Summer

What do you do during summer?

Growing up we didn't have a regular routine with summer, my parents both worked, we went to camp and we would go on mini summer vacations. But we lived in a smallish town, not a city, so there wasn't really a need to escape. We lived close to the water and had friends that had lakes and boats and so we got good use of those- especially in HS and college when we would basically live on the water during summer!

Now living in the city, summer often reflects a time to get away, especially on the weekends. People in NY own second homes on Long Island, upstate, the Jersey Shore, basically anywhere within a reasonable commute (reasonable for New Yorkers is different than the average)

This will be my third summer in NY and while we don't have any of those luxuries of a second home- we do have a few things to look forward to!

•    Burlington, VT July 12-15 Ride to Cure Diabetes
•    (TBD) Husband is turning Four Zero so we need to celebrate
•    Seattle, WA End of summer - maybe labor day???
•    Red Hook, Brooklyn- We are starting a new project, I think Red Hook will be lovely during the summer, and with Brooklyn Crab open and next door, it may feel like vacation.
•    Upstate, NY- spend a few weekends with the McCormacks on the lake- we love ourselves some Cassidy and TT.

I have yet to go to the Hamptons, the jersey shore or some other beautiful beach places along the East Coast, so maybe this summer will bring some surprises with mini-trips for some relaxing.
          

Time

Lots of time, too much time has gone by since I have been here. But we have been busy, and sometimes it is difficult at the end of long days of work, training, traveling, cleaning, being wife and mom to site down and write. I want to be better at it. I think about it all the time, but as the to-do list grows the blog posting moves to the further from the top. Things that have happened.

• Went to California to see my family for brother's graduation (Masters) from USC. Stayed at Kate's in the valley, stayed on the beach. Rode bikes on mothers day, but it doesn't count as training. It counts as fun.
• Had Emma Roses' communion: a first for me (not growing up catholic) but celebrated with a party wedding style for an  Eight year old.
• Work; enjoying work more and more these days, more responsibility, more creativity, working towards good goals.
• Rode a bike, many times! Trying to get as many miles on the bike as possible.
• Went to Noah's Ride (next post)
• Working on a really exciting business project/plan with husband (more to come...)

Summer has hit us here, it is officially hot and HUMID in the NY area and hopefully I will spend some time indoors in air conditioning updating everyone on my life.

ohhh yes and there are 44 days until we go to Vermont, 46 days until I RIDE! 

Our Weekend

We had a great weekend full of getting out and about in our Brooklyn Neighborhood. Definitely domesticated ourselves with a bunch of home cooking and took full advantage of what the March weather had to offer us. We are having a lot of fun in the Durney household!

On Friday night we made tacos with  homemade tortillas- yum!

Saturday, we went to the Library

To the Brooklyn Museum 

       To the Farmers Market

Sunday, we made cake pops and then had to decide who to give them to. 

And we hung out with our favorite pup Otis- life is good!

Happy Friday- Its March People!

 Fabulous questions:
1. Currently on your ipod playlist?
I went for a run last night with Otis, so the last listened to song on my phone is......Yep, Bruce Springsteen, Blinded by the Light, oh the classics and ohhhh Bruce- yep!

2. Last concert you went too?
Foo Fighters, given. If you know me, you know why.

3. Favourite room in your house?
Bedroom- sleep is precious.

4. Favourite school subject ever (any education level)?
As a child, I loved my 4th grade teacher Marty, as an Adult I loved my communications classes.

5. What is your bedroom colour scheme (i.e. walls & bedding?)
White and Gold with some black- very neutral.

6. Favourite home shopping store/website?
I love anthropology (of course)

7. Last purchase for your home?
Dining room table, thanks craigslist

8. Where is your laundry hamper located?
In a cubby in our bedroom- not ideal, we just have no storage space, thanks Brooklyn!

9. Fess up, where is your junk drawer?
In our TV Stand unit, always something that needs a spot.

10. What is currently sitting on your bedroom nightstand?
A Book, a Flashlight, and a Nail file, when I am actually sleeping there is also a CGM and a phone.

11. Which one do you prefer more, abstract or realist art?
Realist, mostly photography.

Happy Heart Day

Today is Feb 14- a day of love- and although we don't celebrate the comercialized holiday in the Durney family, we always celebrate love. These are my 2 boys, who I love so much! You will always have my heart! - L

Winter came too early!

Out of nowhere this weekend we were hit with Snow, some areas in the region up to 12 inches- let me remind you it is STILL October! We drove out to the in-laws on Saturday, the kids carved pumpkins and worked on their 'Feather me Happy' business while me and my MIL cooked, the boys watched football and Otis tried to get acquainted with everyone- this year the holidays started on Halloween weekend.

Sunday we went for a walk in the park- Otis seems to really love playing in the snow. He is really a happy guy when we go for long walks and he is able to get off the leash- such a little farm boy he is!

summer weekend in fall

Husband and I had a wonderful long weekend. It was full of walking and exploring Brooklyn, knitting blankets for friends, soccer games with the littles, watching movies, talking and car shopping:)

Husband is on a Juice Fast- this is his 5th day of it, I am very proud of his dedication to it. I have no will power so I have been trying to eat mostly vegetables but I have also been drinking wine- because one of my favorite things to do is drink wine while knitting, and I almost completed a blanket this weekend!

This weekend brought extraordinary weather- high 70s and mid 80s it was so wonderful to be able to enjoy the fall with Summer weather- but we also realized we need an auto and so I set out on a mission to figure out what to do, however not I am just more confused than before, it just isn't easy to commit your self to something with a big price tag- good thing I am not searching for a house.

So I am doing some thinking and  hopefully will decide by this weekend what will work that will fit our needs the best- a family of 3 and a dog!

We did it

We had the most fabulous Wedding! Family, Friends, Music, Food, Fun and lots of Love! Of course there were the little bits that just made it unique, but all around most everyone had a great time.

Reflecting back-

-I was litterally trying to set tables at 2:45 when guest were arriving just after 3pm. I still needed to shower, make up and put the white dress on.

- we hadn't rehearsed so there were a few things that were a little jittery (the vows, Emma knowing what to do, how I was going to get down to the ceremony...) it all worked out.

- I hadn't even been down to the ceremony site since it had been set  up, but it looked beautiful

- the slingback on my shoe broke as I was putting it on, used a safety pin to fasten back together, proceeded on.

-forgot to pack Billy dress socks so I sent someone on a mission to find socks at 3pm, I think one of the cooks had some- they were black athletic socks- I will never live that down, but at least they weren't white.

- I realize why people have bridesmaids, thank goodness for my mother.

- Grandmere dancing all night- the MOST AMAZING Grandmother!!!

- our busdriver was a real charecter, I think he thought he was invited to the wedding. He ended up in the dinner line and then in the barn until my brother kicked him out- later that night when he didn't return for the 2nd out of 3 scheduled pick ups the best line of the wedding " I will sue your ass in the state of Conneticut" was said when the owner of the bus company told me that I probably had too much to drink- well buddy- my wedding, not yours!

Ah a marvelous weekend, an amazing place and that has resulted in me having an amazing husband!

with this ring I thee wed...

Yesterday I went to pick up our wedding bands and when I picked mine out I really liked it, but yesterday I didn't like it on me.

When I was a teenager I was running our large Half Hound / half German Shepard puppy and the leash caught on my finger- my ring finger and snapped my knuckle- now creating an issue where to fit the ring over my knuckle it is big on my finger, and the ring we picked out looks funny when it stands alone.

Billy asked me if I hated it? I don't have it, but I don't love it.

Of course it looks great with my engagement ring, because the gap is masked by the massive rock centerpiece, but solo it looks funny.

I can't fix my finger so I will have to learn to live with this.

Imperfections are good, right?

Bootcamp does a body good

Bootcamp- I am now in my 4th month of bootcamp and this week we have it 4x. Today I can barely walk and I just know tomorrow will be hell.

Why am I doing this to myself?

Wine Country Visit

On Sunday I had my Second Bachlorette Party with- this one with my NY Girls! It was fun, and quite entertaining.

The girls had hired a Limo to arrive do 2 pick-ups Bayridge 10am, my house 10:15 am. Around 10 friends and family started to show up for the pick up and we waited and waited... until we got the call that the Limo had gotten a flat tire.

Finally around 11:30 we got the pick up and were off. Ms Diane Short was a hot and heated little fire-cracker at the events that had already unfolded in the am.

- the Limo had a flat tire

-it wasn't the Brand New Limo she had been told she would have (it was a 2009)

- it was White- not black

- it was a litttttttle diry such as dust on the ledge, opened water bottles in the cooler (yuck)

so we opened a bottle of wine and had some fresh baked Zucchini bread made by my fabulous cousin Caitlin.

We drank through that bottle and then Diane attempted to open another bottle, with the corkscrew from the limo company, however the screw broke off in the cork and then she tried to chip away at it with the other part of the bottle opener and cut her hand- oy vey.... We needed out of the mobile.

First Winery- Pindar, we had a lovely tasting where I think I weaseled 7 tastes out of them (it is supposed to be 5) We had 2 great bottles that were purchased for us from the lovely Kate Jackson and we took a seat on the patio listened to live music and ate a feast of wonderful food and drank wine.

The next stop was Bedell- we skipped over the wine tasting and went straight for the bottles and more food- fresh Oysters that had been harvested that morning.

The last stop we managed to sneak into a winery as they were closing and got yet another bottle of wine and enjoyed it on the Patio.
Back in the Limo we prepared for a long ride home, we snacked on amazing cookies and left over picnic, we had full bellies of great food and wine.

Great Day!

Becoming a Mrs.

Over the 4th of July weekend, I returned to Washington State to celebrate my mom's 60th birthday. And lucky me, my girlfriends put together and amazing bridal shower and party for me. One of the more traditional aspects of having a wedding and on my way to Becoming Mrs. Durney. We had lots of fun!

                                                       My amazing friends! 

                    We took a boat ride with wine (of course) to dinner downtown Olympia!

                              What an amazing meal to finish off a perfect Day!

Thank you!

Girlfriends

I have some pretty amaze girlfriends! The kind of friends that have been in your life for so long and you know they always will be- and this weekend I get to see them, most of them!

I am really excited, this weekend I am going home for my shower/bachlorete party and my lovely mom’s 60th birthday!

We decided for our wedding that we weren’t going to have a wedding party because we just wanted it to be simple- and despite all this my girlfriends came together and are putting on a celebration for me!

I can’t wait, I get to meet baby Maebel, I get to see Courtneys bump, I get to see my grandparents, my brothers, everyone will be together this weekend! its going to be great!

Weekend with emma

This past weekend I had girl time with my Step Daughter to be Emma Rose.

Billy left on Friday for 2 1/2 weeks on a business trip through Europe and Australia and so it was me, Emma and Otis.

We had a great time, dinner out, dinner in. I took her to a birthday party, we shopped and ran errands and took Otis out for many walks.

She is a good kid- a really good kid, smart, cute and funny.

We did a little damage at the shoe store, bought her some new flip flops and a pair of Gold sandals for the wedding. She was, and is very excited.

We picked up some flowers at the local market to practice making arrangements, some spray paint to do some crafty stuff around the house.

She knows what a health nut I am especially when It comes to kids, so on Saturday night when I offered to treat her to an after dinner ice cream at the local shop after she had had watered down gatorade at dinner, she was asked me if I was okay? My response was, "well Im just making sure you like me" which she said, "Lianna I liked you the first time I met you, when we got on the firetruck at the Salty Dog" made my heart melt! Good Kid! Anyways, she decided she didn't want ice cream but wanted the all natural fruit pop so I rebelled and we took Otis out for a warm summer walk and I got a Mint Chocolate Ice.

all in all we had a fun weekend, now she is gone and the house is 'quiet' Otis is a handful and I am glad to have him there, but I can't wait for Billy to come home.

As time goes on

Today I have been feeling a little overwhelmed.... there is a lot going on.

First off in February we took on the responsibility of getting a puppy; little did we know that our handsome little man would come with a series of separational, emotional and behavioral problems. He is adjusting but it has taken a lot of work on our part.

I am training for my second century Ride to Cure for JDRF, a 100 Mile Ride at the End of July in Burlington Vermont. Training while working a full time job is difficult. I wake up early and ride 15 -20 miles BEFORE work or ride from when I get off work until the sun goes down and then usually a longer ride on the weekend. And for my health and well being I signed up for a Boot-Camp Class which is 2 days a week from 6:30-7:30am.

I am managing my diabetes, which is always a full time job in itself. I went to the Dr. yesterday  and my A1C came down again (BIG pat on the back) but I need to "tighten it up" avoiding lows that re-bound into highs, so I am back to record-keeping. this means writing down what my blood sugar is when I test, everything i eat, how many carbohydrates it is, and how much insulin I take- so that we can see how the fitness is affecting me and where i need to temp up and down... it is almost like second nature to me, but it is still a big PAIN

And, we are planning a wedding in Rural Connecticut. getting people in and out of there and all set up is a lot of work, totally manageable but lots of work, and because I keep thinking it is a ways off (IT IS NOT) I have been slacking on my planning.

We are heading up to the Farm on Memorial Day weekend. I will be able to focus in on what goes where and what needs to be done. We will bring the puppy and of course my diabetes will be there, but we will have a lovely time.

Focus on Lovely Things.

7.22.10

These are photos from the day Billy proposed to me- last July on his birthday (trickster) A great sunny day as we walked over the Brooklyn Bridge.

In Love!

5 Months

Yesterday officially marked 5 months until my wedding. Because the sun is still not fully out in NY I keep thinking that we have such a ways until the fall, but time is passing fast, friends are making their plans- and I need to hightail this planning process.

Last week- I read over a few ceremony options that my dad had sent to me (he is performing our wedding) and I started to tear up. This is really happening, everyone is coming out to Connecticut and I feel loved 1000 times over!

Save the Dates

Save the Dates went in the mail- a little later than I wanted them too, but they look fantastic. My wonderful mother designed and had them printed in Olympia, then sent me the prints and I pieced them together, bought special stamps and sent them out!

I feel like we have to get working on the invites because they will be more complicated and should go out soon, so I have sent my mom a few samples for reference and hopefully she will be able to carve out some time to work on them!

Because our wedding is so small we have basically told the majority about the travel plans, accommodations and so on up front to guarantee that people get taken care of in the Rural part of CT.

Wedding planning is fun, I love trying to cut costs, and be efficient and I am so excited to marry MR, Billy!

Pomfret

Way up in the north eastern corner of Connecticut lies a beautiful 40 acre Farm in the beautiful little town of Pomfret.

The place was built in 1770, and was used as a tavern. Union soldiers would row up the Quinebaugh river from the long island sound, to visit the tavern for libations, and...well... "company."
The house was of suspected ill repute! Apparently the master bath was know as "the naughty room?" Ha!

The farm still shows remnants of its history... There's a coal bail in the basement and the cottage that was converted to a guest house use to be a blacksmith's shop for travel weary horses. The hitching posts are still in the front yard of the house.

The floors and hearths and windows are nearly completely original. Plenty loved thru the years! :)

Its energy is warm and kind and offers homey comfort.
I think you're gonna love it.

I'm thrilled ya'll think it could work for sept!

And that is it- a lil history and we are set- September 17, 2011, and I will be a MRS.