Moving and Weekends and Dresses and Things

First of all, thank you for all of your amazing questions.  They are so amazing, in fact, that I think I will give a few of the more involved ones their own posts.  Fun, right? It'll be nice to have some blog post ideas ready and waiting.  If you still have a question to ask me, click here to access the post.

This weekend was, in a word, exhausting.  But in an awesome way.  My father and I drove to my sister's apartment in New York to help her move to Boston.  Keep in mind that this was the hottest weekend all summer so, needless to say, we were sweating buckets.  But since I haven't been to the gym in a little while it was definitely good exercise and it was made even better by spending time with my dad and sister (and my mom a little bit, too).  The pictures below were all taken after all of the moving, when we had a yummy dinner at P.F. Chang's along with plenty of drinks.  I'm sorry that the pictures are not of the best quality; all I had on me was my cell phone. 

In other awesome news, I finally got myself an iPad.  I've been pining for one for a few months now (against all thoughts of practicality) and finally got the opportunity to take the plunge.  SO, iPad users, any must-have apps?  And does anyone have Instagram? If so feel free to follow me at tomakelovestay.

Anyway, I'm finally home now with Robbie and I took him out to eat at our favorite restaurant because I'm cool and nice like that.  And I like pomegranate margaritas. 

And now, the closest I will ever get to a "what I wore" post.

I can only begin to list the many ways in which you could mock me in this picture.  Weird pose? Yes. Weird dress poof? Yes.  Awkward smile? Check.  Go ahead and mock, I won't be hurt.

For the record I have no problem with other people doing "What I Wore" posts...I just have a problem with awkward photographs documenting my awkwardness.

A Damn Fine Weekend (Rather Photo Heavy)

This holiday weekend was so fulfilling and awesome. I stayed off the computer for the most part (plus there was no cell reception and spotty 3G) and just enjoyed time with both my family and Rob's.  I won't bore you with all of the here-to-there details, but how about a few highlights and then some pictures?

The highlights:

*Taking care of my 19-month-old niece (with a whole lot of help from other family members).
*Teaching my niece "This Little Piggie" and having her extend her foot out to me again and again to do it "one more time."
*Laughing and drinking with my dad, sister, and Robbie, while watching 30 Rock.
*The glory of a homemade (very illegal) fireworks display, watched from my dad's pontoon boat in the middle of the lake.
*My cousin trying to carry me off the boat only to drop me in the water and give me a nasty bruise on my tail bone (don't worry, no pictures). 
*My husband letting me fall so he could catch my camera (no sarcasm there, that was awesome).
*Eating roasted marshmallows during a bonfire because I can't eat gluteny s'mores.
*Gazing at the stars from the middle of the lake (once again on the pontoon boat) with my dad, sister and Robbie.
*Boating around the lake with my dad, mom, sisters, niece, and Robbie on a beautiful, sunny, warm day.
*Going swimming in front of the house I grew up in for the first time in a decade or more.

 *Driving with Robbie to visit my in-laws and noticing the temperature drop about 14 degrees as we neared the coast.
*Seeing Bob Marley perform (stand-up comedian, and he was also the Boston cop from "Boondock Saints") with my husband's siblings and getting to meet him afterward because my sister-in-law was friends with him in college.
*Waking up to see my brother-in-law finish a 5K and get beat by a guy with a stroller.
*Seeing my sister-in-law in the parade in Rob's hometown.
*Listening to my sister-in-law sing "America the Beautiful" in front of the entire town as the flag was raised on the Fourth of July.
*Feeling proud of my sister-in-law as she accepted a scholarship for being so awesome.

*Watching yet another parade from the same spot that my family has watched that parade for as long as I can remembered.
*Spending time with my extended family as the fog rolled in and we waited for the inevitable fireworks cancellation.
*Drinking and watching more 30 Rock with my dad, Megan and Rob.
*Finding different versions of the song "Danny Boy" for my dad. His mother, who passed away last year, used to sing it to him and he's really connected to it. This one's my favorite.
*Picking Cypress up on Tuesday from the kennel and seeing her excited little ass wiggle.
*Taking a little work break today to go swimming with Robbie and Cypress.
*Sun, sun, and more sun.
*Lots of cute dresses and summery outfits.

What better way to celebrate America's birthday than with some awesome people you happen to be related to? The Fourth of July has to be one of my absolute favorite holidays.

What did you do this weekend? Whatever it was, I hope it was magical.

Don't forget that today is the last day to enter my handmade mobile giveaway! Go check it out and enter your little self in!

Father's Day - To my Dad

Dear Dad,

First of all, happy Father's Day, and thanks for cooking Rob and I such a yummy breakfast this morning.

Dad, words can't describe to you how thankful I am that you are my father.  You have always been a source of positivity, support, inspiration, and encouragement, from when I was in diapers to my marriage to Robbie and beyond. You have always pushed me to be my best self and to accomplish everything I set out to do with a smile, just as you do every day.  You've sacrificed so much for me and my sisters, and I hope you know just how much we all appreciate it. 

Dad, as I grow older I can only hope that I am half the man that you are (though technically I'm failing, what with the uterus and all, but you get the point). I'm sure down the road I'll need your advice and I'm sure you'll give it with a smile and a "you're doing great, kiddo," just as you always have. 

I love and respect you so much, Dad, and you truly deserve the recognition you receive on this day. Please know that you are loved and you are appreciated, far more than words can effectively express.

Have a wonderful evening, Dad.  Sit back, relax, have a few G&Ts and watch your favorite new show, "30 Rock" (you're welcome!). You deserve all the recognition you receive today, though one day of recognition is hardly sufficient for such an amazing man and father.

P.S. If you wanted to dress like this again, I would be fully supportive.

P.P.S. - I heard this song on my iPod today and it made me a little misty-eyed, remembering all the times we'd sing it together in the blue truck.  For the rest of you, please enjoy the 90s hair.

Back to Our Roots

Rob and I are originally from a tiny, rural region in Maine that no one's ever heard of and for which you have to provide multiple reference points when answering the question, "so where in Maine are you from?"

It's a 4-hour drive from where we currently live, and since this weekend is Father's Day (both of our fathers live down here) and since I booked a family shoot for Sunday, we made the soul-sucking trek down the highway and finally into the deepest reaches of nowhere earlier this afternoon.

First we drove to my grandparents' house to help my dad with a few projects. Then we met up with Lindy to photograph some of her wares for her Etsy shop and prepare for a (shh!) giveaway...coming soon :)

So after all of those adventures we're finally back to my childhood home, which is tucked at the end of a 4-mile dirt road on the shores of a beautiful, clean lake.  I love how quiet it is here, minus, of course, the occasional loon or more frequent mosquito.  It's like a whole other world down here.  Seriously, take a look at this location:

Beautiful, no? I feel very privileged to have grown up around so much green and natural awesomeness.

You think I'd be well-versed in the temperature difference between our current home (in the west, by the mountains) and our hometowns (by the coast), but I still managed to plan poorly.  When we left home it was 65 degrees, perfect sandal and dress weather.  When we arrived, it was 56 and cloudy.

Idiot.

Now I'm wearing jeans under my dress and a sweater.  Yay summer!

What did you do today?

P.S. I saw the first iteration of my matryoshka tattoo, you guys, and holee. crap. It's amazing.  Ten times more amazing than I ever imagined.  Think gypsy skull, lace, and Cyrillic.  When the design is finished I'll post a picture and try not to have your mind blown. LEMON OUT.