Meeting the parents...

Sunday was the first time James and I could spend an entire day together! He only gets one full day off a week, Sunday, and my 6 day work week is over! I was invited to family Christmas as his parents' house and I invited him to my parents' for dinner.

Breakfast and presents were fun at the Mackey household. I got to meet both parents, one of his sisters, her hubby, their unborn baby and their adorable dog. We had "special breakfast" which is really a breakfast sufle. Everyone got lots of great gifts and I felt pretty relaxed as the visit progressed.

We then went to the Planetarium for a 2pm show. I must say that I was disappointed. I have been there a few times, and this was by far the most disappointing show yet. I have been spoiled by Ed's great show delivery so this may have tainted my opinion. I will still go again, but will make sure that Ed is working!

Off to my parents' for dinner with them and Meghan. Dinner was great and everyone seemed to get along well. Meghan was telling us about the McMonagle's cat, Cookie, and I ended up spitting out my coffee all over the place because I was laughing so hard. Shockingly, James thought it was hilarious and not gross.

And, we had Tess, James' roommate, take a picture of us! We finally have a picture! We will be taking more pictures I am sure, but this is our first.

Update on The Manfront

I have been single for over a year. I know that I have said that I really could care less about my status and I meant it. I was happy just being me, learning about who I am now - not trying to fit into my previous mold. I wasn't exactly looking to meet a spectacular guy... but I did. Here is the story.

OK, so I am a super dork and get emails from Match.com. Stop the laughing. I was looking at the emails one day and I ended up going on the site. I stumbled across this guy who looked so familiar. His profile said he lives in Hooksett... maybe I knew him from elementary school? Sports? Just bumming around town? I was so convinced that I knew him that I sent him an email asking him if we knew each other. I had no intention of hanging out with him at all. I just wanted to catch up with someone from the good old days of Hooksett. After a few emails back and forth trying to figure out where I may have recognized him from, we determined that in fact I was nuts and had no clue who he was.

So, at this point this guys seems pretty cool and like someone that I would hang out with on a friend level for a bit. We started talking online and that leads to a few text messages... and then one very slow Saturday night at work this guy asks me if I know him. I replied, "no?". "Are you sure?" I repeated, "Ummmm, no." He then introduced himself as James. Ahhhh, the guy who I swore I knew from a pic was standing right in front of me and I didn't recognize him! I felt like a tool! It also took me a few days to get the whole "Do I know you?" comment... seeing as I thought I knew him and all... I am slow sometimes.

Anyway, we have been hanging out ever since! Megan and Jason had breakfast with us once and like him. We even went down to Boston to meet the siblings and their significant others for my birthday on Saturday. From what I can tell, we all get along great and everyone seems to like him (no shock there).

Here is the picture that made me wonder if I knew him.
He even has mad drizzle skills!

I am sure there will be many an update on Mr. James and out adventures. His family has a sail boat. Wouldn't it be a riot if he actually got me to set foot on it? Talk about breaking my mold!! Stay tuned!

Toys for Tots stuff a POD

Toys for Tots Stuff a SAM Weekend! This is me with "OJ" and Adam from WGIR.

This past weekend we had our annual stuff a something for Toys for Tots. This year we stuffed a SAM (aka another company of POD). Basically it is a mini storage trailer. This event was kind of thrown together last minute even though we started planning it in the fall. Next year I think I will do more of the organizing partnered with the Marines and keep the third party involvement to a minimum. That being said, we got lots of toys!
I got the call from Dave, my boss, at 9:10 am Saturday morning because there were people (a certain Marine) freaking out because Rock 101 was a bit late... I wasn't supposed to be in until 2pm. Of course I was already at DD's getting coffee and hot chocolate to bring down to the volunteers as it was about 20 degrees outside!

Even Max came down for the day!

Sure enough Rock 101 shows up and things get rolling. There were Marines everywhere, perhaps too many, but it was great to see the turn out and to see some of the guys that I haven't seen in a few weeks.

Some of the boys.

I was getting settled in at 12 when I was summoned for a T4T "emergency". Yes, I know I said I was in at 2, but this was my event and I just couldn't stay away. The emergency was a great one! A president of a company came in to spend $5k on Toys for Tots. He had heard it on the radio all week and wanted to help. So, I sent the Marines and some associates out with shopping carts to get what they need (older kids toys) and with in about 10 minutes we were finishing up the $5k. We were so quick that the gentleman said "double it". So I was like... ok! He ended up spending just over $12,500. I was in tears!

A Christmas Miracle! $13k in toys!

The Marines gave us an award/certificate of appreciation for all of our efforts this year on the air. They thanked me personally, on air, for all of my efforts and of course made me cry on air. Punks.

All in all the event went very well, considering no one had power and are facing their own economic hardships. I think we raised about 3000 toys and lots of cash. The state of NH has 65,000+ kids to help this year and this will go a long way. If you are responsible for helping with this in any way, shape or form... Thank you! If you feel you wish you had helped they still need stuff and they still need volunteers to help sort! Some of us from work are going on Wednesday evening if you want to go!