tenants, the neighbors gracefully told us to help ourselves. With a fresh coat of white paint on the exterior, a coat of Flint from Restoration Hardware on the interior and some new knobs from Anthropologie, this rejected little hutch quickly became my most favorite piece of furniture in the house. Total cost: approx. $30.

Something I didn't mention previously is my affinity for white porcelain. White porcelain ANYTHING. Don't ask what the attraction is because I don't know. When I see white porcelain it's like a tractor beam grabs hold of me. I must go to the porcelain. So this hutch of mine became the perfect place to put all things white porcelain.

..:BEHOLD:..

Obviously, I have a thing for Marshalls. They're a great place to find weird things that you can't find anywhere else. The cherished hutch is currently in our dining room which is still being designed and decorated. So no show-off photos for now.

The Biltmore Estate - Living Room

2011-02-23T23:01:00.000-05:00

It's been months... but I've finallly gotten ONE room in the house to a point where I am comfortable sharing photos with you all. I think you can get a pretty good feel for what our (my) style is from this one particular room. I decided, that instead of going for a theme, that I was just going to buy things I like. Lo and behold... it all works. I'd like to hear what you all have to say about it, too.

Heatie Beastie

2011-02-22T13:39:00.001-05:00

Winter is a never ending entity in the Northeast. It's a tormentor of such magnitude that I can't even comprehend the depths of its evil. However, I adore it. I adore the blissful coating of heavenly white dust that settles onto branches and nestles itself between tree trunks. I love how much brighter it makes the sun seem as it reflects its rays back to the sky. I love seeing the imprint of nature and creatures in the snow. I guess that's why I don't let snow stop me. If a tiny little squirrel can bound its way through 8 inches of snow, then so can I.

BUT, this morning... was RIDICULOUS. And the fact that I was forced to come to work and endanger my own life is unacceptable!! The car ride in consisted of getting stuck on a patch of ice on McMonagle. I finally had to wait patiently for traffic to pass me so I could go in reverse all the way to North Meadowcroft and take the back streets. Where is the logic here... the back streets were more clear than the main roads.. Go figure.

I had to redo my makeup when I got to work almost 2 hours later from the numerous emotional breakdowns and take a little something to calm the brewing malice in my soul towards those that required me to venture out in this weather.

Bottom line: I AM READY FOR SPRING.

Spring and I are tight. I actually get motivated to do yard work for about a week or two, so I have to seize that moment when it comes. I find motivation to exercise, to go on photo walks and see things I don't see on a regular basis.

Then summer comes and I feel as if the zeal of life has been syphoned from my bones by something called the sun and its death rays. I morph into this not-quite-human creature that must be kept away from crowds. I become unpredictible and malevolent. All traits that characterize me as a human disappear. What's left is teeth gnashing anger ball that wouldn't care less if it never saw a human face again. I become a hermit in the summer. I spend even less time outside in the summer months than when it's subzero weather. HEAT + ME = Heatie Beastie. Beware.

The moral of the story... I think I need to move to Alaska.

Photo Drive - Back Roads from NY to PA

2011-02-21T10:38:00.000-05:00

All photos by Shannon Venanzio. Please do not use without my permission. Thanks!

Photo Drive - A Winter Beach, Presque Isle, PA

2011-02-18T14:38:00.000-05:00

All photos by Shannon Venanzio. Please do not use without my permission. Thanks!

Photo Drive - Industrial Western Pennsylvania

2011-02-17T13:08:00.000-05:00

All photos by Shannon Venanzio. Please do not use these without my permission. Thanks.

Happy Anniversary Honey!

2011-02-16T20:42:00.001-05:00

Today, my love and I have been married for 3 years. 3 wonderful years. We got married, we got pregnant, we lost the baby, we both started school, we bought a house, we bought a Vespa, we've watched three beautiful nieces/nephew come into the world... I couldn't have chosen anyone better to share this with. These have been the best 3 years of my life and I can't wait to see what all the years ahead of us have to offer.

This is Lena

2010-11-09T15:55:00.002-05:00

This is my niece... and she's an angel

These Words Are Not My Own

2010-11-08T09:38:00.000-05:00

But, they're beautiful and inspiring and worth sharing with you.

Found here.

Time to Reset and Start Over...

2010-09-27T10:10:00.001-04:00

After my short summer sabbatical from blogging (well, it seemed short) I'm back with lots to write about. I have no time to do it, but I'm going to anyway. This summer, Tom and I purchased a new house much much closer to the city than our former rural abode. Needless to say, I am elated. I love love love our new house. We've been busy making it our own and I'll have many posts coming soon detailing all of our projects.

Today I have some photos to share from a weekend adventure (and it really was an adventure) that we took with my parents this summer to Cook Forest, PA. The entire town is infested with vintage shops, secondhand stores and perpetual yard sales that never end. I ceased the opportunity and took tons of photos of all of these peoples' quirky collections.

Although I can certainly appreciate the beauty these folks find in discarded items, I, myself, could NEVER live like this. I am the farthest thing from a hoarder. I fully believe that memories do not lie within objects, but in my heart. This tends to make me seem like an incredibly UNsentimental person. I don't save anything at all. So, if you're thinking about getting me something.. don't make it mushy :) In fact, the things that mean most to me are the experiences I have with people.

Like this trip... we certainly had a lot of memories made over that weekend between getting lost in the forest, the moldy air conditioner that made all of us sick and making smores with a lighter over the kitchen sink...

Monster De La Haley

2010-03-22T12:01:00.010-04:00

Haley's 1st Birthday Party went off without a hitch. The decorations were so adorable, the presents were overflowing out of the living room and the food was delicious!

However, I have to brag and say that my handmade gift for my sweet little goddaughter/niece was HER favorite. I made a Monster especially for her.. a large one out of the softest fabrics I could find, big enough for her to fit her whole little body on top of it. As soon as she pulled it out of the bag she threw herself face first onto it, sat up, looked at us and clapped. Of course, the room errupted with laughter, so she did it about 15 more times, getting a bigger applause from us all with each hurling of herself onto the monster.

As soon as my little Lena turns 1, she'll be getting a monster, too. I've been considering making more of them and selling them.. thoughts? The trick would be finding the time. It takes about 3 hours to make one monster, because each of them is unique. Honestly, what takes me the longest is choosing the fabric combinations.

I would really love to be more productively creative right now, school just absorbs so much of my time. I need to make time for this, though... It's refreshing to make something just to make it, not because I have to or because it's being graded.

Plus, seeing this little girl so ecstatic with her Monster is more motivation than I'll ever need.

And here is the smash cake! Of course, our little fairy princess had to hav her own cake for her first birthday. We fully expected her to dive in head first with no hands, but she was actually quite the little lady. She daintily picked away at the cake, hardly making any mess at all. We were fully prepared for a Cake-tatsrophe... we derobed her, had a birthday dropcloth, papertowels... but we didn't need any of it! She was a perfect little lady.

Busy Little Bee

2010-03-03T10:59:00.000-05:00

This week has been and will continue to be complete insanity. Between finals, beginning a new class, Haley's 1st Birthday party this weekend... I barely have time to breathe, but it's so worth it! So for now, nothing new.

This is a project I worked on for my mom's birthday in February. The big blue one belongs to her now and has a permanent home in her living room. It's affectionately known as the "Momster". The little black guy, which I refer to as "The Drain Clogger", sits happily on my sewing table still. I came up with this pattern because they're so cuddly, doubling as pillows. I'll be making a few more for my own couch sometime when I have a moment to relax and be creative again. For now... it's all about school, work, and... well, that's pretty much it.

My Sweet Little January Angel

2010-02-25T10:23:00.013-05:00

Yesterday I spent a little quality time with my little angel of a niece, Avalene. I spent the better part of the visit singing "I Say A Little Prayer For You" during which she stared at me intently while puckering her unbelievably kissable little lips. I simply cannot get enough of her. Just 2 more short weeks and little Avalene will get her introduction to the world at 8 weeks old.

The more time I spend with these little miracles (Avalene and Haley), the more I realize that I've chosen the right path for myself. I've realized that my desire to have children was fueled by so many things that had nothing to do with me.

I cannot get enough of these sweet kissable little lips!

I've chosen this specific career path that is going to take up the majority of my life. I had been putting this off for years and years because I always assumed I'd be a mother and I knew if I was going to do that, that I would give 100% of myself to it. So, basically, I ignored what I really wanted in life... to be successful. I rationalized by saying that, "Being a mother IS a success.. what bigger success is there?" And to me, that is still true. However, for me... it's not what my success is to be. I guess I've been wired for this from the beginning. Unfortunately, outside factors have made me believe that my desires have changed over the past decade and I'm just recently finding that they haven't. I still want to be the "best" at something and I still want to make a lot of money and I still want to do whatever I want whenever I want.

Most of you know that I'm an avid reader of literature by Ayn Rand. I know a lot of people that share my "beliefs" do not understand why I agree with her on so many issues. I wouldn't expect you to unless you had experienced what I have. One of Rand's philosophical publications (not as a novel) that had the biggest impact on me was "The Virtue Of Selfishness". It showed me that if I am not what's most important in my life, survival isn't an option. Think about it. When you're on an airplane and the safety procedures are being demonstrated, what do they tell you? They tell you to put your own oxygen mask on first before helping others with theirs. You are no good to anyone if you are dead, right?

Because of my past and what I put myself through, I am now in a perpetual state of survival. As a result, I am fully aware that I am too egocentric to be a mother. The thought of having any aspect of my life controlled by another person, quite frankly, makes me panic. I'm a control freak, but only when it comes to me. I need to know that I can change my direction at any moment, tell myself to do something terrifying or not to... (which I've been finding recently that I've been craving things that scare the crap out of me and LOVING every second of the experience.)

I don't expect anyone, ever, to understand my reasoning here. It's a bit non-traditional, off-centered... however you'd like to describe it. This is me, though. This is who I am and what I believe of myself and the way I've chosen to live my life. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that what I've chosen to do is what's right for me and that I'm going to go so much farther above and beyond than what I even can imagine. This excites me.

I think about the possibilities and what I, as an individual, can achieve and it makes my heart skip a beat. To think that God gave me this thing called "free-will" and said, "Go ahead, you decide which way to go and I'll be here for you in case you fall." I think it's awesome. I think the fact that God gave me control over this thing called my life is astounding. He knew I'd make mistakes, He knew I'd screw up and hurt myself, but He promised that I'd make it through okay as long as I trust Him. And I do... no matter what. I am far from perfection, but I know the closest I will ever get to it is through my faith in God.

My biggest fear about not having children is that I'm going to die alone. That I'm going to get old and not have anyone to live my life with or anyone to take care of me. Then I think... once I'm actually dead, it won't even matter. I know, so morbid. That thought is actually comforting to me, though... knowing that after this is something so much better waiting for me regardless of my having children or not.

Plus, there are always going to be my sweet little nieces who I will always love like they were my own. I can't imagine my life without them now. It would be so cold and empty. It amazes me the amount of joy and anticipation that they've added to my life.

They really are my little angels.

Life In The Middle Of NOWHERE... This Is What Happens

2010-02-24T14:27:00.004-05:00

This little bugger greeted me upon my arrival home the other day... digging into some old dog food left by our porch.

The sight of it broke my heart. These animals are usually so timid and solitary, but because of the treacherous weather I'm sure they have been starving for the past few weeks.

This little fellow braved the daylight and the wide open yard just to have a tasty little snack.

He stayed put through the slamming of the car door, my blasting music, me snapping pictures... he never moved until Skilo hopped over welcoming me home with some little kitten chirps, at which point, my little Opossum jetted away under the porch. I know he came back, though, because later that night the dog food was completely devoured.

I think I need to start regularly feeding these sweet little things. I feel so bad for them!!

And I think he needs a name. I think I'll call him Whitaker.

Always Winter But Never Christmas

2010-02-21T12:35:00.002-05:00

I am constantly amazed by our climate. I know that's such a weird thing to say, but it seems in the past decade so many surprisingly destructive weather related events have taken place. When I was a teenager, we were vacationing in Myrtle Beach when Hurricane Bertha hit. We evacuated for 2 days, but when we returned to the beach... it was the most amazing thing I had/have ever seen. The beach was covered. It was covered with anything and everything that the ocean held. There were starfish, jellyfish, sand dollars, seaweed, driftwood, conch shells... and garbage and dead birds and fish. I was in awe and disgusted all at the same time. That was when I realized how powerful our atmosphere can be and we can do nothing to stop it.

But then there's these other overwhelming atmospheric occurrences that make the world seem like a magical place... and these snowstorms do that for me. I could see the down side of things... how hard it is to get around, how damaging the ice and the weight of the snow can be... but that takes away the charm. I like looking outside and seeing nothing but white and these surreal ice sculptures clinging to the trees and houses. I love that even at night, it's still light out because the snow seems to hold the sunlight inside of it until morning.. then recharges for the next night. I love how brilliant everything looks when the snow covers the ground. It's almost like a fairytale.

This Is Going To Be A Good One...

2010-02-19T10:49:00.010-05:00

I know this is so cliche around the beginning of any new year, but this is definitely a year of change for me. I'm letting go of things I held onto before, finding new passions, new paths, new direction... But most of all, I'm learning to love myself again. 2009 was a year filled with resentment and bitterness for myself. The only thing I gained from that was a heavy weight on all the memories that 2009 left for me. However, at least I can say I came out of it alive and happy, right?

The bright side of 2009 was my niece, Haley. Anytime I think about her a huge smile stretches across my face and I can't help but thank God for her existence. Fortunately, 2010 started the same with the birth of my 2nd niece, Avalene.

Avalene just happened to be born on the one year anniversary of the loss of my own baby. I was in the same hospital, the same day... it was terrifying. At the end of the day, though, I couldn't help but cry and be so grateful that my painful memories had been replaced with one so amazing and miraculous. She was born almost a month early... and part of me thinks that God made that happen just for me, just so I'd have a reason to rejoice on January 13th instead of wallowing in self-pity.

So back to change. I'm all for it. I get bored when things stay the same. I get antsy and uncomfortable. I like to rearrange my furniture, change the style of clothes I wear, change my nailpolish (like every single night), change what music I listen to on a regular basis... Change is essential for my survival in a redundant and routine life.

As always... some inspiring quotes with my AMAZING photography skills for the backdrop. :-) **sarcastically stated**

Kodak Moments To Live For

2010-02-18T14:01:00.010-05:00

There is nothing more enchantingly beautiful about winter than the sunsets. I'm not sure if this is specific to my location or if everybody's winters have such amazing sunsets. Maybe it's with all of the snow and the tiny amount of light cutting through the stormy clouds bounces off the earth and back up to reveal the most beautiful colors in the sky... but it makes me love every second of winter.

This past weekend I finally had the chance to take some pictures just for fun with no real purpose other than to see something beautiful. Tom was a trooper because every 2 minutes I'd scream for him to stop the car so I could get a clear shot of something or to roll his window down when it was only 16 degrees outside so I could get a moving shot without all of the salt on the windows to ruin it.

These are my faves from the weekend of snapshots. I couldn't have planned some of these if I tried. It was just being at the right place at the exact right time. To me... each of these photos is a little miracle captured through a lens. I treasure them all. Enjoy!

Forgiving

2009-12-07T14:27:00.006-05:00

This year the Holidays are not an easy time for me. It's a bitter slap in the face that reminds me of what I had to do last year... and frankly, it drains all sense of joy and hope from my heart. More often than not, lately, I've found myself sulking, wanting to be alone, resenting people around me that are happy and haven't been through the struggle that I have been through. All the while, keeping a happy demeanor and not letting anyone know what's really boiling under my cheery exterior.

Then I remember something. I remember that I'm still alive. I remember that I still have a chance to do things the way I want to, to take control and not let some physical, genetic thing that I can't help dictate where my life is going. I remember that I have a man who loves me regardless of my ability to reproduce. I remember that I'm only 28 and I have a whole life ahead of me that I can mold. I remember that I'm not alone... that so many other girls have gone through this same thing and come out okay. I remember that no matter what happens, my God already knew all of this and has made a way for me to make it out okay.

I'm only 28 and I've definitely had more struggles in the past 10 years than any girls that I know personally, but I also know that I'm more grateful for my life because of it than most girls that I know personally. I thank God that everything hasn't been easy for me... handed to me on a silverspoon. My parents raised me right and let me make my own decisions. They let me fall when I chose badly and then they held me while I cried away the pain.. One of the most important lessons I've ever learned from them (as painful as it was to learn being a teenager) is that my mistakes are nobody's fault except mine. But, they also taught me that no matter how bad I screw up... there's always forgiveness.

That's what this Holiday season is for me this year. It's time for me to forgive myself for what happened last year. It's the only thing opressing me anymore... the grudge I'm holding against myself.

Shannon's Tips and Techniques To Beat A Crappy Day

2009-11-18T11:40:00.008-05:00

So bad days are inevitable, right? They can't be avoided. They can only be dealt with. Today... it's just one of those days. Today I exercise mind over matter more often than not just to save my sanity. Today will end and then I can start over again.

I remind myself often that I am the determining factor in how my day turns out. If I want it to be a good day despite all the crappy stuff, it will be. There are a few tricks I have that I've discovered for myself to cast some light on any particularly awful day.

I do the robot. (in the bathroom, in the car with a friend, at my desk...) And then I laugh at how ridiculously horrible I am at doing the robot.
I put in my earbuds (even though I'm not supposed to wear them at work) and I listen to Konstantine by Something Corporate and wallow in self pity for the entire 9 minutes that the song lasts.
I drink pop. Normally I deprive myself of this because, for me... this is my one vice in life. I love pop. It's my comfort food for bad days.
I go read This is Glamorous because that blog has a fantastical way of making everything in life seem beautiful and magical and heavenly.
I make lists... usually of things I want to accomplish because when I feel accomplished, I feel complete and fulfilled and that can normally overcome any amount of cynicism I may be harboring.

So that's it. That's Shannon's Tips and Techniques To Beat A Crappy Day. Hopefully, I can actually make this work.

*All photos taken by me in Garden City Beach, SC.

I'm Speechless.

2009-11-17T11:12:00.006-05:00

I find it difficult to come up with any words to say lately. I ask myself what of my thoughts would people actually be interested in hearing and the answer I give myself is none of them. (most of the time, I don't want to hear them either)

So I give you pictures and quotes from people who much more eloquently can describe what I'm thinking right now.

Lots of Haley Love

2009-11-09T15:31:00.015-05:00

Pat & Jen came to visit a few weeks ago so Pat could go to the Steeler's game. I had the wonderful pleasure of spending the weekend with my angelic little niece, Haley. I just can't get enough of her. She has the biggest smile on her little chubby face all the time. Pretty soon I'll have 2 nieces!! Until then.. Haley gets all the spoiling to herself.

I miss her to pieces.

McCaffrey Family Labor Day 2009 - Treesdale

2009-10-15T13:22:00.021-04:00

Just a photo journal again today. Treesdale is a family estate with a private lake that we go to every chance we get. It's getting kind of gross there because no one ever uses the lake like we do, but it's still so much fun. Some of my best memories are from here when I was a kid. Countless birthday, holidays, family functions... I hope we always have Treesdale to escape to when need be.

Oktoberfest @ the Hofbräuhaus

2009-10-07T11:18:00.021-04:00

Pittsburgh, PA was recently lucky enough to be given the honor of being home of one of the four Hofbräuhaus franchises in the United States. They are currently hosting a huge Oktoberfest down in the Southside, so a bunch of us went down to celebrate. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves, needless to say, we had a blast.

Wake - Up Call

2009-10-05T12:00:00.006-04:00

This society that I live in.. this culture that consumes me and dictates my every thought has gotten the better of me. The past 2 years have been about 2 things:

1.) Getting Pregnant

2.) Being Skinny

The first became a goal - an all-consuming goal - shortly after our wedding. My husband was 36 when we got married, I was 26, and we figured we should do it quickly so we don't run out of steam when our kids need our energy most. We tried and we failed. Go HERE to read the full story. In short, my body has decided that it doesn't want to have a baby and the prospect of attempting again is too terrifying to me. So the past 9 months have been focused on me letting go of that ambition.

The 2nd and most overwhelming of all is the obsession with being skinny. This has been an issue all of my life, as I'm sure it is for most girls living in modern America. We just can't be skinny enough. After my first marriage ended I dropped an insane 40 pounds within 2 months. It was obvious the reason for it, so no one questioned, everyone understood. And I was thrilled to lose the weight. I was starting my life over, had a new perspective of the world, a new body, a new joy...

I kept off most of the weight for several years, through a very stressful relationship, but once I met my husband I grew content with my life once again. We played house, I cooked dinner every night, packed our lunches for work, always had the cabinets and fridge stocked so my husband never went without. Now I'm paying for it. I've gained 30 pounds in the 2 years we've been living together.

I look in the mirror daily with disgust at what I've become. For the past year I've been obsessed. I joined a gym, but that was taking too long. I started fasting.. drinking only protein shakes for 2 meals a day and one meal that left me wanting. My calorie intake for the majority of the summer averaged 900 calories a day... and still does. Hunger has passed me. I don't ever feel hungry anymore. I eat because I have to... because it's a necessity.

I managed to drop 7 pounds in 2 weeks. Healthy? Yeah right. But do I feel good? Heck yeah. If I can lose 7 pounds in 2 weeks that means that it will only take me one more month to get down that 30 pounds.

I thought this sounded fabulous and perfect and flawless until I stumbled upon this:

The Wild and Wily Ways of a Brunette Bombshell

Meg's testimony really hit home. I read her blog today for the first time and it opened my eyes to the reality of what I'm doing to myself... of what I've been doing to myself for the past 10 years of my life.

Now I'm trying to determine why it is so important for me to lose weight. I have to be honest with myself and I'm finding it very difficult.

I have a plan, though. Tonight I start back at the gym. I plan on making a food schedule with a pre-calculated calorie total and giving myself zero margin for adjustments.

Today I fail with food. It's almost 1pm and my consumption for the day includes only one half cup of coffee.

My reason for bringing this up is because I feel like if I share this with all of you, it will help me hold myself more accountable for my actions and my intentions. I read Meg's blog and realized that I'm not the only person on the planet dealing with these issues and I just wanted to talk about it. Just get it off my chest.

Now let's compare the me of the past and the me of the now.

Objectively I look at these and say there isn't much of a difference. Then I realize it's me I'm looking at and flaws scream at me... fuller face, thicker waist, meatier arms, wider hips... the list goes on and on.

Bottom line is, I need to change my lifestyle. That's what it's all about.. developing good habits. I start now. I'm going to lunch. Adios!

Myrtle Beach with the McCaffrey Family

2009-10-05T09:55:00.019-04:00

Wow, it's been a while since I last posted... July, now October. It's been a busy summer with lots going on, lots still about to go on. I miss being able to just ramble on here, but it's so time consuming and I feel like I get lost in this cyber-world and stop living my real life.

Anyway, I wanted to share photos from the family vaca to Myrtle Beach in August. It was my first week-long visit with my little angel of a niece, Haley.

Best Birthday Surprise Ever

2009-07-06T12:11:00.015-04:00

The original plans were for Tiffany and I to have dinner together at The Melting Pot. I noticed she was carrying a very large bag with us and I asked her what it was for. She said she had to drop off pants for her mom at her seamstress. Okay.. clue #1 that she was lying... Her mom lives in Wisconsin. Clue #2 is that she said her mom's seamstress works out of the marina.. What the heck? I knew there was a suprise waiting down there, I just had no clue what exactly it was.

It was Keith, Tracy and Todd all waiting on Keith's boat for me! There was a huge Happy Birthday sign on the back of the boat, too. So as we sailed around the Point, I got well-wishes from all the fellow boaters. Needless to say, it was the best birthday surprise ever... not to mention the ONLY surprise party anyone has been able to pull off for me. (I'm not very easy to surprise.)

The photos from that day were so priceless that I had to add captions to them. Enjoy!

We sailed around the Point and up the river to Silky's for dinner. We attempted to make it back downstream in time for the Pirate's fireworks, but that didn't happen. Oh well! We still had a blast, though... and NONE of us were drunk. Just keep that in mind.

Crazy Drunk Guy & Baby Got Back

2009-06-22T18:00:00.004-04:00

Most of you have probably already seen this on my Facebook, but I just have to put it here, too. This is a video of a crazy drunk guy at Tom's 20 year High School reunion that we went to this past weekend. Needless to say, he was my favorite part of the night. Enjoy!!!

The 3 Rivers Arts Festival

2009-06-22T16:18:00.014-04:00

One of my favorite things that June brings (besides my birthday) is The 3 Rivers Arts Festival. It's my chance to see other artists' work and say to myself, "I could SO do that"... and then go home and try.. and fail miserably. Mom and I always go together and this year, I took Dana, my sis-in-law for her first Arts Fest experience EVER. She also got to experience the trolley for the first time! Since I grew up a stone's throw from the T station, I rode it all the time. For her, growing up in Hopewell, public transportation wasn't as widely used. Anyway, it was exciting and fun!

Vespa Ride & Spaghettie Warehouse

2009-06-22T10:58:00.010-04:00

To celebrate the Penguins' Stanley Cup Victory, the Spaghetti Warehouse in Pittsburgh had a special going.. The Crosby Special, buy one lasagna, get the second for only $.87. The family decided to go so Tom and I took out the Vespa for an awesome ride into town. Of course, I'm that crazy girl on the back of the Vespa taking pictures AND texting at the same time. I'm lucky I didn't lose my phone or my camera!

I think everyone should have a Vespa. They're even fun when you get caught in the pouring rain. There's just something about a Vespa....

Riding on the Montour Trail

2009-06-10T09:40:00.008-04:00

Not much to say today, so I'll just stick with photos. We went bike riding last week with our friends and neighbors, Sara and Nevin. Since my camera goes everywhere with me, I thought I'd share some of the photos.

We hit the Montour Trail starting on Montour Run Road. I'm not sure how far we went, maybe 5 miles total? Good exercise, good friends, lots of fun. The bike trip resulted in us all decided to go on vacation together. HOPEFULLY it works out!

Bonfires and Smores!

2009-06-04T11:39:00.008-04:00

Since I practically live in the woods, my backyard hosts many a bonfire. Usually, family just shows up on weekends, we drag the grill out of the garage, make some corn on the cob and the start the fire... It's the PERFECT way to spend Pennsylvania Weekends.

Aren't' we blessed? I'm attempting to landscape our huge backyard. It's much more difficult than you'd think. I've been studying landscape architecture in an attempt to plant things in the right places with the right plants surrounding it... It's insane. I'm still working on the front yard right now... the backyard will have to wait. Let's not forget to mention how expensive plants are. I'm ready to just go for a hike in the woods and dig up all the plants that I want, put them on the quad and into my own yard.

Pittsburgh Auto Show

2009-06-02T12:47:00.007-04:00

Every year since I was a little girl my dad would take my brothers and I to the Pittsburgh Auto Show. Every year I'd collect countless posters of all the cars I dreamt of having one day and plaster them all over my bedroom walls. The most memorable was the Trans Am. Granted, I was like 8 years old and didn't realize at the time that when I would be old enough to drive the only people driving Trans Ams were Joe Dirt Mullet Sporting Rednecks in Wife Beaters and Cut Off Shorts with Tims.

I'm deifnitely not a typical girl. I played the game "Catch Phrase" once and I had to describe "V8"... the first thing that came to my mind was the size of an engine. All the guys got it and the girls said, "Why didn't you just say tomato juice??"

I'll blame this obsession on my dad. He always had Popular Mechanics laying around the house and I'd instantly go to the New Car section and read up on the latest Mercedes or the new Honda prototypes that would be at the Detroit Auto Show.

My currect car doesn't really reflect my taste. It was more of an economical purchase for me than anything. However, I do adore my 2005 Scion XA Limited Release. She's a good girl with her 38 mpg. I'd prefer something bigger than a 4 cylinder, but I suppose it's for the best. I like to drive fast.

I have another confession to make... One of the things on my bucketlist is to drive an armored vehicle. I would love to carry a gun and huge bags of money and drive a truck that is impenetrable.

Just a side note*** Isn't my mom gorgeous??

Tiffany Bozic & Ernst Haeckel

2009-06-01T14:34:00.012-04:00

I have this obsession with anatomy and marine life + art. So it's only natural that 2 of my favorite artists are Tiffany Bozic and Ernst Haeckel. My coffee table houses an entire book of Haeckel illustrations that leave me with the desire to be a mermaid. Yes, if I could be any mythical creature it would definitely be a mermaid. Between the movie Splash and The Little Mermaid, how could you NOT want to be a mermaid??

Anyway, I thought I would share this art with you because it really does make me so happy just to look at.

Kennywod Park a.k.a. Adventureland

2009-06-01T10:55:00.013-04:00

Heard of the recent flick "Adventureland"? Well, it just happened to be filmed at Kennywood... the park I spent many summer days at growing up. My family and I took a trip there a few weeks ago. This post will be mostly photos.. so enjoy! We had a blast even though it was pouring the entire time we were there.

I wish I had gotten a picture of my family on The Turtle... my Gammie with her babushka on, my aunt being squashed by her boyfriend, my mom on her cell phone... It was pretty freaking hilarious. And it was happening in the rain.

Role Model

2009-05-29T11:02:00.005-04:00

Sometimes, it's hard to see in people that you grew up with the amazing, respectable qualities that truly make them unbelievable people. It's never been hard for me to see it in my cousin, Jenny. From the time we were kids she was on top of the world. She was an amazing ballerina until high school where she gave up dance for cross country track. She'd run 8 miles at one time... always amazed me because I can hardly run a quarter mile without feeling the life being sucked out of my weak body.

Then she went off to UNCW where she studied Marine Biology and I listened to tales of catching sharks and studying them for hours... I remember her talking about being a marine biologist when we were kids at Myrtle Beach watching the dolphins dance across the waves during sunrise.

Jenny also is a missionary. Every year she's gone on at least one trip to an impoverished country to help those that need it. In her travels she quickly realized that her passion was helping these people.. not marine life. After UNCW she enrolled at UNC Chapel Hill to be a doctor. She's currently working on her masters in Public Health and then will complete her PHD. She is spending this summer in Uganda working with the CURE hospitals.

All in all, my cousin, whether she realizes it or not, is one of my biggest role models. She never stops giving. She never stops looking for ways to help people even if she herself is suffering. I admire her strength, her persistence, her endurance... her hope, her faith... all of these qualities I aspire to have just a smidgen of what she has. She's constantly challenging herself, pushing herself.

And I am so proud that I can call her family and one of my best friends.

The Wilds - Cumberland, Ohio

2009-05-28T12:37:00.007-04:00

Tom and I like to find new places to go that are close by... like day or weekend trips. We heard about The Wilds from my brother and sister-in-law. It was so great! It's like a safari in the middle of Ohio. I highly recommend going there.

It's very interesting to see the animals in their natural habitats. You drive right through like it's your front yard. The animals are fearless and will come right up to the truck to check you out. It's really a great experience for kids, too.

The grounds of the park are so unbelievably beautiful. It feels like you are in a completely different world. It's hard to believe it's just in Ohio!!

Anything Can Be Fun, Really...

2009-05-27T15:21:00.000-04:00

Anything I do with my husband is so fun. Whether it's a Vespa ride around the country-side, a trip to the zoo, a shopping trip downtown, an art festival, family dinner... As long as I'm with him, it's fun.

Tom has this problem... almost everytime he laughs, he cries. I think when he does that, I'm the happiest I could be. Not to mention that it usually makes me laugh so hard that I cry, too.

Poor guy, I'm always making fun of him. He said he never realized how funny he was until he met me. I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing!

There's no chance of me ever getting bored with Tom around. He break-dances on command or sometimes we'll even play fake-mugging to see if I could actually defend myself in a situation of the like... usually I fail miserably and end up dead in a gutter somewhere. (Hence the pepper spray, knife and brass knuckles I carry around.) I'm not allowed to use those in our simulations, though. haha

The Unbeaten Path

2009-05-27T11:42:00.000-04:00

When I was 17 I was graduating high school and making my first huge step as an adult. I decided to move to Tulsa, OK with the rest of my friends from youth group and go to Bible school. I wanted to be a youth pastor. However, in the midst of pursuing my dreams I was severely derailed when I met a guy, married him and watched my life fall apart... more like crumble to pieces like I was watching a nuclear power plant explode and level a quarter of a country while mutating every living thing in it's path. That was my life for 4 years.

One day, things came to a crashing halt when my-so-called "beloved" decided to physically harm me.

As awful as the situation was, I didn't cry. I silently thanked God for giving me a way out, a reason to leave, an excuse to break the covenant of marriage that I had sworn to protect the rest of my life. It took years for me to realize that HE was the one that broke the covenant and my leaving was a matter of self-preservation.

I hadn't fully come to understand that God was on my side through all of this until I met Tom. One day in church the pastor briefly talked about his previously failed marriage, which up to that point I had been unaware of. He led me to realize that even though the Bible talks about God hating divorce, it doesn't mean that He condemns us for it. This is what I believe... I believe that God "hates" divorce because of what it does to people, what has to occur in order for a relationship to come to that point. The only thing that divorce breeds is pain.

However, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that in some circumstances divorce is necessary. In my case, I'm not even sure I'd be alive today had I stayed in that relationship.. whether it would have ended by his hand, or my own, I can't say. I just knew I had to run and not look back.

Seeing my life now and everything I have is definite proof that I made the right choice. When I found Tom it felt like all the pieces to the puzzle of my life started clicking into place. Sure, there are missing pieces here and there but I'm not just a shattered puzzle thrown across the floor anymore.

The choice I had made so young was a bad decision. I know that. I also know that it was necessary to mold me into the person I am now, the person that Tom needs me to be, the person I am supposed to be. I don't regret one single second of my life and the consequences of my own decisions.

I try to remind myself often of the things I felt for those four years. Every time I drag up those painful emotions, it draws me closer to Tom and makes me more dependant on God. I look back and realize just how much God held me during those times. To be brutally honest... if I had relied on my own mortal strength, I would have killed myself.

I thank God daily that I had the courage to walk away from a very binding, but dangerous situation. I know that it's very hard for a lot of women to do. I left behind my life... I left behind a husband, my friends, my job... But, what God gave me in return is so so much more. And all those friends I left, I still have them.

So I have learned that no matter how badly I screw things up for myself... there is absolutely nothing that God can't fix.

Love of Nature

2009-05-26T14:48:00.000-04:00

When Tom and I first started dating, I decided to show him how tough I was and take him on a backpacking trip through the Laurel Highlands. About a mile into it I realized I was insane, but I put on a brave face and exhausted my body beyond anything it had been through before. I had stupidly chosen the first 6.5 miles of the Laurel Highlands trail which is the most difficult section of the entire 60 miles. At the time I didn't realize that it was one mile up a mountain, one mile down, one mile up, one mile down, one mile up, one mile down... in 80 degree weather with no wind. I honestly thought we were going to die out there and there would be no way for the rangers to find us in the treacherous terrain.

We made it to camp as the sun was setting.... we practically had to sprint up the last .5 mile of the mountain to make it to camp on time. I was relieved.. until about 3 am when we heard screaming in the woods. It was a blood curdling scream followed by a growl.. over and over. Now, we had chosen the most difficult section of the trail and had only seen people on the first 3 miles. After that, the path was overgrown and no humans were spotted. So I hear the screaming and I start panicking. Tom calmly shines his flashlight across the deep creek bed into the woods.. nothing. Even though I had been envisioning half demon/half human mutants scurrying between trees with glowing eyes and black saliva dripping from their mouths... I made him turn off the flashlight. I'd rather not have to see what was going to eat me alive that night. Realizing I was about to have a heart attack Tom lays back down and says, "It's just a possum, they do that sometimes." Trusting him, I laid back down and went to sleep for a few more hours.

The hike back was torture. I just wanted to be in the car with air conditioning and a bottle of Pepsi. And I never wanted Tom to know how much I felt like dying. The last 1/4 mile was more painful than any other part of the hike. It was so steep that I had to use my hands to pull my tired butt up the mountain. Finally, the truck was in sight.

After we stopped in town to get a Pepsi and I was ready to slip into unconsciousness, Tom let me know that he actually had no idea what that screaming was in the middle of the night and was just as terrified as me.

That was the moment I fell head over heels in love with him.

Huffli!

2009-05-26T11:38:00.001-04:00

Marrying into a Lebanese family brings many colorful things into my life. The food is delicious, family functions are a blast, and then there's the Huffli. This was my first Huffli. It's like a prom for arabic cultures. Not only was there delicious Lebanese cuisine, but we had live Lebanese music, too! Amin Sultan entertained and got the crowd so wound up that we danced for hours.

I even took a stab at the traditional Lebanese dancing in the circle thingy. Unfortunately, I couldn't quite get it and some guy tried to teach me, but got frustrated and left me alone after that. haha! So my sister-in-law, Dana, took over and taught me the basics. It's so fun and overwhelming at the same time. The Palestinians had me awe-struck. I had never seen dancing like that before in my life. All that us americans have to offer is a little booty-shaking and some robot-ing. I was a sad comparison to them.

Needless to say, I cannot wait for the next Huffli to come around!

Sweet Little Angel

2009-05-26T10:04:00.000-04:00

March 3, 2009 - My sweet little neice, Haley, was born. I so anticipated her arrival. She's the first baby in our family (to one of us kids). I met her for the first time over Easter weekend and instantly I fell in love with her. She never cries (except when she's hungry, of course)... she coos all the time, smiles in her sleep... She's just too much for me. I love her to pieces. Unfortunately, a job took my brother, Pat, and his wife, Jen, along with Haley away from the east coast out to Memphis, TN. It's too far. I hoped they would move to Pittsburgh, but I suppose this will have to do.

Haley is the first grandchild for my mom. She's so excited! Doesn't she look way too young to be a grandmother???

It's hard to believe that my baby brother is a dad now. He's a WONDERFUL dad, though. And Jen is an amazing mom. This little angel couldn't have 2 better parents.

I only wish I could see them more.

The Matriarch

2009-05-21T15:39:00.001-04:00

This is my grandma, Gammie. (And my awesome Aunt Laurie). Yesterday was her birthday! We (including our entire church) refer to her as The Matriarch. She's almost 80 years (not quite) and still working. She works at the Baptist Homes helping take care of the sick and elderly, spending time with them talking, playing games. She also is the head of pastoral care at our church. On top of all that, she leads what is called "Prayer Group" on Wednesday mornings. The same exact group of people have been meeting every Wednesday for the past 50 years. Honestly, she's the most amazing woman I have ever known. While my grandfather was sick, for 6 years she nursed him at home until he died. She never left him, never faltered in her faith and never let any of us see any weakness. Because of her, we never faltered in our faith either. She truly is the backbone of this family.

Now don't get me wrong, she's got her little funny things, too! Like that time she ate a piece of rabbit poop thinking it was a chocolate chip... or the time at Kennywood that she got so upset because the lemonade stand said that they had no lemonade when she had in fact asked for "Fresh Squeezed Iced Tea".... She's a good sport, putting up with our constant laughter.

Gammie, I love you! And happy birthday!

The Stars Align For You And Me

2009-05-21T13:32:00.001-04:00

Everyone has (or should have) someone that makes them smile no matter how awful they feel or how bad of a day they've had. That's what Tom is for me. He makes me laugh more than anyone else I know and I always look forward to hanging out with him even if it's just to watch a DVR'd show we missed a few weeks back.

Yesterday was a terrible day for me. There was stuff going on at work that should have never happened and somehow I was caught in the middle of it all. I came home completely discouraged and drained. After a quick nap, Tom took me to the mall where I indulged myself with a Philly Chicken and then bought some wonderfully comfy hoodies at Gap Body. It was so nice to not think about work. And what an awesome husband.. he takes me shopping when I'm sad :)