A day at the zoo - Lord help us all

I'm not sure if I've ever fully explained my love/hate relationship with the zoo or the outdoors for that matter, it's like the beach for me. I want to love the outdoors, wildlife and zoo HOWEVER it is a smelly, hot, wretched place for thousands of ill bred human beings to gather. Don't get me wrong, I love seeing animals in their "natural" surroundings and I am mildly scared that they will break through their cages, gates and kill me. I do love seeing gigantic hippos, elephants, monkeys, etc play around and hide all day under a log for $40 a head.

Hubby. Cupcake and I decided to venture out to the zoo for a day of family fun. Well, so did everyone else in the tri-state area. We had a great time and Cupcake loved seeing animals in person that we've read about in story books. It was great and I know my limitations; don't go into a Reptile House (they feed them rats), stay away from animals who may spit, piss or poop on you AND #1 rule TRY NOT TO USE THE BATHROOM. You are better off suffering from dehydration and kidney failure than using a bathroom. Thank goodness Cupcake is in diapers. We may never visit a zoo once she is potty trained. I HATE bathrooms at the zoo. I swear that the animals use them when the general population goes home for the night. I take that back and shouldn't blame the animals, they probably have better bathroom habits than people at the zoo.

We had a lovely day in the sweltering heat (I hate heat and melt like a vampire from Bon Temps) and saw so many cute animals. I think my favorite animals were the orangutans and the hippos. They were both so hot and bothered that they genuinely seemed annoyed we were all looking at them. Cupcake passed out after lunch which allowed us a lesuirely stroll through the zoo. All in all the day was great, we bumped into old neighbors and had a few laughs.

The weekend turned out to be great and I'm happy to know that although I hate many "things to do" in life I still go with the flow and give my little Cupcake all the experiences she has to see and do! Hopefully she won't be able to tell that I'm shuttering inside knowing that some sweaty beast just brushed up against me while waiting in line for the bathroom and I continue to dry heave!

Put this pony out to pasture!

The end of an era..........I never thought this day would come however I am putting this horse out to pasture and staying home with my pony full time. The decision was a long time coming but it's time for me to stop this crazy commute and return home. I knew back in September that my job was most likely coming to an end due to a change in management. Hubby and I discussed moving to North J but soon realized that would not be right for our family. After many tears, discussions, reviews, debates we decided we were better off if I stayed home full time instead up relocating to North J. It was a difficult decision, I love my job and spent almost 12 years at a fabulous company (it isn't a company, it's a lifestyle). I started off as a showroom assistant/receptionist and worked my way up the corporate ladder to a Director of Sales. Some of it was luck and timing while the rest was hard work (also a great boss who gave me lots of opportunities). I worked in NYC office for 5 years, moved to the country and spent 7+ years commuting 3 hours a day each way through PA/DE/NJ to get to my fab job! My job awarded me many luxuries. I was able to travel to wonderful cities, stay in fabulous hotels and eat at 5 star restaurants, who wouldn't love this job! I met so many fabulous people and I was sad to leave knowing I would never see them again or have this experience again.

I am leaving behind career to spend my days with a fabulous little girl who needs me more than I need that company. I will be able to spend time with my husband, daughter, friends. Actually eat dinner as a family, play outside, go for ice cream, story hour at the library. It will be a different world but a world that needs me. I want to be able to see my family every day and have a part in their lives. So is it hard to put my Polo pony out to pasture knowing I will never have a career like that again to just hang out with a 2 year old all day..........not at all! Looking forward to all of our new adventures. Thank you Ralph for an amazing ride!

Get ready for some adventures Cupcake, Mommy's coming home!

Side note: I find it hysterical that my last day at work is Friday, April 1st.......APRIL FOOL'S DAY! I told my new boss to sit tight and wait and see if I show up for work on Monday (I know she is secretly scared)

Boo turns 13!

OMG, where did the time go! My first niece is entering her teenage years. I am so proud of the woman she is becoming but yet I feel so old. Okay, this isn't about me. My niece decided she wanted to celebrate her birthday Jersey style; an Italian restaurant with a cake from Cake Boss! Cupcake was able to hang with her bestie Tink. They danced, popped balloons and ate like queens! It was a great night hanging out with all the kids, aunts, uncles, Nanny and Pampi!

Happy 13th birthday to my sweet Boo!!

March 2011

March is coming to an end and changes are a comin'!

Big news.........Cupcake has enough hair to put into pig tails! Adorable little girl!!

Happy 65th Birthday Pampi!

Pampi celebrated a big birthday this year, 65! We all gathered together to celebrate the man, the myth, the legend! Good times had by all and as always Cupcake and Tink played and danced all night! Nanny cooked Pampi's favorite foods, we gorged ourselves and danced the night away.