Now we're Livin in Chapel "Hill"

Tarheel 10 miler surprise

2011-04-11T11:48:00.000-07:00

Well what a surprise, I actually did so much better than expected. Last week my husband and I were talking about how we should have probably trained for the race, we were reading an article in the paper about how there is a mile uphill challenge at mile 8.5?! what?! I know Chapel Hill, is, well a HILL, but didn't realize it was going to be thrown in as a challenge at the end!

I should clarify, I am a dog runner, my furry running buddies keep me active but their paces are all around a 10 min mile. I do run by myself some days, but lately have been anywhere from a 7min/mi-8:30 min/mi pace. The last race and the last time I actually trained was nearly 3 years ago, and as age 31 is fast approaching I never wanted to race assuming that my fitness level would have dropped enormously.

As usual, I had my prerace jitters, though we left the house at 6:40 for a 7:30 race so there wasn't too much time to get nervous (thats the great thing about living 15 min from the starting line)

Anyway, so I came in 2nd in my age group, 10th female overall with a time of 1:09 and as for that mile uphill I was so scared of...I ran a 6:28 split!

Guess I should sign up for some more races, there is some life left in these leggies :)

What a difference a week can make!

2011-03-27T09:25:00.001-07:00

Being sick will really slow a girl down..

2011-01-27T12:54:00.000-08:00

Ahh the inevitable winter illness...Well, really, I think its been years since I was sick...so this is the first of quite a while.

Its been going on for almost 2 weeks now, headaches, coughing, sore throat, and lots of yucky phlegm. On the plus side, it seems winter here is coming to a close. We had cold and rain and a tiny bit of snow in December and early Jan...but its been in the 50s and 60s more and more consistently. I think by the end of last February it was spring here. I did see my daffodils peeking up this morning in my front garden! Yeah! Spring is on its wayyy!

Gosh its been a LONG time!

2010-11-29T11:22:00.001-08:00

Well it has been quite some time since I wrote...or maybe had time to write.
This Wednesday will be our 1 year anniversary of living in Chapel Hill..and Drew jokes we haven't gone bankrupt or lost the house :)
The last year has been filled with dogs, home improvement projects, but mostly dogs.

For weeks Drew has been counting down to Thanksgiving, "5 whole days of no work!" I was looking forward to having some free time with him as well, or so I thought. Monday my sister went out of town (Disney..lucky girl!) so I had to rush through all my dogs to cover for her and nanny her 2 girls she usually has every afternoon. I know them well, so it was no big deal. It was sunny and 75 and Thanksgiving break was nearing....
And then it happened, a neighbor went into labor at 3am, and another decided they needed dog help last min, and another...and it went downhill from there...The dogs were all packed up and gone Sunday at 6pm, just in time for grocery shopping and getting ready for the next week!

Well, at least I will finally get a break in Dec, going home to MA and will only have Emmitt! YAY!

Our House has gone to the DOGS!

2010-06-17T10:59:00.001-07:00

So summer is here, people are going away, and leaving their dogs....at our house!
Yesterday we had Roma and Bentley two 6 month old lab/German shepherd mixes. They are about Emmitt's size, but probably outweigh him by 15 lbs each. They are some of my regulars, I run them together on Monday and Wednesday mornings, however, their family went away all day yesterday so they came to stay with Emmitt and I.

Emmitt took one look and decided.."OOH boy, two dogs to chase me!" It was like being at the race track, around and around he ran, while the puppies stumbled over eachother trying to catch him. After 30 minutes of this, and two bathroom walks, the puppies passed out for almost 3 hours! Boy were they TIRED! It was great, they crack me up and entertain me for hours!

Emmitt, of course, really liked Roma. He rolled on his back and started playing with her the way he and Ellie used to play. Ear nibbling, ankle biting, so cute!

I would say we should get Emmitt another dog to play with, but at this rate, we have another dog coming to stay for 3 days...we do have other dogs for him to play with, and the days inbetween are for him to rest!

Trails and tails

2010-06-11T13:54:00.000-07:00

So Emmitt and I have been doing some trail exploring lately. There are about 15 miles of trails that are attached to the end of our little road. They wind up and around hills and streams, and are frequented by many bike clubs, neighbors, and running groups.

As the weather gets hotter and hotter many outdoor enthusiasts flock to these wooded trails (the Carolina North Forest) to keep them cool on their walks, runs or bike rides.
Once a week, on the warmest morning, I will take Emmitt. He's great off leash, he either stays at my heels or right in front of me, depending on his mood, and mine. I know the trails nearest our house the best, there are probably about 45 min of running trails, but I wanted to go further the other morning. There is a road that splits the middle of this forest, so Emmitt and I decided to explore the other side of the road yesterday. An hour into the run and Emmitt was wayy behind, and I was wayy confused. The trails aren't marked, and a few of them are small narrow switchbacks up a hill, so it can be very confusing....tho the breeze and nature, and fellow dogs for Emmitt to play with (everyone else who has a friendly dog leaves them off the leash as well) it all kept us entertained for almost 2 hrs. We probably didn't go as far as we could on the road in 2 hrs, but it was fun anyway.

He was, however, exhausted...which was my goal since this weekend is going to be HOT and HUUMID and we aren't going to be out walking and playing in the afternoons when the day is at its hottest. I wanted him to be nice and relaxed, and he was last night, and this morning, and this afternoon...and wait....yup still snoring over there on his pillow!

A typical morning for us is he goes to the bathroom, he eats, he cleans himself after breakfast while watching me make drew's lunch, he follows me up and wait for me to get dressed and brush my teeth etc. Finally, while I put on my sunscreen and hat (he doesn't like the smell so he leaves me alone for this part) He sits by the door and waits, at attention, for our (usually 30min to an hr) morning run....buuut not this morning. I finished with my sunscreen routine and went to the door...NO Emmitt....looked on his pillow, checked his food bowl....he was in his crate, wayy in back, hoping I wasn't going to take him on another long trail run...haha! Guess he learned his lesson! :)

Tomorrow is another day, I'm sure he will be ready to go run again after he gets his recharge!

Blog Slacking

2010-06-10T12:27:00.001-07:00

Well its been a little while since I last posted.
Lets see, I have been keeping myself busy with dogs 7 days a week lately. I have a handful of dogs that are on a regular schedule, and then a few others that are random, here and there every other day or something.

Its really great, dogs are the best coworkers! They are always happy to see you, give plenty of kisses, love the food you give them, and never ever complain if you are a minute or two late!

Most of my doggie "coworkers" are mutts, only really 2 pure bread dogs. One is a gordon setter, the other is a Cavlier King Charles Spaniel (who is so tiny tiny).

He has become a regular weekend fixture at our house. He is probably the size of Emmitt's head and neck, and if he stands on his back legs, and reaches up, he can hit Emmitt on the head...and he does. They crack me up!
The king charles will run at Emmitt, bark, and run under the coffee table where he hides from Emmitt, until Emmitt turns and goes back to his pillow. Then the little King Charles will wiggle out, and run back to Emmitt, hit him in the face, and run around again. It repeats over and over and over, until they finally run around the house...up and down the stairs...they are hysterical! Best of friends!

Dogs are amazing animals

2010-04-09T04:28:00.000-07:00

As we dog lovers know, dogs are pretty amazing animals. There are series of trails that attach to our neighborhood that Emmitt and I have been exploring lately. I tend to get nervous that I might get lost, though the likelyhood of that is so slim since its in the middle of town and eventually we will hit a road....though said road may be miles from our home..

Anyway, recently I found that it attaches to the downtown. I have only walked it once, and I was pretty lost, back tracking and taking wrong turns all over. I decided to run it with Emmitt yesterday, hoping I could remember how to get back home. Amazingly as we ran, he took every turn exactly right, he even skipped the ones we accidentally took the first time. How do they know? Is it sense of direction, memory, scent? I can't imagine its scent, he didn't really mark the first time, and it had been at least a week since we walked it. Time to do some research I think.

Either way, when I go hiking, Emmitt will always be my hiking buddy!

www.carrboroplazavet.com

2010-03-01T16:59:00.000-08:00

Emmitts first vet check up at the Carrboro plaza vet's was today! Now when we lived in maryland we went to the vet's a few times with Emmitt, though I hated it each time. The vet was rough, he didn't really try to calm Emmitt (who is of course a bit timid of men) no treat, no petting, and he immediately muzzled Emmitt with out even asking what his temperment was like. Ugh I hated that guy!

SO, of course I was kinda putting off the Vet's this time now we are in Chapel Hill. I waited until he ran out of heart worm meds, so we had to go. Its so close I walked him there, took about 20 min, good to relax him and empty his bladder. When we got there the receptionists seemed to know everyone, he got a treat, and we got to sit in a quiet corner since the noticed he was pretty nervous We got into the room, and there was a male vet tech, I did explain Emmitt is shy when it comes to guys, so he said he would just ask questions, gave Emmitt some treats to help him relax, and went to find a female vet and vet tech. They were both so nice, made him comfortable, pet him, took it slow so he could relax.

And the great thing was we were offered services and told the price, not just assumed we wanted every test possible. I walked out paying less than $200 when usually i spend nearly $500!

I would absolutely reccommend the

Carrboro Plaza Veterinary Clinic

to anyone! They are courteous, friendly, warm, and kind, and very obviously love animals!

Doggie Sleepover!

2010-02-26T14:05:00.000-08:00

This weekend we will not have just one cute cuddle doggie, but TWO fabulous cute cuddly doggies here! My favorite little King Charles Spaniel is coming to spend the weekend while his "parents" go away for a little while.

Emmitt met Henry today, I assumed all would go well, and it did...just wanted to make sure. Henry is barely the size of Emmitts head, and Emmitt is not a large dog, hes less than 35lbs. he's just very leggy! haha The only thing I was slightly worried about was maybe he would be too excited for Henry, or just look at Henry's teeny weeny size and assume he was a real live squirrel in our house! haha! We met outside the house, did some side by side walking, then a little butt sniffing, and then went back into the house. I kept Emmitt on the leash so Henry could sniff around uninterrupted for a bit and feel comfortable.

Anyway, should be an interesting weekend, I have always loved doggie sleepovers, though usually its with Ellie or Gatsby, I guess new place, time for a new friend!

Dog walkings in the rain..

2010-02-22T12:17:00.000-08:00

Ahh yes, dogs and the rain. Its a funny thing, dogs who lick their privates, roll in mud, makes huge messes, are sometimes afraid of a little rain.
My dog, Emmitt, is one of those dogs...well almost. He is not quite "afraid" of the rain, but he doesn't love it. He spins with excitement every time I walk towards the front door...sits and wags his tail as I reach for the knob, and then out the door.....pause at the steps..blah its wet out. He usually turns and gives me his sad face, as if to say, "oh man, I was so excited to go WALK! but its raining...ugh" He will slog through a walk, but he won't like it, and he will usually shiver and try to turn around at every opportunity.

Now on the other hand, there was Ellie who I used to walk...rain, snow, hail, she loved it all, and the wetter and colder the better! (she was a chocolate lab, a true water dog through and through!)

Today I walked Charlie, who is a fox red lab puppy, about 9 mo or so. I assumed he would be fine. I have walked him when there was snow on the ground before, and he loved it, rolled around in in...ate it..

He excitedly greeted me, brought me his bone to say hi, and got ready for his walk...got off the porch, and SAT down! Ha, apparently much like my Emmitt, he's not impressed by the weather today. We slowly walked our route, me urging him on, Charlie pausing for lots more sniffs than usual. Finally we got to the end of the walk...phew...back inside for a towel rub down and some peanut butter!

Its one of those things, the evils of walking in the rain. Sometimes it seems that its more our attitude towards the rain that really gives these dogs the perception that its bad, sometimes they truly are cold, sometimes its the towel, lots of dogs don't like their paws wiped off...whatever the reason, life must goes on, and dogs continue to walk in the rain :)
Happy tailwagging!

Its been a little while

2010-02-18T09:17:00.000-08:00

Ok, so its been a little while since I last posted.
Since I last wrote, lets see what has happened...we had snow, Susie visited...unfortunately when we HAD snow and our plans were foiled...drat! :)
I started a dog walking business, and it seems to be growing, slowly but steadily. For now I have a few regular dogs, and some, once and a while-ers..
My two fav regulars are Charlie and Henry.

Charlie is an adorable fox-red Lab, hes about 9 mo old. Now you ask what is fox red...its EMMITTS cousin! He is that golden color of Emmitt's back stripe, but he is that color all over. Hes smaller than most Labs I know, but much larger than Emmitt and built like a regular lab. Hes funny, his personality reminds me of a mix of Emmitt and Ellie...Hes great, we jog together, and play with his favorite stuffed animal several days a week.

Henry is the exact opposite of Charlie, he is a 3 mo old King Charles Spaniel! He is absolutely adorable! Full of puppy energy and enthusiasm! We have a pretty regular schedule, I see him 4-5 days a week for about an hour. I swear, he must be only 4-5 pounds. Hes at an apartment, and is so small I have to carry him down the steps to walk. He squeaks and squeals every time I arrive, and he is happy to go out and run around for 20 min or so...then he always wants to go back in to play fetch (can't really play outside since the grass is almost too deep for him)
I have never met a spaniel so ready to play fetch...he'll play fetch and tug of war for hours if he could! He's great.

In between walkings, I have been repainting the trim in the house, it seems as though they replaced some, or took out rugs or something, and added new trim and didnt repaint it, so I am doing that for my house project for the week.

Finally a good weekend is coming up! 50s and sunny! Not that we haven't had good weekends, but somehow we always seem to get some rain or snow either friday night into saturday or sunday evening...this one is finally 2 clear days of sun and warmth! Looks good for dog walks and hikes outside!

Yeah for Friday Night date nights

2010-01-15T14:02:00.000-08:00

Yeah for Weaver St market!
Its Friday, that means its time for our little walk to dinner date. Drew started asking me last night if I was excited "for tomorrow"..."Whats tomorrow, I asked? " "Weaver St date night" he sighed.

Its a bit warmer than it was last time we walked to our place for friday night dinner. Its 5:40 and still light out, and at least in the mid 50s as the sun sets. Nice night for a walk with someone you love :)

Its been really nice the last few days here, the mornings have reminded me of walking to school in Arizona in Jan/Feb. Below freezing at sunrise, but by midday we were taking off our layers and quite comfortable in pants and a light shirt.

Its so funny how certain sounds or smells (like college kids barely getting the sleepys out of their eyes walking and biking to school) will take you to a place that really only exists in your head anymore. Not that Tucson doesn't exists, but that time in my life is not longer actually there. Our apartment is lived in by someone else...wonder who got our bed? hahaha!! Sometimes college is another lifetime ago, and then sometimes it seems like just yesterday. My roommate hasn't changed, we sleep on different sides of the bed now, but we still have the same habits. I always went to bed earlier, he was always up later watching tv, studying, or visiting with my other roommates...and I always got up earlier in the mornings. Though morning and night have changed a bit,..a late night is no longer 4am, and an early morning isnt 9am anymore either!

Well that was a nice little walk down memory lane. No longer on nightly walks and rambling talks with Drew in Tucson as barely 20somethings...they have grown as we have, into a special time we get to spend with one another. It used to be that we needed to walk to get off campus because neither of us had a car, we would walk down to 4th av to Bisonwich's and get a soup and 1/2 sandwich. Now in our 30s (well almost for me) we walk because we like to, no more Bisonwich's, but now Weaver St Market...I am in whole food/coop heaven, its like a little piece of my favorite parts of Tuscon, right here in NC for me.

Jan 12th

2010-01-12T12:00:00.001-08:00

Well today all I have to say is HAPPY BIRTHDAY Drew! I love you more and more each day with all of my heart!

Many Life Changes

2010-01-10T15:25:00.000-08:00

Sooo, get dog..check
move from Maryland...hallelujah...check
get house...check
fixing up house...check
get next art show...coming up...check
get a few job interviews lined up...check

Things seem to be falling into place, until...

...the...BIG.....30, its just lurking around the corner..waiting
to pounce

much closer to Drew, but never-the-less...its out there,
ever so close...
sayin, "hey kid...I'm comin for ya...theres no hiding from me"
(I imagine this is said in the voice of the creepy old dude from family guy, with
just the slightest hint of a whistle lisp...haha love that guy!)

Its like stepping in dog shit, you assume it will never happen to you, it happens
to everyone else instead...and then bam...you've stepped in that nasty 30. Its
all over your shoe, and it stinks!
Just watch out you young 20somethings....its waaaaiiitting!

(ok so I'm being a tad over dramatic, its what I do best hehe)

Erin, now when you tease us, you will have to pick a
new, larger number now! :)

Busy in Chapel Hill

2009-12-08T12:45:00.000-08:00

Its been only a week from yesterday since we moved in to our house on Hanford Rd. Since then we have moved all the furniture in, unpacked the kitchen, cleaned the guttters, raked the yard, emptied almost 90% of our boxes, gotten me a painting show, met some cool people, been to an art opening....and now onto cake decorating tonight!

Our friend is a talented baker and cook (of course, shes from Italy...) She and a friend enter a local cake decorating competition every year, and have won the past few years. So tonight is the cake decorating party. Drew and I are gonna put on our artist/cake decorating caps and get down to cake decorating! I think we are using marzipan instead of fondant so it will be interesting.

Now that I think of it, I dont think we have spent a night in...well maybe sunday because it was raining, but every other night its been out...lots of fun! We are in such a great location, so happy we are finally here!!

Its Official!

2009-12-01T03:53:00.000-08:00

Its official, 103 Hanford is ours now! WOW our first home! We are so excited/overwhelmed and tired!! Got the keys yesterday at 3pm, emptied one of our moving storage containers in less than 2 hrs, and just have one more to go (tho this one will be harder, its the furniture and big stuff and I am going to tackle it myself today).

How awesome is this, we started looking 2 years ago down here, looked at some pretty scary short sales, some really old battered houses that needed total renovation. In the end it all worked out perfectly. We are in a nice house, great updated kitchen and master bath, hardwood floors, and awesome trail system that connects to each part of the neighborhood.

Well onto more packing!!

Closing is closing in on us!

2009-11-24T10:06:00.000-08:00

Well thanksgiving is just a hop skip and a jump away...ok more like a hop and a skip now. Which means our closing is coming up soon! We are so excited for this, have been waiting for a house and a move out of Maryland for so many years, and its finally coming true!

I think what Drew and I are most thankful for this year is how everything worked out for the best! We have our first home together, our first real home...not some apartment, or rented townhome, but something we will repaint, and fix up and take care of, something to be proud of and put our hearts into. I know a house is just a house, and we have just been in a "dwelling" so many years now...it will be really strange to have something we can be proud to live in. Drew has already started poking around at furniture around the area for sale, and I am thinking about how i will coordinate cleaning, and unpacking, and probably repainting! WOW next week!

I am so grateful for my family and friends who have helped us pack, and move, and given us a bed (and a dog bed) while we have been in transition. I truely am thankful this Thanksgiving!

Drew's last day

2009-10-08T03:57:00.000-07:00

Today is Drew's last day at Euler.

So funny to think its the only place he has ever worked since college. They were lucky to have him, and he was lucky to have found a steady work place for so many years. (unlike this job hopper, I have had at least 6 since college) I know he will be sad in a way, closing one chapter in his life. However, he is also ready for the start of a new chapter! Excited to get a house, be in a new place, work in an exciting field, and embark together on a new adventure...this time with dog in tow!

Emmitt and I have been taking long walks together lately as a break from packing for us both! Last night while Drew went out with coworkers, Emmitt and i found a back way to hike to the school here. I found a ball in the field and we chased eachother, and he chased the ball around for a good hour. I was so tired from running around that I fell asleep last night at 830, really i was nodding off at 8. Emmitt now sits on my lap when i sit on our rocking chair...he was nice and warm and his rhythmic breathing was lulling me to sleep...

A house huntin' we will go

2009-10-07T04:49:00.000-07:00

So this weekend is the big weekend! We have gotten our preapproval for a loan, we have gathered up some money for a down payment, (thanks mom and dad!) packed up most of Drew's clothes, and are heading down to NC in 2 days to look at houses! WOW our first house, its been a long time.
Drew and I were talking about the last time we lived in a house, I think for both of us it was really 11 years ago when we were 18 and living in our parent's houses. Ever since we have been renting, pretty crazy!

Tonight will be our last night in the "mill" together. Drew heads off tomorrow night. I am sure he will be back one of the next few weekends, but it will be totally different...

Packing is coming along. Today is the kitchen. I am running the dishwasher now so the plates will go in clean and dry this afternoon. I'll probably just get some plastic dishware for the rest of the month.

Weird and exciting all at once. It just doesnt feel real yet, and probably won't until we have moved and settled into a house...so we will be living in weird suspension for the next few weeks!

I guess this means I have to come up with a new name for this blog.

RB in NC..
Tarheel tales..
Kelley's in Carolina
Livin' in the "Hill"

hmm I will have to think about that one...time to get started on the day!

little dog is too big for his britches...

2009-09-30T16:44:00.000-07:00

Oh man, Emmitt is on a tear. I dont know if its the packing, I don't know if its the change of seasons, maybe the cooler air...but man this pup is CRAZY. Joe and I took Emmitt and Ellie to the elementary yesterday to let them run around....the wind was blowing the leaves all around in the beautiful sunset pink light...

...aaaand whoosh, they were off like a bolt! Doooowwwn the hill, across the field to the fence, and then back uuup the hill (now mind you this is a very steep hill, often they get all nuts and tumble rather than run down the hill) back and forth and back and forth. Emmitt had his sights set on Ellie's ankles (yes i am the proud dog owner of an ankle biter) meanwhile she was doing her crazy "leave my heels alone" butt tuck run....I ducked behind Joe's much larger and sturdier frame so I would not get bulldozed by the crazies...

This continued for a good 20 mins, it was hysterical!! Finally, tongues wagging out of their mouths, they flopped down and were ready to walk home...

So anyway, today..same thing...Emmitt is totally wound up! We walked, we walked with Ellie, we walked alone, we walked with Gatsby...all in all this pooch walked at least 4 hrs today, with some fetch and dog play inbetween....so we went to the dog park thinking he'd be a little more laid back and able to play with the dogs...nope...he was sniffing here and sniffing there, marking here and marking there....until "Monster" came along. Now that was the dogs name, and it was aptly named....He was a 200lb pit! HUGE doesnt even begin to describe this dog's size...I knew, I knew right away that Emmitt would have to just go bug him....Well Monster marked all of Emmitts well planned out marking spots, and then proceeded to go harass Ellie...Ellie is at least twice Emmitt's size and out weighs him by 70lbs, she looked tiny next to "Monster!"
So over trotts Emmitt...with me in tow knowing full well that my tiny 36lb pup is going to pick a fight with..."MONSTER!" no sooner do I start to call his name than he goes and barks at Monster...and Monster..bellows back...eek! Fortunately Emmitt is a good listener and came back before it escalated more.. I turned to get the leash to go, and over comes Monster...behind my back. I knew he had to be there, right between my legs ready to bite because I could see it in Emmitts eyes...I heard Jess say, "rachel don't move...I'll distract the dog he's right there.."

Ohhh I sooo almost lost both a leg and 70% of my dog...would have been gone all in one bite!
Seriously, first of all...who buys and doesnt fix a dog that size, and second...if u did and your dog was aggressive, why would you bring it to a dog park where it specifically states if your dog bullies other dogs, please do not come..?

Phew...Emmitt shook the whole car ride back...my little man tries so hard to act all big...one of these days hes going to find out he isnt...just hope I am around to keep him safe when it happens!! silly dog...

Movin 'n Groovin

2009-09-28T04:11:00.000-07:00

Well after this morning, its 100% official. Drew is going into work very early and giving his notice. Its been almost 7 long years at the company...I can remember when it was new and fun and exciting for Drew to go in and make a difference there. As time changed, and people rearranged, it kept getting worse for him..no longer appreciated, belittled by his jackass of a boss...
With a few major, and successful projects under his belt, he is MORE than ready to find something new. He commented that he could be one of those guys that is at his office...who has been there for 30 yrs, still makes a meager earning, sorta zombies through his day and his life...he could just slip into that, but then in 10 yrs would probably wake up and wonder why the hell he just let life pass him by, why he didnt ever try to get out and find a job he was passionate about...well now he is doing that.
Labcorp sounds like a good starting off place to get into more biotech and research jobs..maybe it will be just a jumping off point, maybe it will be a place he really likes and stays at another 5-7 yrs. He came home with tons on his mind, after his interview...but was very excited about the genetic projects they do, and the people he will be working with...much better than previous bosses.

As for me, I will be SO sad to leave Jess, Joe, Ellie, Katie, and Chris! Took 6 years for Drew and I to find "real" friends here in Maryland. People you can just be comfortable around, not put on "airs" or feel like you cant be honest with. Its been so nice, if we are going out for a walk, we just stop by and see if Jess Joe and Ellie want to come, and vice versa. Need a dog sitter? someone to go to the grocery store with you...just pop on by Jess's
I will miss the lunch time walks with her, and the chats, seeing and feeling her baby bump kick and move, and how excited she is to meet her new baby!! soon soon!!

But now I am wandering off subject.
Aside from the bit of sadness, I am very looking forward to a house of our own, a new life, new experiences, a community to get involved with...and a family soon I hope!

Anyway, so I guess this posting will have to be changed...no longer "livin' in the Mill"......

umm Fall?

2009-09-24T10:43:00.000-07:00

Ok, so last week it was crisp and cool...not cold at all, just comfortable. I'm happy we haven't gotten any cold snaps yet, but speaking of no cold snaps...its like 85 and really really muggy. Where did this come from? Not sure. Emmitt and I like it though.
Kinda funny to see leaves that turned last week, yet if we go walk emmitt pants and I sweat!

Silly weather

First Day of Fall

2009-09-22T04:53:00.001-07:00

Its the first day of fall today..Grace's birthday too.
Lots a-changing in the air...leaves, a new baby neighbor soon.
Things here and there. I think it will be a good fall, I can only
be positive. Shorter and cooler days mean fewer kids
wandering around harassing emmitt and I, smoking
and having public sex in our park....it will be nice going for
a walk and not accidentally walking past a BJ or something
haha!

So comon fall, we are ready!

blog lazy

2009-06-11T04:23:00.000-07:00

Well I am just getting blogger lazy.
I think the last post was 3 weeks ago. On my birthday..
so lets see, went to Italy!! that was awesome!
saw venice, verona, mantua, and the foothills of the alps
and a lake where European royalty still visits today. (can think of the name)
It was the best vacation/8 days of my life (after my wedding of course)

Had a dog sitting day yesterday. Ellie and emmitt have been taking
turns going over our houses when its raining
or too hot to play outside. Yesterday was my turn. Jess has the flu so she
got to sleep. They were funny, its the first time Ellie has been here with out
Jess so she was pretty subdued. We walked, we played ball, and then they each
got a peanutbutter and apple kong.

Had some great thunderstorms here the last few days. its been really nice!

Art show is coming up. Totally bummed none of my family will b able to come.
My mom cant take off work on a monday (so she and my dad will come the following
sat) eryn has no car, and grace just got a new job and doesnt have time off for vacation until
after the fall....my friends and neighbors are all excited to support me though. It means so
much to me since I have no family that is close. Even my old boss from art camp will show up.
Drew has people from his work coming too, so that will be nice. With any luck people will feel
bad and buy something...haha just kidding!!

Anyway, I am almost ready for it. Got business cards, and invitations have been handed out,
got a price list, and matts. Just need to get the paintings matted finally and measure the space
and hang!

28 come and gone..

2009-05-20T04:39:00.000-07:00

Wow 29. That just sounds so old, its like just leaning over that precipice that is 30...so close, but ugh 30....why is it that we feel so weird about age? Its just a number? Maybe its because we are no longer supposed to be joyful and carefree anymore...maybe its because in our culture we are supposed to have certain things by a certain age...house, mortgage, suv, 2.3 kids, soccer games, a dog in the back yard....etc...

30 just sounds like a whole lot of NO FUN! No more crazy road trips Drew and I used to just randomly embark on in our early 20s, renting is no longer acceptable....can we laugh and smile anymore? Or is it just down to serious business...?

So many people hit their mid life crisis now so much younger because we can only stand so long with out cracking a smile, letting our hair down, or driving without the wind in our hair! I feel like joy will no longer be a part of my life....not only that but my life will no longer be my life....

Hopefully this 30 business is just all in my head. For now I am going to make the most of my final year in my 20s. Going to Italy, killing myself to get to NC, getting an art show (and hopefully selling art or at least getting some commissions out there.) Be more artistically prolific...and find a job that allows me to get my art out or at least let my creativity shine through...or at least a job I can stomach for more than 2-3 years like my usual ones...

Ok so heres to making the most of 29!

Yea for Beer....

2009-04-22T04:04:00.000-07:00

Well never thought I would say that before.,...but there it is.
An upscale wine bar/brewery/restaurant called "the Brewers Art" is lookin for painters to hang their artwork, for free...no commission...in their dining room, and guess who got choosen!? I am meeting with them this weekend to figure out the details, and then I will have an opening sometime in may or june...exciting!!

Jess has been so nice to offer to help invite people there so its not just like Drew and I there alone at the bar...haha! She has lived here all her life, has a big family and I know can get bodies in the door if she asks :) Lucky to have found her...not just because shes becoming such a great friend, but Emmitt has never been happier having Ellie around to chew on hehehehe...

Speaking of, I have been working on an ocean scape. Its kinda your typical sandy beach, few clouds and beach chairs, but its for a friend, as payment for taking Emmitt and other things. Was soo beautiful out yesterday, I was totally inspired....lost track of time...good thing Drew emailed or I would have forgotten to get dinner together :) I love that its lighter later now, it was 8 and still light out last night....gorgeous rainbow and firy sunset after the thunderstorms we had!

Anyway, pics and more info to come once things get nailed down about the art show!!

sadly no paintings sold...

2009-04-06T11:51:00.000-07:00

Ahh it was so great Susie and Hilary thought of adding my paintings to the store for their "Spring Fling." Wasn't too surprised that nothing sold, however....
Though now that I have mounted a bunch of artwork, I am motivated to get other places to hang them and try to sell them around here! Would be great! Ugh gotta sell some paintings! I know I have sold some here and there when the economy was great...now I feel like its been such a dry spell...even Drew doesn't believe in my artwork anymore :( sad

somebody, please buy me....

Morning Green Yogi Tea

2009-03-14T04:56:00.000-07:00

"love is where compassion prevails and kindness rules"

At this time a few days ago I would be out running with Grace and Emmitt. I always love when my family comes to visit, but its never long enough. So nice to be up at 6 with someone else, and out running together, even if the pace was a bit slower haha...

Its so much more quiet and lonely here now. Drew is always at work or off in his own mind thinking about work. It was nice to have companionship, someone to talk to, to hang out with...we even went shopping, but not real shopping, we ran some errands, Erin tried some thing on at Old Navy, wow haven't been to a store in soooo long....I can't stand expensive places, gimme a target or old navy or marshalls or tj maxx where i can just buy some fun tshirt for $3.99 or something like that.

It was a good time, I just wish we lived closer so we could do it more often...Its funny Erin and Grace prob live 2 miles from eachother (ihave walked it many times before with them) just across the river from eachother.) however, they only see eachother when I see them....well maybe a bit more, but its usually when they both go home to visit my mom....curious. Maybe there are 3 of us because we are all such polar opposites we somehow all balance eachother out when we are together hahaha...just kidding.

Either way, it was a great surprise...so glad they decided to come down, if only for a few days. Tho they just left on wed, I miss them already :(

Bouncing off Clouds

2009-02-25T12:42:00.000-08:00

Well thats the title of the music flavor of the moment. As I have written before, I get obsessed with songs...this one is just a happy go lucky kind of song by Tori Amos. It just makes me think of a happy sunny day outside...so its what I have been listening to lately (much to Drew's chagrin) He is NOT a fan of Tori. As a matter of fact, he downloaded the song for me, and in a note he wrote (I quote) "more than happy to download songs for you, but when I did the Tori songs, I think I threw up a little in my mouth..." haha funny boy...(eye roll here hahaha) Im just in a Tori mood, also been listening to her "raspberry swirl", "blue sky" and some others from the Choir Girl Hotel. I think I tend to like her more obscure songs than the ones on her main stream cds. I have no idea what albums these songs came off of, think they are sort of "B" side or unrleased songs. Very un-tori like if you are used to "under the pink" or something like that...they are almost techno like songs...happy quick bouncy, but still somehow moody songs.

So its been awhile since my last post, a few weeks anyway. Not too much to report. My parents came, had a good V-day weekend with them...they left, and when they left they also left a nasty chest cold I am still tring to get rid of. I hate being sick, its like being in a tired achy sickly cocoon where the world just kinda passes by and I dont want to do anything but sleep...blah! Hopefully it will leave me alone soon!!

Other than that, back to the usual, job searching, sending resumes, dreaming about houses and looking at real estate in NC. Doggie play dates with Ellie the chocolate lab next door...and back to taking Emmitt on runs now that its not too fridgid for him.

Stranger things have happened.

2009-02-13T12:33:00.000-08:00

So as I stated in my last blog, its been..well lets just say windy. The siding of the houses have been coming off and the gusts have been up to 65 mph! Needless to say I have been hiding out in the gym for fear of decapitation by cheap metal house siding. Now where I go to the gym I am basically the only little white girl, so the music is ahhh shall we say "ethnic." Nothing I ever listen to, I always wear my headphones when I go so I can block out the pounding of the ghetto music. Until recently....Now I have a very eccletic arrangement of music on my ipod. Thanks to growing up in the 80s and 90s I have everything from Color Me Badd, to Enya, to Flock of Seagulls and lots of "dance" house and techno music. Its happened now 4 times...when I look up from reading or whatever, the music in the gym is the same as the song playing on my ipod...maybe a few seconds off. First time it was the Cars, "you might think," then Color Me Badd "i wanna sex you up," and today Cut Copy...cant remember wich song...but it was STRANGE...how does that happen? Usually its like madonna, mariah carey, justin timberlake or lots of pop artists i dont know, and dont care to know that they play....it just strikes me as very very odd.

I did go on a short run today, let my legs and my mind wander. I realize I havent done what really "feeds" me...now everyone knows I like the outdoors, but what I truley love (and part of the draw to AZ) is going out in my car with a map up into the mts or the woods or somewhere realy remote to just explore and go on an adventure. My friends and I used to just go with my wagon (sowe could put the seats down,) food, water, hiking stuff and sleeping bags and drive into the mts and go hiking and swimming and exploring, sometimes fishing....There is nothing better (I think) than going to Colorado and sleeping out under the Milky Way...yes the sky is that clear. I miss those adventures....I mean I'm not a go to a resort and stay at a hotel and shop for vacation kind of girl....I think if Drew came to me and said..."lets just go away to the middle of nowhere Colorado or Montanna and explore" I would drop everything and go in a second! Nature, and the beauty of it just moves me.....I have been known to be stargazing or watching a beautiful sunset over mountains and just cry for the beauty of it....Oh I miss miss miss that...I hate hate hate the city...the archetecture, the streets, the people...Often when I am in teh city I get annoyed and think about how we have ruined the natural beauty of the earth by our ugly cement, cinder, and pavement. I think I am in some serious need of a road trip out west...who's with me (and yes, this means prob no nice showers...) hehehehe

Oh the wiiiiinnnnd!

2009-02-12T11:32:00.000-08:00

Wow, can anyone believe this wind? We live in like a wind tunnel, the way they just leveled all the trees and then made streets with houses on both sides. Its brutal, thank goodness its warm. Emmitt and I had a quick jog around the neighborhoods here, he hated it as much as I. I assume he gets sand in his eyes too, cause I know I certainly do, and I'm at a much higher elevation off the ground than he. It kept me up all night, I love the sound of gentle wind thruough evergreen's like we have here...it started out pleasant, so I opened the windows to let it lull me to sleep...tho by the time Drew came to bed it was getting violent out there, and we had to shut the window. I could still hear it, hear the random branches breaking off, and things flying by the window.

Yea Hil, I hear ya about the sounds I am that way with smells too. Do you ever get the strong feelings of de ja vou? I often feel like situations I have already had in a dream. That whole week last year seemed surreal, and at the same time I sort of also felt like I had dreamt parts. That sunday you went with your dad in the ambulance, I woke up knowing I had to call the house, not Drew's cell phone, didn't even bother with thinking about what number to call, just automatically dialed the 717#, no hesitation or trying to remember it. It was like I called it often (tho prob hadn't since like 2001 or something. Very strange. I remember that whole week feeling pulled in random directions, and cant remember why I did or said things. Maybe it was just lack of sleep, too much emotion, stress or just the surreality of the situation....

Anyway, I am rambling now.
I am excited for the promise of spring, I always like to think of these winds and weird weather patterns as the warm weather's way of pushing its way back. Yesterday Drew and I took Emmitt on a nice run/walk and stayed out later than usual. I could smell the earth thawing, and feel soft warm air...it was almost 70 yesterday. Yeah for SPRING!

68 is Grrreat!

2009-02-11T13:30:00.000-08:00

Wow 68 degrees....Emmitt was in love! He was so chill on our walk, I practically had to pull him along, all he wanted to do way lay in the sun anywhere he could! haha.
I opened our door, and he just slept in the sun, waking only to watch whatever was moving go by. He was in heaven! Such a good dog too, didn't move an inch when he saw a car or person go by. Unfortunately there are so many kids under 3 in the neighborhood, all outside now too...so I had to close the door. Hes not happy with me, he is laying by the front door waiting for me to open it again....not gonna happen dog! You make the kids nervous! Plus they Loooove his tail, its so enticing. The three year old next door got a hold of it, pretty quickly. He has a spaniel, so no tail to pull there. He saw Emmitt's and grabbed it as fast as he could! haha. Fortunately for just that reason I pull his tail so he's not so startled by it. He jsut sorta gave the little boy (harry) a wet nose nudge..good thing I'm such a child! hehe.

Boo for the Flu!

2009-02-07T07:12:00.000-08:00

Ugh, nothing I hate more than being sick! Yesterday at 4 I started to get dizzy, and feel all weird. Pounding headache, and that urge to be sick everywhere! I laid down on the couch until about 8pm, finally felt ok enough to head to bed...of course this morning, wonderful surprise...I got my period on top of it...so headache backache dizzyness and just absolute exhaustion! Like I needed both at the same time! Oh well, i usually hav to get this at least one time a year...so hopefully this is my yearly sickness! Its nice out so I can go groan outside in the sun :)

On the plus side, my parents have decided to come visit next weekend for 3 days! yeah! I know I saw them in dec, but it always feels like FOREVER!!

Sniff it, sniff it good...

2009-02-05T09:01:00.001-08:00

This is a little tidbit of information you all might not know, Drew is a singer/songwriter at heart. Usually he doesn't stray from singing my name, singing about things I do or say or wear....Though lately he has been singing about Emmitts unusual habits.
Emmitt tends to be a connoisseur of poop spots. He may be freezing his little tail off, but he can't go until he finds just the right one..So last night it was cold (oh what shocker) and Emmitt had to go BAD! He was nearly bursting, but he refused to just go..so he sniffs the ground as he practically runs down the sidewalk insearch of the perfect place to soil.
So to the tune of Devo's "whip it" Drew started singing....if your walkin down the stree...he will sniff it, every dog butt that he meet's he will sniff it...now sniff it, sniff it good....and so on, the song went as long as the walk for Emmitt to relieve himself took...just more and more lines about the dog sniffing trees, and knees...etc...hahaha!
Emmitt, you are a nut!! But we looove you :)

Yogi Tea for the heart

2009-02-04T15:07:00.000-08:00

Well in the spirit of Valentine's month, I have been getting a few "heart felt" (hehe) yogi-teaisms.

"Every heartbeat creates a miracle."

"Your heartbeat is the rhythm of your soul"

and finally,

"There is no love without compassion."

And thats Yogi for today :) mmmm tea.

Holy testicle Tuesday (ok monday)

2009-02-02T10:55:00.000-08:00

Wow, are Emmitt and I lucky or what?! Two beautiful days in a row...I can only hope it stays like this...I mean comon, its groundhogs day, doesnt that count for anything??
I obviously remember this time last year, it was definitely cold and windy and icy (among other things.)
I was thinking today, on a long doggie walk, about everything thats happened since we moved here. My parents warnings not to move to "Baltimurder" for fear I would be shot/mugged/raped/haave my car broken into etc...and how much I hated it, hated my life, hated my 4 freakin hr commute, hated my loans, hated missing my family, hated the cold and the uglyness of the area hated hate hated...I can remember times on my runs just wanting to throw myself into oncoming traffic, or jump off one of the bridges I run over into the next county over...but always holding onto hope that things would get better.
I remember falling and breaking my elbow and not being able to paint murals anymore, and not wanting to leave the confines of my apartment...ever for several months.
This time of year has always seemed hard for me. Christmas and New Year's passed, no more fun holidays...the snow and ice wearing on my nerves, losing my papa, my closest aunt, and most recently John all during the first 2 months of Feb....pretty random...apparently people should stay faaarrr away from me in Feb..haha
Anyway, I'm not sure why I was thinking about all these things...maybe just since the sun felt so good I could allow them into my consciousness with out getting too upset, the sun always makes me smile.
Either way, I'm happy I never acted upon any attempts to end my life...there's just too many sunny days that I need to experience.

short post...

2009-02-01T12:34:00.000-08:00

My blog for the day is...whoohooo
rachel yogi says if its 60....go out, and don't go back inside...
theres sun and warmth now, but tomorrow may bring snow!!!

Today's tea wisdom

2009-01-31T11:03:00.000-08:00

This afternoon's tea is a mix of green tea and licorice, lemon teas. mmmm

"When you stop living for the past, you can start living for a better future."

"To learn, read. To know, write. To master, teach."

Yogi Tea says...

2009-01-30T17:00:00.000-08:00

So I drink this ginger tea every night after walking the dog..It has little sayings on the teabags. Thought I would share.

"you should be thankful for every day there is breath in you."

"True bliss cannot be disturbed by gain or loss."

Now Im gonna go drink and get warm! BRRR!

Mystery Meat Creation

2009-01-30T13:41:00.000-08:00

Ok, so we all know I don't eat "meat," Drew calls it my "no hooves policy." I will eat fish and fowl. I.E. many types of fish, most seafood chicken and turkey. I prefer to get my protein ala beans, dairy, tofu and its products.
So Drew decides he misses pot roast. Ok, got that...I admit I totally cheated and bought it premade. However, now we have left overs..what to do with that? Well I know Emmitts votes to let him eat them all...oh my good gracious last night he was so giddy at the smell of it he didnt know what to do with himself...kept racing into his crate and then out again haha!
Anyway so drew got a wrap with rice and pot roast for lunch the other day..that was a hit.
Today we are trying something new. I made a roux with some of the juices from the roast, added onion and potato to it, then the pot roast. Then got out like a whole wheat pizza dough and put it all inside like a little calzone like pocket. I hope my expirament will pass his picky tastebud test!!
If not, I'll give it to the dog! :)

Hmm what to say..

2009-01-29T12:28:00.000-08:00

Funny thing about dogs, they always look so expressive. You can't see it, but his paws are right near the heater, so when he puts his head down his nose will be down the vent..haha

He's not too impressed with the ice outside. Though he has a very good friend now, Ellie. They take walks at night, and play in the afternoons. He saw her this morning when he was going out to do his "thing." Usually he just goes and then wants to come right back in for breakfast! Not today though! He's really good, I let him off the leash now with out worries at the park up the street, he doesnt get too far from me. However, this morning, he was half way up the street, well on his way up to give Ellie a good morning hello sniff...haha! Good thing food always wins over his attention! Ahh to be as simple as a dog, the mere though of food makes his mouth water....literally. Yesterday I was out shoveling Drew's car a bit before I came in to give him breakfast. He had psyched himself up so much for food that when i walked in the door, he lifted his head, and drolled big slobbery lines of spit all over the floor (hes not a drooly dog, I had actually never seen this happen before) Now we play "hide and seek" with his afternoon snacks. He drools for that. He sits and waits in the kitchen while I hide Emmitt food all over the house. Then I say "find your treats" and hes off nose to the floor!
Its just some more Emmittainment!

Get out your ice skates!

2009-01-28T04:53:00.000-08:00

Ahh wonderful not only did we get snow, but we got lots of ice on top! I got up at 6:30 this morning, chipped it off our steps, and our walk way...only to find Emmitt couldn't pee because his paws kept slipping out from under him every time he went to squat. So I had to shovel and chip the front yard hahaha! Shoveled him a nice little potty. While I was at it, decided to chip off all the snow from Drew's car. I really needed a pick axe, so much ice on that thing, and solid! I noticed that I was the only person out there, aside from the cop that lives up the street...hmmm curious?
I'm sure every neighbor was groaning to the sound of my metal shovel chipping and pinging off the ice and concrete.
So Maryland shuts down when theres snow with ice on top...interesting...
Derw is up in bed pretending that he wont have a hard time getting out of our parking lot. the plow piled all the snow up behind everyone's cars...and then it iced on top...fun stuff!

well one can only hope that spring will be on the way soon...tho that means moving AGAIN!! ahh! We will have to move the end of May or June...last time it took weeks! Hopefully not again, this rental agreement expires in June! We might be moving instead of going to SF :(

Did it snow this much last year?

2009-01-27T10:37:00.000-08:00

Hmm, I can't remember.
They salt or chemical the side walks here, think it burns Emmitt's poor little puppy pads. Makes for very short, very stop and go and clean off his feet walks. He is currently wrapped around the heating vent letting the hot air blow his ears.

As for me, my run was a bust, so I decided to shovel out everyone's walk ways and the neighborhood sidewalks. That counts as physical activity right?

On the plus side, Emmitt and I have made friends...her name is Ellie shes a chocolate lab. The girl is Jess. Very nice, very laid back, shes a lacross coach at one of the local private girls' schools. We meet for lunch and evening doggie dates now, Emmitt is very happy to play. I am happy to have a female around from time to time :) She and her husband, joe, live 4 doors down from us. Her husband is currently in grad school, so I remember what its like to be home alone all night...I know she likes having Emmitt and I around to walk with at night.

Sooo back to more snow. I just wish we could get out of this weather pattern. I like when we are in the southernly weather pattern, where the wind comes up from the south, not this pattern where it comes from the north west. All I can do is hope for more sunny days, even though I know they will be cold for another few months...

The Music of my Life

2009-01-26T14:10:00.000-08:00

So I can't remember what Drew and I were talking about, but somehow we got into a conversation about music...Oh wait, just remembered how we got into that conversation...anyway, this is a PG site...so how we got there isn't important. I realize I am plugged into music at all times.
As long as I can remember I loved music. I begged my parents at age 10 to get me my own stereo. When I finally was allowed to have one, I put all my saved money into it...My dad said he would match whatever amount I could spare. Now I'm a saver with a capitol "S"...so I got a good system. I listened on the bus on the way to school, at home doing homework, bus rides to soccer and track, walking to and from college classes, (in some classes as well)...always painting and drawing, and not only listening to music while I did that, but also illustrated things I saw in my mind when I listened to a particular song. Basically I guess I would say that the only time I don't have music on somewhere when I am sleeping, I will even listen sometimes while watching tv, (I know...weird)
heck, I even listen to music in the shower :)
As I sit here, I am listing to my Ipod touch....currently Peter Gabriel's "games without frontiers"
My musical taste has changed, but really only to add more, I listened to this song wayyy back when it came out when I was in middle school.
Its interesting, most people like music...gotta jam to something while working out, or sitting in traffic...but I have discovered not everyone could listen to music all day long no matter what they are doing. My sister Eryn shares this obsession of music with me...Many of my art school friends as well...not Drew, he needs quiet sometimes...not my mom or dad, or Grace, same thing for them...
It makes me wonder if its at all creative/art related or just some people do....?
My parents even bought Eryn and I water proof radios for the shower so we dont electrocute ourselves when we listen.
It kills me not to listen to music...and not just any type of music, I have to have the right type of music for each mood or activity.
Quiet for when I get tired, I can listen to Bach or some other classical music....NIN for my really pissed off moods...techno or dance for my runs or when I paint....sad or angry music when I am upset...
Does everyone else have an immediate association with each song they hear? Every song I hear evokes emotions from every and any time of my life.
Some makes me think of when I was 2 at my dads races....mostly phil collins and the Police...
Some of my grandfather, usually Nat King Cole or Frank Sinatra. I can close my eyes and smell him...aftershave with coffee and cigaretts...hear his booming voice, see their old house, and remember how I used to feel...

Is this the same for everyone?

Yea for the sun!

2009-01-22T11:32:00.000-08:00

Guaranteed this is what he's doing now..

Yea for the sun! Emmitt and I just got back from an hr and thirty min walk/game of fetch in the park. Hes so much happier and to play and calmer when we get play and run around. Love the sun.

On another note, I am now going to be an undergrad student again....I am taking Intro to Asian Art. I figure I can only gain more art history knowledge, cant hurt...and the best is its FREE! Just call me Erin Bell :)

Updated Emmittainment

2009-01-22T04:19:00.000-08:00

Well days are getting longer, and thank god...warmer! Or at least for the next few days it will be. Emmitt has found himself a new source of entertainment. He has pretty much figured out how the day will go, with a few changes here and there. So when I start to make dinner, he knows Drew will be along soon. He can see out the door, and can see out the front windows because I usually close the shades part way so people walking by arent looking right in. He listens and can hear people and cars go by, and every time he runs up the steps and looks out the top windows for Drew. Then he runs back down to greet him at the door. He does think whenever either one of us comes or goes. When I go running on the weekends in the morning when Drew is still in bed. I look up at the top windows and theres Emmitt with his little paws up on the window sill looking out at me. I wave, and then I'm off. Its good though, he used to whine when I left, now he knows....I'll be back.

SOO not fair!

2009-01-21T04:48:00.000-08:00

Ok, I know I'm getting pretty whiny now, but comon! its like 1out again. I know January and the beginning of Feb are always the nastiest months, but this is getting ridiculous! Fortunately emmitt is comfortable enough with us now that he doesnt have all that nervous energy like he did when we first adopted him. Hes happy just to sleep in the sun room or at my feet, but he gets pretty excited whenever we try to play. I know he is hoping for summer soon. Lastnight we got outside, we let him out to pee in the yard unleashed, so he can sniff around...then we put on the leash after 5-10 min. so we can walk around the neighborhood. We just barely got it on and walked a few steps when he did his business, and then wanted to go home. Much different from the warm weather when he holds off until its been 40 min into the walk because he wants to go outside and play. Oh summer come soon!

This Morning's Emmittrainment.

2009-01-20T05:22:00.001-08:00

Emmitt hates the cold as much as I. The last few days I have noticed he has been interested the the heat registers on the floor. Yesterday he kept laying on them, and letting the warm air blow his ears up. Today he has realized the cheap ones they have here are not screwed into the floor, so now he digs them up, takes the covers off, and sticks his whole head down the heat vent so he can get the maximum heat in his face...hahah! So funny. Drew kept finding the heat covers off all over the house...now we have found the culperate. Hopefully he will not try to crawl down there and get stuck! The heat is great, glad he's figured out how to stay warm, but don't too excited about the heat source there Emmitt!

Weather not helping my resolution

2009-01-20T04:44:00.000-08:00

Well this stupid weather is not helping motivate me. I can't say that the cold gets me, its the cold/wind/ice/snow combo that makes me want to slither off to the gym and forget all about the outdoors. Just like Hil, I too was not expecting snow, same thing..."light flurries" However, I ran hard all weekend and decided to take an easy day at the gym. I always bring books, so I get totally involved in my reading...after a while I looked up, and was shocked to see accumulated snow on the ground!
Last night they salted the side walks, but not the streets?! They didnt even plow?! I dont get it?? The stuff they put on teh side walks burns our dogs feet apparently. We HAD to walk Emmitt...and every dog we passed was picking up their foot limping just like Em. We kept having to stop and brush off his paws so he would lick the ice melt and get sick. It was a short walk.
I am missing my doggie runs, and walks, this weather sucks!
More than that, I am missing my runs...Go away snow and cold!!!!

More Emmittainment

2009-01-19T12:44:00.000-08:00

So as we all know, winter is cold...our house is older, not well insulated, and pretty drafty. We wear slippers because the floor is very cold. The poor dog has to lay on the floor (per drews rules) and he was chilly this weekend. We tried to tape up all the cracks in the door and windows with some insulation tape, but to little avail. Anyway, so Emmitt has been trying to get onto the couch with me to cuddle and warm up. I have no qualms with it, but can't go against Drew's wishes, so I reluctantly keep pushing him off the couch and get his pillow for him to sleep on ...or I drape my blanket onto him. This sat was espically chilly..
Emmitt was at my feet sleeping on his pillow, and Drew was going out with friends. Drew came and said goodbye, got his coat...and went to the door (Emmitt meanwhile opened one eye and watched this) pretending to be asleep...the minute the door closed and locked, he was up..peeked around the corner, turned around and launched himself onto my lap...SOOO funny. He knows I'm a softie...Cracked me up for a good 5 min, I had to call Drew...hehehehe

A Ray of light in a Place of Darkness

2009-01-17T05:02:00.000-08:00

So, after 5 years of rude people, no eye contact, or eye rolling, ignoring me, or only talking to us if something is needed...something so out of the ordinary happened...I think I reacted wrong. I was sitting on the couch last night, having my tea before my shower, thinking about how damn cold it is, and would home depot have more insulation tape so we can insulate more of our doors and windows that are oh so drafty...when knock knock knock...
What? did I hear that right...oh crap, what are we doing wrong now...The last time someone knocked it was to complain that the "for rent" sign was still up in front of our place. Emmitt was OUT he never heard the knock, so i tentatively opened the door...and there were our 4 neighbors. Erin, David, and their 2 young boys (prob under 5 each) The older of the two boys proudly held out some oatmeal raisin walnut cookies they had baked and proclaimed, "welcome to the neighborhood" I was flabbergasted! Did not expect that! I had briefly met them outside one morning letting Emmitt out, and exchanged hellos with Erin.
I asked the boy if he had made them himself, and he said "yes'! "well my mom helped too.." how cute.
Finally Emmitt awoke and decided to come and be the "mean gaurd dog " he is...hahaha he barked, and I had to close the door. I hope I see them again, what a thoughtful thing to do....plus the cookies were YUMMY!!

Fear and loathing in the Mill..

2009-01-16T04:42:00.001-08:00

So let me tell you a little story. We moved onto Lockard drive and into a house about a month and 1/2 ago. Usually we are in a condo or apartment on the second floor or higher, so have never really been concerned with break ins. Aboutt a month ago, after having been here a few weeks, we went to take the dog for a walk about 7:30 pm. I'm not going to say names, but someone who is notorious for locking us out (yes we had to go rent a ladder and break into our own condo last summer) locked us out...Crap, we are renting, the agency is about 40 min away, and thats fine...if we had phones or knew the number to call?! So panic insues for a few min. Then my brave "friend" who got us in this conundroum in the first place has a moment of "ah ha!" and runs around the back. Not 5 min later he is opening the door...how did that happen? Apparently our sliding door doesnt really lock, he just pulled hard and it opened...good for us....oh wait, bad for us?! People in our neighborhood are broken into, raped, killed, threatened...and now for the first time, we coudl be too. I tried not to think abo t it that night. Around 3 am, however, I couldnt sleep...so I got up and tore through the house looking for something to wedge in between the door and the wall. Finally I remembered the plunger and pulled it apart and put that sturdy dowel in the track of the sliding door and tested it myself....phew .....

Lastnight, we were hearing noises again...Now I know my dowel will probably hold firm, but just incase, now that we are open to rapings and pilliagings....he barracaded the door that connects the basement from the kitchen...just in case! How much longer will I get to live in fear of every freakin noise in this "lovely" state?!?!

what the F*!?

2009-01-16T04:40:00.001-08:00

Let me just start by saying....8 with a wind chill of -5?! Hello...how do I walk a dog in that?!?!?? Isnt this why I moved out of MA?! This is the typical winter weather of Westford MA that drove me thousands of miles, and several degrees south to college in Tucson!! Ba Humbug!

Little pupsicle..

2009-01-15T04:46:00.001-08:00

I suppose by this time I should edit this blog to include Emmitt in it...
Anyway, funny dog this morning. So he hasnt seen snow since we were last in MA, so he might associate the snow with driving in the car 8 hrs on drugs...But this morning we got a very light dusting, must hav been about 5 am. It was so cold, however, that the snow didnt stick and was that powdery stuff that swirls in the wind. So Emmitt sniffed, and the snow moved, and he jumped....His fur went up, and he kept looking back at me (usually first thing in the morning I just let him out the front door and he does his doggie business) I watch from the doorway. He just didnt want to go this morning, and I could tell he NEEDED to go! haha
Finally after much licking, jumping, and turning circles he eliminated. Phew. Poor guy, I mean its 11 out with the windchill...no one wants their ass exposed to that! So glad he got over his fear of going when its cold! haha
Hes quite an oddity in the morning, much like us, he wakes every morning and stretches, he yawns, rubs himself like a cat on my legs to say goodmorning, then flips on his back for a good belly rub. Once i am finished, he then rights himself, only to rub his little paws on his eyes (again very cat like) getting the sleepies out of his eyes and licking his paws clean. When we first adopted him we thought he had fleas or something because sometimes he also dries his face on the carpet after ridding himself of his sleepys...

Animals are funny, great to bring some hilarity to our lives. I cant tell you how many times Drew and I have laughed ourselves silly at the expense of the dog doing his usual dog stuff! love my Emmittainment!

Baby its cold, outside...

2009-01-14T11:31:00.000-08:00

Brr, well that was a brisk run if i do say so myself! I get the most bizarre looks when I am out there in the mornings. I just think to myself "hey I could be at home where its like -4....so 7 isnt too bad. Some guy at the gym (where i go to warm up and stretch afterwards) made some comment that I must not be from around here since I didn't look too cold. I wanted to tell him that if you moved your ass fast enough and dress appropriately for the weather, it really wasnt that bad to exercise in. Not that I would advocate just going outside in a tshirt and just hanging out on ur porch or anything.
I actually was hot by the time I got back from my run...
Walking the dog, well thats another story. We keep our pace up pretty quick, hes not a walker, hes more of a trotter or a runner....so I wasnt totally frozen, but was no Arizona! hehe
Yesterday the doggie got himself back into that disguesting dead animal again! Man I dunno what it is about that. Hes so great off the leash now (as long as we are away from lots of people and traffic) We were out in the woods playing fetch, having a great time...I let him roam into the woods and call him back when I start feeling like hes too far off, or catching a scent...so anyway I saw him getting all excited about something...lo and behold he had found some nasty dead deer he was rolling himself in...ugh! He was covered in just black decay, and so proud of himself....until he remembered that we humans dont like that smell....i was so tempted to toss him in the stream nearby, but knew it was too cold for that!
We basically ran (one of us with our tails between our legs) home and had a nice bath. Unfortnately he still kinda stinks...tho he has been behaving ever so well yesterday and today..haha!
I guess thats one of the pitfalls of dogownershit....hahah i mean ship! Happy tail wagging :)

Running update

2009-01-13T11:37:00.000-08:00

Well I know January isn't the time of year to resolve myself to get back into distance running, but oh well. I have to say I have been feeling SOOOO much better than I have in the last almost 3 months since I stopped going on long runs. Ahh so so good.
So it lets me get back to thinking, organizing my brain, and being able to be in a good mood to entertain Drew and try to keep him happy.
I have noticed the last hmm I dunno few months even since we didn't get to move to NC and change jobs hes been in a particularly foul mood. He HATES his work so much. Its not even that he doesnt like the mundane day to day crap. He has a shitty boss who is nasty and just dismissive of him, he is too nice to say no to helping people...and since everyone knows that he gets piles of other peoples shit dumped on him...without even a thanks. He always tries to do things for people, get gifts for new moms, cards for bdays, take people out, I made everyone cookies for christmas; that sort of thing. And then yesterday, he didnt even get so much as the typical bday gathering. He got a cookie...that was it...Poor bebs!
It was such a let down almost having that new job, almost having a house, almost being able to start a family and start a real life....just to have it all dashed by one little phone call saying he didnt get chosen for the job.
Neither of us are happy here, its like we are just waiting for death to come take us at this point. Well maybe thats a wee bit dramatic, but we havent been doing much but sleep eat work run errands...We both feel so so trapped, no way to get out of this HELL hole of a state!
We discussed having a family at dinner the other night...basically if we dont get out of Maryland, we have decided we will never have children. Its just not right to have them in a place where they will get beaten by the other 6 yr olds, or raped, or stabbed, and maybe not even learn to read by the time they are 15...unless we shell out that 20K a year just to get them into private kindergarten! Looks like its just gonna be me Drew and the dog...so long kids! BOO!

Does anyone have any contacts down in Chapel Hill...looking for an art teacher and a computer database worker with his MBA!?

Day 1 of "back to running"

2009-01-08T08:41:00.000-08:00

So it figures, I woke up today with a resolve to get up and RUN...until I got out of bed and the CRAMPS struck! UGH how I hate being a girl sometimes! So i got my ass in gear, got the dog out, fed him etc and went out to run. Brr cold...so as im settling into a long run, while trying to ignore my aching ovaries...I see it, the darkest snow laden cloud on the horizon.... Growing up in New England you learn types of snow clouds by color. This one was dark and coming fast, which meant high winds and horizontal snow. Just my luck. Fortunately it was a very fast, relatively small cloud. By the end of my run, the sun came out, the clouds blew away, and it was "nice out" I use the quotes because its still below freezing, so with all things being even and its the winter...sunny and 30 is "nice"
Now to get back out there and walk the dog.
Feels good to be getting back into running again! :)

forgotten blogging...

2009-01-07T11:26:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I signed onto my blog and was looking at the original description of what this is about. Said something to the effect of "a blog about running, and my life in general..." so where has the running part gone? Ugh, now I know I have been slacking with the running (the unsightly slowly forming tire around my middle will attest to that) but actually seeing that I have not blogged about a run in so long makes me cringe!
With all this moving crap going on, Drew and I aren't doing our usual Arizona race...(so so sooo sad) So I have really been letting myself go this winter. Usually I strap on my shoes and millions of layers to tackle whatever winter weather mother nature throws at me, but this year I have been wimping out! The hearty new englander in me is ashamed....
I think for the first time EVER this year my resolution will have to be to get back into running again. To really enjoy it like I used to. Man this is something I never thought I would hear myself saying!? What is wrong with me?! And here I thought I was a true runner, oh well, guess everyone falls of the wagon at some time or another......hey at least running to try to jump back on it will help me reach my goal....hehe!

Move over Emmitt...

2009-01-04T07:46:00.000-08:00

Silly little doggie...he makes for such great entertainment. SO stubborn, so hopeful, especially when it comes to food.
Drew has been talking about writing a cartoon about Emmitt. Just for fun. We'll see how that goes.
Next week he will no longer be the center of attention, I will have several 3 yr olds running around the house for "art" (aka give mummy a break for a few hrs) classes.

Should be fun, should be interesting for this little pup.....

blogging from 13 inches below...

2008-12-19T13:53:00.000-08:00

Well its that time of year. I pack up my sleigh (the focus) full of presents, and LOTS of warm, heavy clothes...and make the 8 hr drive up to MA. With benadryl in the doggies tummy, and Erin by my side playing "mommy bird" (thats another story for another day) we made it in pretty good time...almost exactly 8 hrs. Connecticut was seriously bumper to bumper from the time we entered the state till the time we exited.

The dog finally woke up, poor guy...to a rude awakening of cold cold weather and a potty full of snow and ice. He slipped, he slid, he skidded as he tried to lift his leg. Had to crate him in my bedroom since he slept 8 hrs driving up, and was wide awake all night.

Up this morning, and out the door...think he's finally resigned to making yellow snow, cant find any grass anywhere to water. I'm excited, the snow slows him down enough that I can just let him righ out the back door and he cant run away anywhere. We had a nice off the leash walk in the woods on the trails behind my house. Then went to the soccer field and played "catch me."

I think Emmitt could get used to this living out in the woods in a nice neighborhood. Hes calm, and happy to be off the leash. Doesnt go too far from me, and always always comes right back when I call him.

I know where I'm going to move him next....! (and no, there wont be snow)

Well addressing the 13 inches below...we are getting a BLIZZARD with wind and snow and everything. I shoveled the deck only 30 min ago, and already its past my ankles again....Tomorrow I will wake to snow up to my knees...so sad. I can deal with the inch that was on the ground already....up to my knees; not cool!

Blog slacking

2008-12-17T11:23:00.000-08:00

Its been too long, I've been a blogging slacker.

I apologize...tho this isn't read by many...

Well Erin or (Eryn) as she writes it, is visiting me. Helping me schlep the doggie up to MA for christmas. Emmit and Eryn love eachother...we baked peanutbutter dog biscuts yesterday for our neighbors dog's for Christmas, (yes I am one of those people...) First the cookies for Drew's coworkers, then the cookies for the dogs...Did I mention I love to bake. I like "winging' it too. I usually look up a recipe and then sort of edit it in a way I think would taste better, or at least be slightly healthier. Usually my expiraments work out, sometimes not so much....
Think I get it from my dad, we have a general knowledge of what foods do what things in recipes ie what are binders, what help make things rise or give it certain tastes, and then with that knowledge we apply it to random foods. Each time I go home I usually do this. Last year we altered the Gingerbread men recipe. The traditional one calls for so much LARD! (thats tons of saturated fat by the way) not good for my dads already partially clogged arteries...so we substitured a "lighterbake" ingredient (its basically mashed prunes) they tasted really good, they were still soft, but didnt have that "lardicious" flavoring.

Anyway so back to the dog biscuts, mostly just peanutbutter, flour, egg water, and a bit of bran. Emmitt was a big fan, he wasn't happy about sharing them with his friends. Guess he'll have to learn that to be a good puppy we must share our favorite things with our friends sometimes.

He'll get over it.

We have been walking by all the decorated houses on our nightly walks lately. Someone decided to put out fake deer, not the ones that are white and light up and move, they look like real deer. Emmitt wanted to chase them, but then noticed they weren't running away...I went up to touch them to show him it was ok. He wasnt cool with that, started barking and proceeded to freak himself out. Guess he only likes deer when they give a good chase.

Monday night he got to chase some in our back yard. Drew went out the sliding door that leads to the back yard to take out the trash. Usually Emmitt will sit and stay with me while we wait for Drew...however monday...he saw a deer, or a squirrel. I'm still not sure, all I saw was a flash of a white tail, and then a flash of a white dog, and lots of leaves rustling around and being kicked up....There was a moments panic from me as he charged into the woods. I couldn't see a thing since it was so dark, just the eerie glow of his eyes from time to time. Fortunately he must like the food we feed him, because a moment or two later he was back, so happy to have chased something, even if he didn't get to bring it back for us. Haha, good dog!

Its been a loong time..

2008-12-08T17:09:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I think last I wrote Drew and I were in "eviction" hell...we wasted our fun, January vacation money on a hotel, a moving van, and lots of days waiting to move into a place. I just want to skip all that...fast forward to now. We are happily moved into our new townhouse...a whole .20 mi from the last 2 places we have lived in the last 6 years. What are we, nomads? Seriously we are like in the Kelley tribe that moves around the planes of Owings Mills, searching for...buffalo? hmm think thats the wrong state...guess here we are searching for...hmm a way out of here..so far no such luck. However, having 3 floors means the dog can run up and down the steps still he passes out, he can play tug of war as rough as he wants, and he has 2 doors to get to the outside through! He couldn't be happier...well really he could be, because now hes seen snow...and he HATES it! First he growled at it, then sniffed it, then tried to bite it...Apparently the snow won, because he has been going hours upon hours with out going to the bathroom (lets just say this little pup normally does his business 4-5 times a day, sometimes twice on one walk...and im not talking about coloring the snow yellow...) Fortunately today (after 3 days of holding it so long he could not sit down) he found his friend Regan, a Mastif having no problem browing the snow, so he decided he too could get in on that action! Good thing!

Well moving on from the dog's ass...Its getting to be Christmas time! (hmm interesting transition there...) Anyway, as far as I'm concerned once I break out the big hubbard squash for Thanksgiving, its Christmas. Nothing like a 15 lb squash to get you in the mood for gingerbread and other goodies..This year we are giving all our friends, neighbors and coworkers homemade cookies and fudge to save money. Tomorrow I am starting on the chocolate meringue snowflakes (martha stewart's got nothin on me!) Yea thats right, I am going to pipe the cookies into snowflake shapes...tho maybe I should wait to boast till after this expirament! Then its onto peanutbutter munchies, and peanutty buckeye bars, and maybe some chocolate thumbprints, and some fudge and finally some turtles! Good thing New Year's is just around the corner..all his coworkers can resolve to go on diets after this cookie extravaganza!

Anyway, merry Christmas, and here's to loosening our belts this time of year!!

craz y election today...

2008-11-04T14:15:00.000-08:00

So weird, I feel like every election I have witnessed has gotten crazier and crazier....I remember the Bush election, where everyone thought he lost...and then, somehow...hmm in florida where his brother was governor...he ended up winning? that was a shady election...how the hell did we elect that moron the first time, nevermind for a second term?! Then the next election...somehow Osama made some remark about not electing him again, Im gonna go with that was a made up announcement to help his campaign by some really twisted campaign manager...the Bush friends are so slimy.
So here we are in 2008, and we had a female running for democratic candidate, a black man, an old fart, and a midwestern hick that I swear has hay stuck between her teeth every time. I keep expecting her to wander out in overalls and a plaid hunting jacket. I know she somehow hits a chord with lots of americans...hmm guess that says something about the majority of people that live in this country. Guess the "no child left behind" from the bush administration, forgot the parents behind or something...
Anyway, so back to 2008...I think this is the first time I dont hate either candidate, or love either. I have no strong feelings about either. I think that Obama doesn't have the expirence for where we are in the economy, and the world at the moment, and Mcain is at such an advanced age hes way past obama's green. yes hes very expirenced, but hes so far over the hill that he may croak before he actually gets sworn in. I am completely ignoring both running mates...I mean comon never in my lifetime has the vice pres ever even had much of a say...most americans couldnt name the last 3 vp's. So I will ignore them. Guess the choice is, someone who will learn from his mistakes in the next 4 yrs, or someone who may not make it 4 more years. Coming from somone who usually votes liberal...guess I have to fall back on whatever happens, happens. I live in Maryland, my vote doesnt count...its been decades that MD votes democrat, and i dont mind it.
must agree with hilary tho, if you dont vote, u forfeit your right to bitch and moan!

moving, packing, where to live stress..?

2008-11-03T11:17:00.001-08:00

Well let's see, its been quite some time since I last wrote. Emmitt is getting better and better each day. We have taken him to a BIG dog park where he definitely thrives! He found an Italian Greyhound that he Looooves chasing after, finally someone he cant catch and doesnt tire! hehehe. Hes walking very well on the leash now, almost consistantly either walking directly next to me, or slightly behind.
We have fought, and sort of in a way won, against our neighbor below. For 2 years since we moved in every time we walk to the kitchen or to the bathroom, no matter what time of day, if shes home she bangs on the ceiling. We never intended on staying in our condo more than the 2 yr lease we signed, so I feel as though we have won...got the least extended for a few weeks, and she hasn't knocked or even been home in the last month or so!
Drew is currently at his first job interview since after college! Bayer cropscience. He seems very excited and very comfortable. After sending what seemed like millions of resumes to millions of companies, Bayer finally responded! He would be working directly for the head of IT of their north american companies...dude sounds pretty important...got his phd an all... they phone interviewed him like 4 times and really sounded excited about him....but of course...only time will tell.
We have a back up plan of course...Drew stays at his current company with his boss he cant stand...and keeps looking for as long as it takes to get a different job...but OH if it worked out! we'd be sooo happy! We would finally be able to begin our lives! Finally settle down somewhere, rather than live in transition...I mean comon, we live across from a grocery store..I still feel like I am not comfortable in my own abode...can't ever really relax, theres no privacy no quiet, I feel like I have been living in a dorm for the last 10 yrs...Drew and I are both tired of this life here. We are so so so so ready to move on!

Good doggie...

2008-10-09T11:34:00.001-07:00

What a good boy! Last weekend we went up to PA to visit the fam :) Emmitt got to take his first long car ride since we brought him home. He was so good in the car, but unfortunately is prone to carsickness...poor dog. Fortunately he loves visiting, new smells, new sounds, and kitties!! He loved gamma's back yard, and was so good. Hopefully he will grow out of the carsickness...or something so we can take more trips up to PA.
We had a great time with everyone, including Dwight too who was nice enough to leave the city to come out and see us "regular folk" hehe jk!

Welcome Emmitt!

2008-09-23T10:33:00.000-07:00

I am soo excited! We finally adopted a dog. Hes great!! Looove him. He has only been here since Sat and is making the adjustment very fast...He has loads of positive energy, and actually I hadn't really heard a peep from him until today. There was a crazy blow up arm guy out along our walk...u know, the ones that are propelled by a fan and their arms flap. He did not like that!
However, his is a fast learner...very eager to please. He sits at the door now to wait for it to open. He knows "sit" "down" (as in lay down) knows his name, "off" "no" and a host of other words. He is very smart, though can be very stubborn...although he knows many commands, he still doesnt always want to obey. Love his personality though, he loves belly rubs...walks....short runs...and always gets so excited when drew comes home....mostly he just wants to be loved and played with.
Well off for another walk....

Obsessed with my "roots"

2008-09-05T10:38:00.000-07:00

Ok, so all my life I have had this insatiable curiosity to know where I come from. I mean not where I was born or what my parents were like. I mean what or who gave me my physical attributes. I know my small stature comes from my great grandparents who were petite horse trainers/jockeys from France, I know my blue eyes come from my relatives from Whales, Scotland, and England. My hands and feet are most definitely small copies of my mom's much larger ones, my curly hair, eye shape, nose and hair are all from my Lebanese side, and my stubbornness is from the Brits as well. I mean who all these people really were. I think this curiosity started in higsh school when we had to trace back our heritage as far as we could, I went all the way back to the beginning of this country. I am somewhat ashamed to say that my relatives were "wealthy Tories" who believed that America was insane, and they had to flee to Nova Scotia where they were "seamen" and whalers hahahah!! Too bad they lost all the money the apparently had..damn. Unfortunately, I also found some other things they used to trade on their fleet of ships...but we won't go there...bad...
I've always meant to go visit our "cove" up there, tho I'm sure no one in my family owns any of that land anymore.
So then my family history popped up again when I was in college. There I was, sitting in class, minding my own business....when my great uncle popped up in my book...what? huh? Albert Pinkham Ryder..yup that's him, born in New Bedford MA to whalers. Hmmm interesting man, apparently my "eccentricities" and some of my artistic qualities come from that side of the family. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Pinkham_Ryder
Also bumped into that painting when I was visiting the art museum down in DC a few years ago.
No wonder I like to paint to music and dreams, and have this need to rework paintings over and over...and yes, I have my artwork all over the place...good thing Drew is such a neat freak. I could see myself getting old and totally lost in all my art. HAHAHA!!
As for the other side...don't know a lot about them. They are a mixture of French, Scottish, English, and Lebanese (hence my bad nose and crazy hair :) Hmm, the search continues, damn Ancestry.com charges for this info, already found my great grandmother on there....

Recent artworkings.

2008-08-30T15:24:00.000-07:00

These are two paintings I have been working on. Unfortunately blogger doesnt arrange them very well. I have been starting this process paitning by watercolor first on the paper. Then it dries, and I use pen and ink on tissue paper. Then the tissue paper is glued on, ie the tree or the shell...and the with acrylic paints, and beads I decorate on top of the watercolor and ink.

Territorial Pissings

2008-08-30T08:46:00.000-07:00

So last night Drew and I were soo tired of the rain, we decided to do something that is completely unheard of for us(except at Christmas when we love to shop for others)...we ventured out to the HUGE outlet mall near us and went shopping. Originally we were going to look for my mother's birthday present...but it turned to reminiscing and buying clothes for ourselves.
Not that we really went wild, we each got 2 things...shoes and a tshirt for me, and a nice shirt from banana republic for drew and some shorts from quicksilver.

So onto the topic of territorial pissings. Somehow we got onto the topic of college and how he used to feel that he had to constantly exert his male dominance to prove to every other guy that hit on me that I was with him. Its so funny looking back, I did very much feel like a tree that he was lifting his leg on where ever we went. He didn't like my "going out" clothes, tho I'm sure he felt that it would just mean more work on his part to fend off every single guy that glanced my way.
I can imagine it was exhausting...hehehe. I think we started having this discussion because he was trying to get me to wear something more revealing and I said 'wait last I remember you didn't like me wearing low cut, or body hugging clothes..." and that's what launched the little trip down memory lane.

Funny how things change. I don't think he'd even really notice if someone was checking me out now, he'd probably just think nothing of it..whereas, if it was 6 years ago...he'd probably go straight to me, and put an arm around me or something to let others know I was "his" so cute now...such a pain in my ass then :) Good thing he gained confidence and got over it.

I think we all need more long weekends....

2008-08-29T10:06:00.000-07:00

Oh thank god it the long weekend...Drew and I are itching to get outta our "urban" area and off to the mts, so we are excitedly going to hit the Appalachian trail for a little hiking, biking, and picture taking. I tell ya, I can't WAIT to get outta here and get our own house more out of the city. Hopefully then I won't be so antsy to drive hours into the woods all the time :)

Anyway, here's to hoping the rain will stop and the weather will be beautiful for our hikes and bike ride this long weekend! Can't wait to take pictures!

oh my oldness...?

2008-08-26T13:15:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness, so Drew and I were innocently checking the mail...and there it was, my 10 year high school reunion invitation. 10 years? 10 years? How did I get that old? Well lets see, my youngest baby cousin that was born when I was starting high school, is now himself, going to high school. We are no longer in the same century I was born in...fortunately we all lived past the Y2K think, thank god (tad bit of sarcasm here) I got through college, paid off loans, own my own car, got married, Yup I guess thats where that all went.
Oh well. I guess its gotta happen anyway. I was looking through facebook at all my old class mates, several have 1 child, some have 2 children, and even 3?! WOWZA! Actually I guess its pretty cool. They are all doctors, lawyers, biologists, teachers, artists, techies, and government agents now.
So now the question is...do I dare go? I have been a bad friend, bad alumni...I don't keep in touch, I don't call, and when I go home, I don't get together with anyone. Its funny how for a brief moment at my graduation I realized life would never be the same. I was no longer my parents "monetary burden" anymore. College would be my loans, food would be my bills....and starting a new life in Arizona would be my next job. Admittedly I was scared...but I think more than anything, I was excited! New adventures, new friends, new sights. I mean I was going to be in Tucson...thats a loooong way from New England in more ways than one.
I think once I graduated and that chapeter of my life was over, it really was for me. Life keeps moving forward, and thats all we can do as well. Past memories are nice...but do we really want to go back? No no no! No I don't want to have to live by my parents rules, no I don't want to have to go to 8 periods of classes, no I don't want to go back. It was nice, it was fun, I am oh so greatful for my wonderful childhood. Though I am so much more grateful for my life I have now. Now I can make money, and spend it in the ways I see fit. Its MY money, my hard earned money and thats something greater than anything that could be given to me.
Its also my freedom. Ever since I can remember I wanted that. I started "picking" my car when I was 13. Sitting in the back of our proverbial soccer-mom van, I would imagine I was graduated from college, on my own...free to do whatever I please.
Don't get me wrong, I love love love my family. I am so happy God gave me the parents I have...but i think whats even better is that I know that the help and love they gave me is what got me here. I know that nothing makes parents prouder than seeing their children grow up, move out and succeed with the love and knowledge they imparted onto us. Growing up is scary at times, but I look back and realize I have come such a long way, and it wasn't as bad as I was afriad it would be back at that moment at my high school graduation. I wouldn't change it for the world, and as far as I'm concerned...you can't really ever go home, if you are lucky, you can just visit.
So maybe I will go to my reunion...afterall...I have the best husband in the world now...GOTTA show him off. :)

runnin down memory lane..

2008-08-22T12:53:00.001-07:00

Last night I had some crazy weird dreams. I think they were brought on by the discussion of our 10 yr HS reunions coming up. Drew was all excited to go to his, and mine, whereas...well I have lukewarm feelings about attending mine. I have a great curiosity about his, but I really didn't stay connected, and the friends I did have were all a year older, so I missed that reunion.
Anyway, so after talking about HS and thinking about it, I had a dream that drew and I were 19 again.
Of course this was the last thing I was thinking of before I ran early this morning, so I just totally got into the thinking zone. Sometimes on good runs I do this. I love to run out by the woods, the shade, and the trees are my favorite places to run through.
I thought a lot about how things have changed. Drew and I met at 19..we were such different people with such a different relationship dynamic. Really we just were friends, tho I still can remember always somewhere having that feeling that I couldn't get too far away. I thought about dinners watching the sunset on top of the old union at UOFA. Our dinners long since finished, we would sit up there until it got dark and cool, all the eateries downstairs closed and quiet. We just discussed everything...classes, people, hopes for the future...
I cant remember when the friendship feelings melted away leaving behind something more...19 year old drew, so funny...his longish hair that I used to put in poneytails, I always knew it was him no matter how far away I was. I could be at one end of the campus, and he at the other, and just by the bounce in his step and the way he carried himself; straight with both thumbs hooked under his back pack...always knew it was Drew walking off to class somewhere..
Now its funny, we would kind of make eachother slack off...he with studying and me with running. He always had a way of tempting me not to run; "comon, wouldn't you rather just hang with me...wink wink..." bad drew!

He's graduated again, this time with his MBA, and I am so proud. He's worked so hard, I don't know how he kept up the 3.89 gpa through all the things that have happened the last few years. We got married, and moved. Bigger than that though, he lost his dad. Wow, what determination. I know that motivated him in a way, his dad was one class away from his MBA, and I think drew might have felt by finishing up, and finishing with such a strong gpa he did it in part for his dad.

Yes things have most definately changed...though it still feels at the core of everything...things are somehow the same, deep down. We can still talk for hours about nothing, poke fun of eachother, get mad at eachother...and cuddle at night.

Eureka, now I know why my nana is Crazy! :)

2008-08-21T12:38:00.000-07:00

So growing up, I always heard stories of my great grandma Ryder and talent for cooking. Now I like to cook, well really bake, so I always listened to how she made wonderful cookies and pies, and every other thing. Having only met her briefly around age 4 when she had Alzheimer and was in a nursing home (thinking my mom was my nana,)I was always a rapturous listener of her younger years. I heard stories of her playing under the table with my mom and always singing while she cooked. I also knew if she ever saw elbows on the table she would stab you pretty hard with a fork, funny how things like that were important at the time.
Anyway, I am getting off subject here...Back to my nana and her, shall we say "endearing eccentricity."
I offered to transcribe an old hand written recipe booklet my great grandma wrote, with all her secret recipes. Here is a sampling of some entries, Prune Bread, Date Bars, Peach Dumplings, Date Torte, Chocolate Russe, Ginger Molasses Cookies...wait...I swear this could be what would write...each and every one of my favorite flavors...Peaches, Dates, Prunes!? Hmm...could I be related? Though, I do have to say, she was into her SUGAR!! Every single recipe is loaded with sugar...I tend to like less sweet tastes.
So I am flipping through this great book, complete with worn, aged, and stained pages (yes this was written in 1930 so the pages are that great coffee brown color). I come upon a rather strange recipe...a cold remedy? Hmm, I think to myself, this should be interesting....
I read,
One pound fresh lard----eww but lets hope this is not to be ingested, open mind this was the
1930s
Melt with one ounce of campher gum...ewww
"Take of the stove" is in bold...hmm?
add one ounce of turpentine...."wait, turp? I paint with this?! it makes me sooo SICK!
I continue to think...good thing she rememberd to take this off the stove, i think an explosion wont cure a cold...
finally ammonia is added to this concotion.
Fortunately this is to be applied to a face cloth and left on your chest 2 times a day...
I know I say fortunately, though, man no one should be breathing this no matter how sick they are!
So that explains my nana, her mom killed all her brain cells...haha!
Maybe thats why shes an artiist, she longs for the smell of turpentine :)
Now for all you reading, do not try this at home, it will not cure anything, though I may try to paint with it......

Livin on Groffs Mill Rd now...

2008-08-20T12:37:00.000-07:00

Ok, so in the 3 years since I last wrote, LOTS has happened! To start, I no longer live on Appleford Cir, I moved a whole 1 mile away to Groffs Mill Circle. I like the name Appleford better though, Groffs Mill is so hideous sounding...plus everything out here is a "mill" hmm still hate Maryland, it still hasn't grown on me. I have gotten married, changed jobs 3 times, and now have my very own brother in law! However, not everything has changed...still am in love with Drew, and still am in love with painting..it has changed a tad though too.

I was always so fascinated by beauty in nature and colorful fruits and veggies, tho i still am, I have been trying out watercolors lately. susie gave me some great watercolors and some vibrant acrylic paints, and I LOVE them! shes got great taste in bright colors, and im so excited to use them. rather than just paint, i have been doing a little mixed media, painting first, then on tissue paper, drawing with pen and ink, and glueing it to the watercolor, and acrylic over it...rather abstract..but i like it. ive been into looking at home decorator books and magazines and have been inspired by some of the designs on fabric, pasilsy, stripes, even toile which ive never liked before. anyway its interesting...

I am so excited that Drew has finally graduated! I have been so lonely here by myself at night, I mean i always call my mom at night while hes out, but its lonely not seeing anyone really from 8am till the next morning since Drew usually got home after i was asleep...or id try to stay awake to say goodnight...
I am so PROUD of him though. He really has worked so hard! He has put so many hours into studying, reading, writing papers, putting together presentations etc. He has learned so much, and grown so much and gotten many different perspectives on work and life. Much has changed in him, all for good.
As much as I bitch and moan about how lonely its been for him, I really am happy for him in the end. Plus that means, its my turn next! Hmm..interior design school? Art history masters? pastry decorating? we'll see whats to come.

Mostly I am looking forward to many many more years together, still growing up, and moving on with our lives...ever forward. A house perhaps soon? A dog to go with it? ahh what wonderful things does the future hold for Drew and I?

wow its been a long time

2005-01-24T16:24:00.000-08:00

hmmm, so its been a really long time since i wrote anything here. What has happened? Xmas came and went, so did new years...my hip is almost healed (keeping my fingers crossed) We had a big (for MD) snow storm here, tho it doesnt compare to what MA got!! Wow thats alot of snow!! Saw some pics of boston common on sunday, people all over the city were xcountry skiing on the streets to get around. Bet thats the first time in a long time people slept without the constant sounds of cars! I'm sure there were plenty of people who couldnt sleep though because they were used to it.
SO anyway, I am applying to Mass art to the Masters of teaching program, we shall see what happens there. I have also been trying to sell my artwork and possibly illustrate some books or something. I don't know where my life is headed, I just hope it goes somewhere soon!

Hmm What to Write About

2004-12-08T09:43:00.000-08:00

Let's see...What is new in my life? Well I got a tad over-zealous with my 1/2 marathon training, and I strained or tore or pulled a bunch on things in my left hip...Fun fun. So I have been laying around on the couch lately. At least I have been able to catch up on my movie watching :) hehehe. Saw the Bourne Supremacy, Elf, and The Terminal. All good movies.
Christmas is quickly approaching, however, apparently MD has forgotten, because the weather has been a balmy 65 degrees, or thereabouts lately...We even had a thunderstorm lastnight. I am definitely NOT complaining though, I mean I wish I could be out enjoying it, but just knowing that its nice out and seeing the sun has been great! Love being warm! :)
Fortunately I have all of my xmas shopping done, except Drew...Can't really do that at the moment. I'm going to take him skiing, he already knows otherwise I wouldn't write it online for all to see. I really hope he enjoys it, hes never been downhill skiing before. We went xcountry skiing last winter, and the part of it he liked the most were the small downhill parts (although they were much smaller than any bunny hill I've ever seen) So we shall see how he feels about downhill.
Think theres a Christmas party one of Drew's bosses is having this friday, should be a good time.
Anyway, that's about all that's new here. I go home the 17th, can't wait!!

Yeah Home for the Holidays soon!

2004-11-21T10:01:00.000-08:00

Yeah, I will be home for Thanksgiving in just 2 short days! Always so nice to go and see family, I hate feeling so secluded down here in Maryland. I am so excited to do the Thanksgiving thing at home, even if it means I have to suffer in the cold...hehehehe. With any luck it will stay mild up there for me :)
I always look forward to this time of year, starts with Thanksgiving and goes until New Years. Its the happy feeling of giving, and decorating, cooking, and visiting family. I know for a lot of people its the most tiring time of year, but for me, its just the best. Although it can be pretty busy, shopping, and cooking, I see it more as a time to get together and shop or cook together. Some people just get too "Martha Stuart" around this time of year. They try to make things too perfect, or impress people with their gifts. Its sad that people have forgotten that the most important thing about this time of year is that its meant to be a time to slow down and enjoy what you have in life, not speed up trying to beat each other up at the mall over the last tickle-me-elmo...Or whatever the latest gift is. I'm just glad that's not the focus of my family, I've always thought that self-made, or well thought out gifts mean more. Maybe its because I have gotten to the age where if I need it, usually I can just buy it for myself...So expensive gifts don't hold as much meaning as personal gifts do....
Anyway, on that note, I am going to go ponder my xmas list for my family. See you all on Tuesday!! Can't wait!!!

Afternoon Ramblin's

2004-11-16T15:46:00.000-08:00

Today was a good and easy day. I like those days, where you know its going to be a short day, and if you hurry you can get home before it gets too cold to walk around outside and enjoy the afternoon :) Its in the mid 60s today...woohoo! Don't let it get cold, wouldn't that be nice, if it stayed in the 50s and 60s all winter...sigh, but alas, it doesn't though I don't mind that it is staying so warm all the way up to Thanksgiving!! I remember it being like this last year too though. Leave MD in the 60s and come back from MA to MD in the 30s...It always happens, just like that. I keep telling myself that this winter is going to fly by!! I hope, I hope, I hope! I think my parents need to move somewhere pretty and warm so when I'm not working I can go visit them and take a break from cold short winter days, that's what I've decided (are you reading this mom hehehe)
Anyway, I'm going to go sit by the window and soak up the warm sunlight in my bright living room. Ta ta for now!

"Rachel the Poo, and the Blustery Day"

2004-11-05T15:20:00.000-08:00

No, I am not referring to myself as a piece of excrement, doesnt anyone remember the story of Winnie the Poo and the Blustery day? Anyway, thats what I am talking about. Its so windy today, its a beautiful fall day thought, the leaves are all golden and flying all over the place. I was pushed off the road several times, however, today on my run. But the sun felt great and the day has been good.
So I guess I am starting to be ok with feeling so isolated here in MD. I mean who am I kidding, I'm tough broad anyway, I don't need girlfriends ;) hehehe. It doesnt bother me as much as it used to, I still dont like shopping by myself or anything like that, but I have gotten back into my painting much more than I was a few months ago. Don't know why, but something has turned me back onto painting almost daily, provided my painting is dry enough to add to. Which is great. Right now I am in the process of painting a fall scene for my aunt and uncle, however, i am falling in love with it and may have a hard time parting with it.....eeekkk!!
Anyway, time to get to the painting, speaking of painting....

Good weekend

2004-10-25T16:22:00.000-07:00

Well I had a pretty good weekend. Saw a movie with drew on Friday night, tried out a new running loop. Was very nice, carved pumpkins!! That was a lot of fun, did something different this year. Drew carved an "A" for the university of Arizona, and I carved Mr. Crabs from "spongebob" hahaha!
Sunday we went up to PA to visit Drew's family. His grandmother and her friend were visiting from Chicago. I went running there around 9, and then came back and hung out with "Gamma Jane" and her friend. They were so funny, dressed in the same outfit of black pants, black button down sweater, and a white turtleneck. It was so cute. It was kinda strange though, his grandma almost has the same eyes as my nana, and they sort of look similar. It was cool though to get to know his grandma better, I have really only met her briefly once before, though I have eaten a lot of her cookies :)
Anyway, it was really nice, and I am beginning to feel more comfortable visiting. I actually got an apology from his mom about something that happened a long time ago....I thought she didn't remember what had happened so many summers ago, but if she really meant it, it made me really happy that she said sorry.
I hope they like me as much as I like them, my family is so important to me, and I miss them, so its nice to be around drews family sometimes...Not that they can take the place of mine, but its nice to hang out and go on walks and have nice dinners with other peoples families.

Beautiful Saturday

2004-10-23T17:09:00.000-07:00

Ahh, what a beautiful day here! Its not often that I say that about MD, usually I'm hating on the weather here. Its a perfect sunny, 60s, fall day. Fall here is so different that in MA, it usually seems like fall leaves change and fall off in one weekend, whereas here, we have several weeks of leaves changing and slowly falling off...its really nice actually. I went on a really nice senic run yesterday, it was really pretty with all the leaves changing and drifting off the trees around me while I ran.
It makes me miss soccer a bit though, the smells and the crunch of the leaves always make me think about highschool...playing sports, going to football games, applepicking and baking pumpkin bread with my sisters and mom! Makes me a tad homesick...or rather "family-sick."
Anyway, I think its off to carve my pumpkin!!

Life changing....eh?

2004-10-14T09:33:00.000-07:00

Well, I know that things can't stay the same forever...everything changes. But thinking you can go home to your childhood town and family members is something you usually don't think will change. After my dad getting laid off from the computer industry I always just thought eventually he'd find something else. I kinda hoped they would find something in NC or around there...never thought about Fargo...hmmm, would I visit, sure..in the summer! Its cold up there!!
How sad would that be, no more $100 flights that only take 1 hr and bring me to see my sisters and most of my extended family. Grace would FREAK out, erin would not be happy, and I know that the rest of my relatives would really miss my parents being there. Who would take care of my grandparents? Grandpa would have to actually cough up $ to get things fixed around their house....hehehe.
I mean its great that dad got offered a job, but it makes me sad to think that I would no longer get to visit MA when going to see my parent...I will keep my fingers crossed and pray that he finds something close to where they live already. They need a smaller more managable home, just not in Fargo!!

Fall is falling upon me!

2004-10-07T15:46:00.000-07:00

Well, as the summer is ending, that can mean only one thing...Fall must come in its place! No more early outside running, no more warming myself on my little balcony. However, it does mean apple and pumpkin picking time! I'm so excited this weekend, I am going to my favorite place, Larriland farms, to pick some apples and pumpkin, and probably some spinach or broccoli if they are in season yet! I am so excited, I think I'm going to make some applesauce with the apples i pick! I know its not quite the same without mom and sisters, but Drew will have to subsitute ;) hehe He seems to be more excited about it than he was last year....i have been working on him for a few years. Soph yr in college I got him to carve a pumpkin and bake the seeds with me, last year i finally got him out to pick pumpkins (after convincing him that it was ok for 23 yr olds to still do that) And this year he actually seems semiexcited to both apple and pumpkin pick! However, I dont think ill ever get him to be really excited about making applesauce....its ok tho :)

So as the seasons are changing, I too am thinking of a change. I love the painting, but man, its KILLING me and my car! I had to get $400 worth of new brake pads etc..and my car is only 2 yrs old! They asked if i did alot of highway driving at rush hour, slamming on the brakes etc.. and of course I do, its how people in MD drive! And unfortunately my body, back and neck, need readjustment too. Tho, they cant really be replaced as easily as the car parts can..hehehe So I'm trying to figure out what to do, I think id really like to be a college track coach, and maybe someday an art teacher...tho none of the schools around here are looking for a track coach, and really I'm too serious about running to be a highschool coach either....Anyway, I would also like to be the muralist at a Trader Joes, but they are all too faraway for me to go work at.... So if anyone can think of something I could do that fits me, please let me know!! I need help trying to figure out where my life is going!

Presidential "Thrashing"

2004-10-01T01:51:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I watched my first presidential debate on TV last night....Not that I haven't been alive for others, it was just the first time I actually watched the whole 90 min. (drew is really into watching) Anyway, so did anyone else see this? Kerry totally verbally took Bush for a ride! Every good point Kerry made about something the Bush admin did that was somewhat embarrassing, Bush could only retort "well what kind of message would a president that says wrong war, wrong time, be sending the troops, or America." He even said this when Kerry wasn't even talking about the war! On and on ad nausea!
He is such a moron. Its like he just wanted to say "yea well I'm rubber you're glue....Etc" Bush is a TOOL! He had nothing intelligent to say. He made no good points! I was so embarrassed just watching him, however, I do have to say, at least he didn't talk about "nuclr" weapons or fumble any other "difficult" words. So good for him, hes learning to speak at a level above a 5 yr old.
It was so bad, Drew, a usually Bush supporter, seemed to be bending towards Kerry.
Yeah Kerry!!! Vote Kerry 2004!!!

Blog Slacking

2004-09-28T18:40:00.000-07:00

I have been slacking lately when it has come to blogging. Lets see, right now we are in the middle of a flood watch, also a tornado warning, tho I'm not seeing too much rain. Thank goodness for getting out of work early, just before the rain hit Baltimore too badly, I was just watching the news....all the lower areas right near me are flooded. Up to 6 ft of water on some roads! Fortunately for Drew and I, we live on top of a hill. I got home at 5 and he works 1 mile away.

This past weekend was busy. Drove 3 hrs to VA to attend a friend's wedding. It was really nice, very small. He and his (now wife) were married in a church his grandfather had built, also where his parents and older brother all got married in as well. Unfortunately we did not get to stay too late because we did have such a long drive back. But the reception was alot of fun, had a really cool live jazz band. The weather was beautiful as well, and his parents house sits on the ocean, so it was a "sea" theme. They are off on their honeymoon right now, away from all this cold rain! BLAH!! Cammy et al, I am so jealous of your 85 and sunny weather! hehe

Well I should end this, looks like Drew is passing out on the bed, I gotta let him sleep :)

Just Writing to Write

2004-09-22T16:45:00.000-07:00

So its a beautiful MD day, dry, sunny and warm...my kind of weather! During my lunch break I sunned myself like a lizard out on a warm rock. It was a rather relaxed day at work today, just what I like! Traffic wasnt too bad either because I got out early. Ahh stress free days, why cant there be more days like this, i guess that would just be too easy huh :)
Well I want to wish my sister Grace a happy 22 Bday, i know its not as exciting as your 21st, but its still a birthday. I hope she gets everything she wanted!
Enjoy the evening everyone, I'm off to make dinner!

Hurricanes blow in Parents sometimes

2004-09-19T09:31:00.000-07:00

Well it was a good weekend. My parents drove down to Chapel Hill this week to visit some very close friends who recently moved down there (by the way the pics of the house look so nice!) They seemed to really have a great visit, liked the campus and the area alot. It all sounded very nice, maybe someday I'll have to go check it out.
As my parents got closer and closer, however, the sky got darker and darker....they finally arrived, along with the wind and the rain, but does that ever stop us! Heck no! We got out our umbrellas, determined to go strech their legs after being in a car for over 5 hrs, and went on a little hike in the woods near my apartment. It sprinkled on us off and on, while we made plans to go to DC in the morning, or maby the book festival.
Went to a nice resturaunt that night, and then to Ikea...nothing like Ikea :)
That night as we slep the wind howled, and the rain pounded from Ivan....and in the morning it continued, as we continued to ignore it and get ready for a outdoor day....finally mom gave in, and said "ok lets face it, its going to be nasty, lets get a movie" so we all piled into the car, got bagles, soada, popcorn, pretzles and a movie. The movie ended up really bad, but the company was great! :)
As they said their goodbye's, the clouds lifted and out came the sun, and the dry cool air.
Its funny what hurricanes will blow in, and out....maybe the next one will blow sisters in with it :) hahahaha

Yucky days...

2004-09-16T10:57:00.000-07:00

Wow, there are a lot of hurricanes right now! It seems like there's been one after another, its making the last week and the next few days pretty crappy out. I miss the sun!!
On a happier note, my parents are coming to visit on their way back from visiting friends in NC...Yea! They should be here sometime tomorrow afternoon :) and are staying until sat depending on what type of weather we get here from the hurricanes.
Not sure what we will do, but I'm sure they will be tired from driving and traveling around all week, which is fine...I'm sure we'll find something to do.
Also, I am looking for a new career path. As much as I love painting, and the flexibility of my job...I know I'm pretty good at it, and learned it real fast...Its time for me to get a job where there is upward mobility. I am thinking of 2 paths. One is to stick with art, either get a certificate to be an interior designer, or maybe work at Trader Joe's as their store "sign artist" or go with my other love.....Running! I was thinking either being a college or hs track coach, or maybe trying to get a job promoting marathons or work at some sort of athletic apparel company. Or even work at a gym as a personal trainer, or nutritionist. I applied to a assistant designer position at a company called Athleta, they make women's sports clothes, but we shall see if I hear anything back from them (they are also located in CA) so prob not be interested in me because I would have to move etc....We'll see though.
If anyone has any thoughts as to what I would be good at, or places I could apply to...Let me know :)

Lovely (sarcastic) pics of my race :)

2004-09-12T17:13:00.000-07:00

Yea, ok, so you try and look beautiful while finishing 13.1 miles....

http://www.asiorders.com/view_user_event.asp?EVENTID=4244&BIB=3503

Yeah...I am the fastest woman alive...er well maybe not :)

2004-09-06T10:50:00.000-07:00

Yeah me! Check out my stats! Out of 12,500 runners I came in 105th. Out of 7,000 women I came in 23rd, and out of my peer group I placed 4th in the Virginia Beach Rock and Roll half marathon!! With a time of 1 hr and 28 min, I ran an average of 6 min 45 sec for a distance of 13.1 miles!!! I feel great, so excited...All pumped up...Bring on the next 1/2 marathon this winter in Phoenix!!
What else is exciting......I am going home for family reunion time tomorrow night!!! I'm so excited!! Get to see everyone, go apple picking, and relax with the fam! :)
Such a great week for me!

Lots of Travel

2004-09-02T03:03:00.000-07:00

Wow, it is a traveling time. Erin is visiting Jeff this weekend, I'm sure I won't be seeing either of them, even though they will only be 20 min away (but I know how that goes, and I wasn't expecting to see her anyway) Then next week I am flying up to MA for a family visit, and my mummy's Bday. I'm rather excited to see everyone. Its very strange, I wasn't homesick all 4 years of college. It was my first time ever really being away, I had never been to summer camp away, or even really visited friends faraway with out my family. One would reason that if I were to get homesick it would be in a place like Arizona where I'd never been, and didn't have any friends. Now as a 24 yr old living with my boyfriend, homesickness has finally struck me. I dunno what it is. Wish I didn't hate the cold so much.....

So more traveling, I am going to Virginia Beach this weekend to run in a 1/2 marathon. I am both really nervous and very excited! I always get nervous when it comes to races. I can remember in highschool it was so bad it would make my physically sick. Drew is so opposite of me, he's more quiet as a person, however, when it comes to athletic competition, the more people watching, and the more public the event is, the more he enjoys it. Funny how people can be so different sometimes. Guess that's why we work, its a good balance :)

This blogging thing doesn't like me...

2004-08-30T15:46:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I have written around 4 blogs in the last few days, and none of them will publish...? What's the deal? I keep typing with no published results. Its getting frustrating!
So I guess I will try to publish again. My little sister is all grown up now...frosh at Mass Art in Boston. God it makes me feel old...wasn't she just 6??! Shouldn't it be me going to college, not her. Its so weird, I know she's old enough, I hang out with her when I'm at home, and shies very mature, but I still see her as the baby. Although, I think we all do really. But I'm so happy and excited for her to be out on her own. Sounds like shies got a really cool dorm. I'm so jealous, mine was sososososoo tiny! No kitchen, and I had to share my room with some pretty scary roommates (Steph isn't included in that comment)
Anyway, goodluck Erin, maybe I'll see you this weekend. :)

Where do the weekends go?!

2004-08-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

Wow that was a quick weekend! I swear, the nicer it is outside, the faster my weekends fly by! This weekend was spent making small talk with people from Drew's work. Sat. we went to his bosses house and hung out with a few sligtly older couples. I learned that for invitro your husbands sperm is tested out on a hamster egg first....? hmm strange.
His coworkers seem really nice, tho now that I met his one boss, I know why hes getting worked so hard....she was a pretty demanding person, nice, but tough!
Then yesterday there was another company picnic, where I met his other bosses...We played a little soccer, and they all ate crab after crab after crab! Its pretty amazing how much people like those things. I tried a claw, it was ok, really I just liked the Old Bay seasoning more than the crab. Drew just kinda poked at a crab while trying to dare me to eat it :)
Anyway, then the weekend was over...oh so quick! It just never seems to last long enough! Oh well, just have to look forward to the next one.

Lazy weekend..

2004-08-22T15:37:00.000-07:00

Well this weekend has been nicely lazy. Slept in until 10 (wow really late for me) on sat. Then Drew and I went on a nice run together, he did calisthenics while I did a track workout. Then, not wanting to stay indoors even though it was pretty miserable outside, we decided to go to innerharbor and check out the science museum. I must say, I have no idea how Baltimore keeps that science museum open! It was $14 per-person, for a whole lot of nothing! I think that whole museum could fit into the Boston museum's front entrance. Plus, we are so close to D.C. and their museums are free. We encountered a few surprised tourists who had clearly come up from DC for the day, they didn't realize you had to pay for this museum. We tried to take our time in the museum, and ended up spending about an hour there. When we left the sun had come out, and the humidity had lowered considerably. All in all it ended up being a really nice evening and we walked around for several hours. I usually am not a fan of Baltimore city (surprise surprise) but I figured living so close, I should go in at least once this summer....so my quota has been filled for the summer :)
Today has been pretty relaxed as well, ran errands, sat by the pool for a tad, and watched the women's Olympic marathon. I am always so amazed at those women, wow! Talk about mental and physical tenacity! In the time I run 17 miles, they were almost done with the whole marathon! Pretty nuts if you ask me. I keep saying I will run a marathon someday...guess I'm going to try to get through my first 1/2 marathon before then. Sept 5th! I'll be in Virginia Beach, running my first!! :)

Its all Greek to me...

2004-08-20T13:21:00.000-07:00

So I've been watching the Olympic coverage on Good Morning America lately and this morning I had it on mute reading the subtitles that they type, when I realized that almost every other word was mispelled. Now having the mom I have this discovery greatly annoyed me. How can you have a job where you can't even spell what you already know is going to be said because they all read from scripts up on a teleprompter. Talk about not doing your job well. This is seen by millions of viewers everyday, no one complains?? I swear, I only faux finish walls and if there is one tiny little error people will refuse to pay us. Sometimes I feel like these housewives really need to get a life. My boss has had so many checks bounce due to these women deciding not to honor the payment contracts because there was "a tiny little spot I saw when i was way up on a 15 foot ladder cleaning the window.....I know no one can see it unless they got up on the ladder, but I'm not going to pay you on completion of the project until its taken care of." And of course, they don't always tell us, so we write a check assuming they paid up, and theres not enough money in the bank account....oh wow, oops random tangent.
This has def. made me not want to become a housewife...ever! I see so many women that just don't do anything all day long! How can one function like that? No wonder all those women are on prozac and wellbutrin, if I sat on my ass day in and day out without leaving or anything I'd have to be heavily medicated too, talk about boredom and lack of feeling needed or useful.....
I mean, not to say that I'm not thankful for my mom staying home and raising us, but she was busy, she didn't plant herself infront of the tv for hours. Last week I worked at a house, it was a very large job, and it took 2 wks to do. I learned her routine really well, this house had 4 people in it...husband, wife, 2 kids under the age of 8. They owned 10 TV's.....?! Thats more than 2 per person?! What do you need a tv in every room of your house for? The woman would get up when we got there at 9, watch those morning shows, then the View, then The Nanny, then some fashion tv, and on and on until 11:30 when she'd finally get dressed. She'd meet someone for lunch and shopping and be back at 2, to return to the tv again. At least it was sort of entertainment for me while I was working alone, better than quite. But can we say get a job, maybe a hobby?!
Anyway, I am completely off topic now....Speaking of getting a hobby, I need to go paint now :)

Today is a good day :)

2004-08-18T11:57:00.000-07:00

Well I had a sucessful day on the treadmill today. I woke up today, and as usual, went to ice my shin, and the bump on the anterior shin muscle is almost gone. No pain either. I iced anyway, and took some advil just incase then went down to the treadmill to test it out. Its way too hilly around here for me to run outside, so that was a bit of a downer, but i could keep a moderate pace on the treadmill for about an hr with no pain, so it seems as though I will be able to run in the 1/2 marathon afterall!!! Yippee!!
I guess I was getting a bit too over-zealous about training, I wanted to finish with a really good time, but now I just want to be able to run the whole thing without doing any real damage to my leg.
Anyway, just wanted to share my news :) hehehehe Keep my fingers crossed!!

Thoughts...

2004-08-16T13:44:00.000-07:00

So I have been reading From Beruit to Jerusalem, by Thomas Friedman, while biking lately...and it has been making me think alot lately.....I tend not to be a very political person, I'm not registered to vote (technically I'm still a resident of MA even tho i have been living in MD for over a yr now) Its long and complicated....and very expensive to become a citizen of MD, so I havent bothered...yet. I think I'm in denial that I live here, Drew and I keep talking about moving somewhere nicer (CA, TX, AZ....see a westwardly trend?) Anyway, I'm getting off the subject here.....
So living with Drew and how he feels about staying current with politics etc has gotten me more interested in politics. Plus when you add in the upcoming election, and all the things happening in the world right now its hard not to be. Usually I try to not think about politics becuase it is pretty frustrating, I mean really, what can we do as individuals....lets be honest, no "great" politican is going to run for president any time soon. It seems like this election is going to whomever is the lesser of the 2 evils. I mean Bush is, well hes Bush...can't speak well, and as a representation of the US hes kinda embarrassing to me.....I don't want the rest of the world thinking that we are all bad orators, and cowboys. But also with that said, I'm not sure how much better Kerry would be, he is afterall a politican.
Here is my problem, if there was no war going on, I would totally be for Kerry, however, we hav def stuck our noses into an ugly one at the moment. And Bush is more of a "war" president....However, I'm not sure that we will ever quite get out of what we have gotten into. People my age living in the middle east do not know what life without fighting is like. Its a way of life for them, losing friends, relatives, and neighbors is a way of life and they seem to have become somewhat complacent with it. They don't strive for education, or the future, they go on suicide missions instead. With that said, our troops are not prepared to win a war like that. Many of them are trying to start families, or become educated. Their purpose in life is not to fight, its to live. They have many other things on their minds, and honestly, that is their weakness as far as this war is concerned. It seems more like the only way to win this war is to nuke them all....or just for us to admit that we dont belong and get the heck out...which isnt going to happen....so maybe Bush and his cowboy was might be the best......But then again I think i like Kerry better, maybe we just need someone new, let someone else give the presidency a try.
I would rather it be peaceful, and have Kerry as a president, however, as long as we are at war maybe we need puppet-Bush. But then again there is all his ties to oil companies here and there....ahh its dizzying thinking about all this....
Anyway, I think its time for me to end my rambling...time for me to go put away some laundry, maybe watch some olympics. Actually I think this is the first time I have really watched the olympics (again Drew's influence)

No running makes Rachel a sad girl

2004-08-15T06:26:00.000-07:00

Ok, this it probably going to be a short blog. I tried doing this lastnight, but it was 12 (which is very unusually late for me) and it didnt work, so I didn't bother trying to retype it again.
As you all know, running is life, life is running (according to me) and for the last week I haven't been able to because I injured my ankle/shin. This really upsets me for 2 reasons, the main one is because in 3 wks I'm supposed to run my first 1/2 marathon, and paid $60 to enter it and more to stay at the hotel etc...and 2, well just because (according to me) running is life :)
Fortunately we have stationary bikes in our little workout gym downstairs, so at least I feel like I have sort of been able to stay inshape, just incase I can actually run in the 1/2 marathon.
So soon, I will be headinging downstairs to hop on the bike that takes me nowhere...sigh...I miss being outside, its a beautiful day!! I think Drew and I will kayak today tho, so that will be nice anyway....