100 Years. (QOTD.)

Hello Loves, happy Tuesday. Four days off from blogging and I missed you guys! I hope everyone here state side  had an amazing Labor Day Weekend. I can't believe the summer has come to an end, it was a great summer, with many memories made, new chapters beginning, all while surrounded by great people. 

One of my latest Quotable Creations. Tribute to John Lennon.

Today marks my nephew Jack's first day of first grade, which makes me feel very old. I know I'm not "old" but I think of baby Jack-Jack starting first grade and it freaks me out a bit.

This milestone makes me  think of my 19 year old self when Jack was born, I think of where I was in my life, I was no longer a runner, I walked away from that relationship earlier in the year. I was entering my second year at the Fashion Institute of Technology and I had the nickname "Ralph" in class because of my extensive collection of Ralph Lauren sweaters, I also had a really bad habit of buying Nike sneakers. I had no clue what a blog was and I hated to read. Meg also at 19, squirmed at the thought of having children, she thought they were "sticky"and when she heard her sister talking about how her nephew Jack's delivery went, she nearly passed out.

If you told 19 year old Meg, that she'd become a marathoner, 5 times over before she turned 25, she'd probably laugh and roll her eyes. If you told 19 year old Meg, that she would get involved in a relationship that would first take her all over the United States and then the world, she'd laugh and say she didn't even own a passport. If you told her that her Nike collection would end up in her parents attic, she would shake her head and claim that her future kids will have the "sickest" Nike Collection. And if you told her she'd love to write and read like the closet nerd she knew she was, she would object, that wasn't her style. If you told her she would welcome two more nephews into the world, bawling when she entered the hospital room and seeing the most perfect babies, she would protest that she doesn't possess that, maternal extinct.

It's crazy what six short years can do to someone. I can admit now that my early twenties were indeed my years of discovery. I discovered that I could have my own voice, even if it's corny and annoys the shit out of people, it's my own. I learned that I'm a pretty decent runner and that I love that miserable sport, it's what makes me, Meg, it doesn't make up all of me, though.

I'm learning more and more everyday that I love someone so much, it utterly scares the crap out of me. I've learned that it's better to be a risk taker and try new things, even if you fall on your ass. I've learned that I don't need 100 pairs of Nike sneakers to be my "self", I've moved on to Ray Bans, sorry you can't break all bad habits, my kids are going to have the coolest Ray Ban Collection. I have learned that I love to blog and that blogging saved me from many lonely days while I was over in a foreign land, missing home so very much. And lastly I've learned that I do not hate children, I indeed love them and could actually picture myself having one or two down the road, but right now I'd be happier with a puppy. 

I guess what I am saying is life is crazy, you have no clue where it's going to take you or what you are going to discover about yourself, and it took my nephew starting his own little journey, to make me reflect on mine. It hasn't been a bad one, were there ups and downs? Hell yeah, what's life without a couple of events that totally throw you for a loop, but you dust yourself off and go on because you have to, life doesn't wait for you to say, " OK I'm ready now." 

Which brings me to today's quote, which goes hand in hand with life and your journey, and how quickly it goes. The quote comes from the song, 100 Years, by Five For Fighting. I know I say this a lot but this is indeed one of my favorite songs on the planet. Not much to explain about this quote, but know that life moves fast, in a blink of an eye your 75, so live it my beautiful babies. 

Enjoy and happy first day Jack Tucker!

I'm 15 for a moment
Caught in between 10 and 20
And I'm just dreaming
Counting the ways to where you are

I'm 22 for a moment
She feels better than ever
And we're on fire
Making our way back from Mars

15 there's still time for you
Time to buy and time to lose
15, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got 100 years to live

-Five For Fighting, 100 Years

Jack on His First Day.

Quote of the day. + A Tune.

Happy Fourth of July to all my fellow Americans out there. It's such a special day for the USA, remember all the people who have fought for and people who are still fighting for our freedom today. We sometimes tend to forget the sacrifices made for keeping this country free and safe. So today, please remember! 

A huge thank you to all the military men in my life. My brother-in-law Chris Perkins (Coast Guard) who is currently deployed, my manfriends best friends Mike Mastrangelo (Army) and Antonio Betulia (Navy), who is also currently deployed. Thank you so much for what you do, it does not go unnoticed and it is greatly appreciated. 

I am actually working today, bummer. I am missing my families annual Fourth of July Barbecue, I guess that's life, I'm not going to pout about it. On a high note, my sister-in-law Lia, went into the hospital last night to be induced. That means I'll be meeting my new nephew William later on today. This will conclude William Watch 2011! He's had a long run in his mama's belly but it's definitely time for his arrival. I can't wait to meet this baby and welcome him into the family. He's definitely making Fourth of July even more special. 

I am so proud of my brother and sister-in-law, they are going to make amazing parents. I am so excited to see their family grow, it really is such a beautiful thing. 

Don't forget to enter the July GIVEAWAY! Jeans and Tee's and Travel and Cakes will be giving away a pair of TOMS Classic 101 Sunglasses! These awesome sunglasses retail at $135 and they could be yours for FREE!

Just click ->HERE<- for all the contest details.

When you receive pair of TOMS Sunglasses, you are giving the gift of sight to someone in need. Your GIVEAWAY is a way to GIVE BACK! The GIVEAWAY runs until July 15th! Good Luck! 

 

Today's quote comes from the band Five for Fighting and their song, Freedom Never Cries. I thought this song was very fitting for today, the words are so powerful. Like I said earlier in this post, please remember all of those people that have served this country, have lost their lives serving and those who continue to serve her.

Sometimes we take our freedoms for granted. For example, I'm bummed I have to work today, meanwhile there is some 22 year old solider in Afghanistan, being shot at, fighting for my rights to go to work everyday, enjoy my daily Starbucks, my runs in the park, writing this blog and spending time with my family. When you realize things like that, it's puts life and your daily worries into a greater perspective. 

Enjoy and God Bless the USA! 

I took a flag to a pawn shop
For a broken guitar
I took a flag to a pawn shop
How much is that guitar
I took a flag to a pawn shop
I Got me that guitar
What's a flag in a pawn shop to me?

I Saw a man on the TV
In a mask with a gun
A man on the TV
He had a ten-year old son
I Saw a man on the TV
His son had a gun
He says that he's coming for me

I never loved the soldier until there was a war
Or thought about tomorrow
'til my baby hit the floor
I only talk to God when somebody's about to die
I Never cherished Freedom

Freedom never cries.

I Wrote a song for a dead man
To settle my soul
A song for a dead man
Now I'll never grow old
I Wrote a song for a dead man
Now I'm out in the cold
What's a song to a dead man to me?

I never loved the soldier until there was a war
Or thought about tomorrow
'til my baby hit the floor
I Only talk to God when somebody's about to die
I Never cherished Freedom

Freedom never cries...

You can cry for her
Die for her
Lay down your life for her
Kiss and wave Goodbye to her
Anything at all

You can cry for her
Die for her
Make up your mind to her
Anything at all

There's a baby on the doorstep
Wailing away
There's a baby on the doorstep
Longing for the day
There's a baby on the doorstep
Who'd give his life to take
A flag to a pawn shop
A flag to a pawn shop

May he forget why he is crying some day.

-Five for Fighting, Freedom Never Cries 

Quote of the day + A Tune.

Monday, you're here again, please be kind! I can't believe this weather in New York, it is another rainy day, I am seriously longing for some sun and warmth. I hope your weekend was great and that you are ready to tackle this new week. I begin serious Ironman training this week, now that my half marathon is over I can devout all my focus to this triathlon that is rapidly approachig, yikes!

Remember to sign up for the Jeans and Tee's and Travel and Cakes First Giveaway!!! Enter with your chance of winnig a pair of TOMS Shoes!!!

Check out the details here, ->GIVEAWAY<- It ends Friday May 27th, so hurry up and enter!!!

Good Luck to all those particpating.

Today's quote comes from an unknown author, it's short, simple and sweet. I love quotes like this, makes me feel better about life and how no one will ever know where their path will take them, you just got to roll with it.

Enjoy!

There is no set path... just follow your heart!

-Unknown

I also included this song from the great band Five For Fighting, called New York City Weather Report. It's a perfect song for my fellow New Yorkers and the weather we've been having. Enjoy this tune and enjoy this Monday!!