If I go into a craft store

Derek wanted to go to the craft store to get a needle and thread because he actually fixes his own clothes when they rip, I mean what more could a girl ask for?

I warned him that if I go into a craft store I will buy something. I think this is progress though. I didn't get craft supplies for a project that I'll never finish, instead I purchased glittery flip flops. I was debating whether or not I should get them and Derek told me to buy them. Now that's a good boyfriend right there.

Yes I'm 29 years old and still buy crap like this. I don't care. They were $3.00.

American Girl dolls.

I saw a conversation on Instagram about American Girl dolls and it brought back many great memories from my childhood.

My first American Girl doll was Molly. My two best friends had a Samantha and a Kirsten. At this time there were only three dolls. American girl dolls are not cheap. When I was a kid I believe they were $83.00 or $89.00. For a single mother of two, that was a lot of money for my mother. Later on I learned from a friend of my mother how hard she worked to save the money for that doll, and how excited she was to see me open it on Christmas. And I was excited when I got Molly. I still to this day remember opening that gift and I played with Molly all the time.

A few years later I got Samantha. I was equally as excited and played with her and Molly for a long time. My grandmother made me all of these adorable doll clothes. Some of my favorites included bits from my grandfather's ties.

I sold Molly and Samantha a few years ago on Cragistlist. I don't regret it one bit. The woman I sold them to had two girls and they both wanted American Girl dolls but she couldn't afford to buy two brand new dolls. They are now over $100.00 brand new. I met up with her and she brought her daughters with her. They were so excited and thanked me over and over again. I was happy that the dolls would be played with again and the clothes my grandmother made for the dolls would be appreciated.

I went to the American Girl site today and I was a bit sad to find that Samantha, Kirsten and Felicity are no longer sold. I'm sure at some point they will come out of "retirement" and there are plenty of dolls available for girls to enjoy.

In conclusion, American Girl dolls are awesome and sometimes I wish I could get that excited over a Christmas present again. Also, my mom is awesome as was my grandmother.

Taste all the Sangria.

And eat all the tapas.

These pictures were taken to send to Lil-Anne who had fallen asleep and almost missed out on the Sangria tasting.

I will make it summer by drinking sangria. That's how it works right?

And a I have a little blog poll for you - white or red sangria? I vote BOTH.

Maybe one wants to look like a trash bag?

A very bright trash bag. Even the model is not pleased to be wearing this so called dress.

Maybe this could inspire woman everywhere to take their sheets and create fashun. Throw in some shoes that don't match your sheet, put on your straight line face and you're ready to go!

Trash bag dress from Zara

Mixed CDs and Taco

My cousin Alexis and I rocked out to a mixed cd that Btchonheels made me back in high school. Remember Puttin on the Ritz by Taco? That was on there.

I don't understand why there is black face in this video. Why is that necessary Taco! And why is your name Taco?

Returning to "normal".

We're all trying to get back to a normal routine here but there are reminders everywhere you look. Signs, flowers, armed police and military. I take a round about route to get to work as I usually go down Boylston Street which is still blocked off. I can't watch the news anymore. I need a break.

I've been exercising and reading so let's talk about that. Now that it's not winter anymore I've been getting back into an exercise routine. It feels good. I've been waking up at 6:30 (which is an ungodly, awful, no good hour if you ask me) to exercise. I am so not a morning person. I also can't drink caffeine so REALLY not a morning person. Please tell me it gets easier. I mean I'm fine once I get up, it's the getting up part that I'm not good at.

I'm about half way through the Night Circus. I'm not usually one for a ton of description. I gave up on a book once because it talked about a tree for two pages. Not my cup of tee. But I'm surprised that I'm not bored by the description in the Night Circus. Someone wrote that the Night Circus was a slow burn. I forgot where I read that or I would link to it. I think that describes it pretty well. I'm a bit worried that the end will be anti-climactic but I guess I will find out.

One thing that is bothering me though is the fact the the two main characters, Marco and Celia, don't seem to really want to be in this mysterious competition or know why they are and yet they don't walk away? I'm assuming (and hoping) this will be answered as I keep reading.

A thank you from me and Boston.

I just want to thank everyone who called, texted, tweeted or emailed me to see if I was ok yesterday.

I was at mile 23. We didn't really know what was going on but we knew it was bad. The bar I was in was closed and we were moved down a side street. I live on the other side of the street so I couldn't get home for a few hours. We waited it out in a hole in the wall bar watching the news coverage.

Who does this? An 8 year old died. People lost limbs. I'm more angry than scared. I just want to know who and why.

I'm thankful no one I know was hurt. I'm thankful I have that many people who care about me. Despite what happened I will be out there next Marathon Monday and I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that way.

Hello random alligator.

Derek had a friend in town visiting so we went to a cigar bar. I do not partake in cigars but I did partake in a little bit of hookah. I also made a new alligator friend, or a new crocodile friend. I'm not sure but he can be whatever he wants to be, he brought the dynamite.

I loved the random statues and items hidden in dark corners. There was no theme really and I kind of liked that.

I have to move my whole desk because of a burst pipe. HAPPY FRIDAY

I don't think I really need to elaborate much on the title of this post. I came into a wet cubicle floor and in order to reach the pipe I have to have my whole cubicle moved.

Happy Friday and cheers to wet squishy carpets.

I'm going to see Muse tonight so it's all ok. Oh and it's a long weekend due to Marathon Monday so yea I guess it's not so bad.

Remember when we all hated the Great Gatsby?

I remember reading the Great Gatsby in high school and I hated it. Actually my whole class hated it. This seems to be the general consensus if you read the book in high school. I plan on reading it again without a teacher beating me over the head with "tell me about the symbolism, what does this symbolize, what was this a metaphor for." Some books you just won't appreciate in high school, especially when you have to dissect it to death.

The funny thing is suddenly everyone is all excited over the Great Gatsby movie coming out this summer and I'm all "remember how we all hated this book in high school? Remember that??!" Granted the movie does look good but I'm not going to pretend I've always been a Gatsby fan. I'm going to admit that I hated that book in high school and need to re-read it before I see the movie.

I wonder if it's a good idea to force the classics on high schoolers. A lot of the time they don't really appreciate the book and just end up avoiding the classics as adults because they remember not enjoying them in high school. But then what would you have them read? It's a fine line I suppose.

So the Great Gatsby is on my list of books to re-read. I know my tastes have changed and I think I'll appreciate it more the second time around. I'll still see the movie no matter what because I love Leonardo DiCaprio. Will this be his Oscar movie?! I hope so. I want him to finally win.

Any books you remember reading in high school that you hated? (Grapes of Wrath anyone. UGH!)

Also, I hope you were not forced to go see Moby Dick the musical in school. There are some books that just do not need to be made into a play and especially not a musical. The whale was awesome though. Kidding there was no whale, I would have enjoyed it if there was a singing whale or even someone dressed as a whale singing.

Also part II when I googled Moby Dick I discovered there is a restaurant called Moby Dick House of Kabob. Weird.

Don't be a party pooper.

Weather.com has a ten day forecast. I have been dying to know what the weather will be for Marathon Monday. It's just a much better day when it's warm and sunny. I posted on facebook that it looked like it would be a good day - sunny and not cold.

Then someone had to be the party pooper and comment that you can't accurately forecast that far in advance. I'm not a moron. I know that it's ten days out and the forecast could change but I think it gives you a general idea of what to expect.

His response was that he didn't meant to pull rank but he was in the Kennedy Jr. High weather service in 7th grade, so he knows his stuff.

*insert giant eye roll*

I suggested he go work for weather.com

I will celebrate your birthday.

Happy birthday Derek.

I know you don't like to tell people it's your birthday but since only a few people read this blog I hope you don't mind.

I know you also don't really care about celebrating your birthday but I love birthdays and I'm glad you're letting me celebrate yours.

So happy birthday and thank you for taking awkward Easter brunch photos with me.

Making up names for a possible serial killer.

My co-worker Dana informed me that 3 bodies have been pulled from the Charles River recently. Clearly this is the work of a serial killer. We have dubbed him the "Charles River killer".

Me: What if his fist name is actually Charles?

Dana: What if his last name is actually River?

Me: That would be an ironic twist.

Brilliant minds at work over here folks.

Easter and Tilda Swinton is in a box.

My Easter was a bit hectic driving from Boston to Franklin then to the Cape but we managed to squeeze in time with both our families.

It's finally starting to feel like spring in Boston. I went for a walk this weekend and saw little baby flowers blooming. I got more flowers (the tea roses above) from Derek's parents. Let's hope the cats don't eat it or that I don't kill it. I really like my little rose plant.

We did a late Christmas with Derek's parents and besides the plant they got me some very nice things including a giant cookbook with lots of tasty looking recipes.

I actually received a blogging request from my friend Melissa via text this weekend. She wants to know what I think about Tilda Swinton in a box and asked if I could blog about it.

Ask and you shall receive.

I love Tilda Swinton. She's crazy, but interesting crazy. I'm not surprised that she's doing something like this and I like that she does what she wants. She doesn't care if people think she's weird. Embrace your weirdness. Normal is boring. I would go see this if I was in New York.

Also, whoever put Tilda and David Bowie together in a music video is a genius. Was that you David Bowie? I'd like a reality show where it's Just David Bowie and Tilda Swinton doing things together. Can we make that happen?

And Melissa I know you didn't ask but I thought I should tell you that I had a dream that your dog Riley got really fat and you decided that you hated regular mattresses so you got an air mattress. Just thought you should know that.