Come look at the tree!

It is now officially December, which means (at least in my eyes) it's now all right to discuss the holiday season. I know that most media outlets and retailers started talking about Christmas back in October, but I've held off until this point.

One of the biggest parts of Christmas is the selection and decoration of the Christmas tree. At my home in Pennsylvania we always had a live tree. The family has recently turned to a fake tree, which isn't too bad, but it does lack a little bit of the smell and feel of the holiday. Last night my brother texted me a photo of the tree this year, along with my dopey dog, Grommit. I miss him.

My family has also been circulating an email chain regarding my uncle Jim's choice of tree this year. He has a fake tree, too, and set out with my cousin, Jimmy, to pick out a new one this year. Unfortunately, he's been catching some major grief for his tall, thin tree. I will keep my feelings on the matter private, but let's just say that a comparison has been made between the tree and a giant toilet brush. I DIDN'T SAY IT! I will say that it definitely looks better decorated then it did the last time I saw it. See, I can be nice!

Now, because I know that I will fall under harsh criticism for judging other people's trees, I will share my personal Christmas tree with all of my loyal readers. Behold the beauty of the fake ficus/air purifier Christmas holiday bonanza! Perhaps the most pitiful of them all, but with a limited space (and limited budget... send money) this is the best that we could do this year. Clearly it's not the most ideal tree for the season, but I still like it. I will prepare myself for the onslaught of ridicule that will now rain down on me from the family. Bring it on!

And finally... I have to share this video that my coworker, Caitlin, shared with me a few weeks ago. I didn't want to share it too soon and have been dying to post it. Please watch this video and try to pretend like you don't know someone exactly like this. What is it about the tree that gets us so excited?

Happy Holidays!

Thanksgiving in Pittsburgh

Back in NYC after taking a few days off from blogging to visit the family in Pittsburgh. Although I mentioned that I was nervous about the holiday travel craziness, everything was actually very smooth! Thanks to all the USAirways people who helped make it an easy trip (and feel free to upgrade me more often!)

I had a very nice trip home. Saw my Pappy who just had is gall bladder removed, along with the rest of my family. Also got to see some of my college friends, including my friend Danielle and her beautiful daughter, Lily. Saving some space, so click the link below for the photo spread! Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving!

Click for the Photos!

Wednesday night I went out drinking with the family, including Jimmy, Aunt Freddie and Uncle Jim


Caught Aunt Freddie sipping some beer when she thought no one was looking...


Dad and I took advantage of a photo op on the back deck


Mom took the picture and didn't even cut anyone out!


Grommit assumed his normal position on the throne


Sam and Sully on Thanksgiving Day.


Drew is not phased by toddler mangling


There was snow on Hummingbird Hill


And while I can't take credit for this photo, this is what I got to play with on Friday night. This is not a baby actress, it's a real baby that I met. Her name is Lily. Feel free to "ooh" and "aww."

Live blog from the Laguardia Airport

Good morning! I'm currently sitting and typing from the USAirways terminal at New York's Laguardia Airport. I was very anxious to travel today, as every single media outlet told me DO NOT FLY THE DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING OR YOU WILL WANT TO DIE. So far, no death wishes, but it's not even 10am. The day is young.

I made sure to take extra precautions for travel today. I made sure to carry on my luggage to avoid the monstrous security line.... I checked in online and printed out my boarding pass ahead of time so that I wouldn't have to wait in any lines once I got here. I even left extra early to make sure that the ensuing holiday traffic wouldn't hold me back. Well... not only did I get to the airport in about 10 minutes (and unheard of record from my apartment to LGA) but the only people in front of me in line at security was a nice old couple going to visit their grandchildren in Virginia. So much for that awful congestion....

I love people watching. Besides television, I think people are my 2nd favorite thing to watch. The airport terminal is suspiciously warm. Aren't public spaces like move theaters and malls normally extra cold, as to accommodate the people who carry their own natural insulation aka fatties?

There seems to be 2 types of people here at the terminal at the moment. Business people who are frequent fliers and people going to visit family for the holiday. The frequent fliers are poised and ready. They know all the ins and outs of airline travel and aren't afraid to squash those infrequent fliers to get the best placement in the terminal. They know which gate agents are the fastest, the quickest route to getting a coveted seat at the gate (heaven forbid you'd have to sit in a chair directly next to a stranger! *gags*) and they know where to go when it's actually time to board. A smart traveler will watch the frequent flier and follow their lead.

The family travelers are the ones that everyone else wishes were dead. As a matter of fact, about 10 feet away from me is a dad with 2 small boys. They are probably about 4 or 5. Clearly the dad has become sick of entertaining the kids and has bought them each a small firetruck toy from the gift shop. The firetrucks each make this horrible screeching/beeping sound for about 30 seconds when activated. The other passengers will not stand for this. They are trying to silence to toys with their hateful glares. I think it's working.

Now, I like to think that I'm somewhere between the two classes. I don't really have to travel for business like the frequent fliers, but I also travel enough to know proper airport etiquette and behavior.

I just realized that my bag was open and everyone can see my Hanes underwear... You're welcome, travelers.

Just took a picture on my new computer so you can see how fun the airport is. This bearded man behind me was looking at what I was doing on the computer. Busted. He should mind his own business and stop lurking me.

A giant throng of humanity just stampeded towards gate 15 on their way to New Orleans. Apparently, a ton of them weren't paying attention to the gate agents when the gate was moved. It was fun to watch the mad dash of travelers run like the McAllister family on Home Alone. Remember that? One of the best movies ever! I hope they didn't forget any of the children because chances are that they won't be able to foil a burglary attempt like Kevin. They will probably just get shot/stabbed.

Some jerk just slammed into my chair. I hate him.

If you're bored like me, you should watch my On This Day video that I produce for iVillage.com. A lot of cool stuff happened on November 21st, so check it out! Did you know today was "World Hello Day?" I didn't, because I'm not speaking to anyone.

Crying baby alert... 2 o'clock. Dear Jesus, please don't let this kid be on my flight...

Holy crap! I'm boarding already! Gotta cut this short!!! Wish me a safe flight!

UPDATE- I am currently typing this from my blackberry on the runway. This is what's so unfair about air travel. They actually loaded us on to the plane early and gave us a major false sense of hope. Now we are number 16 or something in line for take off. So infair! The good news is that I somehow got upgraded to first class! It must have been my dashing good looks. So I guess while I sit in my extra large seat and eat my bag of white popcorn I can't really complain. Also- if the alcohol is complimentary, is it ok to drink it before noon? Discuss.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween, everyone! Hope you find more treats than tricks today. And if you're not going to eat all your candy, send it my way. I like candy...

I already carved my pumpkin last weekend, and I think the fact that Halloween is on a Wednesday is really bringing the holiday down. No one is really sure when to celebrate. It seems like the number of Halloween parties has gone down this year. Maybe I'm just officially old and I don't care that much anymore... never! I love Halloween, but maybe I'll just take it easy this year.

You know what else I love? Babies dressed as things. I'm a sucker for babies and an even bigger sucker for babies dressed up in costumes. Apparently babies dressed as food items is all the rage this season. Please click the link below to view some of my favorite babies dressed up for Halloween.

Click for the babies!!

Here is my friend, Danielle, and her daughter, Lily, dressed up like a bunny with a baby carrot. Get it?! I'm not going to be humble... this costume was totally my idea and Danielle took my advice. I'm also not going to lie... I saw this costume on Ellen earlier in the week, but still; it's a good costume!

Next up is another favorite: baby Maura! She is so cute I could eat her! Look at that face!

And just for shiggles, please view Maura's parents, Erin and Kevin, dressed as Dog the Bounty Hunter and his unfortunate wife. Points for originality, but Maura does not look amused.

iVillage.com also has a slide show feature some of the most squeal-worthy baby costumes I have seen in a long time. Check 'em out and have a better day!

Birthday Weekend Awesomeness

This morning I woke up at 9:30am to officially kick off birthday weekend! I turn 25 tomorrow and I'm getting things started right! Here's a running tally of the weekend's events:

• Birthday flowers
  
• Wake up at 9:30
• Get 2 sets of codes to buy Spice Girls tickets
• Get 2 sets of floor tickets to 2 separate concerts in February (!!!)
• Relaxing facial with Carolyn
  
• Lunch at Burger Joint
• Shopping
• Escape zombie attack (Carolyn said, "I can't believe that zombie b*tch tried to come after me.")
• Buttercup cupcakes
• Nap
• Card from Lauren
  
• Party and presents!
• Breakfast
• More birthday flowers and snacks
  
• Brunch with the gang
• Lotto tickets!
  
• More shopping
• Card from Danielle
  
• Family Guy
• Huge nap
• More cupcakes!
• Sleeeeeeeep
  

Thanks so much to everyone who helped me celebrate this weekend! I really appreciate it.

Buffo Strikes Back

I'm sure you've been my rant about Buffo the Clown and how my family likes to torture me with the memory of that ill-fated birthday party... If not you can learn about it here. Well, apparently someone in my family felt the need to continue the torture by purchasing a Buffo the Clown t-shirt and having it mailed to me. NOT COOL!
I mean... I'm not really sure how I feel about this. I will say this though- If you are going to send me an anonymous gag gift if the mail, make sure that they don't put your receipt in the package, AUNT PATTY AND/OR UNCLE JOE!!!

Sleep with one eye open.

Weekend with the Family

This past weekend I made the trip back home to the greater Pittsburgh area to spend some time with the family. I celebrated my birthday a week early, and my brother went to his homecoming dance... of course I had to be there to tease and taunt.

A bunch of my family members came down to visit (including that baby!) on Saturday and I took a lot of pictures, obviously. Here are the faves:

I miss Grommit!!!

Aunt Freddie and Grandma trapped me on the couch


Grandma with baby Maura!


Maura was not feelin' the pumpkin hat


She was a little unsure after the hat incident...


...and then she passed out. (ps- baby jeans!)


If you ever thought I was weird, you can see where I get it from


While Maura napped we paid attention to the other baby of the family


Time for everyone to get a photo... even Maura



I even got one, too


Aunt Freddie and Uncle Jim rockin' the 'his & hers' sweaters


...and finally me with Pappy and Grandma

Very fun time at home! It was great to see the family and hear how loud we all get when we're together. Nothing beats having the dog howl relentlessly while we sing Happy Birthday. Now I'm back in the city that never sleeps, but I am definitely looking forward to my next trip home for the holidays.

Drew is a (Licensed) Driver

Quick update to say CONGRATULATIONS to my brother, Drew, who is now officially a licensed driver in the state of Pennsylvania.

God help us.

My Parents are Ballers, Apparently

Just a random piece of info to share. My parents are currently in Las Vegas with their long-time friends. This is the email I got from my mom Monday morning:

Good morning. How are you? We went to Ghost nightclub last night as VIPS... Having a good time but cool here. Warmer at home. -Mom

For those of you who don't know, Ghost Bar is the nightclub inside The Palms casino in Vegas. Basically the hottest club in the city and the place where celebs and millionaires go to hang out. Who knew that my parentals had baller status? I also enjoy the fact that instead of details about the amazing club I get notes about the weather. Perhaps that is for the best though... you know the saying, "What happens in Vegas..." and when that pertains to your parents it's probably better that way.

*UPDATE* My mom called me during the beginning of Heroes (which is a definite no-no! It was the season premiere!) and answered the phone, "Hi- why are you calling me during Heroes?" and she says this:

"Oh sorry. Just calling to say we are having dinner with Tony Danza, bye."

UM, EXCUSE ME?! WHAT? I made her clarify. Apparently her VIP hookup also set her and my Dad up with front row tickets to see Mr. Danza in The Producers and then they were meeting up with him after for dinner and drinks. The whole thing is ridiculous.

Riddle me this, though- Is it time to re-evaluate your life when your Mom and Dad get into cooler places and do cooler things than you?! I'm gonna have to think about that one...

The World's Strongest (and Scariest) Clown

The other day I posted an awesome photo of me as a clown from Halloween when I was probably 3 or 4 years old. My Uncle Jim reminded me of a very traumatic birthday party I had when I turned seven years old that I cannot resist sharing.

I'm sure that my parents had great intentions of helping me to have an awesome party, but something went terribly wrong that fateful day in October. I had all my family at our house, and several friends from Mrs. Cadman's first grade classroom. I was having a great time at the party... until he arrived.

I literally remember it like it was yesterday, not 17 years ago (wow, that long?!) The party was going on in the basement, but I went upstairs to help my mom in the kitchen when I saw a weird van driving down my street. It was a big, purple delivery van with balloons painted on the side. My heart stopped. I remember saying something like, "THAT'S NOT COMING TO MY PARTY, IS IT?!" But it was too late... Buffo was already here.

Buffo The Clown's claim to fame is that he is the "world's strongest clown," and I have no doubt that his title is accurate. I will have to ask though... What is the link between entertaining children and ripping a phone book in half? To this day I'm still not sure. Please feast your eyes on this horrific photo to see what I'm talking about.


No, that is not a cover of a horror movie. It's a promo shot for Buffo, The World's Strongest Clown. There are several other frightening photos on Buffo's website... if you are brave enough to visit. Buffo will kill you.

Imagine that you are me; a bright-eyed, intelligent and adorable child celebrating a birthday. Now replace the phone book in that photo with your own soft and fragile skull. That basically recreates my party for you.

The worst part about it is that someone in my generally technologically-challenged family managed to capture the whole show on video! It still gives me chills thinking about it, and we unfortunately had to watch the tape again this weekend while the family was together. Oy. Between making passes at my Mom and Aunt Carrie, Buffo annoys the sh*t out of me by making me do stupid magic tricks. The worst of which involves a multiplying magic wand that, to this day, still makes my Dad cry with laughter. Ya, it's funny (no, it's not.)

In conclusion, I would like to say this:

Buffo the Clown- I know you are a good clown. You are still around almost two decades later entertaining the masses of Western Pennsylvania with your feats of strength and comedy. Kudos to you on doing what you love. Keep up the good work.

Parents of the World- Don't ever book a scary clown for your kid's birthday... or any clown, for that matter. It just... it just really isn't a good idea. Especially if this particular clown can bend steel or crush a baseball in one hand. Do your kids a favor and take them somewhere with a ball pit. Kids go nuts over that stuff.

Adventures in Carlisle, PA

Happy Monday, everyone! Hope you had a nice weekend... I know I definitely did. I had the chance to get out of the city for a few days to visit my family in central Pennsylvania. My aunt and uncle just bought a beautiful, new house so the whole Sandora side of the family (minus Erin, Jim and Jay) got together.

I took Amtrak from NYC to Harrisburg with my friend Kelly (of Miami vacation fame) because her family lives about 5 minutes from my Aunt's new place... small world! Kelly and I also rode a bicycle built for two at her house. It was amazing, and I will share the photos with you as soon as Kelly passes them along (hint hint, Kells.) We also watched the infamous Buffo video, to which I will dedicate a full post tomorrow.

I would share my own photos, but I left my camera on the train on the way there :( :( :( I'm beyond bummed. If anyone finds a silver Casio Exilim camera inside a sweat band with a picture of a guy and a girl holding giant cookies up to their face while riding on a train it's mine! Thankfully Uncle Jim took a few photos from the festivities and forwarded them to me. Enjoy.

The family bought me a cupcake cake to for my b-day because they probably won't see me in October (and I got to wear that sweet hat)


We missed Uncle Joe's birthday, too so he went next


And we missed Aunt Patty's, too... so then it was her turn


And Kelly showed up in the middle of all this, so she got to go, too.

As soon as I retrieve some additional photos I will post. And again... if you find my camera please send it back because I am lost without it :(

Cute Baby Monday

I don't have much to write about today. Spent the weekend recovering from my family's visit to NYC, and from hanging out with my roommate's gang from North Carolina. Got this awfully cute pic of my second cousin, Maura Claire, and had to post. Look at this baby and look at that hair! I think she might be wearing a baby toupee.

I'm going to use this adorable baby as a pawn for a shameless plug. iVillage.com has an entire section devoted to baby names, and there's this fun quiz about the meaning behind certain names. Check out the quiz and see how well you know where you or your kid's name comes from!

The Sandorables Take Manhattan!

It was a busy week here in Sandoratown, USA. My Mom, brother Drew and cousin Jimmy (or Jim as he is now referred) came to visit NYC for the majority of the week. We had a fun time running around the city, and luckily for me, I only had to go to Times Square once! Thank you, Jebus. I'm not going to write too much, but I will let the photos give you an inside look at our adventures.
Drew, Jim and Mom tour the TODAY Show studio


Jim tries to steal Roker's stuff... no dice!


Riding the skinniest escalator ever


Mom talks on Blackberry for 386th time


Some tools at Top of the Rock


Drew peed off the side. What else is new?


Showing off the view


Drew and I looking sweet... or something


the iPhones are MUCH bigger than they look on TV


Having fun at the ESPN Zone in Times Square


Jimmy's fastball was only 28 mph... just saying.


Killer Kathy says, "I knocked out his mouthpiece!!!!"


Please watch this video as evidence. She can also rollerblade.

Horse Racing is not their sport


Me, Drew and Jim shoot some hoops


The guys are shocked as I dominate every round. Why so surprised?


Sandorables (and a Shaw) in Times Square


Preparing for the worst "trivia night" ever. It was a xerox copied sheet of paper. Beer helped.


Drew and Mom having fun


Drew got wasted off these HUGE beers


Checking the crackberry again...


Me and the Mom