New York recap

Apparently I didn't recap the rest of the NYC trip ...
Sunday was calm and relaxing-ish. Woke up, went into Midtown with Jay and Megan to meet with Alison. Brunch at the Eatery (mmmm, so good) in Hell's Kitchen. Along the way, we apparently passed the lead dancers from Hair. I say "apparently" because I wouldn't know them from Jim and Sam. Alison and Megan, however, KNEW it was them. Alison about died in the middle of the sidewalk.
After brunch - back to the Times Square area to catch The Hangover. Good movie, bizarre movie theatre. The actual screening room was about twice as large as Charlotte's largest, and there are 25 in this particular building. I mean, how do they Sell OUT with that much space? Bizarre.
Then, back to Astoria for a dinner party and sleep.

I got to be a tourist on Monday! Guggenheim and Central Park for culture and pictures, then Sephora for some new make up and Bond 45 for some wine. Lots of wine. Lots and Lots of wine. Really, it was an unhealthy amount of wine. Then, back to Astoria and the beergarden. Ouch.

That's the trip! :) Now, back to work...

New Pup

We've added a new doggie to our family... Meet Penny


She hasn't met Hayden yet - but she will tomorrow...
Here's Hayden
Hayden had the sun in her eyes... she doesn't normally look that pissed off.

Later gators!

Dumpy

I was in a changing room a little while ago, and there was an older woman (think 80's) in the dressing room next to mine. She was getting ready for a funeral, and wanted something colorful and fun - because it's okay for this person's funeral....
The store clerk put her in something yellow (bad idea, apparently)
Lady: This makes me look dumpy. Everything makes me look dumpy. Maybe it's because I'm dumpy. I'd be less dumpy if I didn't have this oxygen tank to haul around.

There it was - right in front of me. A woman's self-esteem doesn't rise with age. We have to do it ourselves.

I'd be more/less ____ if I did/didn't _____.

Story of our lives.

New York - 2

goooood morning!

First - happy Fathers' Day to my daddy and all those awesome fathers out there.
Second - we went to go see Accent on Youth last night. Not as bad as the reviews made it out to be. David Hyde Pierce and Anchorman Jim (from Murphy Brown were in it). I really enjoyed it.
Best Part: Lewis Black stood next to me and A for about 5 minutes. I geeked out but didn't ask him for an autograph or anything.

:)

New York - 1

Here's a quick post ...
Arrived in NYC yesterday morning around 9am. It was an interesting flight. Yeah - we'll go with interesting. I found my way through the train, subway, and streets of Times Square to get to the Hilton. I did get lost - walking between 7th and 8th on 42nd. I'm that awesome.
it was a busy day that ended with a trip to the Viking Dungeon: a tapas restaurant, a night club, and a hooka bar. Oh, and it had axes/swords on the walls, sheep's skin on the seats, and velvet spinning seats. This bar Wins. AND it's on the same block as Alison's place. WIN.

That's all.

Quick update

I promise I'm not ignoring my new blog already!

I'm getting ready for a trip up to New York City this weekend to see my Big Sis (and hopefully Aunt/Uncle/Cousin). So, lots of cleaning, laundry, and packing happening in my household. Jon's been out of the house for most of the evenings with TV on the Radio, NIN/JA concert, and dinners with visiting friends - so I've had plenty of time to be productive around the house. Not that I'm unproductive when he's around... but, well - I'm rather unproductive when he's around.
I'm also glued to the news feeds right now to keep up with the Health Care stuff and Iran's Green Revolution.

Most of my time has been spent in research and study ... and watching my vegetables come in. I really really hope to put pictures up when I get back from New York. I've picked 3 tomatoes so far, and have a few green bell peppers and jalapenos coming in. And, of course, I choose NOW to read up on vegetable growing in NC. I'm in the wrong season for some of my plants (oops). Hopefully, I'll be a pro by the time I actually have a yard and room to grow more than 3 or 4 types of veggies.

Summer time, and the livin' is easy....

“There’s no time to waste. Every day there needs to be movement on something” -Desirée Rogers
I just read an article about Ms. Rogers (she's the social secretary for Mrs. Obama)... pretty interesting read.

While I don't normally listen to the radio during my morning commute, I've been tuning in this week. The station I listen to doesn't have commercials, and the morning DJs play more music than they talk (thank goodness). This morning, however, they asked us: What Screams Summer to you? They mentioned the ice cream man, bug zappers, and the smell of honeysuckle (I completely agree with that last sentiment). I also think of Citris Mango Heats (mmm), berry pies, birthday parties, and mild nights.

Last night turned out to be the epitome of a summer night. We all went to the local Minor League Baseball game, drank beers, and ate some hot dogs. Two people from our group were called onto the field for youthful shenanigans (spin around a bat 10 times and run to the team mascot), and we all learned a new way to eat peanuts. I have never in my life considered eating a peanut whole. I mean: Shell and All. But it's not horrible.
Our team lost (boo), but we had a great time. The best part: the night cost me $13.50 in a tickets for me and J, and concessions for me. Total. Yeah - it was a great time.

Mary Mary, Quite Contrary

While nothing earth shattering happens on a daily basis, I enjoy watching the passage of time in my gardens.
Last year, I planted some hosta plants and ivy to accompany my hydrangea (which hardly bloomed). The tree I planted a few years back (right before A&K came to visit) seemed lonely, and there was a significant lack of green. I also wanted to hang my birdhouse in a lovely garden - but my back patio seemed too empty. Later last summer, I also brought a gardenia, some jasmine, and a few succulent plants into the mix. It wasn't exactly inspiring, but it was enough. This year - it is a totally different story. The hydrangea blooms are brilliant and blue, my hosta plants exploded, and the jasmine and gardenia scents send me back to my childhood. It is gorgeous and green out there! And the best part - I found a bird living in the birdhouse only a few days after I put it out there.

I've also planted a vegetable garden on my front patio (oh, the Joys of living in a condo/townhome), and am surprised by how excited I get over the growth. I curse chipmunks, count my tomato buds, and poke at the cucumber and pepper leaves. Since I've never actually HAD a vegetable garden, or ever had the ability to grow anything but weeds, I feel as though I've accomplished something. Keep in mind, however, that this gardens are still young - and may not actually bear any edible produce. But I'm excited to see the passing of time in the seeds I've sown.

Pictures to be published soon... I'm reorganizing and cataloguing.

God Lives in my Backyard - the song

I feel a bit of explanation is needed regarding my URL and title. Mike Garrigan wrote a beautiful song "God lives in my backyard." I love it, he played it at our wedding, and I carry it with me.

Lyrics:

Some say that God is hard to see
Mysterious and beautiful, infinite and free
That seems unusual to me
There’s things I see that no one sees

And God lives in my backyard
He’s out there fixing cars
He’s staring at the stars
He’s waiting for the end
Of the world to come along
He knows that times are hard
He’s cursing in the dark
He lives in my back yard
Oh, whoa

He’s dropping hammers on his feet
He sips alcohol from roses; he’s pissing in the leaves
Tap-dances parables, miracles for me
But he knows we see what we want to see

And God lives in my backyard
He’s out there fixing cars
He’s staring at the stars
He’s waiting for the end
Of the world to come along
He knows that times are hard
He’s out there drinking Harp
He lives in my back yard

Is this in my mind?
Can anybody see this fool but me?
Faith is hard to find
And silence is the golden word for
Supposed golden kind

I pray the lord my soul to keep
He sticks it in a jar out behind the weeds
He’s got the devil up his sleeve

And God lives in my backyard
He’s out there fixing cars
He’s staring at the stars
He’s waiting for the end
Of the world to come along
He knows that times are hard
He’s cursing in the dark
He lives in my back yard
Oh, whoa

So, now you know... (and knowing is half the battle).

First Post! YAY!

Welcome to the new blog.

It'll be a place to update y'all on the happenings, but it is currently being constructed for optimal awesomeness.

Hope you enjoy!