Maryland/D.C.

My friend Courtney got married last weekend in Annapolis, MD! The weekend was chock-full of bachelorette party festivities (super-hero themed of course), a beautiful bride, delicious food and even some national monuments to boot! My fav is the Abraham Lincoln memorial, at night of course. I think D.C. at night in general is my fav. No crowds, cooler weather, and fab sites to see. Loves.

While my friends and I were 'ooing' and 'ahhing' on the steps of the Abe Lincoln memorial, we heard a really loud noise approaching. My friend mentioned that we were in a no fly zone, which meant -- it was air force one! Three air force one airplanes came zipping by and I waved to President Obama. And I'm sure he was paying attention to the world below -- like he had nothing on his mind or anything (esp. this weekend!)

The weekend was another fun and fabulous blur and I'm off to upstate NY for work next week and then LA the following weekend, so I'm pretty sure it'll be June before I know it.

anyhoo, happy friday and congratulations again to court and andy!!

Sucker!!

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I'm such a sucker for a deal. I'd like to think that I'm saving money, but we all know the truth there! Yesterday I bought the groupon for Michigan door to door organics. Door to door delivers organic and local produce/veggies. They even have organic recipes on their website and additional groceries in their market you can add to your order!

My friends and co-workers who use door to door rave about it, so I'm pretty pumped to get my delivery. In my box I should expect: yams, leaf lettuce, carrots bunch, cucumber, yellow or green summer squash, strawberries, braeburn apples, d'anjou pears and bananas! I realize that this is a lot of fruits and veggies for just one girl, but maybe I'll just have you over to help me consume all of it!

Sidebar: Shoutout to K-Py (Kelly Pyszel)who tried to comment the other day, but blogspot wouldn't let her! For shame, blogspot, for shame!

Snow-tastic.

As I brushed the snow off my winter coat this morning, I couldn't help but laugh. Living in Michigan always keeps us on our toes on what the weather will be like...but come on! Snow? Really? And not even the little flurries that fell from the sky yesterday that I decided to ignore and act like I didn't see. But snow that is actually accumulating on the ground! Sigh. The weather peeps say that the snow will melt tomorrow, or sometime soon. Until then...bundle up!

More stuff

Like I need more stuff...but look how beautious this post-it/calendar from Poketo is:


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Must...resist...the temptation!

My Shameless Plug

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Romel and I are hitting the trails in Brighton on June 11 for the American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure. We are gathering donations and cycling 25 miles to help stop diabetes! With the monies raised, the American Diabetes Association will be able to provide community-based education programs, protect the rights of people with diabetes and fund critical research for a cure.

Just a little background on diabetes -- diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. There are 23.6 million Americans living with diabetes (including my mom with type 2), a disease that is outpacing heart disease, cancer and AIDS. And if we don’t act now, one in three children born in the year 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime.

To support me and the cause, you can visit my Web Page, to make a secure, 100% tax deductible donation. Go on...visit, donate...no need to be shy :)

Living for Today

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Earlier this week, my friend laid her father to rest. It was sudden and heartbreaking. And if this past week has taught me anything, it has reminded me to cherish the moments in today. Because today is a blessing and the moments of tomorrow are no guarantee.

Thinking and praying for you and your family, MKaye.

No cupcakes for kiddies

My brother in law, Romel, told my niece and nephew that they could NOT have a cupcake because they were not behaving.

Tanith told him that 'her feelings were hurt'.

Kieran decided to express his feelings towards Romel on paper:



hilarious.

happy friday, all.

Academy Awards

Kim and I went to the Detroit Film Theatre last weekend to see the Oscar nominated short films. I didn't watch the Oscars on Sunday, but did record it so I could fast forward through it! I haven't had a chance to watch it yet, but I was curious to find out who won the Oscar for animated and live action short film. The Oscar went to..."God of Love" and "The Lost Thing"! You must watch these if you get a chance, or any of the Oscar nominated films for that matter.

Here's a Wall Street Journal interview with Luke Matheny, writer, director and star of "God of Love". Hilarious.


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Disappointed.

Let's begin with the ridiculous experience I had with my first shamrock shake of the season. In my first attempt on Saturday afternoon to enjoy my beloved shake, the line at my local McDonald's was far too long. (As if I need anymore factors to tell me that I don't NEED a shake, there's nothing like a long line, coupled with my impatience that will get me to drive right past it.)

On Sunday afternoon, I pulled up to Mickey D's and the line was short and sweet. I pulled up to the drive thru window and there was a new image of the limited edition Shamrock "McCafe Shake". The shamrock flavor, was in a category with other featured McCafe shakes, but I didn't pay much attention to anything else. I did notice however that there was whipped cream in the picture and there's no need for additional calories on this already wonderful treat. So I asked for sans whipped cream. I paid and eagerly drove on by to the next window to pick up my treat, only to find this strange red object floating in my shake (see photo below). They put a CHERRY on top of my mint shamrock shake.

Why McDonald's? Why did you ruin my perfectly good shake with a cherry?? It doesn't belong there? Perhaps on other drinks it would be welcomed, but not on a mint shamrock shake! Ugh. Needless to say, after I dug out the cherry and called my sister to tell her to get minus whip and cherry, I did drink the shake. And it was good, as shamrock shakes go. But it wasn't the experience I was hoping for...sigh.




On to other disappointing news, the Troy Public Library will officially close it's doors on May 1. Growing up, my Dad would take me and my sisters to the library almost every Saturday. He was obsessed with books and encouraged us to read. Sometimes we would be there for hours, pouring over the books and picking out that week's selection. As I got older, I would spend many hours there studying for upcoming exams. And even now, I've gone a handful of times to their Friends of the Library store. They have great deals on books that have the old binding on them that I love... I have a lot of good memories there, that I'll be very sad to see it go.


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They're backkkk

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My sister, Debbie and I are pretty obsessed with this deliciously minty shake from McDonald's. Anything that fluorescent green has to be good and yet so bad for you. This beverage is only available around St. Patrick's day, so of course that means I'll have to have as many as possible while they're selling them!

happy friday!!

AHmazing.

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Adele's sophomore album is out and it's amazing. Enough said. What are you waiting for? Go out and buy it now.

50 degrees in February? Yes, please.

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A fluke fair weather day in mid-February? You know what that means right? Students across MSU's campus are busting out their flip flops, playing games out on the lawn, acting as if it's 85 degrees. Even if it's for a brief moment. And even if it's actually quite windy and the chill is still in the air. Doesn't matter. Just gives hope that spring is coming...eventually.

Happy Birthday Lala!

Well, she's not my Lala! But she's Lala (more widely known as grandma) to Kieran and Tanith; and Mom to me, Deborah and Olivia.

The girls celebrated my Mom's birthday on Sunday at Zazio's in Birmingham. And when Tanith wasn't eating her food, she was preoccupied with her mother's iphone, creating these masterpieces:

Princess Lala


Princess Lips (*note the only one in pink--and with blonde hair! so fitting--er, not!)



Princess Aimee


No need to talk about how amazing and awesome my mom is, because she just is. And if I even try, I'll get all emotional and that's just not necessary. Instead, we'll just stick with these funny photos above :)

Happy Birthday, Mom. xoxo.

2011 Auto Show Industry Preview

Turns out, I thoroughly enjoy industry preview days. Parking spot was close. The crowd was light. And I actually got a chance to get in cars and not have to rush because 10 more people were waiting in line to have a peak! It was wonderous.

Ended up being there pretty late, but I wasn't there to witness the $94,000 BMW getting stolen. I did notice some people starting to prep for the next day's events...maybe I saw the thiefs and didn't even know it! At any rate, good work Detroit, way to represent the auto show with class ;)

Happy Birthday, Boopie Bear

Today, the boopie bear turns 6! If you don't already know, the boopie bear that I'm referring to is my nephew, Kieran. I gave him that name about two days after he was born. And sadly for him, it has stuck. I'm totally going to be that crazy Aunt when he's 16, in front of his friends calling him 'boopie bear' :) Oh well, what are Aunts for?!

I can't believe it's been 6 years since he was born and turned the Visperas/Llarena world upside down. But the time has flown by so fast and now he's this super funny, loveable kindergartener who sings, spells and kicks our butts at Uno!

Here are some pics, old and new. But they don't even do him justice.

I love you boopie bear! Happy Birthday :)

Happy Happy New Year

My dear friend Jodi pointed out to me that I've been on a blogging hiatus lately ;) Which is totally true, but the holidays snuck up on me and left just as quickly. But here we are, staring 2011 in the face. The year 2010 was interesting to say the least, but I'm excited to see what this year will bring. So for now, don't let the winter blahs get you down. Here's a spot of sunshine to hold you over...



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