62. September 17th, 2010 Picture.

September 17th I headed to Weymouth after work to babysit the two most adorable nieces on the face of the planet.  It’s a scientific fact, so there is no need to dispute it.  They are in most definitely, the cutest little girls on the planet. Christine’s parents were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary and they were all going out for a nice dinner that night.  I left work a few minutes early attempting to skip some traffic, but obviously that didn’t happen.  I hit a ton of traffic and ended up being a half hour late.  I hate being late, but unfortunately it is sometimes unavoidable.  Thankfully Eddie and Christine were cool, calm and collected and didn’t mind running a few minutes off schedule.  I showed up and they weren’t totally ready, which made me feel 1,000 times better.  Once I finally shoo’d Eddie and Christine out the door, me and the girls settled in for an epic babysitting extravaganza.  There was pizza, cookies, frosting, sprinkles, toe nail painting, French braiding, dance parties AND movies. 

I walked into the kitchen and pizza had already been ordered, so I pulled up a chair and started inhaling slices along with the girls.  I had run to the store on my lunch break that day and picked up a package of cookie dough, a tub of frosting and some little flower sprinkles in anticipation of the evening.  As soon as pizza was done, Cassie requested her toe nails be painted, with alternating colors and polka dots (the girl knows what she wants, what can I say?) so we pre-heated the oven and headed up to their bedroom to get our paint on.  They both LOVE getting their nails painted, and absolutely insist that it take place in their bedroom, in true slumber party fashion.  Abs and Cass each sat on their respective beds, while I hopped between the two, making sure that if I did Cassie’s toes first then I would then do Abby’s hands first as to not throw off the very sensitive sibling rivalry balance between them.  Once each one had a sufficient amount of color, sparkle and polka dots placed delicately on each nail, we went downstairs to bake cookies. Each of us got a chunk to mould into the ‘perfect’ cookie, and then we smushed crunchy little flowers into the dough. We popped them into the oven and started making our second batch.  Abby got somewhat sidetracked and started swinging from the open freezer door, and Cassie was telling me that Abby wasn’t allowed to do that when their parents were home.  Well, what kind of awesome fun aunt would I be if I told Abby to stop?!  Not a very good one, so I just took a picture instead.  Then I got nervous that the door handle might break off, even though she weights all of 20 pounds soaking wet, so I distracted her with frosting. 

{Our massive pancake sugar cookie(s)}

{Abby likes to model for me.}

{Cassie doesn't.}

{Some swinging.  Note the perfectly polished hands and feet!}

We took the first batch of cookies out of the oven and realized that instead of making cookies, we made one gigantic sugar cookie pancake.  Our second batch was a little better, but not by much.  We left the cookies to cool and settled in the TV room to watch Marmaduke.  I’m going to say, that unless you have children begging you to watch Marmaduke, you can probably skip it.  The girls loved it, but by the time it was over it was almost 10pm.  Whoops!  I guess time flies when you’re having fun.  I quickly got the girls in their PJ’s, got their teeth brushed, face washed etc.  Read them 3 books, including 1 twice, and finally convinced them it was, in fact, time to go to bed, there parents were coming home soon and that I was not going to do anything fun while they slept.  I can appreciate their not wanting to be left out of anything fun, I’m the same way.

I had JUST got them to bed, or at least in their beds with the lights partially off, when Eddie and Christine came home. The pizza was still out on the table, the cookie making supplies was all over the counter and the TV was still on.  So much for leaving the place better than when I found it.  I picked up the kitchen as best as I could while they shared stories about the dinner and where they went.  As soon as I was done we went into the dining room to chat a little bit more before I headed home.  Wouldn’t you know it, not 2 minutes later, I hear the little pitter patter of feet and down came Cassie.  I stayed for about 10 more minutes until she started crying from overtiredness, a phenomenon I like to call 'the wheels are coming off', because it does, in fact, seem like the wheels are coming off.  I knew it was time for me to leave so I quietly said bye and snuck out the door. I know in situations like that, it's better just to leave as quickly as possible,  so that's what I did!

62. September 16th, 2010 Picture.

September 16th was a Thursday night, and Ratty and I had a few party options to choose from.  One was an Ithaca Alumni happy hour at a bar downtown, and an opening party for a new spa in the South End.  We had RSVP’d for both and planned on going to the spa opening first and then catching the tail end of the happy hour.  I got a perfect spot in the South End and met Ratty outside the packed spa.  There was music playing and a line that spilled out into the street. We checked in with the hostess and made our way inside to check it out.  The spa was very cool on the inside, white washed walls, hard wood floors and tons and tons of people.  There was a small champagne bar set up in the back, and waiters walking around with little bites from the restaurant next door.  We grabbed a glass of champagne and claimed a tight spot in the corner while browsing the product selections on the walls.  

The spa, called skoah, is owned and operated by Ratty's friend Pete and his husband.  Pete had been working as a high powered lawyer for years, when he decided that he needed a change of pace.  He and his husband had been vacationing in Canada, when he popped into a spa to get a facial.  He was really impressed with the service and product and began talking with the owner about his business.  Turns out the owner had been wanting to expand for a while, including a spot in the US, and after many discussions, plans, contracts, etc, Pete became the franchise owner of the first skoah spa in the states.  I  was completely impressed with Pete, aware that he was unhappy as a lawyer and really admired his drive to find something he really loved.  It was a complete leap of faith but it has worked out in their favor.  They had all the top Boston magazines in house that night, snapping pictures and Tweeting up a storm.  The buzz surrounding it is fantastic, and they even got a spot on Rue La La's new Boston deals section, created to rival Groupon but with more high quality offers.  I am sure that I will be frequenting skoah for some 'me time', and I probably won't be the only one!


We ended up closing down the party, skipping the happy hour, and made our way next door to Sister Sorel restaurant for a few complimentary drinks.  As we were leaving, we each got a goodie bag filled with swag, including certificates for martinis, free facial vouchers and lots of product samples.  It was an amazing party, and I made an appointment to get my complimentary 'sweet treat' facial a week or so down the line.  

62. September 15th, 2010 Picture.

Once again I went home after work to hang out with my mom and to get fed.  Against my better judgment, I decided to attempt breakfast for dinner, again, and make an omelette.    I actually made a really awesome omelette and decided to document it to show I could cook breakfast and not have something catastrophic happen, like the pepper incident of 2010.  I was so impressed with myself, probably more than I a semi-grown wannabe teenager should be, but who cares.  


I snapped this picture, and then sat down to enjoy this awesome cheese and sausage delight.  My mom was also pretty impressed, and said I could blog about it to offer some small redemption.  I quickly realized I needed a drink and got up to grab some OJ.  I grabbed the carton and gave it a real good shake to mix it up.  Turns out, the top wasn’t on the carton and OJ went everywhere.  Everywhere!  On my shirt, on my sweater, all over the floor, everywhere.  It was sticky and ridiculous and hilarious.  I did my best to clean it up, but like a typical mom, she asked me to sit down so she could clean it up ‘correctly’.  The food was great, but I fully believe that I am cursed when it comes to cooking at my moms house.  I can’t catch a break.  Thankfully, cheese makes everything better!

62. September 14th, 2010 Picture.

I wanted to take a picture of the actual TV show Parenthood, but got completely sidetracked while watching.  I love this show SO much, it may be my favorite, or at least one of them, and I love it even more because Lorelai Gilmore is on it.  Her real name is Lauren Graham, but she will always be Lorelai to me, always.  Parenthood is a show about a family in Southern California and it basically follows 4 siblings, all of whom are adults, with kids of their own, but still havne't quite managed to grow up.  The show is hilarious and captures the dynamic of close familes perfectly.  The are always giving each other advice, whether or not one wants to actually hear it, and they bicker in the most genuine way I've ever seen.  Each one liner that is uttered is something that has crossed my own mind.  


The writers have such a great way of creating coversations that feel like they came right out of my head.  Little jokes and jabs that are put into words that literally sound as if they could be a direct quote from my own siblings.  I love how they put into words what I love about my own family.  The witty comments, inside jokes, and other things that are difficult to understand unless you've been there.  They make it so easy to feel like you're apart of the story, while keeping you engaged and invested in the characters.  I don't know how they do it.  There is no way to describe the show and do it justice, so I am going to give you all homework.  Watch an episode, and you will be hooked.  And if you aren't, watch the next week's episode and if you STILL aren't convinced it's great, then you probably have no soul and are beyond help.

Yes this is a screen shot of my shows that I record on Tuesday nights, don't judge.  

62. September 13th, 2010 Picture.

I went to clean out my car after work, which is quickly becoming a weekly thing since I live in my car and am constantly acquiring things, like water bottles, Fresca cans, coffee cups, shoes, articles of clothing, etc.  My car trunk is that, times 100.  Currently in my trunk I have a shovel, orange cone (for saving parking spots in Southie), an air mattress, beach chair, cooler, blanket and various other items.  I honestly don’t know what it is like to have an empty trunk.  Maybe the day I bought my car it was empty, but it was filled soon after that.

I’ve heard people say that the way your car trunk is organized directly relates to how you process your thoughts.  I am not too sure if this is credible or not, but if it’s true, my mind is a mess.  I like to think that there some form of organized chaos happening in my car.  I have all these items stored because frankly, you never know when you’ll need it.  The beach chair has come in handy more times that I can count, and you never know when you’ll need an air mattress and blanket.  I like to think of it almost as my emergency kit, like the boy scouts say, always be prepared.  If I need extra shoes, a jacket, an emergency blanket (not to be confused with a poncho, a la Taylor Swift) I am all set.  It does however hinder my ability to drive people around, and actually put other things in my trunk, like a suit case or groceries. Whatever.  If I am ever stranded on the side of the road, I will be able to camp out and survive for at least a week.  

62. September 12th, 2010 Picture.

The day after Ratty’s birthday was a quiet one.  I wanted to do nothing but lay on the couch and watch football all day.  And that is exactly what I did.  I camped out at Ratty’s apartment and we made a disgusting assortment of awesome game day food, and didn’t move from the couch all afternoon.  At one point I heard a loud commotion coming from outside, and opened the window to see what was going.  I am pretty sure the sunlight burned my eyes, but I did notice that there was a random parade going up Ratty’s street.  This happens sometimes.  There is always some Saints Day, or feast, or some random marching band walking by.  To some, it may be weird, but to anyone who frequents or lives in the North End, it’s just another day.  And yes, that is money attached to the Saint.

I was also pretty excited to rock my brand new Pats hat.  I had been wanting this hat for years now, but never got around to buying it.  Ratty had been talking about buying a Patriots hat for himself, so I politely asked that if he happened to see a red Pat Patriot fitted hat, to please grab one.  He did.  It’s awesome!  He got a blue Pat Patriot hat, so sometimes I feel like we are too matchy matchy.  It happens. 

I  thought that rocking it for the first game would be perfect, and the Pats won, obviously, because we're awesome.  Tom Brady's awesome.  And adorable.  GO PATS!

62. September 11th, 2010 Picture.

For the past 10 years, Ratty has done a birthday bar crawl through different areas of Boston.  The first year I attended he did it through the ladder district, which includes Downtown Crossing and parts of the theater district.  The second year I attended, we actually went on a boat cruise, through the harbor.  Ratty’s methodology for that was that he had covered every area of the city, so why not take the party out into the ocean.  The third year was a hotel bar crawl that will go down in history as the most epic bar crawl I have ever been apart of.  It was for his 29th birthday and it was amazing.  The route was great, the bars were awesome and everyone in attendance was ready to party.  There was a slight issue with Tropical Storm Hannah bearing down on Boston, so the journey from bar to bar was an interesting one to say the least.  Multiple people fell, umbrellas were lost and I think everyone looked like a drown rat by the end.  It was awesome.

For Ratty’s 30th birthday, he did another hotel bar crawl, hitting up bars that were skipped over the first time around. While that night was awesome as well, NOTHING could top the first hotel bar crawl, nothing.  I shut down the Bristol Lounge at the Four Seasons at 3am, with a guy from London, his nanny’s boyfriend and Ratty.  I gave Ratty $20 and MY umbrella to get home. Leaving me open to the elements while trying to hail a cab.  Again, it was awesome. 

For what Ratty deemed as the last bar crawl ever, the 10th one, he decided to bring back the epic route once again.  We all met at Eastern Standard, and had some well made cocktails (they are pretty famous for having the best bartenders in the city).  I was so excited because Eddie and Christine met us for the first stop and they were happy to finally meet some of the friends they’ve heard so much about, and be out with adults.

{Eddie and Christine at Eastern Standard.  Please don't mind my brother, he doesn't normally look like a grave digger.  He just likes to be different.}

{Champagne cocktail menu from City Bar at the Lenox Hotel.  I specifically took a picture of the Ruby cocktail because it's my favorite.  My sister in law Sybil makes this amazing drink, vodka, cranberry juice, Canton ginger liquor topped with Champagne.  She calls it the Sparkling Ruby.  I seem some similarities here.  It also helps because I LOVE the name Ruby and have already claimed it for my unborn, not even a twinkle in my eye for at least 5 more years, daughter.}

{The Dancing Bear Martini at Charlesmark.  It's this tart and sweet martini with a skewer of gummy bears on top.  It takes it's name and inspiration from the Grateful Dead.}

{Me and Jamie at Charlesmark.  She is working it.}

{Ratty and our friend VT.  We call him VT because he is from Vermont.  We're so original.}

{Me and Ratty at Cuffs.}

{Partial Group shot en route to the next Hotel Bar.}

{I just really like the colors.}

{I specifically took a picture of Ratty walking down these stairs because 2 years ago, during the hurricane bar crawl, Ratty seriously skied down these steps.  He slipped at the top and skidded down them all, without falling.  People were amazed that he didn't kill himself, or at least bash his head in.  Obviously, being the dramatic people we are, the story had morphed over the years and the steps became steep.  20 feet high.  Made of pure white marble.  The kind of stairs that are considered deadly, and it was a sheer miracle Ratty made it out alive.  As you can see, none of that is true.  They are not deadly, not made of marble and not 20 feet high, maybe 6.  II think I am going to stick with the embellished version of the story.  I like it better than the truth.}

{Ratty and his friend Sonya at Bristol Lounge at the Four Seasons.}

{This is Josh.  He and Ratty grew up together and have been best friends since the 3rd grade.  Josh and his wife Sue live in Connecticut and originally told Ratty that they couldn't make it to the crawl.  Turns out, there were just saying that and were planning on surprising him all along.  We had speculated, thinking there was no way that Josh and Sue would miss Ratty's birthday, but Josh was adamant so we believed him.  The surprised was quickly ruined when Josh's sister wrote on Facebook that Josh was home for the weekend, so Ratty and I literally practiced our surprise faces in anticipation.  We knew that he would be at Charlesmark, waiting for us, because word had passed through friends and plans were shared with us.  All through our hour at City Bar, Ratty and I pretended to look shocked, while everyone else would critique our reactions.  In the end, we told Josh we knew, so our rehearsing was all for not.  But it was still hilarious!}

{The last picture at Bristol Lounge.  I know I didn't take a lot of pictures, but we were too busy having fun.  Even though Ratty said that this year was the 'final' one, I know that come next year he won't be able to let his birthday pass by without a big, fun celebration.  Heck, I'm not going to let that happen!}