Happy Thanksgiving

To all my friends and family, I wish you all the very best. There is so much we have to be thankful for. Enjoy the day.

Critics Corner

Last Friday night, I joined Kris, Brian and Donna at Spaulding High School to see Ryan in Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night". I don't know what a wise decision Shakespeare is for any high school troop. It usually takes an audiences' ear awhile to tune in to Old English, the malfunction of the actors microphones did not help. Now this was opening night, so it just took some fine tuning to get things running smoothly. I say all this as a critic, not as an aunt or Godmother.
Ryan was fantastic. She had one of the lead roles, Viola, and I think carried the play. I think it's important to know what you are saying, whether it be in Shakespearean time or modern time. Ryan had a grasp on everything she said, and because of it she added facial expressions and body language that really made you feel what she was feeling. Some of the other players did a nice job. There were two guys in their early entrance that had no idea what they were saying. Their dialogue was obviously just memorized, they did however loosen up as the production unfolded. All in all it was a very nice performance. I'm sorry there are no photos to accompany this entry, but just like Broadway, No Flash Allowed. Believe me when I tell you Ryan was stunning. Donna got some photos after the show, so I'm sure you'll get to see her on Donna's blog.

Tail to Nose Ride

My friend Karen belongs to Washington Women Outdoors. It's an organization that does all sorts of really neat out doorsy stuff. Well last Sunday she asked me if I would like to go horseback riding with her and the group. Well being the horse person I am I jumped at the chance, little did I know it was in West Virginia. Now I am not against driving 2 hours, but there are plenty of riding stables 5-10 minutes away in Davidsonville. So off we go....

I am the first to admit I am NOT a cold weather person. My nose not only looks as if I use Rudolph's make up, it runs non stop. I will have fun, I will have fun. We finally get to the stable.

I have brought some apples for the horses, but can only feed the one that aren't saddled up. So here I am with Sequoia, not my horse.

You all need to know that for this fun 20 degree day I have 8 layers on under that sweater(from Ireland). Under my jeans I not only have on tights, but leggings and long johns. Have I mentioned I hate being cold. Okay, so I'm moving like the Michelin Man, how the hell am I going to get on my horse? Well did you see Amazing Race this week, picture the goof marching with the Russian troops getting on a horse. Luckily my horse was next to a fence so I had a sorta step ladder. Well they call out the horses name and inform us that this is the order we must stay in. No getting out of formation. Uuuggh. Not only have I driven 2 hours to ride in 20 degrees, there will be no running or skipping. Ho hum. For the first 10, okay 5 minutes it was great to be back on a horse, but when it's cold and grey out in the woods everything looks the same. Oh! I'm sorry. IT WAS THE SAME. We went around in 2 big circles for an hour and a half. About 30 minutes into it I couldn't feel my toes or fingers. I am not having fun. It gets better, it starts to rain. The only thing worse than being cold, is being cold and wet. It was a quiet ride home.

Faraway Family

IT'S SNOWING!!!!! I'm not sure this photo does justice to the first snowfall, so hopefully my description will. The air definitely has that little bite to it, but it's not windy, so it's actually enjoyable. The sky is that usual snow sky, I like to call it Cream of Cloud sky. The flakes are those nice big fluffy flakes, that make you think the angels are having an awesome pillow fight. It hasn't started sticking yet, and I'm not sure if it will. If it does, I want you kids in the faraway places to remember shoveling, that should make it a little easier.

Anthropologie is Coming to Annapolis

The reason all these blogs are being posted at once is because I was away from my computer all last week. Why you ask? Some kids from the new Anthropologie Store were in Woofs & Whiskers, and they were saying how they were in town from Philadelphia to interview staff for the new store opening at Annapolis Town Center. I of course started gushing about how much I love Anthropologie, and they invited me to help with the store opening. 40% off, Count Me In. I made sure Woofs & Whiskers was covered for the week then started my new part time job.

Day 1: Housewares. Boxes, boxes and more boxes all waiting to be unpacked. The green wall that is empty in this photo was filled with boxes. I mean probably 40 boxes wide, 10 boxes high and 20 boxes deep. Cups, glasses, dishes, linens, pillows, books and so many other things that I don't know how I've lived without. In my head I think I got up to 17,000.00 with my 40% off and we haven't even opened clothes yet.

Day 2: Clothes, Oh my God! Clothes. Sweaters, scarfs, hats, belts, dresses, skirts, pants, coats and that's just a start. Now, I've been getting things from Anthropologie for years. I'm a little worried that now that it's found it's way to Annapolis my unique style may be compromised. Naaahh

Day 3: Furniture. Couches, arm chairs, refinished armoires.... I have truly died and gone to heaven.

Ball on the Beach

Well our last day at the beach starts with us all going to breakfast. Kevin wants to get an early start back, so he and Kris leave from there. I head back to the house for a final inspection and head to the beach. It's cleared up nicely after a full day of rain. When we get to the beach, Harper sees the tennis chucker, and goes into her throw me the ball, throw me the ball mode. I really think she needs a 12 step program for it.

On the other hand, Bear was perfectly content with people watching. I have to tell you that I love being on the beach durning the off season. The pups had almost as good a time as I did.

Storyteller

Luckily for Kris and I there was a Chocolate/Candy shop in the outlet center. We dropped Kevin off there, and Kris and I hit all the stores that interested us. Now I don't know about you guys, but when I shop with someone else I almost feel guilty about taking up there time. Kris was great though, and thank goodness for the chocolate shop. After I bought some sweaters at J.Crew, and a shirt at Ralph Lauren we decided Kevin had been patient enough.
Now I love Rehobeth, but I know Kevin is an Ocean City Man, so after his good behavior at the outlets I think it's only fair to go to OC with them. It's still raining, but we head to the boardwalk. After all, what is a trip to the Ocean without some Thrasher's Fries. Mmmmm!! From there we go to 8th Street to a cross-stitch shop. Kris was in search of a specific pattern. The shop had everything else but. Kevin stood outside, under an awning, just looking out at the ocean, and I don't think he could have been happier. On the way home Kevin and Kris told some great stories about Justin and Rachel. I think Kevin is a great storyteller.
We got back to the beach house around 4:30. Ordered dinner from Grotto's Pizza and I crashed about 7:30. I am such a party animal

A Rainy Day in Paradise

After breakfast Kris and I head back to our cozy little beach cottage to wait for Kevin. Kris breaks out the quilt squares for Rachel's shower quilt and I put them together in a color co-ordinated fashion. Which is not real easy when you have swatches from 30 different people. You've got to use them all or some one's feelings are going to get hurt. Maybe they should have thought of that before they picked their squares. Kevin is on his way. Kris breaks out her cross stitch. She is now working on Addie's Christmas stocking. May I just say this about Kris, she is amazing. She has about 4 Projects going at once, and they are all nicer than the next. I don't know where she finds the patience, let alone the time. Kevin gets in around 11:00 and I think we give him enough time to take his coat off and stretch then we want to hit the outlets. Now Kevin has just had knee surgery, driven 2 hours to the beach in a volkswagon while it's pouring, and is coming off a 17 hour day. I am sure the thought of shopping the outlets is exactly what he wants to do. Off we go. Oh yeah! It's raining cats and dogs.

Privacy Please

Kris and I both get an early start Saturday morning. After a phone call we find out Kevin just got out of bed, so Kris and I head to breakfast, but not before I get a great shot of Kris in the shower. That's right... the block glass wall at the end of the hallway was the master shower wall. Kris saw the flash go off as she was in the shower, and I thought I heard you b..ch, and I said, yeah, we'll go to the beach as soon as you're finished. I don't know how conducive the glass wall would be if you had the whole family staying the weekend.
Of course with our family, you would probably just have to get use to a flash going off whenever the shower ran.

Rehobeth Getaway

As most of my friends know I am still dabbling in pet sitting. I often watch 2 teacup poodles, aka, "The French Girls". They belong to Todd, one of the owners of Morgan Gerard Salon. Throughout the summer I've had "the girls" for a few overnight stays.... So getting to the point, Todd usually gives me free spa treatments in exchange for pet sitting. Not a bad deal, but I asked if instead of a day of unadulterated pampering, I could use his house at the beach for a weekend. I wouldn't use it until off season, so Todd agreed with no hesitation.
So last Friday Kris and I head to the beach, but not before a detour to a friend's house who is putting on an art exhibit with other artisans. Kris and I both left with original paintings for ourselves, and Kris got a jump on her Christmas shopping. We finally get to the beach house and it is yummy. The 3 upstairs bedrooms each had a king size bed. Kris and I both picked our rooms out. Kevin was going to join us that evening but after a 17 hour day, he opted to join us in the morning. It was almost 9:15pm, Kris figured out the 3 remotes, and I decided to take "The Memoirs of Cleopatra" to bed and sleep with my king.

Thank you Rachel

You know how I can never resist a sale. Well, low and behold the local plastic surgeon was having a $50.00 off any procedure month. For probably the past 5 years I have been noticing the lines above my lip getting deeper and deeper. I mean when I wear lipstick (other than the epoxy lipstick that stays on your lips for 48 hours) it looks like a road map with the lipstick bleeding into all the tributaries above my lip. The map of Maryland comes to mind. Not a pretty sight. So I decide I will use the Christmas money I had saved for Rachel's gift and get some Botox. I decided on botox instead of a filler because I was afraid of having lips like Lisa Rinna. Because the lines above my lip are so close to my lip there is no way that my upper lip won't be affected by the fill. I've been told that I won't see results for 3 days. The Doctor said in the beginning, it will feel like I have a cotton ball between my gum and upper lip. Kris, Kevin and I are headed to Rehobeth Beach this weekend and I just know we'll be at a nice dinner somewhere and I will start dribbling water down the front of me without warning. Can't wait.

Rest Easy

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to post after the weekend, I'm sure you've all been worried sick about the move on Sunday. Well, I got there at the designated time, along with 10 other helpful friends. Karen's husband was nowhere in sight, so we all went to our assigned rooms and started wrapping and removing. With so many helping hands we were finished in no time. Karen had hired professional movers to do all the heavy lifting and loading of boxes. Thank you Baby Jesus.
The movers weren't scheduled to arrive until 1:00, and with all the busy work done I told Karen I would see her at my house for the drop off. She had 4 other friends stay with her until the mover got there, which happen to coincide with the arrival of Sadam. May I just tell you how glad I am to have missed out on all that drama. Karen told me that 3 squad cars of Annapolis's finest were called to the scene. Being the organized soul that Karen is, she had all the necessary paperwork at the ready. That rant and rave lasted about 40 minutes. I am happy to say that I was not a witness to it.