Atlanta and Back

My Atlanta trip is over, and it was well worth it. It was full of fun meetings, good company and delicious food - and overall, just a great experience for me professionally. But as much as I was grateful for the experience, it is so nice to be home. I crashed on the couch for a few hours tonight, and now I think I'll watch TV from bed before hitting the sack for tomorrow. And Antonio and Ana seem so happy to have me home.

This weekend:
- Crabs?
- Farmer's market?
- Tree Planting for Jones Falls Association?

I Should Be Asleep

But I can't stop crocheting. Tell me this isn't the most gorgeous blanket ever. Go ahead. Tell me.

I love it.

Atlanta Bound

Oh my... all of my lights have been off for hours in the apartment to keep it cool. I've been on the phone for well over two hours talking to a friend and drinking beers. Now I have to pack. AH! All I want to do is sleep, but I have to be ready for Atlanta tomorrow. It's unfortunate, really... home rocks.

Baby Blanket Finished

And no, it's not for me... it's for my cousin and his wife. It's far from perfect - I have a lot more learning to do - but it was made with love. I hope they like it.

Unbearably HOT

TwitterFound #1

Twisted Helena

Random Thursday

1. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was awful. Skip it.
2. All I want is pizza. Yummy pepperoni pizza because my neighbors are cooking it, and I can smell it.
3. All I have is cucumbers and goldfish. Damn it!
4. My neighbors and I are like the characters on 227, except that we chat off our back porches. I love it. I'm the Mary Jenkins, I think.
5. I just found out that someone else I know is preggo (congratulations!). That makes five (I think) right now. I've stopped drinking the BRITA.

The 32 Project Semi-Complete

Okay - so this is my list so far. Things are being added and dropped so I think it's going to have to be a flexible list. I'm still short of my goal for 32 projects, but it's okay to add items as I discover them, right?

1. Finish watching the Top 100 movies. 58 down, 42 to go.
2. Charity: April 17th Formal Wear Happy Hour DONE! 45 dresses collected!
3. Charity: April 19th March for the Animals DONE!
4. Learn how to drive stick shift. This one is on Casey.
5. Lose the weight.With Jill's help.
6. Volunteering: Considering Habitat for Humanity
7. Charity: Tree Planting/Trash Pick Up. May 3rd 
8. Volunteering: Pets on Wheels w/ Antonio?
9. Go somewhere. PEI? Anywhere?
10. Meet Joey Mac. June 23rd
11. Try making crab bisque.
12. Organize an Ohio reunion.
13. Visit NYC.
14. Read at least four books (Reading 'A World Without End' now.)
15. Digi scrapbook something.
16. Buy fishnets (long story)
17. Try Yoga with my BFF
18. See 'HEART' Live in Bmore! May 17th Tickets purchased!
19. Go through the stuff in my storage unit
20. Go to an amusement park. (Cedar Point, anyone?)
21. Find somewhere to take voice lessons - it's time to get back in the game!
22. Choose an Armed Forces charity to collect for. Looking...

Ten more to think up... yikes.

Blog Watch

Announcing a new photo blog, Photo Phetish! This blog is from a gentleman in Ohio... okay, it's my dad, who is blogging about his journey learning the elements of great photography. He's challenging himself with a photography class, and as he moves through the course, he'll document his lessons and his photography. Pretty neat, really. Check him out!

Happy Birthday, Melanie!

I called my insanely busy sister this morning to wish her a happy birthday, but alas... I doubt she even got the message. Then this afternoon she sent THIS! I LOVE IT! I was feeling all frustrated and tense, and MAN, did this get me to SMILE! I love it! Amazing. Marie - can we? Can we?

Honorable Mentions

Thanks to the Urban Discoveries Living Blog for two shout outs to Bags In Trees as well as Live from Bawlmer. How very exciting! What's even more fun is the discovery of this new blog. From some local realtors comes a log of city events, real estate news and things that us city folk want to know. I'm tagging you, friends. And thanks for the mention. ;)

March for the Animals: Year THREE!

This year was our third year participating in the SPCA's March for the Animals. The weather was great - overcast, yes, but bright, 65 degrees-ish and breezy. This year Antonio was lucky to walk with his Aunt Jill (thank you!), and I walked Rilee to help build my strong arm muscles. Not sure how much was raised yet this year (it takes a few days for them to know), but it really felt worthwhile, and the dogs are TIRED. Nicole and I actually dropped off Antonio at home and took Delilah and Rilee to Craven's Cabana so that we could have a quick beer.

So I have loads of pics, but I'm including the cuter ones here.

Rilee and Delilah getting much needed water at a water station.

Antonio when he FINALLY thought he made it to the front of the pack. You could just feel how proud he was!

Antonio and his momma (like my sunburn?)

Nicole and her girls - Rilee and Delilah (where's Waldo Antonio?)

The Prevatts - Rob, Jill and Rocky (AKA "Rockstar")

Saturday in Review

This morning I had a headache - I guess the fundraiser was a bit much for me - and although it lingered all day, I still managed to do quite a bit today. At noon or so, Antonio headed up to CJ & Nicole's for fun in the sun and dog time. At one point we had five dogs (Antonio, Lucy, Baxter, Rilee and Delilah) with us. It was lovely. Of course, I'm a bit sun burnt, but we all make sacrifices, right?

Later in the afternoon I went home for a nap before heading out for Liana's birthday party. Nicole and I couldn't stay long because we have March for the Animals tomorrow (and some unexpected dog drama), but it was great seeing everyone and spending part of Liana's day with her. I'm exhausted... so I'm off to bed. But here are a few pics for your viewing pleasure.

Lucy and Delilah bein' good for treats...

Antonio staying out of the sun. So cute. :)

Antonio in pursuit of playing, running dogs. Look at him go!

A cool break in the pool for Delilah, Baxter and Rilee.

And what more appropriate way to end my post that a shout out to the birthday girl! Work it, Liana!

Formal Wear Happy Hour Results!

Congratulations, everyone! Last night we collected 29 dresses for the Junior League of Baltimore! 29! That brings up to a total of 42 dresses to date, with more due on Monday. WOW! Thank you to everyone who attended - I really appreciate your support (and it was pretty great to see you as well)!

"Look at all of these dresses!"

Partners in crime

Happy Hour is 24 Hours Away!

Don't forget about the Formal Wear Happy Hour tomorrow - we are collecting dresses for the Junior League of Baltimore!

Who: Me & Betsy
What: Formal Wear Happy Hour!
When: Friday, April 17th 6 PM
Where: Della Rosa's in Canton (21224)
Why: Fundraiser!

The Junior League of Baltimore is hosting “A Dress to Remember” Special Occasion Dress Sale for local teens and their parents preparing for proms, graduations and other formal events. For those of you unfamiliar with this organization, the Junior League is a volunteer organization for women interested in making a positive impact in their communities.

In order to help out my friend who is a member of the League, B and I are hosting a Formal Wear Happy Hour to collect donations. They aren't looking for money!! The Junior League of Baltimore needs donations of formal, prom, bridesmaid and white dresses, as well as shoes and accessories, so here's the deal:

In order to participate in our Happy Hour, I'm asking that each person bring one dress to show support. The MINIMUM is one dress - participate further by collecting dresses from your other friends and bringing them to the Happy Hour - I'll make sure my friend gets each and every one for the Dress Sale! Thank you in advance and see you there!

Antonio-Lovers

Okay all... so Antonio. He's fine. "Fine" in that his blood work is fine, x-ray is fine, ultrasound is fine, urinalysis is fine and urine culture is fine... except that there's blood in his urine. Right. No infection... but blood. Weird. Very weird.

We've run a bunch of tests as you can see, so now we're going to try some antibiotics just for the hell of it. If that doesn't fix it, then we'll move forward with a procedure requiring anesthesia. I've been reading... and there are a few diagnoses that aren't infections: abnormal cell growth (tumor or polyps), diverticulum of the bladder, bleeding disorders, urethral prolapse, or some sort of non-infectious inflammation of the bladder or something. I have no idea.

So there's our update. If you have any wisdom to impart or doggie knowledge to share, please do so. Antonio is acting normally except for his occasional neediness and (ahem) few accidents, so we're just taking it one step at a time until we figure it out.

Reader Poll: Dress Count

Okay readers... I have ELEVEN dresses in my living room now (Thanks mom, dad and Cassie!). There are 11 confirmed attendees for Friday's happy hour, another 15 responded as maybe, and 3 guys at work that I'm harassing for dresses. How many dresses do you think we'll collect?

A. 25 dresses or less
B. 26-35 dresses
C. 36-45 dresses
D. More than 45 dresses

HINT: If you are reading this now, you can help me with this number!

Easter

Thank you, Nicole and family, for taking me in on Easter. Loved the wine, the food (ooooh the meatballs), and the very interesting stories. Thank you, N, for your friendship. You know I love you.

I would also like to thank the guy in the teal pickup truck with cab on DELANEY VALLEY ROAD for NOT killing me. That road is two lanes - no passing - for a reason, and although I doubt the talent of our police system, I hope they found you after my 911 call and arrested you for driving like an asshole and almost killing me on Easter Sunday!!! (Anger is seeping from my pores...)

Lastly... there's a leash law. Use it. Especially if your dog is a pit mix and wants to jump on my car when I'm parking it in my own neighborhood. Don't look at me like I'm crazy. Control your animal.

I know... I have such high standards. I'm just crazy like that.

Happy

Happy Easter and Happy Passover!

Hookah

Beerz

vol·un·teer·ism (vln-tîrzm) n.

I wonder if the rain will stop. I'm due in Charles Village at 2 PM to post 'Don't Litter' warnings on storm drains. I can't imagine that will be much fun at all in the rain. Ick.

Update: We went. We stood (in rain). We waited. We went for beers. So much for volunteerism.

A Tribute

Reader Poll: Karaoke

Readers - karaoke is scheduled for this Saturday at Ponca Bird. In order to ensure Nicole's participation, Womanizer by Britney Spears will be performed. Now I need a second song, and I'd like to try one I've never done before. Please vote for one of the songs below or suggest a fourth song:

A. Love Song by Sara Bareilles
B. Single Ladies by Beyonce
C. Alone by Heart
D. Something else... tell me.

The Six Month Project

I am having a hard time with something emotionally, and I need to get past it. It's one of those things that you think you're past until you turn a corner one day and are reminded of moments, minutes, seconds... and it all comes crashing down. This situation is oh so clearly out of my control that I'm doomed unless I get some distraction. And, dear friends, I want your help.

Similar to The 30 Project that I never finished listing, I want to create a list of thirty two things (yay, my birthday) that I'll do in the next six months. I'll need help, because thirty two is A LOT... but other than things that may potentially cause me harm (no skydiving), I want your ideas on things that may test my boundaries a bit.

So far I have a very short list. What can you contribute?

1. Finish watching the Top 100 movies. 55 down, 45 to go.
2. Charity: April 17th Formal Wear Happy Hour
3. Charity: April 19th March for the Animals
4. Learn how to drive stick shift. Who's willing to risk their clutch?
5. Lose the weight. I need walkers. Preferably those who can meet me somewhere, get a drink, and walk home on some Saturday or Sunday.
6. Half my debt. This means that 'shopping' cannot be on this list.
7. Charity: May 3rd Tree Planting/ Trash Pick Up (just signed up today)
8. Charity: April 11th Post 'Don't Litter' Warnings On Storm Drains (just signed up today)
9. Go somewhere. First I was thinking Prince Edward Island, but I just checked flights and they start at $700. So that's out... thinking, thinking...
10. Meet Joey Mac. Cassie, I'm leaving this one up to you.

Crap - who picked 32?

Thank you

Thank you, friend, for the mysterious package in the mail today. It was wonderful to receive, and it completely made my day. Definitely one of the nicest things I've received in a long time. Thank you, thank you.

Today is the Day to Get Stuff Done!

I need organization! I'm feeling happy optimistic today, so it's time again, to get life in order. My windows are open, fans are on... it's beautiful out! Here's to a good week!

- Empty dishwasher - done
- Fill dishwasher - done
- Fold laundry - done
- Do more laundry - in progress
- Swiffer floors - done
- Clean bathroom - done
- Trash - done
- Clean cat box - done
- Put away vaporizer - done
- Work on baby blanket
- Shower - done
- Meet Frank - done
- Make secret paper things - done

- Make other secret paper thing - done

- Make other things I just thought about - done
- Prep balloons - done
- Make first batch of iced tea (maybe)
- Pay bills - GM Card done
- Taxes, taxes, taxes...
- Walk Antonio! - done

Mark Your Calendars!

Who: Me & Betsy
What: Formal Wear Happy Hour!
When: Friday, April 17th 6 PM
Where: Della Rosa's in Canton (21224)
Why: Fundraiser!

The Junior League of Baltimore is hosting “A Dress to Remember” Special Occasion Dress Sale for local teens and their parents preparing for proms, graduations and other formal events. For those of you unfamiliar with this organization, the Junior League is a volunteer organization for women interested in making a positive impact in their communities.

In order to help out my friend who is a member of the League, B and I are hosting a Formal Wear Happy Hour to collect donations. They aren't looking for money!! The Junior League of Baltimore needs donations of formal, prom, bridesmaid and white dresses, as well as shoes and accessories, so here's the deal:

In order to participate in our Happy Hour, I'm asking that each person bring one dress to show support. The MINIMUM is one dress - participate further by collecting dresses from your other friends and bringing them to the Happy Hour - I'll make sure my friend gets each and every one for the Dress Sale! Thank you in advance and see you there!

My Pretty Girl

This is actually a really rare picture. Ana would rather lay down under the futon that on top of it. Awfully strange for a cat, really. She has only tried climbing the bookshelf in the bedroom... other than that, she's happy stayin' low. Weird, but I love her...

Antonio

Without going into too much detail, Antonio is sick again.  We rushed to the vet this morning to have some tests done, and we should have results in a few days.  Antonio is fine, his life isn't in danger, but it's another bump on our road.  Oh, and totally unrelated to this problem, Antonio was diagnosed with a heart murmur today... double bonus.

So I got almost no sleep last night, and as a result I am exhausted and basically trying to get the house in order just enough to justify sitting down to eat dinner.  I know once I stop moving, I'll be done. I'm so bloody tired.  

So send positive thought to Antonio, please.  We'll know what's up in a few days, but I don't think I'll be sleeping well for awhile because I'll be worrying.  I suppose this is where someone tells me to start exercising again because it's A) good for me physically and B) good for me mentally.  I know.  It's the damn motivation that I'm lacking.  How do I get some of that?

Damn

I can't explain the moderate excitement I had when arriving home today: there was a UPS box at my door.  In the few minutes that it took me to let out Antonio, give him a treat and use the restroom, I imagined who it could be from and what it might be... but... it was my medication. Delivered via the new home delivery method that we just had set up at work.

I'm sad... why do I allow myself to get all excited and worked up?  Why do I let myself go there? I wish and I hope, and all  have at the end of the day is some stupid medicine.  Depressing...