Farewell 2010 and hello to 2011!.

I spent last night ringing in the New Year so very different than I ever have before! My Mom has always told me that however you are when the clock strikes 12 is how you will be all year (sort of a don't make that face or it'll stick thing). I have never truly believed in it all until 2008...long story, but it stuck with me. So, last night I was sober, surrounded by family and laughing through a game of Pictionary. It may not sound like much, but I was happy. Truly just happy. I fixed a fight with a long term friend just in the nick of time and I was content. I really hope that this year reflects just that!
In the spirit of happiness and contentment I have made the resolution to take out all the negativity and selfishness from my life, both in my self and those around me. I know it's going to be a growing year, a different year and hopefully my year! I can feel that things are really changing and I can't wait to meet all the new a wonderful things that 2011 has to offer. It's going to be a good one!

CRAZY 3 ft icicle from the side of our house made for a fun picture op!


Have a wonderful year!

.Thursday!.

Today is yet another of my relaxing family days that I can never get enough of! We are all seated in our favorite places clicking away at the computers or in my sister's case putting together yet another puzzle. The only difference today is that we are officially snowed in! The city hasn't even really bothered to snow plow the roads and I for one am a-ok with it. I have never liked driving in snow. If by chance while I was in high school I woke up to a white morning I refused to leave the house. I considered it safer just to stay home and watch Oprah.

This trip to Prescott has been amazing! It has been solely about family and close friends. No parties, no drunkeness, and definitely no hangover regretfulness. I prefer it this way. I have become a glass of wine type of girl and I think it's all for the best. I hate self induced headaches and being bombarded with all the "crazy stuff you did/said" last night texts. Gross. Even in Austin I really don't drink at all, because you always have to drive (or at least I do) and I refuse to drive with more than two drinks coursing through. Never more than a healthy buzz for this gal!

Speaking of Austin, I really feel a bittersweet pull towards my new home. For the first time in a long, long time I really feel that I have found somewhere I can stay for a long period of time. I have been really lucky to meet a couple really great girls and that reallly makes all the difference. I have my job to thank for that and honestly I look forward to going back and seeing all the new stuff I've missed out on!

BUT, no rushing home for me. I want to enjoy and soak up every minute in my sweet little hometown!


Happy Thursday! <3

.Missing Family.

Beautiful Mom!





Summer time bbq's


Sweetest little sister!


Absolutely missing my family so much! I can't wait until the holidays when I can finally go home and see all their smiling faces!

.To Be Family.

I don't know about the rest of you, but the holidays to my family means...war. A constant struggle of who's house, what food and best presents. A true gladiatorial contest of epic proportions and portions. It generally starts around my cousin's birthday November 8th and carries right on through to mine December 27th.
The first battle has already been waged and my Aunt has pulled out the big guns, "we just want to do something with OUR family, no hard feelings." Of course this may only seem like flares, a simple warning, but this declaration comes after staking Thanksgiving territory as her responsibility. Shock waves are felt through the ranks of Grandparents and my own Mother, they retort and bristle with annoyance; imeediately stirring into a frezy. With my Aunt's blockade piggybacking on said cousin's ignorance of the treaties which explicitly outline saying "thank you" for birthday calls and gifts, her side of the family is now...the enemy. Mother and Grandma prepare for war, for with Grandma's new fiancee and looming wedding, sending peace envoys is unlikely.
Old hatchets thought to be buried are hastily dug up and thrust at the enemy, and Grandma plays the ultimate weapon, the "I'm the Mother" card. No movement yet from behind enemy lines, but true to Italian family form, there will be no end without surrender.
Happy F&@*ing Holidays.