Happy New Year!

Day: One Hundred and Fifty Two

Photo taken on Friday, December 31, 2010 at Grillfire in Merrick, NY at 835pm. (Pictured after myself, Jenn, Mike, Chris Reed, Kristen, Jess, behind her our waitress, Paul, and Steve)

I usually don't do anything for New Year's Eve ever since going off to college. I try to keep it low key and drinkie free (since I am terribly over-affectionate when buzzed) so I can enjoy the night and get home safely. This year Jenn invites us out to dinner and of course I accept (even before running it by my husband). I am really glad I did because we are having a damn good time at the table.

After eating myself into a food coma, we head back to Jenn & Mike's to finish up 2010 with the best movie imaginable: Oh! My Zombie Mermaid (courtesy of Jess). Words cannot describe the awesomeness of this movie.

Hanging out with these wonderful peeps is definitely the right way to ring in the New Year!

Holy Schnikes!

Day: One Hundred and Fifty One

 Photo taken on Thursday, December 30, 2010 in the kitchen (obviously, where else would my stove be?) at 1159.

The first time I look up from the puzzle it's 1107. I shrug and think to myself, 'eh, I got some time to take the selfer.' The next time I look up it's 1159! I start scrambling around, trying to find my camera before the minute is up, and luckily I make it!

Phew! That was a close one!

Hour Shower

Day: One Hundred and Fifty

Photo taken on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 in the living room at 1058pm.

When I am a wee one, I come bounding out of bath time one night and right up to Grandma Raab, waving my water-wrinkled fingers in front of her face. "Look Grahm! I'm just like you!" Looking back on it now, not such a nice thing to say, but I was five and had no filter and thought that was a perfectly normal thing to blurt out in conversation. I was a water rat all my life: pool, beach, bath, didn't matter what type of water it was you had to pull me out kicking and screaming. Now as an adult, I still love the beach and pool but I HATE showering. I may hate it but let me assure you, I take them daily.

My shower is a little different than yours. Where yours is a decent amount of time and relaxing, mine is long and torturous. Don't let my acne fool you (since it's caused by stress and constant heel-of-my-palm tapping), my hygiene routine is thorough and excessive. My worst compulsions are in the shower so everyday it's a battle I have to fight with myself to get in there. Once I'm in there, it is at least one hour before I am done. My friend, Mike M., once asked me if I ever have "fun" in the shower to which I replied, "the shower is a place of business." I'm too methodical to enjoy a shower: every turn is calculated and done the same each time, I wash my body parts in order, I shave a certain amount of strokes, I repeat the same hand patterns to get soap out of my hair well after the soap is out of my hair. If ever I start doing something out of order or God forbid, turn a different way, I have to start over (this rarely happens). Even Steve has become part of the showering process. When he's in there with me, he has to pass me a certain way facing a certain way or I freak. I think he's become so accustomed to it that he now showers the way I do.

Once the shower is over, the lotions, face meds, astringents, and moisturizers start. I have five different lotions for my body and three acne steps that follow. There have been some days that I break down crying because I am so tired of this routine but it's so imbedded in me that I can't stop. If I try to stop, the obsessional thoughts start up and then I find myself back to square one. I've been shaving every day since the age of 12. No joke. Every. Day. Sure we all miss a shower some days but I have make-up showers. I'll do two the next day and shave twice. It's sick I know, but I wanted to share why I take so long to get ready and still look like crap. It's not about looking good, it's about feeling clean enough to leave the bedroom.

A Million Little Pieces

Day: One Hundred and Forty Nine

Photo taken on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 in the dining area at 1137pm.

Maybe it is because the kids at Genesis did a lot of puzzles around us but Steve and my second date consists of puzzle-making. We still argue to this day about what was pictured in the puzzle, I say it was a cat he says it was a dog but at least we both agree that it was a red trash can that it was popping out of. Since then we have made four 1,000 piece puzzles and a 500 piece Waldo one which was so freaking hard. When our power went out on Sunday we started our first 2,000 piecer (well, what else can you do in a blackout?) and so far we've completed half of it. This one I'm going to hang in my office because it's a cartoon version of NYC so I think everyone would enjoy checking it out. But right now I'm hell bent on finishing this sucker that my sleep deprivation level is skyrocketing and my social life is suffering.

Cabin Fever

Day: One Hundred and Forty Eight

Photo taken on Monday, December 27, 2010 in the Walt Whitman Mall parking lot at 741pm.

Bossdad made the call last night that the Surge would be officially closed today. I didn't even get the chance to do my "Annoy Dad" routine before he called it. Every time it snows I phone him and ask if he will close the Surge and he always tell me, "It has to snow 8 inches for us to close."

I usually wait two minutes and call him back. "What about 7.5 inches?"

"Nope, 8 inches."

Two minutes later I call again. "What about 7 and 3/4 of an inch? Would you close then?"

"Nope. It has to be 8 inches." The fact that he even entertains this with an answer anymore is beyond me but yesterday he makes the call before I can. So being that Maeve, Steve, and I have been in our respective houses for four days straight now, we need to get out! We're going stir crazy! When I suggest a late lunch to Fridays, Maeve counters with Cheesecake Factory, and the next thing we know, Chris Reed is at the table with us and we're enjoying cheesecake. We are so immersed in our own world that we don't notice any commotion around us until they wheel a gurney past our table. Apparently a girl fell backwards out of her chair and hit her head. I'm sure she's okay because I didn't hear any screaming as she is pushed along to the door.

Afterward we hit the mall even though half the stores are closed due to weather and Maeve and I reminisce about the time in senior year when half the power in the mall went out for a few days. She was so jealous that Jean Country (the store I worked at) was closed because we had no light yet her side of the mall she worked on (J. Crew) was in perfect functioning order. I think they had to close St. Anthony's too. I was a very lucky individual that week and enjoyed my free time, that is, until the power was restored.

We hit up Macy's and Sephora and even let Steve walk around Game Stop for a bit. We then conclude the evening by trekking back to the car for some snow pictures and laughs. I am definitely happy to have gotten out today!

Save the cheerleader, save the world.

Day: One Hundred and Forty Seven

Photo taken on Sunday, December 26, 2010 in the living room at 535pm.

There really isn't much to do today being that we are snowed in at the moment so I'm strutting around the apartment in the snuggie that Jenn got me for Christmas. I feel very superhero-ish and important. Hopefully nothing life threatening happens because I can't go out to save the world in this kind of weather while in this kind of outfit. That's just craziness.

Earl Hickey

Day: One Hundred and Forty Six

Photo taken on Saturday, December 25, 2010 in the living room at 1011pm.

Christmas day is coming to a close. It was a day of watching movies and TV(our picks were Inception and Lie To Me Season Two), playing games (Milles Bourne), and eating stuff that is not good for you (cold pizza, brownies, cookies, pizza rolls, chips, buffalo wing pretzels, cheese doodles, and Pillsbury Savorings).

I hope everyone had a very Merry!

The Reeds

Day: One Hundred and Forty Five

Photo taken on Friday, December 24, 2010 in the kitchen area at 906pm. (Pictured after my large head is front row Steve, Patti, and Kristen, then back row Nick, Jim, and Chris Reed)

We are celebrating Christmas Eve with Steve's immediate family this year and we're having a grand time! Patti made Steve one of his favorites (deviled eggs) which I am really glad she did because I can't come within 15 feet of mustard without gagging. I feel bad I can't make them for him so he just settles for store bought Sour Patch Kids. After devouring the best Smithtown pizza out there (Buona Sera of course!) we break out the chocolate pudding pie I have mastered (not too hard, Jeanette taught me the wonders that is instant pudding), the yummy cookies Kristen made, and the delish brownies Patti whipped up. I think eating feel-good food is one of my favorite parts of the holiday season, especially when sharing it with nice company!

He sees you when you're sleeping...

Day: One Hundred and Forty Four

Photo taken on Thursday, December 23, 2010 in the living room at 1120pm.

A few years back, Moma gives Steve and I a bunch of Christmas decorations and serving platters to help make our annual Wing Party more festive (don't worry, the Wing Party has just been pushed later this winter that's all, it's still happening...eventually). The only decoration Steve doesn't "get" is the large decapitated Santa head. To me this is normal since we had one on our family tree since I was a kid but Steve is kind of frightened by it (kind of like me and Birthday Bear).

Converse Universe

Day: One Hundred and Forty Three

Photo taken on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 in the Time Out Room at 716pm.

I'm a total sneaker whore. I have seriously worn sneakers with any type of outfit: from shorts to skirts, suits to gowns, and even under my wedding dress as I am getting ready for the big day. I just don't see the need to torture myself in high heels when a pair of sneaks can do just fine. Don't get me wrong, I'll wear heels when it calls for it and look killer in them (thanks thousands of miles run!) but as I'm leaving that fancy restaurant, you might catch me changing out of those heels and into a pair of Nikes as I drive off into the sunset.

Dream Weaver

Day: One Hundred and Forty Two

Photo taken on Wednesday, December 21, 2010 in my comfy bed at 1131pm.

I am just drifting off to sleep when I realize I forgot to take my selfer today. In the darkness I fumble around for my camera on my nightstand and go to take the picture. I have to close my eyes the flash is so bright. And yes those are penguins and polar bears on my flannel sheets. Yes, that totally reminds me of Millencolin. And yes, they are so cuddly and warm I feel like I'm sleeping on a Care Bear cloud.

You totally wish you had a set of them tonight don't you?

Is there anybody out there?

Day: One Hundred and Forty One

Photo taken on Tuesday, December 20, 2010 at my desk at 1148am.

I take the picture because I'm totally bored with my job at the moment. But looking at it now, it completely disturbs me. My eyes. My eyes are so dull it looks unnatural. I can tell I'm having a rough day, I look tired as I click away on my computer but those eyes...I can't get over how defeated I truly look. This is by far one of the most depressing pictures of me I have ever seen.

One of my friends from middle school, her mom would always tell my mom that my smile seemed so bright because it always reached my eyes. I'm sorry to see that the light has completely faded while sitting at my mundane job but I know for a fact it will return once the day is complete.

20th Take

Day: One Hundred and Forty

Photo taken on Monday, December 19, 2010 somewhere in my apartment at 659pm.

I know you're not supposed to buy gifts for yourself during the holiday season but I could not resist this shirt from Threadless. It speaks to my inner writer (speaks-mocks-whatever). Jess had posted the link for an awesome Harry Potter house shirt on my Wall a little while back so while I am buying that one (as well as two other shirts for Christmas gifts, I'm not selfish I swear!) I find this. It probably looks better on someone with less boobage because you have no idea how hard it is to get all the words in one frame. I have to get Steve to help me out by pulling it taut so I can snap the picture without it being blurry. Damn boobs.

Sweeney Kate

Day: One Hundred and Thirty Nine

Photo taken on Saturday, December 18, 2010 in the Time Out Room at 1149pm.

I am pointing to where the scissors were located just a second ago but now they have vanished courtesy of Steve. I know he hates this behavior of mine but in order to get me to go to sleep at night he'll do what he has to.

I'm not sure when this fear of leaving scissors out started but I have a feeling it stems back to a disturbing dream I must have had in college. As long as the scissors are in the spot they are supposed to be, I'm fine. But if they are out in plain sight, I have to ask him to hide them. I have this fear that when I am asleep, I will wake up and stab someone with them unknowingly. Never mind the fact I can always take them out of the drawer or I don't know, grab one of the hundred kitchen knives I have to do the job. It is totally ridiculous but it brings peace of mind to both of us knowing the scissors are hidden.

Actually, this might not have been a good idea to write this entry. If Steve ever gets stabbed with scissors I'm going to be the prime suspect.

Farmer Gray's

Day: One Hundred and Thirty Eight

Photo taken on Friday, December 17, 2010 at Chelsea Manor in New York, NY at 717pm (before I'm four Manor drinks in).

I'm here with Peggy, Bossdad, and Monica eagerly awaiting the hors d'oeuvres at the Surge Christmas party (I helped pick them out!). The night is a huge success, everyone sticks around past the time we are allotted, and even start tearing up the dance floor before other club goers are let in. But one of the best parts of the evening is to witness Dr. Zong and my coworkers belt out karaoke. I am happy to say that Peggy and I do a fabulous rendition of Sublime's Santeria.

Elves

Day: One Hundred and Thirty Seven

Photo taken on Thursday, December 16, 2010 in my office at 309pm.

Valerie, Cassandra, and I are very excited to be handing out the Secret Santa this year. In fact we're so excited that Cassandra is donning reindeer antlers for the occasion.

Shrimp Key West

Day: One Hundred and Thirty Six

Photo taken on Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at Fridays in Levittown, NY at 836pm. (Mike's antics are fantastic!)

It is a very rare sight when the slowest eater at the table beats everyone. That Zumba class Jenn took me to beforehand must have left me really famished.



"I swear to God I will cut my bangs!"

Day: One Hundred and Thirty Five

Photo taken on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 in the bathroom at 1033pm.

Since I have disposed of my long tresses, my hair has been growing like a weed. This is what it looks like to see out of my eyes. Time to cut the bangs yet again?

Plaster Funhouse

Day: One Hundred and Thirty Four

Photo taken on Monday, December 13, 2010 in the living room at 722pm.

Kim had Preston's birthday party at this place called All Fired Up and the kids loved it (as did I)! Moma wanted me to make something too so I chose a snowman candy dish and tried my hardest to slather it four times with green and red paint only for it to turn out looking like that. Kim keeps making fun of me but she's just jealous of my mad painting skillz.

Besides, when it's filled with candy, you don't really notice the missed spots.

Talk To The Hand

Day: One Hundred and Thirty Three

Photo taken on Sunday, December 12, 2010 while in the Commander's Chair at 743pm.

One day while dining at the Shipwreck Diner in Northport Village, I am found out. I did not even know that I did this but the lovely people I am with point out my strange ordering habits. Apparently when I order a cup of soup I cup both of my hands together and show it to the waitress. They get such a kick out of this that they all order a "cup of soup" even if they don't want it just so they can mimic me into embarrassment.

So it is no surprise that when I order my buffalo wings with extra sauce on the side I do the same thing, only it is a tighter, smaller cup. I'm not sure I can even stop doing this because it just happens when I start to order. I'm just too set in my ordering ways.

The Chit-chin Store

Day: One Hundred and Thirty Two

Photo taken on Saturday, December 11, 2010 in the living room at 1008pm.

While the NERDS! in the background are playing Hero Quest, Kristen, Jenn, and I are playing one of the best games ever created. Behold! The original Mall Madness! Complete with cumbersome box and mold from the basement! Even Jess keeps looking over at us longingly because who wouldn't want to partake in the awesomeness that is Mall Madness? I know if Pher was around he'd be elbowing me out of the way to play as well (he is the ultimate shopper, can't be beaten). So as the game unfolds we laugh at the computer guy's voice and mimic his sales/clearances and items that cost five dollars more. It is definitely an interesting way for adults to spend their Saturday night, no?

Cowabunga, Dude!

Day: One Hundred and Thirty One

Photo taken on Friday, December 10, 2010 on the Smithtown train station platform at 515am.

Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely happy right now but it's not because everyone I know is still sleeping peacefully and I'm on the way to work. I'm happy because it's the first time I get to wear my new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle hat I bought three months ago at Comic Con. At first I only saw Rafael hats and he's my least favorite turtle but I really liked the tuque, so my favorite had to be there. Steve followed me around the whole booth even though he had no idea what I was searching for until I squeed with glee.

Hell yeah, Michelangelo hat!

"Wise man say forgiveness is divine, but never pay full price for late pizza."

Away in a Manger

Day: One Hundred and Thirty

Photo taken on Wednesday, December 9, 2010 in the living room at 901pm.

This is my parents' original Nativity scene. Every year this thing sheds some of the fake moss and dirt but I still love it regardless. Steve doesn't understand why I insist upon keeping the original box it came in because it too is starting to decay. The box no longer has a top and the top portion of the sides look like they have been eaten by a starving animal. So when my parents' bought a new, nicer Nativity set they were about to get rid of this when I saved it. I couldn't possibly let a piece of my childhood Christmas history go to waste.

One of my favorite memories of this Nativity scene are the two little sheep that Charlie would find interesting ways to arrange them without being caught by mom. I think he really pushed the envelope one time when he replaced the Baby Jesus with a sheep instead. Though my fave place he put the lamb was on the roof. It just seemed so silly to me, even to this day.

So Charlie, this little lamb is for you! Merry Christmas!

Mort

Day: One Hundred and Twenty Nine

Photo taken on Tuesday, December 8, 2010 in the Manga Loft stairwell at 720pm.

This happens to be my favorite picture of myself thus far and I'm not sure why because honestly the background is all blurry and I know the true reason for pulling up my sweater neck.

I'm going to tell you I'm excited to be busting out my thick sweaters for the season because winter is on the horizon but really I actually do need it since there is no heat in my office and technically I sit in a closet and closets don't need heat. I'm going to tell you I'm pulling up my sweater neck because I'm being silly and you can tell by my eyes I'm genuinely happy. But I really should tell you though, I'm pulling up my sweater neck because it's hiding my terrible acne and it's making the rest of me, especially my hair, look good.

Beanie Baby

Day: One Hundred and Twenty Eight

Photo taken on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 on the bust stop at 86th and Fifth at 416pm.

I begged Steve last Halloween if we could dress up as Jay and Silent Bob because we could totally pull it off, we had the look down perfectly (he said no). Last year at this time, when I put on a beanie, I totally looked like Jason Mewes. Now when I pull one on I look like Snow from Final Fantasy XIII:

I'm waiting for the day when I finally get compared to a woman. Being told I looked like the "chick from Hanson" has been the closest I've come.

Polar Express

Day: One Hundred and Twenty Seven

Photo taken on Monday, December 6, 2010 in the dining room of the TDM at 557pm.

As you can see, Moma and I had a fun shopping day at Macy's in the Short Pump Mall. We were very successful in the men's department and I think Steve will be very pleased with our choices for him. It was so much easier this year to pick out shirt and ties for him with Moma there rather than what I have resorted to in the past. I don't have the "eye" for matching formal wear so that's where mom comes in, only usually we're in separate states and I have to picture mail her everything right in the store. Then I call like five minutes later and she tells me what goes and what looks stylish and what really needs to be put back on the shelf immediately Katie how did you think that even matched with that button down?

After our shopping spree for others, dad picked us up and treated to Cheesecake Factory. I love me some Adam's Peanut Butter Cup Fudge Ripple Cheesecake!

I had a great time with you today, Moma! We must shop again soon!

Soulja Boy

Day: One Hundred and Twenty Six

Photo taken on Sunday, December 5, 2010 on the front staircase at the TDM at 631pm.

How cute are Preston's slippers?

The Little Man and I have just finished putting out all the Christmas stuffed animals on each step leading upstairs so now it's time for the obligatory soldier picture. Dad bought that soldier one afternoon when he was out with two of his friends. He found it in a nursery on 25A and Moma thought it was funny since it towered over two of her children. Since then we have all lined up next to it to take the annual Christmas soldier picture even though we now tower over him.

I went through all my pictures just now and only have two of these photos, both of which my cousin, Sarah, has appeared in. The one on the left is senior year of high school and the one on the right is freshman year in college.



Clark Griswold

Day: One Hundred and Twenty Five

Photo taken on Saturday, December 4, 2010 in front of the lit up TDM at 550pm. (The flurries towards the end of the lighting ceremony was a nice touch too.)

There is something so magical about putting up the lights on a crisp December day, wearing just a sweatshirt, nose running all over the place, sharp branches leaving scratches on your ungloved hands, and the hot chocolate you know Moma has waiting for you inside when all is complete. I've been doing this dance since as long as I can remember and I'm sure when I was a tyke I was in dad's way but now I'm more of a help than a burden (I hope). Every year I'm there to judge if the wreathes are evenly displayed in the windows (or in Greenlawn, under them) and decorate the hardest of trees (that Japanese Maple was a bitch!). One year we even went so far as to procure a cherry picker to do the huge Blue Spruce out front. Though as the years progressed the helpers decreased until it became just dad and I (or an occasional brother who popped out long enough to do roof duty since the two of us are terrified of heights). Then there was that one year when I kept badgering dad as to when we were hanging lights (he was being "Christmas Dad" and wasn't in the spirit to decorate) so he went outside to set up the plugs, dug out the box of white lights, grabbed me by the wrist, and took me outside to point out where the plugs were located. He grumbled 'Merry Christmas' (or what my innocent ears thought he grumbled) then left me out there to do the whole thing by myself. After a few hours he returned, a little jollier this time and helped me complete the task.

So this year he hires three people to do the icicle lights (thank Jesus, I really didn't want to climb up there) and we take care of the rest. I think my parents' house looks exceptional and definitely one of the most beautiful on the block.

Come Fly With Me

Day: One Hundred and Twenty Four

Photo taken on Friday, December 3, 2010 in the US Airways Lounge in LaGuardia Airport at 217pm.

Kim's BFF, Mel, joins dad and I for a drink and some snackies before departing for our flight down to Richmond, Virginia. We are all very excited to be celebrating the Little Man's fifth birthday this weekend! Despite the unforgivable behavior of a certain individual, we are determined to make it an awesome birthday he'll never forget!

Happy Birthday Preston-bozu!

With this ring...

Day: One Hundred and Twenty Three

Photo taken on Thursday, December 2, 2010 by the Manga Loft staircase at 844pm. (We had to put the Christmas tree over in the corner because no matter where we put it in the living room, a branch would block Asuma and we couldn't have that happen.)

My Aunt Geri made us a "First Christmas Together" ornament for when we celebrated our first Christmas together as a married couple. But when I was out Christmas card shopping last year I ran across these two ornaments and I decided to add this to our "First Christmas Together" ornament collection. Since Steve and I are huge Tim Burton fans, it just felt right to have the Corpse Bride depict our love for each other.

Hairless

Day: One Hundred and Twenty Two

Photo taken on Wednesday, December 1, 2010 on the bar counter at 1017pm.

Interesting tidbit about the ponytail on the right (the two on the left belong to me...well used to). When I tell grandma I am donating my hair she brings me a lock that she has had in her possession for 82 years! It belonged to my Nana, Moma's grandmother, grandma's mother. How cool is that?! She then tells me the story of when Nana decided to cut all her hair off and how upset it made Nana's father. Apparently back then, only "women of the night" cut their hair that short so when she came home sporting the chic new do, he leaned out of the window and shouted at her, calling her trampy names. But Nana didn't care. She liked her new hair cut and continued about her business, keeping her head held high. You go, Nana! You go with your bad self!