Best Dad, Ever!

It’s funny how the minute I set foot in my parent’s house, I revert back to my teenage self. Somehow, my ability to pick up after myself disappears, I need someone to make food for me and I expect someone to be waiting up for me when I come in at night. After a weekend at my parents, it amazes me that I can still function as an adult in “real life.”

I was already planning to head up to my parents house this weekend (I do that a lot when Matt works nights) so when I found myself needing help making a bean bag toss for a work event, I knew exactly who to ask for help. After a quick briefing on what I needed to be done, dad and I headed up to the Home Depot to get the supplies we (I use the term loosely, since he did most of the work) needed to do my new project.

Being that my dad is really good woodwork projects, I knew this simple project would be a breeze for him. Only took him a few hours to put together this nifty children’s game. I must say, he did a great job!

Dad putting together the game :)

He sent me home to do the painting myself…hopefully after a few more coats it will look really good!

I'm not the best painter... haha

Lacing Up…Let the Countdown Begin!

So, if you don’t already know…I’ve signed up to run a half marathon this spring!  I’m really excited to be training for a longer, more intense race, but honestly it’s hard to stay motivated this time of year.  During the fall it was easy to go out and run.  Coming out of the humid summer months, going out for a 4 mile run was no big deal.  The days were still fairly long and the weather was beautiful.  Now that we’re in the middle of winter (and yes, I know it hasn’t been too bad) I am really finding it hard to go out and run more than a mile or two.  Maybe on a weekend I can force myself to go out and run further, but after work, it’s just not happening.  I have found myself really procrastinating those long runs…it’s ok, I can get to it next week.  But here I am, less than 2 months out, and I’m totally not ready!!  I know I still have time, but it’s becoming a little nerve racking!

The race is on St. Patty’s day (the most awesome fun holiday ever!) so I think it’s time to start a double count down. 

Regardless of how I do at the race… only 43 days until it’s time for a Green Beer!

Hello of Shame

I’m sure I’m not the only one who has decided they didn’t like someone (pretty much for no reason) and then realized some time down the road that maybe their initial judgment was off base.  I find myself in that situation.  A few years ago I decided I didn’t like someone, and although at the time all of my feelings seemed perfectly justified, now I just feel silly.  The worst part? She actually seems really nice…

So I find myself in that awkward situation, where I have to introduce myself to someone (who is very aware of how I feel about her) and basically apologize for being rude and obnoxious for the past several years for no apparent reason.  I keep asking myself is this is just another fun part of being an adult, you know, fixing mistakes you made when you were younger…but I have a feeling (especially with my personality) that I should just try and learn from the situation and remember it next time I  jump to conclusions about someone I don’t even know.

So here’s what I’m thinking “Hi, I’m Erin. I’m not sure we ever actually met, but I wanted to apologize for being a total B for the past few years…”  I can’t imagine this is going to be fun, haha.

One More Wedding!

How could I forget?! There is another very special wedding this year! My long time friend, Kate is marrying her boyfriend (now fiancé) Marshall! Kate is an amazing photographer and a really creative individual, I'm so excited to see the photos of her big day!

2012 – Exciting Things are Coming!

It’s funny how life changes so quickly.  It seems like just yesterday we were all graduating from high school, and now look how much has changed.  2012 is just starting but somehow I’m already so excited for all of the fantastic things that are coming this year!  It’s only January, and already I know three people who are getting married (or at least got engaged!) in 2012.  One of my very special girl friends, Tasha, is getting married to my college friend Ryan.  I’m so excited to be  bridesmaid in their wedding!  Matt’s friend Mike is marrying his perfect match, Kelly and Matt’s other great friend Chad, just proposed to his beautiful girlfriend, Becca.  Now, you might say I’m a sap for love, but my goodness all this happiness just makes me giddy! I can’t wait to celebrate with all my friends! Oh…and if you know the song… “first comes love, then comes marriage….” I can imagine that at least someone will have a baby in 2012. I mean 2011 had three new babies, so I’m sure 2012 will have at least one too. (For the record, I’m not preggers!)

2011 - I’ll Miss You!

2011 has been a very exciting year for me and for many people who are important in my life. I have to say, I think 2011 has been my one of my favorite years in a while. Here are just a few of the highlights!

January: I started my new job in January. So far, I really love it here. I’ve made some great new friends and have really seen my skill set improve.

March: My mom turned the big six-oh in March. Although March was a really tough month (I won’t get into it)…I will try and focus on the good things that happened. I hope I’m as spunky as Mary Sell when I turn 60!

April : One of my good friends, and co-workers, Shelly got married in April. I absolutely love weddings, and I love that I got to celebrate with Shelly!

Shelly and me at her wedding!

May: We finally got around to painting our house in May.  I love how it looks! It’s amazing how a little color can really make a house feel like home.

Clearly I was working hard on painting...

June: The wedding festivities really kicked off for me in June. I had my “Bel Air” bridal shower in late June and it was really fantastic. Everyone who helped put it together did a fabulous job!



Cari, Megan, Me and Hope at my first Bridal Shower

July: In July, my best friend Megan got married. It was amazing to be a part of such a special day for her and her hubby Ray. I’m so happy for them!! Did I mention I love weddings?!

Me and the Lovely Bride!

August: August was really a continuation of all of the wedding festivities. I started the month with a crazy Bachelorette Party in Ocean City, MD. After hitting the beach all day, my girlfriends and I headed out for a night on the town (and on the bus!) Not only did I have an awesome Bachelorette Party, but I also had another Bridal Shower in August. The ladies of St. Mary’s through me a lovely shower!

The ladies at the beach!



I was super tacky!



Cari, Megan, Me, Missy and Hope at my St. Mary's Shower

September: September was really the biggest month for me. After all the planning and activities, I finally tied the knot. Not only did I have the wedding of my dreams, but I got to marry my best friend, Matt. I don’t think it gets much better than that! I have to admit, I was a little sad that my other best girlfriend, Christine wasn’t able to attend my wedding. Her absence tho, was for good reason. At almost the exact same time I was getting married, Christine was giving birth to a beautiful baby boy, Oscar. September really was the best month, EVER! Oh, and I forgot to mention I went on my honeymoon in September. Making the month even better!!

One of my wedding favorites!

December: As many brides do, I decided I needed to lose weight before my wedding. Instead of joining a gym, I decided to start running. Since I started running in the Spring, I have really come a long way. In early December, I completed my first 15k (a little over 9 miles). Although I was pretty wiped when I finished it, I managed to run the entire thing, no walking, in 1 hour 42 minutes. Not too bad for my first really long race! I have since signed up for a half marathon… hopefully it goes well!

Me, Diane and her friend Jen, before the Hot Chocolate 15k!

Like I said, 2011 has been a pretty great year for me. It’s wonderful to see all of the people in my life moving on to such great things. It’s time like this, when I can really be thankful for everything and everyone around me. Happy New Year!!


On Happy Holidays...

Every week I read Post Secret. It’s a blog where people can send ‘post cards’ with an anonymous secret, and the best of the bunch make it on the site. I saw this particular secret, and decided it summed up all my feelings on the “happy holidays” issue…