A Magical Day

17 years ago today, Joe and I had just started our vacation at Disney. Tired from the trip, but still excited, we got our picture taken in front of the castle. Later on we had lunch at Tony's Townsquare, which I loved since it was themed after the movie Lady and the Tramp--so romantic! 

We had a delicious lunch, then (long-story-short) Joe proposed. I was stunned! We had talked about getting married so I knew it would happen but he lead me to believe we had a "plan", so I wasn't expecting it then. 

He did good!! The ring, the place, the magic! He did very good!! 

Now married 15 years, still happy, still in love, I'd still say yes! Love him to infinity and beyond!! (Another Disney reference!)

Blogging - Since 2007

Seven years ago I wrote down a few words floating around in my head.  It wasn't anything mind-blowing, just my thoughts.  Since then, I have shared scrapbook layouts, my random everyday life, our love of Disney, our sweet puppies and everything else in between.  I have made some wonderful friends, some of whom I've been lucky to meet in real life.

Lately, I haven't been on top of the sharing part, but I still try.  Sometimes, I like to go through some of my old posts and re-live the memories I've shared.

If anyone is reading this, I thank you for stopping by.  I like it even more when you take the time to leave a comment, I like connecting with people that way.  It's fun to share when you have things in common and can connect on that level.

Hoping to share more as time goes by, whether it's something fantastic or the everyday.  That how life goes and these words describe mine.

Big Girl Camera!

On our anniversary, Joe went above and beyond and surprised me with the camera I've been researching!!  We normally don't exchange gifts on our anniversaries, so I wasn't expecting this at all!

I was shocked!  He also gave me the go ahead to buy a Jo Totes bag to carry it in!  I am a lucky girl!  He completely understands how much I love to take pictures about anything and everything.  

Thankful for Pinterest tutorials and friends I can learn from!!  I am going to love playing with this and have so much to learn before our trip to Disney!

15 WONDERFUL Years of Wedded Bliss

Fifteen years ago today, Joe and I said "I do." in front of our family and friends.

                                               

Fifteen years has passed since that amazing day in our lives.  In these fifteen years, we've bought a house, remodeled the house, had two beautiful girls, planned many Disney vacations, celebrated a lot of birthdays and now have 3 fun puppies.  It hasn't been all sunshine and roses but overall, it's been AMAZING!

Fifteen years ago, I married my Prince Charming.  

He is my soul mate, and I am lucky to have him in my life.

                                                   

                                               

Here's to many more adventures full of love and happiness!

I love you to infinity and beyond!!

Six Years Of Sharing

Today marks my 6th year of blogging.

SIX years.

That just amazes me. I've been blogging and sharing my life for six whole years. I know, I haven't been blogging regularly lately, but I haven't given up. I'm still here.  Some days I wonder if I should just shut it down, but then I remember that I enjoy it. Joe will even make comments when I don't blog, asking if ill update soon.  So, I guess someone, besides me, likes reading about my life.

Yes, I read my own blog.  Some days I'll just randomly go through some of my old posts and re-live the memories. Might sound boring to some, but I enjoy it.  Sometimes, I'll just go through my old scrapbook layouts for inspiration. It's like reading an old book.

Anyway, if anyone out there is still reading this blog, Thank You. I appreciate it. 

Fourteen Wonderful Years!

Today marks FOURTEEN WONDERFUL years since saying "I do."

FOURTEEN YEARS.

Hard to believe it's been that long, yet it seems like yesterday! 

Of course, as terrific as most days are, not every day is a fairytale.  Some days are downright tough with everyday craziness.  Through it all we keep each other grounded.  Joe is my rock.  He motivates me to be better.  He loves me no matter how crazy I get.  He is amazing!! 

If I had to do all over again I would in a heartbeat!  There's no one else I'd rather be with.  As corny as it sounds he really is my soul mate. 

Love him to infinity and beyond!!

The Day My Life Changed

Fifteen years ago today, Joe & I flew to Orlando for a Disney vacation. 

I will never forget that trip. 

It was the day my life was forever changed.

Joe asked those magical words "Will you marry me?".... and I said "YES!"

We don't celebrate the day with gifts, just love. 
He is my love.

Happily Married for 13 Years

Thirteen years ago today I made a vow, to love Joe with all of my heart, forever.

It's been an amazing journey so far, full of ups and downs.  Good times and bad.  I believe the good far out-weighs the bad.

We look back on our wedding as one of the happiest days of our lives.  We reminisce about our day fondly & often, not just on our anniversary.  We share our memories with the girls, hoping to set a good example of love for them.

We love each other more and more each day.  We look forward to time spent with one another, with or without the kids. We listen to each other.  We help one another.  I couldn't have picked a better guy to spend the rest of my life with.  He makes me the happiest girl alive!

This day, thirteen years ago, I married my prince and I get to live happily ever after with him...

Happy Anniversary Joe! 

I adore you!

Four Words Can Change Your Life

Fourteen years ago today, while on vacation at Disney World, the greatest guy I know, changed my world forever just by asking....

"Will you marry me?"

I'd still say yes.

The flowers he sent me today for our anniversary, because he's that kind of guy.

It's sometimes hard to believe 14 years have gone by so fast. He means so much more to me than I can put into words....but I can say that I just love him!

4 Years of Blogging

Just got back from vacation at Disney. Have a lot to share--lots of pics of course, but that's a whole other post! ;)

Sometimes I find it hard to believe that it's been 4 years since I started blogging. I never thought I'd blog as much as I have (yes I know that doesn't include recently!!). I know, I've lost the blogging mojo, but some days I feel like it all gets said between Facebook or Twitter or there's just not much to say. Then there are days that I could talk for hours. Just depends on my mood, I guess.

All in all, I appreciate everyone that stops by to visit. Whether it's the loyal or the casual--I appreciate your interest in my life.

Sometimes I wonder if I should call it quits & close up the blog. I think, "No one out there cares about my life. They don't know me." But then I didn't start this blog for the comments, I started it for me as an outlet about my life. There are lots of blogs I read about people I don't know that I now know so much about them & consider them friends. And sometimes I feel like I'm just talking to myself (and I do that quite a lot), but for those out there that actually stop to read--THANK YOU!!

In honor of my "blog-o-versary", I have a box of scrappy supplies that need a new home. Some stuff I've been purging that I've outgrown & needs a new home.

So if you're interested, leave a comment telling me something about yourself.

Anything.

It could be the book you're currently reading, the awesome new app on your phone, what you like to search for on Pinterest, your favorite scrap tool, what kind of posts you like to see here.

You'll think of something.

I'll pick a random number & post it on Friday after settling back into regular life. ;)

How a Job Changed My World

Did you ever think how starting a new job could change your world forever? Well it did for me.

In January, 1994, I took a job in the Parts Dept of a Coin-Operated company in the Meadowlands, doing data entry. I was 19. I answered phones, did data entry & filing. It was a job that paid well & had benefits, for a 19 yr old this was like the lottery!

I slowly got to know the customers that called looking for parts for their video games & vending machines. Sometimes if the guys taking the orders were all on the phone I'd talk to some of the friendlier customers while I did my work. No flirting or anything like that, just being friendly.

Eventually when the local customers came to pick up their parts I'd put names to voices & meet some of them. This is how I met Joe. My first opinion of him was that he was a jerk. I soon learned he wasn't, I was obviouslly too quick to judge & was having a hard day at work.

At the time, we were dating other people & we were just friends through work. Nothing more than that.

That May, my Dad was diagnosed with Lung Cancer. By November, he was gone.

My boyfriend at the time (of almost 4 yrs) was there for me during the funeral & the months afterward. But what stunned me was the response from work. So many co-workers came to the viewing & funeral. What was a real shocker was when I not only saw flowers from Joe (a customer), but when we came to my father's viewing.

When he heard about my dad being sick, he offered to be there for me if I needed to talk. Reason being? His mom had died a few years prior from cancer. He understood what I was going through. I thought that was so nice of him, but I never took him up on it.

By March 1995, my boyfriend & I were over. I was sad, but at the time I knew it was for the best--we weren't on the same page. When I was ready I slowly started dating again. At some point during this time, Joe broke up with his girlfriend. By now I was thinking more of him than just a customer, but was too afraid of the age gap between us, so I let it go. We're thirteen years apart.

My boss at the time, John, & another co-worker, Bobby, were really good friends with Joe (still are) & John would tell me all the time how I should date Joe. I always protested how he was too old for me, blah, blah, blah.

Things eventually did go from just talking on the phone during work, to flirting. Eventually he asked me out & I said yes.

He took me to dinner, & we talked easily. It was never weird between us, either that we knew each other from work or the age difference. Right away it was like we had always known each other. It was an instant connection.

During dinner, I saw a commercial on a nearby TV, for "Braveheart" opening in theaters that weekend & mentioned how I'd like to see it, not expecting anything, just talking. He offered to take me that weekend--no playing those mind games that most guys play, just straight-forward. I agreed & we went that weekend.

Not sure when I realized he was "the one", but I do know it happened early on in our relationship. He was just so interesting & great to be around. We both wanted the same things in life & we spent as much time together as we possibly could.

--------

Fast forward to today & we've been together for 16 years.

SIXTEEN.YEARS.

Today is the anniversary of our 1st date. He is still the same guy I met all those years ago, but better...... He's mine!

Taken on our wedding anniversary this past weekend with my iphone.

To read the "in-between" part of our story (if you're not sick of hearing it) you can read THIS POST. Much shorter & to the point. ;)

12 WONDERFUL Years

Twelve years ago today, was one of the happiest days of my life. It was a beautiful day to get married to the greatest man!
One thing that stands out in my mind is how at the end of the night, my face hurt from smiling so much.

Looking back on how long we've been together, of course not every day is a piece of cake, BUT Joe "gets" me. We finish each other's sentences, we enjoy spending time after the kids go to bed together, we agree on so many things, he makes me happy.

And I'd still say YES!!

Happy Anniversary Joe!

I love you even more today!

On This Day....

Thirteen years ago today was a significant day in my life.



I was at Disney.

With Joe.

In the Magic Kingdom.

Where MAGIC happens.

We had lunch at Tony's Townsquare Restaurant and......

He asked me to marry him!!



Yes we celebrate it. It was a memorable day in my life....and I'd still say YES!!

We are Family

I'm still in a Wedding/Anniversary sort of mood. After making this LO, I found these pics & went for it.

I can't tell you how happy it makes me that I'm finally scrapping my wedding pics...even if it is 11 years later!!! I don't plan on scrapping the whole album RIGHT NOW but it's just nice to have some done in 12x12 size. It's a nice change from the girly pages I usually do.

And the best part?

All the wonderful memories of the HAPPIEST DAY OF MY LIFE!!!

Used:

MM Wedding collection (papers, embellies, ribbons)

Martha Stewart punch for the hearts.

11 Wonderful Years

Eleven years ago today I married my Prince Charming!

ELEVEN. YEARS. AGO.

That blows my mind! It seems like just yesterday we were married. It doesn't feel like 11 years but at the same time it feels like we've been together forever...but in a GOOD WAY!!

I have to say I love him just as much today as I did the day I said "I do."....if not even MORE so.

Every year just gets better. He just rocks my world! Love him--he's a keeper!!

Blog-o-versary

Hard to believe today marks 2 YEARS that I broke down & started this blog. Even harder to believe that anyone actually takes the time to read it!! I am grateful for the people that I have "met" in blog land!

Though I haven't been the best blogger lately, I think blogging (both reading & writing) help keep me sane (slightly anyway). I like going through old posts & remembering the details that may be fuzzy in my dilapidated mind. ;)

In honor of today (sorta) I made up a new blog banner (finally). I was going to try & make it all matchy matchy with the new background but then I figured it's easier to make it more "me". Even thought about going back to the white/clean background.....

A Love Story...

Once upon a time this guy asked this girl out to dinner.

They talked.
They ate.
They talked.
They hung out at his place & talked some more.
(Seriously. "Talk" is not code for making out like a couple of teenagers! LOL!)

The guy & the girl found it was easy to talk to each other. The girl mentioned how she wanted to see the movie "Braveheart" that was in theaters & the guy asked if she wanted to go with him that weekend.
The girl was sorta shocked at how fast the guy was ready to commit to another date--don't most guys keep girls waiting anxiously by the phone before asking her out again?? She agreed---nothing like taking it easy & acting all cool....

From then on the guy & the girl were together constantly!

Seriously this guy wasn't like "other guys".

He impressed her by cooking her dinner.
He'd hold the car door open for the girl when they went out.
And he listened to her.

After a few weeks of this the guy took the girl to Vegas for a long weekend.

(in July!!! Can you say HOT?!!)

The girl was beyond excited since it was her first trip without her family ever! By the way the girl was 21 & lived under a rock!

They stayed at the Luxor.

They gambled. They stayed up late. They saw Sigfried & Roy. The girl was like a kid in a candy store, just amazed by it all! The guy, having been there several times on conventions, showed her around & she loved seeing all the sites.

Over time the couple got along great. Slowly the girl came to move in with the guy.

By the Fall, the couple took their 1st trip to Disney World & the girl was mystified by how magical it all really was. (remember she lived under a rock). She loved it there as much as the guy loved it.....and she also really loved the guy.

Before they knew it, it was 14 years later.
They are happily married.
Have 2 kids.
And are still in love.


It seems like it wasn't that long ago but when you look at the calendar you realize how fast time flies! I'm not saying it's been all peaches & cream but more often than not we are a perfect pair.....sorry about the fruit references! LOL!

Busy

I know I've been slacking on blogging but I'm sure anyone who reads this will agree that life can get in the way. It's been pretty hectic around here, these are some of the things we've been doing.....

get-togethers - parties - birthdays - recitals - parades - field day

yes I know some of these things sound like the same thing but they weren't.

When I say get-togethers, I mean my sister had a "Pampered Chef" party at her house. Fun to hang with the girls. Brought my camera but didn't take a single pic!

When I say parties, I mean communion parties like this (there were more) & graduation parties like the one here (more to come too). I'm not going to bore you & re-live each & every thing we've been doing just use your imaginations.

It seems like we've been on "GO" mode since mid-Feb, with every weekend booked with some gathering or another.

We'll be free sometime around mid-July....

I'm getting further behind on other things....like blogging....my 365....& laundry!! Thank goodness for the "post-options" on Blogger so I can go back & blog when I can! And yes I've been doing that a lot!! Sometimes I don't blog because I haven't downloaded pics that go with the things I'm writing about, so I don't bother! I do hope to get things back on track & post normally. I have a ton of pics on my camera right now waiting to download!

This weekend isn't packed but we are celebrating our 10th Anniversary on the 5th.....well sorta! We had plans to go out to eat & catching a movie but Marissa got invited to a friends birthday party so we re-scheduled our plans to Sunday. We took Gianna out to eat with us & celebrated somewhat in peace. Sunday is also another anniversary of sorts for us, we'll be celebrating our 14th year together! Yes that our first date & yes we are that corny!! LOL!

Somehow through all that I have been scrapping & have some scrappiness to share....as soon as I take pics!

Have a great weekend!

10 WONDERFUL Years

WOW! 10 years ago I married the most amazing man. We can't believe how fast the years went! It's weird to say but we've been married a decade!!!

We had a beautiful wedding (if I do say so myself) & I'd love to do it again.....and YES I'd marry Joe all over again!!

To 10 WONDERFUL years!!

11 Years Ago

On this day 11 years ago Joe & I were at Disney World. On the 1st day of our trip there he made me ecstatically happy by asking me to be his wife.


Now after 9 years of marriage I can honestly say I would still say Yes! I LOVE HIM!!

ETA: I did this pg about a year ago for a 6x6 album I made of just Joe & I. You can see the entire album here.