R is for Ronnebeck!

 Last Thursday, 30 Rock had a VERY funny episode about Leap Day - they made a HUGE deal out of it, and a fictitious character named Leap Day William - Click on the picture for the funny You Tube video. I have really never given much thought to a Leap Day celebration, and the only REAL benefit Leap Day gives me is one more day to study for my Series 7! Today, my co-workers Patsy, Robb and I decided to dress in Yellow and Blue (like the video) and celebrate Leap Day, just for kicks!  I googled it - and Leap Day traditionally gives women the one day in 4 years where they can ask the man they wish to marry to marry them without shame. Thanks Saint Bridget and Saint Patrick. What a silly "holiday"... Enjoy your extra trip around the sun today!

1| I am inexplicably crabby today. If answers from me come out in grunts and groans, I’m sorry in advance. I just kind of feel like I have a chip on my shoulder – Need. More. Sleep. 2| After studying for 7 hours on Saturday I was feeling motivated to do more on Sunday – I went to pull out the Love Sac to plug in my computer and all hell broke loose. The beloved Love Sac had created it’s own little infestation of mold against the wall. Eric scrubbed, and I removed the cover to wash when I discovered the mold went all the way through – to the foam. 3| In related news, Rest In Pieces Love sac… Rest in Pieces. 16 garbage bags FULL of stuffing later… We have a LOT more room in our room and I have a lot of ache in my back. 4| I’ve been channeling my inner Wonder Woman lately, and have been star spangling anything I can get my hands on. I guess I’m excited for Comicon! (31 days!) 5| I didn’t watch the Oscars because I was watching the Walking Dead instead. Anyone who is intrigued by th...

Okay - So I bucked up and bought $5.00 worth of storage from Google. www.ericandabbyr.blogspot.com is here to stay. Thanks for staying with me :)

  You know... those moments when you're looking for inspiration, you find the one sentence that sums up your last post... this is my life, and I love it just the way it is.

When did I become that girl who wakes early on a Saturday morning to make sure she's at the Library when it opens? When did municipal bonds, flow of funds, and options trading become something I am slightly interested in? When did my job that I started in Seattle 6 years ago become a "Career". If I would have told 20 year old Abby - "In 5-7 years, you won't need to know all this history about Martin Luther to do your job" She would have told me I was insane. It's funny how life takes different turns. How your "Career Goals" when you start college turn out being a hobby, and not a career. It's funny how when I applied to be a receptionist at this firm I was really excited to answer phones and have a real "Desk". Funny how studying once meant hanging out in the Library with Heidi and Liz, not getting anything done, and today I'm committing nearly 7 hours to my task. Series 7 - how you make me grow up. Damn you. My Husband ...

Hey Blog readers! Blogger tells me I have reached my picture upload capacity - though I don't think that's completely unrealistic It's a little frustrating and I'm trying to decide where to go from here. Because what fun is a blog without pictures? I don't know if I'll be establishing a new blog site, or if I'll end up paying for some space. So, Stay tuned, and thanks for continuing to read :)

1.| Boy does it feel like a Monday! I am glad this is a short week! I didn't sleep well last night. It was one of those lay there and try to sleep kind of nights. I think I'll be turning in early tonight. 2.| Roller Derby rocked this weekend! Grave Danger pulled it out and held the Throttle Rockets to a 44-0 scoring run in the second half! Exciting! Tim, Uncle Gene, Gene's Co-worker Brian all came with us, it was so fun to teach Derby to new people! I think we'll have Tim & Kat with us next month, and who knows maybe Gene & Brian too! 3.| I studied a lot this weekend. 1.5 hours on Saturday, 3 on Sunday, 4 yesterday = a lot. However, probably not as much as I should have. 4.| I bought my Fossil bag this weekend. I am so weak. I did get a good deal on it, and it's so pretty! 5.| I took a walk through the Disney store after purchasing my Fossil bag, and it made me SO excited to go to Disneyland! I can't wait!!! 6.| We watched Money Ball last nigh...

T minus 3 weeks (and a few odd days) till my big (series 7) exam! I'm terrified. I'm trying really hard to take it one chapter, one question, one concept at a time, and remember that this test is not bigger than me and I can pass it! I can do it! I am smart enough! The power of positive thinking... right? I spent a good chunk of my weekend studying and plan to devote my life to the Series 7 for the next three weeks... But if you're talking to the big guy in the sky... send up a few good words for me to pass!

Ever since going to my first derby bout in March of 2011 I have wanted to play derby. I kept my passion for the sport under decent wraps for awhile in worry that I wouldn't or couldn't make it happen. Or that I would quit and get a whole bunch of flack for not going through with it. My goal was to go to a PFM practice, and in August of 2011 I accomplished that goal, and even passed on my first time! I made new goals, and this dream called derby suddenly became a reality. In September I was at BSL practice with Jet City and I injured my knee. I literally thought I would be off skates for a week, maybe a month, at most. I didn't think my injury was that bad, or maybe I just didn't want it to be that bad. Three doctors appointments, an MRI, and some physical therapy later, it has been five months since I've strapped my skates on for a ride. The reality of all this kind of hit me Tuesday evening. There isn't much light at the end of my derby tunnel, and someth...

 I have discovered a new love in my life, and that love is Vintage Pyrex glassware. When I was little Mom had these bowls (to the Left) when we were cleaning out Mom's stuff, I took the bowls, I loved them! I use them quite a bit in my kitchen and really would like to pick up more of them! I am on the hunt for some beautiful pyrex, and I can't wait to see what awaits me out there - it's like a treasure hunt! And I found this website which shows all the patterns - http://www.pyrexlove.com/ LOVE! I grew up with the Wheat so I'm partial, but the pattern below is pretty amazing too!  And then the last photo - lots of Pyrex! Yeah!

Every once and awhile I go on a spree where I NEED a new handbag. I need it from the very core, and I will not rest until I find the perfect one (for a month or two). For my birthday Eric planned to take me to the "purse store" which was in Westlake - you heard it, WAS... My kind of favorite store in Westlake was closed, thus me dashing all hopes of a new purse for my birthday. We decided to shop around and We wandered in and out of stores, and I found bags I liked, but nothing I LOVED. We walked into Macy's (we NEVER walk into Macy's) and I landed my eyes on this B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L bag (pictured), and then my eyes landed on the price tag (not so beautiful). Once I was done hyperventilating at the price tag on the Sea Green Fossil Maddox Satchel we walked away. And I am so in love, and now, I'm still in the search for a new handbag but nothing quite measures up. I found myself showing Eric this picture tonight telling him if he comes by one that isn't an outrag...

This made me smile all afternoon. I love you Mom.

1| I’m baaack… Okay, maybe a “weekly” post really isn’t for me. Try as I may, I fail. But I’m glad you read anyways. I’m trying to be better. 2| I’ve had a serious case of being bummed out recently. I know I have a lot on my plate, and that losing Mom has been hard, and that my knee is really pissing me off, but man I’m ready to be over it. It sounds simple, like “Just be happy – 123 GO”, trust me it’s not, but I am aware of it, and I am diligently trying to make things better. 3| Eric and I sat down last night and pinned down our vacation for the year. Texas bound we are, in June! I wish I could start going on and on about Texas, but really, I’m not sure what to see while I’m there, I’ve never heard “When you go to Texas you HAVE to…” so I definitely need to do some research. I’m very excited to see Miss Laurel & her hubby Jon though, so good to have friends in places! 4| I went into the doctor’s office yesterday to have my MRI done on my knee. I did really well at laying there...

There was a brief moment in time shortly after Demi was born I wondered if I would ever get to meet my littlest first cousin. That was before her Dad landed a job in Auburn, and thus, landed her and her family in my back yard! Friday night they were in town, so Gene, Christina, Demi, Eric and I went to Claim Jumper. It was so much fun to catch up, and I can't tell you how excited I am to have them closer. Gene has lived in Yuma all my life (practically), so we've never really gotten a chance to hang out! I told him I am way more fun now than I ever was as a kid so he's lucky! I'm lucky too! Love you guys.

 I had a very nice birthday! It was a great day to just relax and enjoy all the good wishes and fortune. My co-workers gave me cards, and sweets, and then took me out to lunch. When I got back I had a flower delivery - it was from Shannon & Erica (see the daisy's and roses)! It was a very happy surprise! Then just an hour later, another flower delivery - from Eric! (See below) I felt pretty spoiled! Here's my cards :) Eric and I then went out to dinner at the Steelhead Diner (my favorite!) and some shopping! It was a great day & night! Thank you for all the birthday wishes !!

 On February 9th on any given year my Mom would call me (or wake me) at an obscene hour in the morning (3,4,5am) to tell me about the day I was born. It was 40 degrees and sunny. She was induced in the afternoon and I was born at 7:00 pm. With enough time to get back to the room and watch Knots Landing at 8. That night there was a heavy fog that moved in. I missed my Mom's phone call this morning. It's been a dread of mine every day for the last month or so. Last night to head off the pit of sadness I drowned my sorrows in a tub of coconut macaroons (even though Mom hated coconut, I love it) and looked through my Baby book, because it is in my Mom's handwriting, and it makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.  Reading the words in her handwriting is the closest thing I can get to hearing "ON THE DAY YOU WERE BORN" booming from the other end of the phone line.  The book was gifted to my Mom (and I) by my Grandma Nani (her Mom) and Mom diligently completed most ...

I had a co-worker give me the best birthday gift yesterday (yes, it's a few days early, but ...). She donated to my Relay for Life fundraising! So... if you're thinking about giving me a gift for my birthday - how about some moolah for Relay?  Okay, so maybe this is just my donation pitch, but click HERE to see my Relay page and make a donation today!

You didn't think there could be more pictures of me in this lovely lavender shirt.... but alas, you are wrong, there are several more, but here are a few of my favorites! Love you Relay people - even if you do keep me up WAAAY past my bed time! This Relay Fundraising Momma and her chick-lets are awesome! Yay Team Simpson! This one makes me giggle... Some people are SO enthusiastic, and some others... not so much. We need to work on our "Silly". But trust me, we're capable.

1 | This weekend I went to 2 Big Blondes and shopped till I dropped. I got 2 pair of pants, 2 tops, 3 skirts and a jacket for $56! I was so proud. Thanks to Julie, Nell & Kat for being the best shopping buddies! 2| After shopping we went to Cheeky Cafe on Jackson, and boy was that Pasta Carbonara exactly what I needed! 3| We had Tim, Kat and Lee over for Superbowl Sunday - there was lots of Chili, Cornbread and Beer on hand. So good to get together with friends. 4| Eric and I took Aquaman out for a walk in the park on Saturday and he was so excited his poor little feet could barley keep up with how fast he wanted to run! I guess someone has a little spring fever! 5| Last night was my first Team Captain's meeting for Relay and it went pretty well. I am hoping next time I prepare a little more in advance than the day of. 6| Series 7 studying isn't killing me as much as it used to, I'm either learning something or just accepting my fate. Either is just as possibl...

Here we are at our Relay Kick off! We rocked it! I love working with you guys! We're going to make this the best relay ever!

My cell pone has been a permanent attachment to my body since I turned 14, got my license, and a car. Dad and Mom found it very valuable to be able to call me and tell me to get my butt home. Through high school, college, and most of my adult life I've been just one touch away from everyone I know, except for this past 6 months or so. When Mom got sick, my cell phone became more than a contact device, it was a device that delivered all news, good and bad, and even though i was 1500 miles away I wasn't going to chance NOT being there for her, so every time I left the room, my cell phone did too. Most mornings I'd head to my phone to see if Mom had texted good morning, or I would text her to see how she was feeling, before my shower even. Now, I walk out the door and jam it in my pocket without even looking at it? What a change. So, don't feel bad if I don't answer, just know, that I don't look at it much any more - proof of this came with my dear friend Liz...

My mid-life crisis always comes around my birthday. I start thinking about life, and even worse I start evaluating all the things I want to change, and somehow the things I LOVE about my life totally get lost in the shuffle. I reminded myself that life is good, and I continue to do so every day. Mantra needed, and obtained and hopefully, yesterday, shared. Yesterday morning the bus was late, boy howdy, like 30 minutes late. I stood at the stop, chilly and a little miffed by the time the bus actually arrived, but I got on the bus, started sipping my coffee, and one by one my regular commuter friends boarded the bus. By the time I got to Burien I was steaming. How DARE this guy be late and make me skip my coffee run this morning! The final straw broke when I got to the park and ride, and people were getting on/off and one of the commuters said "your late!" rather briskly to the bus driver, to which the drivers response was "yeah, tell me something I don't know"....