Crazy-ness!  I'm still in awe over Obama winning.  It still gives me the chills.  Hope you all saved your newspapers from yesterday.  My favorite though are the people who are like "OMG I'm moving to Canada, Mexico etc," I think Switzerland was the best one so far.  Seriously - if people can't see how positive this will be for our country I'd be happy to see them go.  

Halloween was fun!!  I went to Target on Friday trying to find a costume and obviously found nothing.  However I did keep my devil horns on all day.  Someone at the party was like ok I know what you are!  You're a horny teacher.  So I took that as my identity for the night.

That's moi in the middle.  That argyle sweater was $20 at Target.  Get it.  Heather was a pregnancy pact girl from Gloucester.  Best costume.  Better seeing as Chris totally dropped her at one point.

The party was SO fun!! Alysse and I are kind of the Queens of beer pong but after our first game took like an hour we decided to call it quits.  Next time!  Lots of amazing costumes and good people.  They really went all out.  Kudos.

Next day I went to a beer tasting at Curtis Liquors which was awesome.  I ended up falling in love with Woodchuck and ended up buying a 12 pack (which earned me two free pint glasses).  So good!  My reason initially for going there was to get Hillary her favorite wine before I made the trek to go see her in Winthrop.  I make it seem far but really it's not!  Bad wine selection up there though.  

Went to Hill and John's new pad and helped them unpack/organize.  Their couch, which is the best couch EVER - didn't fit in the new place so they traded with their new neighbor (who helped them get the place!  Not a rando).  Not the best couches so we went to Target for more randoms and a slip cover (best invention EVER?).  We also picked out curtains and some other items to beautify (you'd think it was my apt too).  

When I got home later I found out that my uncle had passed earlier in the week.  Back story is I don't really talk to my Dad's side of the family.  They kind of forgot about me after my Dad died 16 years ago.  In an odd twist of fate - my uncle Richie - the one who just passed, had contacted me this year and we had been trading emails for a while up till about Oct 25.  We finally made plans to get dinner and drinks Nov 14.

I wondered why last week he wasn't emailing and I found out that he was found dead Oct 27. Cause of death is still pending.  Luckily I didn't miss the wake and found out it was Sunday.  I was a ball of a nerves all day.  Should I go, should I not go and send a card.  NO.  I was going to go.  For 16 years I have had something missing - I was super close with my cousins and aunts before that and I had missed it so much.  I tried to tell myself I didn't and that I was the better person -but after this year and reconnecting with uncle - I really felt like it was time to try and mend a relationship with them.

I won't get into all the details that will probably make me cry again - but the whole thing turned out great (minus the fact we were at a wake) my family cried when they saw me, I cried and everyone was just so shocked to see me.  They put pictures of me on these picture collages they made for the wake and it was one of the FIRST thing I saw when I walked in an it immediately made me feel better.  I met two cousins I never even knew about!  They're so cute.  I really regret not making sure I saw my uncle sooner but things happen for a reason - and in an eerie way I feel like maybe he knew he wasn't doing well and he would bring everyone back in the end.  He was only 48 - and looked WAY younger.  I'm so curious to know what happened.  

My aunts and I traded emails and my aunt who lives in Milton - emailed me the other day the sweetest note - that yes made me cry - now you know why I've been an emotional wreck this week.

Seeing my family inspired me to bring out some old school pics!  So I present you with Kristen circa 1980's:

My cousin Nicky and I in front of the old Dorchester house (which is now a spanish realtors office - tres sad).

Kim and I!  St Patrick's Day parade in Southie.

I loved that stinkin doll.  She's kind of scary now that I'm thinking.

This is my uncle and I.  I Must be like almost three.

My trip down memory lane.  You can see the others at my Facebook page (it's a public link you don't need a password - but feel free to add me!)  So happy the people I tagged were good sports lol.

Last order of biznass.  MUSIC!

I made it the Top 11 this week because I love the Cribs so much and I've been giving them a ton of love.  I love that new Coldplay album so much.  I wouldn't have even gotten into it if Pat didn't ask me to steal it (which I haven't done in FOREVER thankyouverymuch).  It's phenomenal and kind of matches my mood this week.  Somber but positive.  42, Lost! (with the exclamation point lol) Lovers in Japan, Life in Technicolor, and obvs Viva la Vida are the standouts.  So good.  I'm taking a break from my pod today and enjoying Sky.fm on itunes radio.  Seriously the best for non-stop 80's hits.  I'm talking like Foreigner, George Michael, Debbie Gibson, Madonna, and Aha (right now I have Take on Me!  Helll yes).

Good stuff.

Once again GOBAMA!

xokz

So update on my birthday surprise!

Friday night Hillary told me NOT to make any plans for Monday night and that she had a surprise for me.  In Hillary fashion she wanted to tell me so bad but I wouldn't let her.  

Sunday night she calls to tell me it's on Newbury Street and that I should plan to meet her at 5pm.  Obviously this has my mind racing now!  I had a few ideas that it could be but I still wasn't sure.  I ended up meeting her at her work around 4 instead so as we were walking to the T to go to Newbury she told me - she set up appointments for both of us to go to the Spa for massages and manicures.  AMAZING.  Never once did that go into my mind.  When she first told me she had a surprise for me I thought it was going to be her making my favorite Carollo dinner (Poppy Seed Chicken FYI) so naturally I was super excited for the Spa.  She told me we were going to Spa Newbury but didn't have to be there till 6pm so we found it a great time to get a drink (or few) before.  

We went to Sonsie and sat at the bar and enjoyed some wine and watched the beginning of the worst game ever.  We decided we had a huge crush on the bartender and that we may have to go back JUST to see him.  By the time we left to head to the spa the game was 4-1.  Bad sign.

On our way to the spa we pass by Johnny Cupcakes and mention how it reminds us of Rachel, our friend who did a little modeling for JC and we look in the window and we see her friend Danny working there.  We bust in and hugs all around.  That store is amazing.  I've been a fan of JC for a while yet never owning any article of clothing.  His story is just so great and he's a South Shore boy so obvs I'm interested.  We chatted with Danny for a bit about his band - LionsLions and that I need to catch a show asap and about other randomness.  Since I was finally in the store I found it apropos to finally represent this brand that I respect so much.  So I took this guy home with me..

EDIT:  Ok the shirt I got is so special that it's not online yet.  But seriously go check out his shit.  If you LOVE Boston, Cupcakes and attention to detail PLEASE check out the website and or hit up his store on Newbury Street.  

Anywho. Next stop was the spa.  It was super cute and totally relaxing even in the lobby.  My massage was amazing.  So amazing I almost fell asleep (ok I think I DID fall asleep).  The room was super nice and not like the first time I got a massage.  Back story (no pun intended) I got my first massage just about two years ago and I hated it.  It was at a retreat and kind of an odd location.  The lady sucked and kept yelling at me for not relaxing (sorry lady I have an insane job) but last nights experience totally turned my massage history around.  I feel like there is no more stress in my neck or my lower back.  Amazing.  Then I got a manicure which was also fantastic and the woman who did it kept complimenting my nails.  She's like you have GREAT nails - like 10 times.  I decided to go for a red nail - the red in the bottle was perfect - the red on my fingers look like Dorothy's ruby slippers.  Still awesome.

After the spa we walked and talked about how great it was (and after like 15 hugs to smart Hillary) and decided we could totally go for another drink and some food.  We ended up going to Match - where I have wanted to go for years!  There wasn't anyone there so we sat at the bar and continued watching previously said tragic Red Sox game.  We got a yummy martini and a mini burger.  Mini tuna burger I must add.  So good and perfect ending to an amazing day.

Seriously I don't even know how to thank Hillary for this.  She totally gets it.  I love to be surprised and be caught off guard.  I was so happy I cried a little while I was getting my massage.  She's so damn smart.  I'm already starting to plan great things for her birthday (no seriously I am). We had so much fun and realize we should do it more often.  She doesn't read my blog but I'll make her read this one (HI HILLARY)!!!!!

After our little meal and sadness of the game we trudged to the T with all the other sad Sox fans.  When we passed by the Fenway stop lots more sad Sox fans came on and I made it a rule to allow NO Tampa Bay fans on.  Lucky for them - none took the T.  That's right.  We befriended a couple of guys who we were thisclose to for a good chunk of the ride.  Two seats became available and they grabbed them for us.  So we continue talking and one of them is like can I sit on your lap??  Totally expecting me to say NO he's like AHAH Just kidding.  I was like "No please do!".  He's like "Oh I was kidding... but now that you mention it" and takes a seat.I had to ask him the obligatory "So what do you want for Christmas" as he listed out things he would like.  Hilarious. He was too cute and so was his friend.  We got off the train, walked to Hill's car and headed back home.

Thanks Hurdy for the most fun night I have had in a LONG TIME.  

xok