My New BFF

So the greatest part about having a birthday is that gifts tend to arrive in the mail all week long...a cookbook one day (thank you, Kate!), a set of pretty cocktail napkins (thanks, Paula!), and a gorgeous set of pjs another day (thanks, Bahrmans!). So today when the FedEx truck stopped in front of our house, I wondered if it was another thoughtful friend's gift arriving.

Turns out I'm BFFs with Pop Chips! Seriously, it was a box filled with six bags of Pop Chips, six coupons for six full-sized FREE bags of Pop Chips (!!!), and a handwritten note from "your friends @ Pop Chips," saying they thought I might enjoy the treats. For reals.

Now, I think somewhere along the line, I signed up for a coupon from them because I love their products. But in my wildest dreams, I never imagined they would FedEx me a week's supply of their delicious little saucers. What a fun surprise!

The best part? You can be a BFF of Pop Chips, too. In my package is a note saying they will share some Pop Chips with a few of my favorite snackers. Interested? Let me know in the comments, and I'll make it happen. We are BFFs, after all.

(By the way, for Nana, BFF means Best Friends Forever. And one other note: if my super-snacker pal Lianna does not comment on this, I will be so disappointed that she might lose her status as my most snackiest friend!)

Beach Birthday

We escaped to a lovely beachfront home for a night for my birthday. It was fabulous, even though I came down with a lousy cold that prevented me from fully enjoying the celebration. However, my little ones wrote me a wonderful message in the sand, which I enjoyed from the wall-to-wall windows of the family room of the house. Talk about a million-dollar view!

Published!

I'm published!

Okay, not really. But, kind of.

My amazing aunt Joan (once again evidence that I have the best extended family on the planet) sent me the most incredible package for my birthday. It's a hard-bound book, filled with every single one of my blog posts since I began this silly task. Over two years of tales chronicling our daily adventures, bores, gripes, sorrows, and joys, all rolled into one beautiful, polished book. A gift of the most special and thoughtful variety.

You can bet this will be our favorite coffee table book for a very long time!

Leprechaun Lucy

Oh, yes, we do live up to expectations, don't we?

The sentiment on the shirt (in case you can't read it) is, "The leprechauns make me do it." Which fits Lucy to a tee (pun intended), courtesy of a favorite auntie.

And just what did the leprechauns make us do? Well, today, the leprechauns made Lucy press the "help needed" call button at Nana's retirement home, setting off a loud alarm. And yes, that was every bit as mortifying as it sounds.

Sorry, Nana. I think it's fair to blame those Irish genes from the Fisher side.

Pie for Papa

Last year on this special day, we celebrated Great Papa's birthday with him-- and with a lot of pie! Today, we are missing his presence in our day-to-day lives, though we know he is smiling on us from above.

So, we made a pie in honor of Great Papa's special day. Unfortunately, I used one of those pre-made crusts that turned out gummy and without flavor. Quite disappointing. Which is, ironically, just like this day without our Great Papa here.

We miss you, Papa!!

Day late, million dollars short

On days like today, I think to myself that it's really too bad that Marley and Me has already been written, because otherwise, I could have been rich. Really rich.

Yes, this house is ripe with canine mischief. I won't name names, of course.

2010

We welcome 2010 with much gratitude, and reflect upon all of the blessings of 2009.

First, we are grateful for our wonderful neighborhood, and most of all, great neighbors. This year, neighbors have graced our front porch with gifts ranging from delectable cookies to a nightstand! (No, that is not a misprint. A nightstand. Which perfectly matches the one we have in our bedroom. Incredible, no?) Our Christmas Eve neighborly offering was a wrapped present for Greta, with love from Shane, Alison, and Henry. Inside: rib bones. AHHMAZING!


Second, I am grateful for my new favorite barista: moi! And to my lovely husband for the indulgent --but perfect-- gift for me this Christmas. Latte, anyone?


Third, I am grateful for an extended family which embraces all of us despite the occasional breaking of a glass (we owe you, J&M!) and adores dogs as much as we do. Yes, the Buck pooches did all receive the gift of prime rib this holiday season! (And perhaps even saved a morsel for little Carter, who mistakenly thought for a moment that this gathering was the appropriate line for dinner.)

Fourth, I am utterly in debt to my own personal cleaning staff. (What are you gaping at? Doesn't your cleaning staff wear spandex cycling kits from time to time, also?)

And, finally, for smiling, happy children (in matching Irish sweaters, nonetheless!), because without them life would be terribly dull.
Oh, yes, we are blessed. Happy 2010 to all of our loved ones!