Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Strauss!

On Sunday, I got to witness two of our friends tie the knot. Unfortunately, Matt wasn't able to make it - we were up until 4am the night before, visiting the hospital... he got awful, awful food poisoning! So while he slept and recuperated, I traveled down to the Berkley Plaza to see Marisa and Eric become Mr. and Mrs.

The wedding itself was beautiful. I'd never been to a Jewish ceremony before, and found it to be touching and very personal. They both looked so amazingly happy - and I cried! The reception was very nice as well - so much amazing food at the cocktail hour (kudos to Marisa for choosing hummus - a must have when we get together!) and the dinner was lovely, too. Overall, just a sweet and wonderful time. May you have a lifetime of happiness and joy!

My pictures are here.

BackPost 7/12/08: Jenny Leaves Again!

My dear friend Jenny came back to the US to live/work while her husband, Will, was on his third tour with the Army. We had some good times and many cups of coffee... an addiction for both of us!
His tour is just about over (thank God!) and she had to go back to Italy... but before she went, we wanted to hang out one last time, at Cafe Archetypus. Such fun! I'll miss her a lot!

UPDATE: Jenny Will are coming back for a quick visit once Will gets home.... hurray! I'll get to see her at the end of August!

Pictures are here.

BBQ Family Fun!

On June 1st, we went to a family barbecue at my sister's house. We hadn't seen anyone in a while, so it was good to see everyone and catch up. I had a chance to take a few pictures, especially of the youngest ones. It's not comprehensive, by any means, but several pics in the album were taken by my niece, Kaela. Enjoy!

BBQ at the Donovan's

Prom Queen?

We enjoyed the prom on Friday. It was loud and crazy with kids dancing up a storm. We were going to do the traditional prom thing and head to the shore, but it didn't quite work out, which ended up being fine. If you're interested in pictures they are in my online album along with the few pictures I took on our anniversary when we went to the opening night of the NJ Shakespeare Theatre's production of Comedy of Errors. (It was excellent, and a great surprise from my sweetheart!)

Photography Update

I've been very lax in uploading pictures lately... partially because my new camera's card doesn't fit into the reader on my laptop! But that's no excuse, really. :)

Here are a few updates from recent events:

Easter: We were at my sister's house and enjoyed a great meal and family time. Matt brought these cool balloon-pinwheel things and we played with them outside with my niece and nephew. There was also some fierce Wii playing in the basement after dinner... but all in good fun!

Watkins Glen trip: Here are the long-ago promised pics of the trip, including the visit to the Krispy Kreme store!

Lastly, this past weekend we went to the Grover Cleveland Birthplace - a part of the NJ Parks Passport to Adventure Program. It was a nice visit, complete with an extremely extensive tour/lecture from the volunteer on duty. She was an interesting lady, who had been a high school history teacher, college professor/administrator, involved in town politics (we guess Mayor from the sticker on her car) and now volunteer historian. The house isn't large, but we actually stood in the room that Grover Cleveland was born in. He is the only president that has been born in NJ, although he lived most of his life in NY and elsewhere. It was a lovely spring day and we enjoyed ourselves, not only visiting the house, but wandering in the area, going to a book sale, and getting some lunch as well. A nice little local adventure! Pictures are here!

Like, OMG!

On Friday, May 16th, I'm heading to my second prom. I only went to one in high school (my senior prom) but not because I didn't want to... because I had no one to go with. I went to one other formal in HS... the Holiday Ball (again senior year), but that was it. We didn't do casual/semiformal dances. Then in college it was worse!! I wanted to go to the formals (each year at Christmastime, known as "Turner Hill" for the location or "The dance formally known as Turner Hill" when the venue changed) but again.... I was cursed with no date - which was the theme of college for me! How sad I sound!

But now I get to go with a really good date... my high-school (teaching) sweetheart! We'd talked about it before, but the other day when I came to visit him at school, Matt asked me to the prom. I shrugged and said, "Whatever" in true high-schooler form. :)

I'm really excited to go! It's going to be so much better than my prom, which was cursed with sadness, rain, drama... all on a Friday the 13th. I don't have to worry about all of the stupid stuff or what other girls are wearing or how my hair looks. I can go and have a good time observing the silliness of high schoolers in a tradition that spans the test of time.

He, he! I'm going to the prom, I'm going to the prom!

Christmas Vacation... part 2: Christmas!

Christmas was nice this year. On Christmas Eve, Matt and I went to the service at church and then back to my house for dinner with my parents - yum! On Christmas Day, I was home with Mom and Dad, eating French toast, opening presents, relaxing, then it was off to have dinner with Matt and his parents at their house. It was a really nice day.

Santa was good to me - I got some lovely gifts, including a massage (well, a gift certificate for one, anyway!), a date with my mom to go and see Audra McDonald in April (Yay!), and a Zune, already loaded with some of my music! Woo hoo! (Sneaky Matt, stealing my CDs!)

All in all, two very good days. Hope your Christmas was just as Merry! :)

Click here for more photos.

Ten years

I went to my high school reunion last night. To quote a song of the time, "How bizarre. How bizzare, how bizarre."

My sweet Matt came with me, despite the fact that he knew no one there but me!
(Doesn't this picture look like we're going to the prom or something?)

It was strange - some people looked very much the same, some better, and some were not so recognizable! Funny to see people working the room, yet still mostly associating with their same cliques... I sat with more musical people, a lot of the popular ones were together, jocks, etc. I guess some things never change, eh?? It was good to have gone, though - fun to see what people are up to. Here are a few... the only pictures taken with my camera!


Nadia, who I've known since we were five!!


Christina, musical and athletic, who now teaches Phys.Ed in Ohio


More of the music nerds (er...gang) - Dave, me, Danae and Ken


Danae, Meghan and Me

It's funny to have gone, and such a rush of memories. Some great, some I had forgotten, some I wish I didn't remember! It was good to touch base with some of the people of my past, and also wonder about some others I hoped/thought I might see. I went through the yearbook after I got home. So surreal. That was me. In so many ways I am exactly the same, yet in others I am so different - but then again, do we ever turn out the way we thought we would?

Medication, Mango Sauce and Multiple Birthdays!

Sick again. Grr. More medication, more rest. Blah. I should be at Marisa's house tonight to celebrate her birthday. But I'm at home. But I did get some beautiful flowers, mango sauce and a happy movie from my sweetheart. Yay!

By the way....

This week finds two of my friends celebrating the anniversary of the day they were born! Marisa was on the 4th and Peter is today! Happy Birthday to you both! Enjoy the year!

Two "Matt" Announcements

Big lifestyle-changing things have been going on in Matt's world recently - it's all very exciting!

I've already told you about the new job. Hurray! I know he will be a great teacher. :)

The next thing? A new car!

A very shiny fancy Jaguar, to be exact!! He stumbled upon this by chance and was able to get a great deal. (Even though he bought it from a dealer, it was strange to find out that the previous owner lives a few blocks away from him! Small world! ) His good 'ol Hyundai had well over 100,000 miles and was starting to demand a lot of costly repairs, so it was time for something newer and more reliable. We tease him about his "Fancy Car," but it is really quite nice. :)

And not to be left out... he's moving!

This cottage belongs to the church we have been attending. He'll be renting the house and will adopt the title of groundskeeper. He hasn't moved in yet, but we have been measuring and will paint before he does. Once we can scare up a few sticks of furniture (even Ikea is looking pricy!) there will be a housewarming party! It's very charming, but also quite old - even older than the church (1880!). It is small, but I think with time and creativity it will be quite cozy. My mind is whirring with lots of ideas as to how to make it warm and inviting while stretching every dollar as far as it can go!

Big things! Now if we can just get married, life will completely go on its head! ;)

Picture highlights from a few events

I uploaded an album with some pictures from a few recent rambustifications.... Enjoy!

Father's day....



A day trip to Pequest Fish Hatchery and Jenny Jump State Park...

Dad's Birthday at Mt. Fuji*

*Notice my RED hair? I decided to do a temporary change... it was interesting to be a redhead!

junefourteenth on the twenty-first

I never got around to posting about my birthday. Actually, I never got around to posting about Matt's birthday, either! Partially, that's because I still haven't had a chance to take him on his birthday adventure, and I had a concert on the actual night! Matt came along to the concert, and I surprised him by having my chorus sing "Happy Birthday" for him. Once we do get to go out, there will be mention of it, of course. And pictures, too. :)

So... my birthday. On the actual day, I worked, of course, and then we had dinner with my parents.

Then, on Saturday, we went to dinner at the Melting Pot. It was a bit of a joint celebration for both of us, and we certainly enjoyed ourselves! Asian inspired cheese fondue, salad, a feast of all sorts of meat in a coq au vin cooking sauce, and "flaming turtle" chocolate fondue (oh, joy!! happy dance!).

I got a very amazing gift, too. Certainly a surprise in itself - something he should not have done... but it is lovely! (in pink!) I think that the first words out of my mouth when I opened the box - in the middle of the restaurant - were, "You are insane!"

So, yeah. All in all it was a good Birthday.








(pictures from both celebrations)

Quick Update

I don't really have time for a big post, but here is a long-overdue post on Memorial Day Weekend. On the whole it was just a relaxing time... nothing too stressful. :) Just the way I like it.
We ended up leaving to go down the shore late Saturday night. On Sunday, we hung out. The boys did some power washing, we went to the supermarket, ate pizza, had some fun. Sunday, Matt, Dana, David and I went to Point Pleasant and played mini-golf and hung out on the boardwalk a little. On Monday, we all barbecued together and chilled out. A good time was had by all. :)

all pics are here.

Graduation Party for Sean

My nephew Sean's graduation from high school was on Sunday. Due to the fact that they only got a few tickets, I didn't get to attend... but we did get to go to the party! :)

It was great to see everyone and celebrate. There was a ton of people there, good food, amazing cake and fun times, even when the rain sent us all inside!

I made sure that Sean was equipped with a college essential. I don't think they let you graduate unless you've eaten some ramen!

Congratulations, Sean! Best of luck as you head to higher education... and have a fantastic time in Italy! I'm very jealous!!! :)
(Other pics are here.)

a Great Adventure, indeed!

On Sunday, my friend Jenny celebrated her quarter-century birthday. She and Will are home on leave for two weeks and we were invited to meet them for a celebration at Great Adventure! What fun! We brought Jenny a tiara and some party hats for the rest of the crew.

The day started out very cloudy and rainy, which kept many people away - a great thing, especially when the sun decided to come out in the afternoon! We rode a bunch of rides and got to "meet" a ton of characters...

One downer.... or perhaps it is an upper? The six of us got imprisoned on the ferris wheel! We were on there for over a half-hour, twice stuck at the top, looking down at the people, 15 stories below, as the wind whipped around the cars. It was so not cool. When we got off, we complained. Usually, it doesn't do anything... but in this case they actually listened and hooked us up... with Cold Stone!

Happy Birthday, Jenny! Hope you had fun!

Valentine's Day Celebration

Valentine's Day 2007

For Valentine's Day, I made Matt his "February Cookie of the Month" - Carrot Cake Cupcakes (He got a homemade "C.O.M. Club" from me for Christmas, which included cake and brownies and the like.). With the snow day, I was able to take time to make the frosting and do some decorating. They turned out pretty well, I think!

We ended up having a very quiet V-Day celebration. We got takeout from the really great local Italian place and had a picnic on my floor and just hung out, which was good.

Today, a FedEx truck brought a box for me at school... with beautiful roses and chocolates! :) They were delayed a day due to the school being closed - but that doesn't matter in the least, as they are very lovely!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Wishing everyone a Happy Valentine's Day!
(or as the kids call it, Valentimes Day!)

I even got a Valentine from work... No school today! Yippee! Hope you all have a wonderful day... for most of us, it's a crummy day outside - be sure to snuggle inside with your sweetie!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox