Today, last year...

we were headed to Mexico... ::: sigh :::

Booked!

We have booked our anniversary trip. Woohoo! It's almost inconceivable that our anniversary is only 1 week away. At this time last year we were preparing for a fabulous 2 weeks on a Mexican beach. Ahhh, memories of relaxing in the sun, reading on beachbeds with my new husband, enjoying drinks at the swim-up bar and delicious all-inclusive meals come flooding back to me. Paradise. This year, we're preparing for a weekend in Philadelphia. Okay, so it's not quite as exotic, or relaxing, or sunny and warm... but we're staying small scale this year. And I'm stoked about it.
We've been trying to get reservations for this one restaurant in the city for any imaginable reason to celebrate within the past year to no avail. Each time we tried, they offered us reservations at 9:15 pm or later. With an hour commute back home afterwards, that's just not going to work. So this time, we're staying. That is, we're staying at the Omni Hotel at Independence Park, which most importantly is in a fabulous location... right near all the historic sites, a block from our restaurant, (yay for no designated driver, no taxi, AND no public transportation!) and is within walking distance to many cool bars so that we may entertain ourselves after our 5:15 dinner reservation. Yes, this time they gave us the choice between 5:15 and 9:15.

And here is the restaurant....
Amada. It's an authentic Spanish tapas restaurant. I've heard only rave reviews of this place, and you know how I adore all things 'spain'. Be still my heart.

Now we just need to find something to do with the rest of the evening. Because even with the Spanish flava, I can't imagine a meal beginning at 5:15pm going too long into the night. So if there are any Philly natives reading... suggestions, por favor!

Calling it quits...

Growing up, smoking was the norm. We never sat in the non-smoking section. Cigarette breaks were a necessity. At Disney World, we sought out the designated 'smoking areas' more than the rides. I never really noticed the way that smoke permeates and lingers... in your hair, on your clothes, in your car, throughout your home. My parents smoked for 30 years. My Dad was up to 2+ packs a day. There was a constant battle between the will and the desire to quit smoking. They tried many times to quit... the patch, the gum, this strange clip in the ear thingy (was the clip pain supposed to distract from the desire to quit? I'm not sure.) Nothing worked.

Two years ago they made a decision. They were going to quit smoking. When I first heard that they were planning on going to a hypnotist, I admit that I was skeptical. Okay... I thought they were completely insane. As they explained it, it was more of a deep concentration, rather than the 'you are getting sleepy' kind of hynotism that I had imagined. They left that seminar with plenty of information and tapes that they were to listen to and reinforce to themselves that they were now, 'happy and healthy non-smokers.' And they still are...

I just want to let my parents know how incredibly proud I am that they were able to beat one of the toughest addictions out there. I know that the past two years haven't always been easy. But you've done it. And I am so happy for you both. Congratulations on your past 2 smoke-free years. I love you!

Luring...

Our first addition to our garden. It is the middle of winter, so all other gardening will have to wait a few months. I just love our new bird feeder. It's even my favorite color. Now that the cats are finally becoming adjusting to our new house and are not quite as terrified, they've taken to sitting in the front window. We thought they'd love being able to birdwatch, but there's one major roadblock... no birds! I know that there are birds around, as evidenced by the photo below, (can you even see the little birds nest in there?)... but we have yet to see a bird at our feeder. What's the deal? Why are they shunning our bird feeder? This weekend I took some of our seed and made a trail leading right up to our bird feeder to attempt to lure the birds to the goods. And it worked. Kind of. We saw a birdie hopping around out there, following the happy trail of seeds. And though he never made it to the actual bird feeder, I like to think that it was only because he was frightened away before he had a fair chance by Chloe's barking at the neighbors. Maybe next time, little guy...

Semi-annual trip...

to the MOVIES! We don't get to go too often... we're more the rent-a-movie type. I tease Kev that we keep it as a semi-annual event. Honestly, I can't even remember the last movie that we saw in the theater. Sad, isn't it? As much as I enjoy going to the movies, it's just so nice to settle down on the couch, fire a'burnin, with some wine and a movie. And I really felt old as I typed that.

Juno was amazing. We both loved it... I won't give a recap as I'm sure that everyone else has already seen it, but if you haven't yet... GO SEE IT. It rocks.

Focus into 2008...

This was the topic of last week's Photo of the Day challenge. I jumped in on the last day. Most everyone posted New Year's resolutions, but we all know that resolutions are made to be broken. I do have a few goals that I'd like to accomplish in 2008...

1. Be healthy - hence the photo above. I've fallen off the proverbial horse recently. I'm determined to be more active and change my diet. A big problem is that the gym is boring me to tears recently. Lucky for us, my wonderfully thoughtful Aunt sent us some UnderArmor for Christmas... so now we have no excuse not to get out there, even in the cold, and bike, run, snowboard, do anything but be lazy. We took our bikes out this weekend and rode 17.25 miles. And it was so refreshing.

2. Begin my journey into domesticity - My husband will love this one. He has challenged me to cook one meal a week. Baby steps people, baby steps...

3. Focus on my photography - I'm going to try to learn all that I can this year. I've already registered for a few classes and seminars and I have quite a few intimidating books on my 'to-read' pile. And most of all, I need a lot of PRACTICE. So if you have some willing models, you know who to call.

4. Make decent progress on our home renovation list - We've already repainted the office. Next we'd like to put down hardwood in the office to replace a hideous green carpet. Then we'd like to redo the powder room downstairs. The previous homeowners seem to have thought that wallpaper border looks good in EVERY room of the house. Blech.

And what better way to close than to share some photos of Chloe from this weekend... who's idea of heaven involves a thin slice of winter sunlight, let in by the front door...

A Christmas gift...

From the hubster. Do you know what it is? Okay, it's probably not too tricky. It's an ELEPHANT! To hold our rings. I admit, I've been known to misplace jewelry. Simply misplace, definitely not lose. I love this. And I love that in this shot you can see me taking the photo in multiple places on the elephant... though you probably can't tell here.
And the girl... She looks to be fully recovered and back to her mischievous ways. She has perfected the 'innocent' face...

Poor, sick girl...

Doesn't she look so pitiful? She was acting very strange the other morning... lethargic, not wanting to eat, trembling. Luckily Kev already had off work so he took her to the vet. We will not go into her typical misbehavings in the vet's waiting room... let's just say, that place makes her mean. The vet thinks she has pulled/strained something in her neck. She wouldn't let the vet turn her head to the left. She's been put on some medication, which is good and bad... Good because she seems to not be hurting anymore, but bad because she seems to have forgotten the pain quite quickly, and has resumed her normal, hyperactive behavior even though she's supposed to be resting and recovering. Tomorrow will be the true test of her recovery. Today was her last day of pain meds so we'll see how she does when she's not doped up...