#13 When I Went to Bed

Amy: I took this picture when I went to bed : 10:10pm. As you can see, our bedroom door is closed because Marko was already asleep. Usually I am the one in bed first. I was definitely ready for bed earlier, but stayed up studying for my licensing exam. I NEVER thought I'd say this, but I just love going to bed before 10PM. Best thing ever!







Cassie: Currently I am working on addressing the invites for Lauren's babyshower. I am def ready for bed, but I got them all done. I was especially excited to work with Karen (fellow 52 Tuesday's blogger) to provide a unique and beatiful invite for her. Nie Nie Tie Tie....

#12 - Idulgence

Amy: My indulgence is massages! I went this past weekend; with all of my stress lately, this indulgence keeps headaches at bay. An hour massage cost 45 dollars, amazing. I haven't been to this place in a while, and I think they've changed a few things. For one, I got a full blown frontal massage. Haha! This makes me think of many of my friend's massage experiences: Lau's infamous "water" massage and the masseuse who stood on Cassie's back in CA. Massages make you so vulnerable, and maybe not in a good way. I couldn't keep from laughing, and I was face up.

Lauren: Anyone that knows me well has realized that I have a profound love of fruit and veggies...a taste preference which I attribute to my mom. These days, however, I'd consider my level of fruit and veggie intake to reach "indulgence" standards-especially when it comes to grapefruit, strawberries, blueberries, apples, spinach, and broccoli! My other indulgence, to which Brian can attest, is yogurt pretzels. That sweet and salty combination hits the spot. And yes, I may have sent Brian out on a late-night run (or two) for these....

Cassie: Wine night with the girls without a doubt. Cafe Catura has 1/2 price bottles, but I would say girls night is the real indulgence and the wine is our vice!

#11 - My Left Foot

Lauren: This foot was made for walking and running, and I am extremely grateful for these two activities these days, as this growing baby leads to some very tired feet! My feet are missing the comfy flip flops worn during our trip to Florida last week, and I can't wait until its warm enough to wear them here in Boston!

Amy: My left foot is sporting a new look! Just got these Lucky flats a week ago during a Macy's sale. I love them! Since we are moving to Spain within the year, we have some liberty to buy more clothes and shoes now because this type of merchandise is more expensive over there. We are stocking up!

Cassie: My left foot enjoyed a lovely bike ride on the greenway today. It was close to 80 degrees and with the time change we were able to enjoy a nice bike ride after work without worring about it getting too dark. Really wish I didn't swallow that bug towards the end!

# 10- First Thing I Did Today

Amy: The first thing that I did this morning, besides put the covers back over my head, was think about how tired I am and how much more studying I have to do! I am taking the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) in a few weeks and have to study almost 3 hours a day! ugh! This is the screen of my studying sessions on an online studying program, called Taylor Study Method. This is not only the first thing that I think about in the morning, but also the last thing I do at night. So sad!

Cassie: Dr. Oz told me that the best time to brush is in the morning. I also did it this morning before my dentist appt. I don't know about you but I stress before dentist appts. I know he knows that I suck at taking care of my teeth. I don't go to the doctor often but maybe I should...we takes those extra steps when you know there is going to be a judge of your actions. Guess that's just being human...

#9 Headline

Amy: Although I thought I'd take a picture of the Metro newspaper this morning for the blog, there were none. I thought, "This is strange. No newspaper on Leap Day!" But, then, I got on the train and my headline was clear as day - DON'T GET ON THIS TRAIN CAR! haha! A homeless man had made the car his home, and shat all over the place. no joke. Sh*t everywhere. And, there was no where for us to go, but endure it. Oh the irony.

Karen: EXTRA! EXTRA! Read All About It!!! The Newsboys are coming to Broadway!!! Nothing makes me more excited than this! I have always been a fan of the old Disney movie Newsies starring Christian Bale (although he hates being associated with the film) It's such a great tale with amazing dance scenes! I cannot wait to get tickets to see the show- I'll probably go with my mom since Tim is A. not a fan of the movie and B. not a fan of Broadway- what did I ever see in him??? HAHA JK. It'll be a fun excuse for a girls date anyway.

Cassie: I sit in front of a computer all day, but there weren't any headlines that grabbed my attention today to add to this post. There is so much news all the time everywhere and most of it is negative. I like to keep this blog positive and Jeremy thought this would be funny...for him as usual!

#8 - Refrigerator

Karen: I spend more time in this fridge than I do in the one at home. Here's the walk-in at my current job, and Alex who is so happy to be organizing and putting away the days order. :)Not as big as all the other full service restaurants I've worked at, but it's still freaking cold and a pain in the butt to have to go in!







Amy: The inside and outside of my fridge. The outside looks a bit better, as the inside has a merger amount of a food. The inside is stocked with eggs, GF bread, Marko's pizza leftovers, and tons of Yuengling. The outside is covered with pictures of BABIES and a few drawings from my niece Hannah. Just got a new save the date magnet for Annie & Bill's wedding 11-24-12!

Cassie: Quiz: What's new on the fridge from the 2010 post!???!?!? If someone finally comments with a guess you will get a prize....seriously :) And I promise there is something new.

#7 - Weather

Karen: We have been very lucky this winter with not too much of that 4 letter word. However we have gotten a bit of yucky rainy days. Sometimes I would rather snow, because at least its pretty to look at! This picture always makes me laugh. For those of you that know my mother, you know she doesn't like to drive in inclement weather....however, As Hurricane Irene was approaching, one of her best friends had planned a party for the evening, and as much as she doesn't like to drive in the rain, she doesn't like to miss a party. Needless to say she braved the storm (And Tim personifying it) and we had a grand old time at the party!

Cassie: I have to admit that I didn't take this picture today, but there are many trees currently in bloom due to the warm weather we have been having lately. Today got into the high 60's. The birds were chirping again this morning and I am convinced that Puxatony Phil was wrong. I love NC weather because you get to experience all of the seasons, but every now and then you will get a warm day with blue skies. Def helps me get through the winter blues. I didn't realize how much the weather affected me until I moved back home to NJ after I graduated college. I swear there were gray skies from October to April....talk about winter blues!

Amy: Oh let it snow!!! I'm dying for a white winter wonderland...and a snow day! I can't handle these moderately cold temperatures with RAIN! Reminds me of New Zealand and we all know how I returned from that trip... with celiac disease and a fake tan!

#6 - Coffee Break

Lauren: Coffee break??!! Who needs coffee when you can drink hot lemon water? I like to pretend that I'm a coffee drinker, and do prefer a sip or two of Starbuck's Pike Place or an Americano, with a little skim and 1/2 a Splenda; however, anyone that knows me has long since realized that I have yet to drink an entire cup of coffee when ordered. And so, I stick to what tastes best, and what me and this little baby of mine are craving: water with lemon, and a side of lemon.

Cassie: With a humpday topic of Coffee Break, people that know me knew that there would be a picture of my Starbucks cup for this post. This morning I used my Free Birthday drink from Starbucks and got a nice cold venti iced coffee. That wasn't my only Starbucks birthday gift...Allison you ROCK! I mean going to Starbucks isn't something I do every morning, but it's my treat. I don't get my hair or nails done really so I don't feel too bad about my addiction....

Amy: I take my coffee break Vietnamese style, well except for the American travel mug! We bought this dark roasted coffee while in Ho Chi Minh City, paroosing the chinatown market. It is delicious, but very strong! I don't have it every morning because then we will run out of it quickly, and it takes some time to drip. So, it is only for special occasions. Today is just that day!

Karen: I seem to be living everyone's coffee break these days! I am now working my new job at Panera... Ok so most of it is lunch break- not as much coffee. But we do have an espresso machine. I was training in the barista position today and was excited for the excitement from what I had experienced during my college days as a barista for Starbucks in downtown Boston. Well...so much for that. I quickly learned that this is one of the slowest positions at Panera! So much for an exciting day- but at least I didn't real a sweat!!

#5 - A Cloud

Amy: This is the view from our back patio - and the clouds from the other evening. Marko took this picture. The clouds looked eerie, and he realized how much he'll miss our view when we move. I agree. It's not a very nice view by anyone's standards, but it's a familiar one. Many good memories were made and pictures taken with this background!

Lauren: When I woke up this morning it was cold, foggy, and somewhat dreary on the drive to work. Fast-forward to the end of my day, and this is the beautiful sky that greeted me on my way home. Yes, perhaps it wasn't the best idea to take this picture from my iPhone while driving on the Mass Pike; however, I knew it would be dark by the time I arrived home! The perfect ending to a very long day...

Cassie: I love night clouds.

Karen: I know I'm late, but there were no clouds by me on Wednesday and then yesterday got away from me. These are the clouds I just flew through though to meet up with Cassie and Lauren! Looking forward to a great weekend!

#4 - Dinner

Amy: Little Mexico is all I have to say! This is the man responsible for making the most amazing tacos!! Dos taco pollo. They serve chicken, sirloin, and chirizo tacos, among other spanish sandwiches and tamales. This is the best neighborhood joint for a quick, cheap, and tasty dinner. The Guatamalan owners are really cute too! We went in one time looking for chocolate ice cream, but they only had pistachio. He apologized profusely and the next time we went in, they had it. Visit Little Mexico! you will not be disappointed.


Lauren: Mmmm....mexican for dinner! It just so happens that Brian and I both love a healthy, semi-authentic mexican meal, complete with homemade guacamole and cilantro-lime brown rice. Not surprisingly, I often end up turning my intended fajita or soft taco into a giant salad; after all, my day is not complete without at least a serving (or two) of spinach and veggies galore! :-) I love prepping for and cooking this meal because it gives Brian and I time to talk while creating a great meal together. Tan delicioso!!

Karen: so it's been somewhat like a 3 ring circus in my house. Just when I thought it was already crowded my 88 year old grandmother came to join in the fun. Having her around definitely keeps us all on our toes. It is nice though to have family dinners all the time. Many times the 5 of us (myself, husband Tim, and mom & dad) and many times my brother, his wife, and 4 1/2 month old son join in the festivities. My grandmother is 100% Italian, came to the US when she was 4, and cooking is a huge part of her life. She doesn't have one recipe written down and so as her memory is starting to drift I am quickly trying to get all of her tips when I can. Here she was helping me last night bread flounder for dinner. All along I have always dipped in egg then breadcrumb. But she taught me to use milk instead. Honestly I don't know if I tasted the difference but it made her happy to show me her way and I think I'll continue doing it that way in her honor.


Cassie: Its restaurant week in Raleigh and after failing at getting a table at two places, we finally just settled for a burger at Mo Joe's. Don't get me wrong, it's definitely not settling but I was hungry and forgot to take my picture. My picture is of our dinner for tomorrow night. I saw a this crock pot recipe on my new favorite addiction Pintrest. Preparing dinner in not even two minutes by dumping 3 ingredients into a pot is my kind of cooking on a weeknight. I know that it looks pretty disgusting now, but after cooking slowing for 8 hours it will be perfect!

#3 My Least Favorite Thing Right Now

Amy: The Starbucks on 30th and Park. Yeah, you heard me. This is my own personal review. The Starbucks on 30th and Park is one of the slowest around - and especially for NYC. It is the worst when you have 15 min. to get to work, really want a latte, have a Starbuck's gift card (well stolen from Marko), and the line is so long that you have to pass. AHHH! Definitely my least favorite thing.




Cassie: Traffic. I don't have anywhere as near a terrible commute as some people I know, but for me its a little much. When I lived in NJ and commuted into NYC, my commute could be anywhere from 2-4 hours. I thought that when I moved to NC I wouldn't have to be in traffic ever again. Fantasy I know, but my last job was only 1.5 miles away from my house. I just don't like the person I become in traffic...can become primal.

Karen: The thing I hate most right now is death. 2012 was supposed to be the year of the "light"- Meaning positivity and new beginning-Not more death. Well so much for that idea. In 2011, I unfortunately had to deal with the way too early deaths of 2 close family members and now just 16 days into 2012 I am dealing with it again. A man that was like a grandfather to me for the past 20 years has been taken in the arms of God. His life, however, was not short. He lived a full 90 years, served his country in WWII, took care of a beautiful family, and has loved my grandmother for the past 20 years as their lives were brought to one another after unfortunately both becoming young widows.
All I can say is that I'm ready for a break and hope the rest of 2012 has a little more "light" (the positive kind)

Lauren: The thing I hate most right now (and in general) is clutter. As you can see from this picture, my desk has now become a storage area for the growing baby pile, books, yoga gear, and other random items that don't seem to have a home
elsewhere. My goal for this month is to find some more efficient means of storage and organization, as soon this office will be turning into a nursery.
Game on!!

#2 Movement

Amy: The subway - my main mode of transportation these days. In Hong Kong, there is glass between the tracks and the platform. You can barely feel the movement of the train. Not in NYC! As the train passes by, it is a powerful and scary force, that almost knocks you back in a daze. If only I felt that the trains moved fast while on them?! I might get to work quicker!

Karen: This is me in my weekly dance class (I'm in the back) It is a great class that keeps me moving and takes me back to a place where I spent more time than I did my own home. I love being in the dance studio! I am sad though, because after next week I may not be able to make it every week to my class. I am moving on to a new job. Back to a "big girl" job as I call it and as of next Friday I will no longer be a bartender...and will be starting as a Manager at a local Panera Bread Cafe


Cassie: This is an awesome machine that is at my chiropractor's office. There is a roller that rolls up and down your spine to re-align it or something. I look forward to my visits for a very relaxing 10-15 mins. They even offer a lavender eye cover, but I declined this morning...I would have fallen asleep and not want to wake up!




It started out like little flutters in my tummy, every so slight, and I wasn't sure whether it could be the little baby moving around inside of me. That was three weeks ago; now, its suffice to say that this precious little baby girl is an athlete in the making, as she rarely ceases to move, kicking, twisting and turning about. It is one of the most incredible sensations I have ever experienced, and I cherish every moment of her "acrobatics"!

#1 Self Portrait

Amy: Starting 2012 with a BANG! haha! A new haircut, a new year. I look younger, but maybe that was the point. This will be the year that I rest, recuperate, and get rejuvenated. And, I'm really looking forward to it. 2012 is going to be filled with exciting opportunities and moments that I can actually enjoy.

Karen: This was the first picture taken of me in 2012... This is a whole new year for me. My mother-in-law gave us all flashlights for Christmas this year, saying "this is the year of the light". I am going to try to take that to the fullest extent. 2011 was a terrible year for me and I can only hope that 2012 will be better. So I started out the year with some friends at my home, woke up the next day with a hangover and trucked along....I was not liking the LIGHT that was coming through my windows...so hopefully the "light" my MIL was speaking of is something different and much more fulfilling :)

Cassie: Well its a new year and since last year was a little crazy, I think that starting this year upside down will help. I am glad to be back blogging and I think its going to be a great year :)








Lauren: Wow, life has changed dramatically-and all for the better-since last January during our NYE weekend at the Lake House. While not a self-portrait, I felt it appropriate to include a picture of Brian and I, for meeting him has opened my heart to love, laughter, and a newfound sense of happiness and peace in life. This is a picture of us on opening day at Fenway in April 2011. As you can see, it was colder then than it is in the midst of winter now! This year promises to be filled with exciting, albeit nerve-racking transitions for all of us, and I couldn't be more grateful to have three besties to create and share new and lasting memories with. CHEERS TO 2012!!

2012

Hello followers! Happy New Year!!! After a year off to refuel our creative juices Karen and Cassie are back to help you all over the HUMP. We have recruited 2 of our best friends, Lauren and Amy, to join us for the fun this year.
Meet your bloggers: from left to right...Lauren, Cassie, Amy, and Karen

ENJOY!!!

#52 Reunion

New Years Eve 2011




Thank you for following our blog its been fun :) I am sorry to say that we will not be continuing 52 Humpdays next year, but we appreciate all your support and comments.

#51 Mail

Karen: 'Tis the season of Christmas cards!! If you send us a picture it gets hung around the door. Here are just a few of the many we have received. tim and I didn't sent Christmas cards out this year- the first in many years. But seeing as we are living with my parents right now, it just didn't seem necessary. Hopefully next year we will be out in our own place again and back on the holiday card wagon again! Merry Christmas!!!

Cassie: Sorry for the late post, but I was working hard to get my inbox down to 3 emails. Gotta love getting everything done before a long vacation. Its when you are really able to enjoy it.

#50 - Toiletries

Karen: this is one of a few drawers I have full of crap in the bathroom. there are a few essentials I use everyday but it's amazing how easily the rest of the stuff piles up so fast! Looks like I need to do some early "spring" cleaning!


Cassie: I am heading back home for Christmas and needed to pack up my toiletries. I have never been a product person and this is probably the most I have ever had.
PS: Can't wait to see you Karen :)