07/11/11 - Amy

"Date with Myself"
Being in a relationship is awesome, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. But sometimes, I actually miss my "me" time that I had so much of (too much!) when I was single. I have been really stressed out lately with work, and just decided to take the week off for my mental health and sanity (I haven't taken a week off, except for Christmas, since I started this job). Yesterday was day one of doing nothing. I went to a matinee movie (Bridesmaids - it was AWESOME, I highly recommend it!) and then decided to get some dinner. I went to YO! Sushi, one of those sushi restaurants with the conveyer belts, and plates that you just take off of them and eat piecemeal. This was where Matt and I went on one of our first dates, and I was even seated in the same place where we sat that time - so even though I was technically there alone, he was there with me :) I had an awesome day spending time with myself!

07/10/11 - Amy

"Small"
Yup, that's my size now! :) I went from an 18 to a size 6 in about a year and a half, and I am quite loving my new size! The sales were just on here, and not only did I get some good deals, but I was surprised to learn that I had dropped another dress size since the last time I went shopping!

07/09/11 - Amy

"Gift"
From Matt's parents :) Bath stuff - how did they know?!

07/08/11 - Amy











"Bad Day Cure"
...brought to me by Viking :)

07/07/11 - Amy














"Looking forward to Panto"
I had a really bad day yesterday. I haven't been sleeping, because of a stiff neck, and haven't been getting any of my work done, because of demands from a variety of people/places (Lori's post from yesterday rang SO true for me....). I was walking home and happened to see this bright sign advertising the Panto show for Christmas. For those of you who remember a post of mine from earlier this year, the Panto is one of the British traditions that I love. The show is so funny every year, and I look forward to next year's, especially because it will contain many of the same actors. At any rate, I noticed that when I saw this sign I smiled, perhaps for the first time that day...

07/06/11 - Amy















"Rainy Day"

07/07/11 - Lori

Love. This. Day.

My life has become one of being many things to other people. Co-Worker, Mother, Supervisor, Wife, Friend, Sibling, Supervisor, Peer .. the list goes on. This morning, my life was about Lori. The best part - it was unplanned. I had a 9am haircut on the schedule, where I was preparing to be The New Training Manager, and I was going to fill the rest of my morning with various errands as Wife and Mother. My hairdresser called at 8:30 to cancel (she was sick), but I was already on my way to downtown Middletown. I went to Javapalooza with my laptop and set up shop for several hours. I did not need to be anything to anyone. No one was expecting me, no one needed me. I had no where to go! I had no agenda to fulfill. I played with my photos at my own pace, not as a PAD Member - not as a Friend Who Takes Pictures Of Kids, but as Lori who loves taking photos. 

Bliss.

07/06/11 - Lori



Ugly Feet

07/05/11 - Lori

"Oh Crap, I forgot to PAD. I'll have to use the ONE crappy iPhone photo I snapped"

I only took this photo to send it via text to Cassie's Auntie - it was Red/White/Blue day at daycare, and Cassie was sporting her (hand-me-down) Tommy Hilfiger dress. Yes, Amy, a dress!

I hate days like this when I forget to PAD and have to use a pic like this. I would almost rather the PAD I did on 7/3 when I forgot to PAD. (the absent one) Sorry, I'll get better this month - July has a long way to go :)

07/04/11 - Lori

Mama

We visited a family cottage in Old Saybrook for the 4th. This Osprey nest is in back of the cottage. I caught Mama as she left the nest to get more branches. Wish it was a bit crisper but am glad I caught it nonetheless.

07/02/11 - Lori

White Balance Is A Bitch!

Photographic commentary aside, this is Shantell's son Aaron, having a blast at Wadsworth Falls. I told Shantell he was likely to go home and complain about the water pressure in their shower.

07/01/11 - Lori

Happy Hour Ending

Throughout my last day at GPS, I took several photos that I thought would be the PAD in the moment I took them. This, however, was my last photo of the day and immediately became the PAD. First: in my humble opinion, it's a damned fine iPhone photo.Second: it was a Happy Ending. (mind out of the gutter, Paul.

Sleep through the backstory if you wish ... I worked for Mortgage Lenders Network (MLN) from 2003-2007. While at MLN, I got married, met a few lifetime friends, and moved my family to Arizona. I also had the freedom and flexibility to develop my skills as a corporate trainer in ways I may never have elsewhere. MLN went bankrupt in 2007, however when I needed to move back to CT in a pinch in 2008 I reached out to one of my old bosses and secured a position with Green Planet Servicing (GPS). GPS was founded by three senior executives from MLN and purchased a lot of MLN's equipment, supplies, and resources. GPS is located in an old wing of the MLN offices. It was like coming home. I worked for GPS from 2008-2011, however saying good-bye to GPS is like saying good-bye to MLN again. This time, it's on my terms.

I'm Grateful for all I gained from MLN and GPS. I do not have a lick of college under my belt - however the experience at MLN and GPS  has been invaluable. Not to mention, even though I am moving to a completely new company and new industry, I am going to work for another old boss from MLN. 

One more PAD-specific story: Carmen and I went to Buffalo Wild Wings after work to tell each other deep, dark stories from the 8-ish years we were broken up. I ordered a Coors Light because it was cheap for Happy Hour. Carmen ordered the Loaded Lemon Tea. I took one sip of her tasty delight (out of the gutter, Paul!!) and ordered 2 more for myself. Or was it 3 ....?


06/30/11 - Lori

Peanut Butter (even generic) Makes Carmie Happy

I'm still annoyed she would not let me PAD the pic of her licking the spoon as she held out the jar. It was a MUCH better photo.

06/29/11 - Lori

What I Brought For Lunch

I have to comment on how strange this post is for me, seeing as I am temporarily unemployed as I post this. It seems like so long ago!!!

06/28/11 - Lori


Today's PAD is brought to you by the Letter E

No, she is not modeling headwear for the next royal wedding, she threw the letter E in the bath and could not for the life of her figure out where it landed!

06/27/11 - Lori

Slow Photo Day

This is one of those days where I look back at the few photos I took and wonder what the heck to PAD. This image of Jim and his grey hairs is all I could come up with. Hmm, this will let me know how often Jim checks PAD to see how long it is before he thanks me for this post!!

06/26/11 - Lori

Growing Pains

Cassie went through 2-3 days of uncontrollable crying. That's not even a good description - she would have fits of PAIN - it was awful to watch. She did not want to be held, touched - none of the usual comforts seemed to work. We had to lay (lie?) her down and watch her have these fits until she fell asleep. It was more than anything we've seen from teething before, and there were no other symptoms, so we figured it was either extreme teething or actual growing pains.

By this Sunday afternoon we thought it had passed. I left a happy Cassie & Papa playing at home when I left to do some grocery shopping. I got a call from Jim that "it was happening again" and he felt awful because he did not know what to do for her. This is what I walked into when I got home -- looks to me like he figured it out just fine, and probably grew a little himself.