craz y election today...

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..?

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...

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!

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"

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.

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

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....

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...?

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..

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! :)

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...

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

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

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!

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

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"

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

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

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?

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!!