Hollywood in the D

YAYAYAY!!

Yesterday Phil and Hayley arrived in Detroit for the week!!

After I scooped them up from the airport, we headed to my cousin Julie's house for an end of summer family bash!

My parents & Phil had not seen each other since July 2010!! So it was a much needed family reunion!

So even though my house is jam packed (5 adults, 2 dogs & 1 cat) and I am couch cruising... I am looking forward to some fabulous family time :) YAY!

xoxox

Babygiiiiiils

August 15th marked two fabulous years since I brought my little Valentina Milania home!!

In late July of 2009 I just went to look at "Coco Puff" ... but how could anyone say no to this face?!

 The minute we made eye contact... I knew there was no way I was going another day without her :)

This is her first night in her crate :) with her fav toy... Ellie

Happy Belated 2 year Anniversary Baby V!! Your momma LOVES you to pieces!! :)

xoxox

Does this EVER happen to anyone else?

I have to believe there are wireless office phones in the world. Where can I upgrade?

I think a teenager has been sneaking into my office each night and using my phone, who else could twist this into destruction?

... Umm ME!! That's who... I guess I was the reason my parents went to wireless everything :) Wahhhh!!

Happy Jersday!!

xoxo

Let's hear it for the.... binders?!!

I am living a real exciting life today... you all should be extremely jealous :)

Today at work I literally spent my lunch hour making a poor man's recipe book... don't judge!!
I have mentioned before, in the eating Crisco on my Eggo's post, that recently I have been all about cooking, baking, learning and making mistakes in the kitchen. So I decided that, to do it properly, I needed to stop saving recipes on my Blackberry notepad and actually have them physically on some paper, in a safe place...
Enter.... the best gift ever!!

My office is mainly dominated by women so we tend to treat some of the men in our office like everyone else... women. We buy each other little prizes when we see something that "he or she would just love" and last week, I hit the jackpot!! My coworker was apparently walking home heavily buzzed from dinner one night last week (don't judge him either, lol) and decided that his two children (one only 3) needed some school supplies, so he made a detour to Office Depot. While shopping he saw two items that screamed Jess (another coworker) & CAB, so after a few misspelled BBM's, we learned we would have prizes awaiting our arrival at work the next day!! How exciting!

When I entered work that next morning, I was presented with a shiny Pink & Green (Go Delta Zeta!!!) binder!! WOOO WOOO!! Now to most this seems like an "eh whatever" gift, but to the Queen of Binders & Organization and a Delta Z sister... this was AMAZING!!

Proof that I am the Binder Queen
(and that's just the last two years)

I had been debating the last few days, which program would be the lucky recipient of this lovely new binder... but was having a hard time committing. I didn't want to only use it for a few months, it's far to pretty to be used just for one Parade season :(

Enter.... the poor man's recipe book :) and apparently a photo shoot!!

I think I need to steal this easel for my kitchen, right?!

My google was filled today with "how to organize your recipes" and "recipe tabs for organizing", I even went to Amazon.com to check index's of some of the most popular cookbooks... What I came up with was a list that made me realize I am quite the micro-manager of recipes :) twenty-four tabs grace my pretty pretty princess binder!! A little over the top I am sure, I don't really think I needed a tab separating appetizers from dips but ya know... it felt right.

I am a bit embarrassed to admit that you will see an error in my index... but my filing of "Desserts & Treats" (which is different than Cake, and Candy, and Cookies, oh and Pies & Cobblers) after "Grilling" just shows my excitement level for my new creation!! And I am sure I will be adding more tabs as I become an expert in the kitchen and will be able to fix my alphabet error soon!!

So if anyone has any recipes that aren't top Italian family secrets, I would welcome the opportunity to give them a try :) my future children will thank you I am sure... as no one wants a mom who can't make a mean Birthday DIRT CAKE
xoxox

OH PS... I think all my creativity with my recipe book (I know it still needs some work) came from my new fabulous hair cut!! Okay so it's not any different than before and to the naked eye it may not look like I cut anything off but Lizzie took a whole 4+" off my locks of love!! AND now it curls better and is super wild... which is totally awesome in this heat wave... no blow out for me!!! Woo Woo!!

Thank you bathroom mirror at work for the photo... you know ya'll love the papier-mache heads creeping through plastic bags photo in the background... don't judge :)

Crazytown - Population 1

Today my life is like that scene from The Craft. When the bus driver tells Fairuza Balk & Co. to watch out for the weirdos. She replies with a smile, "We are the weirdos, Mister". Only I am not smiling... and thankfully I am not on a bus.

I think I may have even frightened my friends (I won't dare call my brother) today, with my nonsense. I am normally very good at dealing with things head on, remaining calm, staying positive, seeing the good in the worst situation... all the things that one day will make me a fabulous wife & mother. But today, today I am one of those people that the police watch for on full moons.... a straight up crazer!

I don't need to document the gory details of the last month other than to tell you...

• I didn't properly take care of my body during event time (overshare ---> I peed only ONE time on event day... and I don't need to be a doctor to know that's not good)
• I partied too hard during what should of been total recovery
• I jumped right into my family vacay up north which left me missing my brother (who I have not seen in 7 months) even more than normal... ugh dang you HOLLYWOOD!!
• I then returned home to a whirlwind wedding celebration for my BFF LC Mrs. LB to find my AC broken (see I do hate being a homeowner sometimes)
• I haven't tanned in over a month (seriously people, tanorexia does exist)

The list could go on, but I will spare you. I think what I am trying to tell you here is... Justin Timberlake said it best... My bridges were burned and now it's my turn to... "cry me a riverrrrrrr" : ) and that is exactly what I am doing today.

So to my friends I promise you don't have to put me on any type of medical watch... Rachel have no fear if you hear about me listening to our girl Britney's "Everytime" : )

Tomorrow there will be a new Mayor of Crazytown... and fun, wild, carefree CAB will be back in action!!

xoxox

I'm still alive!!!

I miss you like crazy Pink!!

Just wanted to give you a little taste of event production today...

First of all I look like an 80's hair band softball coach today with my big wild curly hair in a pink peace sign headband and my black tapered cotton pants with tennies!! Good times!! And yes I have a TPC branded baseball tee on.. people gotta know why I look so Hot Mess Express!!

Second I had to drive the Murder Mystery Machine work van to Costco today to get all the volunteer snacks for the Rooftop with Jess. The van (pictured below) is out of control!! It wreaks of gas (spilled in the back), is missing it's rear view mirror (just laying on the dash), has large shards of broken glass laying behind the drivers seat (sounded like gun shots every few bumps) and has no side windows (merging on the freeway is a death trap)... but I am happy to report we made it back to the studio safely!!

A special thank you to my father for teaching me to drive at 15 :) "CarolAnn the speed limit is 25 NOT 26!!" which helped me control this black beast!!

PS I did look much cuter yesterday in my western wear :) modeling a hat our costume dept made for the mascot of the Detroit Tigers PAWS for Country Night at the Ballpark!!

PPS Jess and I are feeling a bit pimped out between all the licenses and permits we have had to get for the party... I have spoken to the Fire Marshal no less than 7 times today AND went there in person yesterday & today!! But I think it's all worked out, they just like my company :)

Just a few more days!!! YAY!!

xoxox

For those of you keeping track at home...

My baby book was found!!!

It seems my father took both mine & my brothers after his last visit to my house "by mistake". I personally think he was secretly missing looking at us cute babies :) or him in his short short 80's shorts!!

xoxox

Sabbatical

I hope you understand, it's not you, it's me... I have to say goodbye... for awhile :)

Today started crunch time at The Parade Company, as we prepare & produce our "largest trans-border pyrotechnic display in North America" (thank you Sarah from our sponsorship team for the tagline) and VIP Rooftop Party, which is just a week away!!

2010 "Celebrate the Spirit" Fireworks

There are two times a year when blogging will take a sabbatical... this being time #1 and #2 will come in the fall, when my life becomes nothing but America's Thanksgiving Parade. So before I disappear (until June 29th) I wanted to share some randomness that is my life!!

1) My emotions are running wild - I literally cried last night during an episode of Jerseylicious (seriously can't Gigi & Frankie just get back together already?!!)!! I tried blaming the fact that I had 3 glasses of Barefoot Sweet Red Wine (which is my new obsession) but the truth is, I always get super emotional around event time. So much so that an hour later while watching Saddle Ranch, I literally had to tell myself to grow up during a wedding proposal...ugh

2) My OCD is CURED!! - okay that's a lie. Let me rephrase. My HOME OCD is cured ... for the moment. Now that I only have the time & the energy to be organized at work, my house becomes rather unlivable (to me)!! As I watched my shows last night, I cringed at every commerical break when Valentina would shake & dog hair would go flying everywhere... because I know I won't be vacuuming anytime soon. It's just too much work between the laundry, packing, finding a babysitter for V and keeping myself fed... ugh

3) When it rains, it pours - I took it easy this weekend (minus Saturday night when Monica & I had our monthly dance offs at Delux) so that when event week kicked off, I would be ready to go. Completely positive, with a smile on my face... but I guessed I missed the memo on testing my stress levels today!! With three (3) wet sections of hair left to blow out, my hair dryer decided to die and without a standby (poor planning), I became flustered. I hurried to get dressed after make-shifting my curling iron into a dryer | straightener (one for one) that I didn't realize until my morning budget meeting that both the sweater & leggings I put on had mini holes in them (one for two)... classy CarolAnn, real classy!! Then as I waited in line at the overly crowded gas station this morning, an old man in his Yukon came within centimeters of backing into the corner of my Jeep... I swear I probably scared all the pump patrons with my horn blowing skills. (I am giving myself two for three because I still waved & smiled at him to say "it's ok"). So I think that's passing, right?!... ugh

4) Ahhhhhhhh!!!! .... I just needed to get that out... ugh :)

Tarma from Real Housewives of OC and I pouting it out in 2010

So as I will miss my time writing, I am excited to bring smiles to millions as we light up the sky in Detroit next Monday!! This will be my sixth VIP Rooftop Party & Target Fireworks!! Woo Woo!!

I will be sure to keep great notes of the amazing one liners, 3....2.... moments, and any other great occurrences (like being locked in a porta potty by a golf cart) that always seem to get us through with smiles on our faces... to share upon my return!!

I'll miss you Pink :)

xoxox

Happy Father's Day Dad!!

I am truly blessed with the best dad ever!!! :)

Growing up my father worked a lot of hours & different shifts. He was a patrol officer when I was born and moved his way through the detective bureau as a detective and later an inspector ("gadget" as I liked to call him them), then becoming deputy chief and retiring in 2006 as acting police chief.

He dedicated 30 years protecting the city in which we resided, but always made time for family!! He coached our baseball teams, came to every football game, cheerleading competitions and plays. He opened our pool each year, allowing us to have extravagant pool parties, cemented a portion of the backyard so Phil could have a mini basketball court, took us on numerous family vacations and purchased the property up north so we could mini bike, snowmobile and hunt (Phil, not me)!

He's a very special man!! I mean, not every father would dress as the Easter Bunny each year and hop down the street with Easter baskets for his children :) We never caught on... not even when he would receive a "call" every Christmas Eve when we were celebrating at our grandparents, to go into work... "dang work!!"... but would really go home, take all the gifts out of hiding and leave clues that Santa had been there!! :) He is the best!!

After my mom passed away, I developed a very special bond with my father (after my darker times of that year)... but he was there for me, even at my worst times to make sure I was loved and had everything I needed. He sent me off to Western, paid for my education, my sorority living and even got me a job answering phones for the campus police :) I remember I would call him every single day, sometimes more than once or twice... and even though he was running a police department, he always made time to talk to me, even if it was about what parties I was attending that weekend!!

Nowadays, I still talk to him everyday, so he can make fun of my hangovers, ask how his grand-dog baby V is (they have a special bond too) or as most recently I called him about 10 times the day of the bathroom remodel... "How do you put an anchor into the wall" which ended in frustration and attitudes from both of us until I called back to apologize :) (it was like I was a teenager again. lol)

I don't know if I will ever have the words to express how grateful I am for my dad. He is my rock, my heart. Without him, I would not be the women I am today and for that I can't thank him enough. I am truly blessed to have him!!

Kisses for my first day of school & first bus ride alone!

I LOVE YOU DAD!! Happy Father's Day!! :)

xoxox

My dad & I in 1986 :) Loved that gorilla costume!

PS I have a lot more photos that I would like to post of me and my dad... (to go with more stories) but currently my baby book is missing :( I know I am heartbroken but trying not to let it stress me out because it has to be around my house somewhere!! So when I find it, there will be many more posts & photos of me and the original CAB :)

Owning a Home 101

"I've never owned something on a Tuesday and was ready to sell it back by Friday"
This is usually my go-to one liner about becoming a home owner at 24 years old :) I am very blessed that my parents were kind enough to sell me their home and help me invest in property rather than renting. Honestly, I love my neighborhood, my yard with my kayak pool and my adorable 3 bedroom ranch home but the thought of a mortgage, property tax and home repairs becomes reality when you sign your pretty signature to those papers!! I would be lying if I said it didn't stress me out a bit!!

Over the past 3 years, I have had three roommates and enjoyed my time being my own land lady :) But I haven't done much decorating to make the place "my own". It's like time just flew by and before I knew it, my life felt so different, but it all still looked the same!!

So this weekend, I decided I would change things, one room at a time!! :)

When I first bought the house, the majority of all the rooms were white... which was just too plain for me!! I immediately painted the main bathroom a dark brown, which I inevitably hated but like I said, time flies and I never changed it... until this weekend!!

I called my BFF Marilena to assist with the paint & redecorating... and I will prelude the photos with a huge THANK YOU to her!! I, and I mean this sincerely, could not have accomplished any of this without her! She is patient (while I picked out colors & accessories), she is knowledgeable (we should of painted the corners first), she is daring (disconnecting the lighting fixture) and she is just all around, a fabulous friend to spend the day with!! :) She ROCKS!!

This is pre-paint just after I removed the cabinet mirror... you can see that for the first time in my life I bought a small tester color before investing in the whole can (which is what I should of done before the brown)... lesson learned!! And even though the very attractive man who sold me the paint told me the primer in the paint would fully cover the brown, it was good to see for myself! :)

Geez, just looking at these flashbacks now are making me feel ill! I can't believe I went so long with these awful colored walls and 1970's fixtures!!! YIKES!!! :)

Below is my brave BFF... removing the old fixture and getting ready to disconnect the electrical!! Amazing!

Here we go... are you ready for the BIG REVEAL?!! :) ..........

I still need to figure out the handles for my sink ... and I did accidentally break the water spout while removing the old mirror so I will get a matching one to the other fixtures soon!!

I didn't have a pre-photo of this wall prior to painting but I am sure you get the idea that it was just plain brown. I had this Marilyn Monroe poster framed when I was about 19 years old and was going to garage sale it this summer, but for now I think it fits perfectly in my super girly bathroom!! :)




In the end, I think major project numeral uno went fabulously!!! I am in love with my new bathroom!!

My next goals are having the wood floors (that I discovered after Valentina & her puppy claws ripped away my carpet from the wall) refinished, painting & redecorating the living room & hallway to match, finishing my closet bedroom (omg another love of my life) and updating the spare bedroom!! I think I have my work cut out for me but I am sooo excited!! WOO WOO!! :)

xoxox

PS I may have to find more reasons to hang out at the hardware store, no joke there are some good looking men there!! :)