A Few Days in the Sun.....

When my parents said they were hopping on down to Fort Lauderdale for a week.....we spontaneously agreed to join them for a few days...so many asked why only for a few days? We just needed a few days in the sun...a few days away from the drama we are always pulled into and a few days for us (if we may be so selfish) ;)

We had a blast....we were concerned about Monk on the plane but she did great- both ways! The best decision was getting her, her own seat. She was so proud of herself sitting in a big seat, all by herself. Then she had fun walking between both of us...playing with her phone...reading her books...and just working the crowd (the flight crew)

Although it was only in the mid 60's in Fort Lauderdale...we thoroughly enjoyed soaking up the rays by the pool (and getting ALOT of color I may add). The Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and Spa is THE place to stay down there...by far, the best hotel and only resort I believe. The service was impeccable....gorgeous grounds...all the little extras....we really didn't feel like we were in Florida...we felt like we were at a resort in the Caribbean...kudos to my mom for finding this place!

A big shout out to Cyd, our Concierge. Usually I do lots of research and pick our dining destinations...this time...I truly didn't even plan and I am so glad. We truly experienced the best dining experience that any of us have EVER HAD at Mario's Catalina. Cyd (the Concierge) recommended Mario's if we were up for being adventurous and open to trying Cuban food....we said...why not! WELL...from the moment we walked in the door, we were treated like royalty (I guess Mario treats all Marriott customers like gold!)

Mario, himself, greeted us at the door with kisses. We had four servers and the first one recommended the sampler platter as an appetizer so we could try different Cuban foods like plantains, empanadas, grilled pork, ham croquettes and grilled beef...it was ALL so yummy!

While my parents enjoyed a pitcher of traditional red sangria, Rob and I went out on a limb and enjoyed a pitcher of the white sangria...it had just the right combination of melon, peach and apple flavors.

For dinner, my mom and I enjoyed the red snapper with prawns and white sauce. Rob enjoyed the Jack Daniels pork and my Dad enjoyed the skirt steak with lobster.

We decided to pass on dessert BUT Mario had other plans....he ordered his staff to bring us four complementary desserts so we HAD to indulge...we enjoyed trying the caramel flan, chocolate peanut butter cake, chocolate torte and some other chocolate madness...sheer heaven.

Just when we didn't think it could get any better, as we are leaving, Mario brings my mom and I each a bottle of wine...a nice Cab Shiraz blend from California. We were thrilled!

We are fans of Cuban food now and would highly recommend Mario's Catalina in Fort Lauderdale- definitely 5 Breton Stars...ha ha!!!


Check out our resort www.marriottharborbeach.com
It truly felt like paradise

Enjoy the photos...especially my Patron nip...that is necessary "pre-flying drinkage"

On our second day, we enjoyed more time by the pool and dinner at 15th Street Fisheries...not nearly as much as Mario's but the view was second to none...right on the intercoastal.

Right before dinner, we had a family photo shoot right on the beach, which is complimentary for all Marriott guests as well! Wait until you see those photos...I will need to add them later as they are being shipped to us!

The time away, though for a few days, was truly relaxing. It was quality family time with my parents and "The Monk" and we will never forget it.

138. Spring is my favorite season...then Summer....then Fall...I have really learned to love the Fall...especially over the last few years... and now look forward to pumpkins and apples and Halloween festivities....scary movies...caramel apple martinis...and all of the magic I am now seeing through Diana's eyes

139. My Pandora Bracelet is filling up! I am loving it more and more....my theme is family & love and all things pick and green...just got three more beads...a pink glass one with green polka dots...a green glass one with blue and green designs and a metal ball one with pink flowers all over it...I LOVE it!

140. Still loving my Keurig One Cup Coffee maker....sipping a cup of hot steaming cinnamon pastry coffee right now while my love makes the fam some breakfast bourritos....coffee overdue this morning...have already been to mass, grocery shopping and Target for the "vaca last minute items" :)

141. My husband has been on ice skates since the tender age of 3...he says, when you are French Canadian you don't have a choice...for as long as I have known him and for as much time we have spent together, I have NEVER SEEN HIM ON SKATES! It is one of my goals for 2010...want to see him on skates and perhaps even join him for a little bit :)

142. Favorite stores? Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Loft, Marshall's, TJ Maxx, Macy's, J Crew, Sephora, Target

143. In awe that the same show that was so magical to me as a child, has the same exact impact on my daughter....you guessed it....Sesame Street! Her favorite is Elmo :)

144. Some times I look at my daughter and can't help but just cry for so many reasons...I feel overwhelmed that God would give me such a gift...I feel overwhelmed thinking that I am responsible for shaping this human being and PRAY I make all of the right choices...and then I am overwhelmed with gratefulness and sometimes just overwhelmed with how cute and innocent she is and I want to smoosshhhhh her to pieces!!!

145. Have you ever read the column Single in the Suburbs? Though I am not single (and pray I will never be), I really enjoyed this ongoing column of a Divorced Mom from the Midwest making ends meet in her small town and navigating through the world of on-line dating. Check it out on MSN- the author is Sara Susannah Katz....she is only writing the column through this April but I hear her book is good too...going to check it out...It is called "Wife Living Dangerously"

146. I love what became the "Famous Wedding Entrance"...how about you? (I have attached the video for your enjoyment) Now why didn't I think of this?

147. Have you seen Jim and Pam's Wedding on the Office? Well they spoofed #146...another classic!

Binda Girls Night Out!

So my cousin Margie did a great job and organized the first ever "Binda Girls Night Out"...We had a great time and agreed we are going to start doing this more often. Before tonight, we only got together on Christmas Eve at Auntie Peggie's and maybe once over the summer.

We had three generations of Binda girls...including those special ladies who married into the Binda family and our "Honorary Binda Girl" Jody!!

We went to Melissa's Main Street Bistro in Stoneham and got the top floor to ourselves.

Wine was good...service awesome...food okay

Relaxing....just so good to be with family :)

up to 131...

131. I love Oracle

132. Favorite Restaurants? Surf in Nashua, The Beach House in Hampton (no longer in business but I will never forget it), King Fish Hall in Boston (you really have to try Todd English's revolving shell booths- nothing like 'em!), Buckley's in Merrimack NH, The Pasta Loft in Hampstead, NH, Limoncello's in the North End of Boston, Haru in the South End of Boston, Sato in Stoneham, Bamboo in Westford, Michael's Harborside in Newburyport (Favorite times with Ann Marie and Ish), Bainbridges (favorite times with Julie), The Iguana Cantina in Waltham (favorite times with Cass) and Atlantic Fish Boston...there are plenty more but these are the ones that jump out at me

133. I wish I could stop worrying so much

134. I just coordinated another successful team dinner...this time for Zack's Freshman Basketball Team and the JV Basketball team...very fun and another opportunity to volunteer in the community!

135. Favorite Wines? J. Lohr Cabernet, Pepperwood Grove Pinot Noir, Tohu Sauvignon Blanc I am still trying to figure out what the perfect Prosecco was that I had a few years back at Silks (Tyngsboro)....so perfect with chocolate...and that was definitely a favorite...so pink...so sparkly...so sweet and such the perfect dessert wine...if you can recommend any good dessert wines...please do!)

136. Okay... Modern Family..which I didn't include in my favorite tv shows in the past post is quickly becoming one...I start thinking about certain scenes, while I am working and CRACK UP...I LOVE IT!

137. Going to Florida soon...going to be flying with Diana for the first time...nervous of course...planning lots of activities to try and keep her occupied!

Happy Valentine's Day My Love!

121+

121. My friend Sharon went to France to study abroad during her junior year at UMD and met the love of her life. She came back to finish school and immediately upon graduation returned to be with him. They married shortly after that and she has been living in France ever since. They have now, since, welcomed a beautiful baby girl Maya into the world...we (Sharon and I) are still plotting her permanent return to the states!

122. There is a special connection between Julie, Mark, Rob and Me...not just a best friend connection but something I have never been able to put into words...the closest I can come is magic and we know we were brought together for a reason...what I wouldn't give for one night of laughs...just the four of us once again

123. Re: #122, it does not mean that I do not love Cory....he is a very good man, husband, father and friend...such a resourceful and true friend...now a necessity to have around us all :)

124. I think our dog is sick and we don't want to talk about it...stay tuned

125. It was Julie who once said, "I have turned my friends into family and my family into friends" and that is a motto to live by

126. I have learned to leave like Seinfeld did...on a high note...so they remember the good...and while you are at your peak

127. I know my limits...as much as this blows my ego some times...I just know

128. The best advice I give my candidates? Go on the interview! There are so many reasons why you should! (email me if you want to hear just 5- hbreton@bfsassociates.com)

129. I don't hang up before saying I love you...to my husband...to my step kids....to my parents....you just never know...

130. I think handwritten thank you notes both on a personal and professional level are the classiest way to express gratitude and unfortunately not very common...I save every thank you note I receive...does that make me a hoarder?

101+

101. We just got those cleansing tablets for our toilets and I am loving looking down at blue water! ha ha

102. Rob shaved his go tee- I don't know what to do with myself

103. I will get an SUV the next time around...I now understand why everyone in NH drives them...it is the only way to navigate our snowy and icy roads without driving off the road- YUCK!

104. My friend Donna is one of my heroes- she is my friend that did everything the right way and when you are supposed to do everything...she has also survived breast cancer at such a young age...some of my happiest times at work were because of Donna and now I am so happy that we live so close...she remains an inspiration to me

105. I hope that my ex husband is happy...despite what he truly believes

106. I saved the first voice mail I got from my now boss. He was leaving me the names of everyone I was going to meet during my final interview...I still get excited when I listen to it like I am starting a new job all over again...it is the little things that bring me the most joy!

107. One of my all-time favorite SNL skits was a recent one when they imitated the "White House Crashers"...I mean it was SO dead on! hysterical

108. Rob's best friend has two brothers and a sister in Haiti...a week after the earthquake, they were found alive and we were so happy for him

109. Did I mention Rob shaved?..HELP

110. The State of the Union reminds me of one of my high school football games with all of the cheering, hooting and hollering- I found it quite comical

111. Do you think that Joe Biden wears hair plugs? Do you think that Nancy Pelosi looks like Skeletor? (that is my boss' nickname for her- hysterical)

112. I love Channel 7!

113. I don't understand the fascination with the show "Jersey Shore" and giggle when I hear the kids talk about "The Situation"...someone needs to get over himself huh?

114. The first time I felt Diana move in my belly was during the Rock N Roll Mass at St. Thomas in Derry on Palm Sunday- I will NEVER forget it!!!

115. My theater director in college, Angus Bailey, knew me better than most people ever have

116. Sexy? Jason Gedrick...John Hamm...Michael Buble....Antonio Sabato Jr...Patrick Dempsey and my favorite Robby B

117. I LOVE Ebay and do most of my shopping via that website...I have found that you can find most things for half price or even less...provided you read thoroughly, you can really save alot of money....I highly recommend ebay especially for all of you working moms who have no time to shop! (especially at Christmas time!)

118. I need to sleep with the tv on...all night...every night

119. I love jazz

120. I love doo wop