"Summer afternoon - summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." - Henry James

Hello again my friend. My little blog, I have missed you so, but vacation had called my name. Whew, what a July. It started off with a very fun quick trip over to Minnesota with Daniel to see his family. We played on the boat, cruised around on their new jet skis, ate smores, saw friends from college, AND put on our own fireworks display (my personal first)!! With just one day back in DC we welcomed our favorite house guest ever, my big sister and future niece or nephew. Yup, that's right, I am going to be an AUNT!!! I could go on an on about it, because I am SO excited, but I will spare you all the long winded sentences and excessive exclamation points. Thank me later. The rest of my July was spent running errands, laying by the pool, baking and of course snuggling my little pup. I also had a very wonderful birthday that I was lucky enough to celebrate with all my close friends. Favorite parts included all day pool bbq with my favorite strawberry dream cake, Dan baking me a wonderful Fruit Pizza, drinks and wings, and pedicures with my bestie! It was great and relaxing and in my opinion, well deserved. :)

Next up, Cabo. (in 18 days, but who's counting?) I am so excited, I have about 50 act ivies planned and I think Dan thought we would be sitting on the beach the whole time, but sorry Charlie. Most excited about parasailing at sunset, swimming with the dolphins, snorkeling around El Arco (the giant rock with a hole in it) and tennis at the resort. Not to mention there is a spa that offers AAA discounts, so I think I can convince him that I need to go twice because I saved some money. Yesterday I went vacation shopping and scored some cute bathing suits, wraps, sundresses, AND new Jack Rogers all for awesome prices online. I used to be able to find a flight and hotel to pretty much any place in the world for insane discounted prices, now I have mastered the art of online clothing sales. My parents would be so proud of my continued thrifty ways.

Thought I would share a little with all of you and filled-out a questionnaire of random questions that I read on another blog, enjoy!! (and fill one out too!)

1. First thing you wash in the shower?
Hair
2. What color is your favorite hoodie?
Grey
3. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?
Yessum
4. Do you plan outfits?
sometimes, depends on the occasion
5. How are you feeling RIGHT now?
tired, but excited to get through the day so I can make my new recipe for dinner tonight!
6. Whats the closest thing to you that's red?
a pen from my dentist
7. Tell me about the last dream you remember having?
it was really weird, I was stuck at the Starbucks on Capitol Hill and Bill Clinton came in and saved me and I got really mad and said I didn't want him to save me, I wanted the Pope to. (if someone knows what this means, please feel free to enlighten me)
8. Did you meet anybody new today?
Yes
9. What are you craving?
What I am always craving, pizza!!
10. Do you floss?
Every night, sometimes in the afternoon too. I am kind of obsessed with dental hygiene
11. What comes to mind when I say cabbage?
coleslaw
12. Are you emotional?
yes
13. Have you ever counted to 1,000?
Yes
14. Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it?
lick it, of course
15. Do you like your hair?
my hair and I have a very love-hate relationship. Today is a good day, we like eachother.
16. Do you like yourself?
usually
17. Would you go out to eat with George W. Bush?
Yes, definitely
18. What are you listening to right now?
Adele
19. Are your parents strict?
EXTREMELY. As bitter as I was back in the day, now I am very thankful.
20. Would you go sky diving?
Dan and I really want to go
21. Do you like cottage cheese?
LOVE it - but only low-fat small curd with tomatoes
22. Have you ever met a celebrity?
Yes
23. Do you rent movies often?
Yup, we are netflixers!
24. Is there anything sparkly in the room you're in?
yes! a starfish magnet on my filing cabinet from Greece
25. How many countries have you visited?
wow, let me count. 20 or so. I am not done yet, I am bound to continue my explorations.
26. Have you made a prank phone call?
yes, back in the day. well, does calling the boy you like and hanging up when he answers count?
27. Ever go on a train?
Yes
28. Brown or white eggs?
I read a study that states they are the pretty much the same, it is like a person being black or white, so I usually now pick whichever one is on sale.
29. Do you have a cell-phone?
sadly, two!! a blackberry for work and my personal one
30. Do you use chapstick?
i am addicted
31. Do you own a gun?
nope
32. Can you use chop sticks?
Yes
33. Who are you going to be with tonight?
My dearest Daniel and my little guy Buckley
34. Are you too forgiving?
yes, Dan tells me that all the time
35. Ever been in love?
Yes
36. What is your best friend(s) doing tomorrow?
working
37. Ever have cream puffs?
Yes
38. Last time you cried?
about a week ago, at the end of a movie
39. What was the last question you asked?
How is your morning going?
40. Favorite time of the year?
AUTUMN!!! Oh, I love it. The leaves falling, the smells of pumpkin and nutmeg, football, and the holidays!
41. Do you have any tattoos?
nope
42. Are you sarcastic?
very much so
43. Have you ever seen The Butterfly Effect?
no
44. Ever walked into a wall?
Ha, Yes
45. Favorite color?
Pink
46. Have you ever slapped someone?
Ha, I guess yes
47. Is your hair curly?
yes
48. What was the last CD you bought?
Dave Matthews Band last month
49. Do looks matter?
yes, anyone who says no is lying. are they the only thing, no.
51. Is your phone bill sky high?
for how little i use it, yes
52. Do you like your life right now?
Love it, I am very blessed!
53. Do you sleep with the TV on?
yes, well I fall asleep with it on, and then the sleep time kicks in and saves the day (actually i guess in this case, the night)
54. Can you handle the truth?
i prefer it
55. Do you have good vision?
ugh, nope
56. Do you hate or dislike more than 3 people?
unfortunately yes I dislike, but I don't hate anyone
57. How often do you talk on the phone?
umm I spend a good chunk of my day on the phone, but personally probably a few times a week
58. The last person you held hands with?
Daniel
59. What are you wearing?
a pink jcrew skirt and a simple brown tee
60.What is your favorite animal?
puppies
61. Where was your favorite picture taken?
by the water in Annapolis
62. Can you hula hoop?
yes, but it is pretty funny to watch
63. Do you have a job?
Yes
64. What was the most recent thing you bought?
grande skinny caramel latte
65. Have you ever crawled through a window?
umm no, can't say that I have

TGIF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I seriously think that some people are punctuation people and others are most definitely not. The others category are people usually hating those who overuse your average comma or exclamation point. I am most definitely a lover of punctuation. In college often the only comments I had on papers was "too many commas" or "no need for an exclamation point" but I seriously can't help it. I am a giddy person, I get excited and often write as I speak. I have no problem admitting that I love to use punctuation and do not apologize for doing so. The only problem that arises these days is I often have to write an email, save it, then come back to it a few minutes later and edit for punctuation. What is funny is that I know I am a very well trained technical writer. When I remember this, I will tone down my commas and only end sentences with periods. Other times I can't help the words pouring out of my fingertips and the sheer excitement I have when writing and my sentences are littered with unnecessary commas or brackets. (my guiltiest writing offense, I totally use ellipsis) Well, anyway, yeah I have a tinsy little problem with over-punctuating and I am totally fine with it in settings such as this silly little blog of mine. Goodness, my AP English teacher cringe at me saying that now...

So, as you can tell from my twenty exclamation points above, I am very excited that today is Friday and the weekend starts in two short hours. I don't know what my deal has been this week, usually I love coming to work, but I just can't get my head into my projects. Hoping a little weekend fun and resting will help me get more motivated for next week.

It's been a week... EEEK!!!

I am falling behind on my daily ramblings, work has actually been super busy, thus leaving me no time for my thoughts.

All I can think about today is that it has been raining for like 2 months straight. We get a few mornings or afternoons of sunlight and the rest of the days are filled with non-stop rain and the occasional severe thunderstorm. (not to mention the worst humidity) Who knew that D.C. was such a rainy city? Not me, that's for sure. I usually am not one to complain about a few rain storms here and there, but a girl needs some vitamin d every once and awhile. I actually just want it to stop raining for Buckley's sake. The poor little guy is not a fan of rain and hates taking walks when there is even the slightest drizzle. So, when he actually does escape to enjoy the sunlight he goes nuts and can barely contain himself. He runs around the park like a crazed buffoon and chasing everything he sees. Another reason I hate the constant rain. MY ALLERGIES. Ugh, I am lucky if I get a whole 2 hours with having horrible sniffles and nonstop sneezes. While I bet the plants are loving the seemingly never ending water source, I am not. So as I sit and stare out my window at green trees and the constant slight drizzle, I can't help but wonder when the sun will return so summer can officially start and I can quit my habit of blowing through a box of Kleenex a day.

"The holy grail is to spend less time making the picture than it takes people to look at it."

Do you remember when you were a little kid and there were those awesome markers that smelled amazing... Mr. Sketch. Well, my office has some and I forgot how much fun some good ole' markers and construction paper can be. During a little downtime at work I made a pretty little picture...
Do you like how Buckley's name is huge and in the center, he really is the king of everything. And check out that awesome watermelon, so summery and fresh. I really outdid myself on this one. :) Since my downtime was spent on this wonderful piece of art, I must get back to work. One side note, since when did the turquoise marker become MANGO flavored. That has to be new. Didn't it used to be blue raspberry or something else totally sugary and kid friendly? I just remember the brown cinnamon one being the weird flavor, none of this tropical fruit nonsense.

PS the new Dave Matthews Band album came out today, it is pretty spectacular. (Yes, spectacular. It really is that good.) This lovely piece of musical bliss reminded me once again just how amazingly talented they are. Check it out, I promise you won't be disappointed. And if you are, I am simply going to think you spent a little too much time sniffing that mango marker of yours...

Tagged!!

Because I know that you are all dying to know all about me!!

Here are the rules:
1. Post the rules on your blog:
2. Answer the six "8" items
3. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

8 Favorite TV Shows:
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. Greek
3. Law and Order (all of them!)
4. Private Practice
5. Real Housewives (NY is my favorite, OC a close second)
6. Top Chef
7. Good Eats
8. The View

8 Things I did yesterday:
1. Watched the Lakers dominate the Nuggets
2. Updated some donor files
3. Went to a very long APhi meeting
4. Finished all of my DAR paperwork
5. Paid tons of APhi bills and updated the house records
6. Stayed up half the night trying to play with Buckley (he was too tired to even notice)
7. Finally cleaned out my camera and posted about 100 pictures
8. Thumbed through the applications I received for an upcoming program at work

8 Things I am looking forward to:
1. The Fourth of July in MN
2. CABO!!!
3. Golf lessons
4. Spending some quality time at the pool this summer
5. Finding a new apartment (I am not looking forward to the actual moving part)
6. Getting into shape for Cabo
7. Courtney coming into town tomorrow
8. My birthday!!

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1. Melting Pot
2. Uncle Julios/Rio Grande Cafe
3. Bertucci's
4. Souplantation/Sweet Tomatoes (The lack of one nearby is upsetting)
5. Shine Sushi
6. Clyde's
7. Lauriol Plaza
8. CPK

8 Things on my wishlist:

1. An engagement ring
2. Art for my apartment walls
3. A GPS
4. An I-Phone!!!
5. A Berkin bag
6. A speedy recovery for Jenny's brother Johnny (this actually is first in my head)
7. A KitchenAid, preferably in Gloss Cinnamon
8. The entire contents of any Williams Sonoma store

This past week I have been crazy busy and have deprived my little blog of the rightful attention it deserves. Kathy was in town for the holiday weekend. It was eventful and nice to have her in town. Gotta love quality parents time, right? This week Daniel was in Seattle for work and left Buckley and me to man the fort. While I would love to say I spent the whole time snuggling Buckley and getting in some quality mother-son time, I was busy running around and going to meetings. So, the poor pup was all by his lonesome and pretty unhappy about it. But, he can't mope around me too long, he always gives up and jumps into bed and snuggles me. He loves to wrap up in the blankets and stick only his nose out. Goodness gracious he is so cute, just look at him...

Moving along, I have this problem that I have to stay up and watch the Lakers. Doesn't sound like a problem, right? Everyone goes to bed late now and then. BUT, if you are watching the currents series, you know these games have been serious nail bitters. I sit there and almost have about 5 heart attacks within the last 2 minutes of every game, because my heart is beating at about 250 beats per minute. So once we win, I get super excited, jump around the house and squeal a little, and then... nothing. Dan is sleeping, having succumbed to slumber a good 3 minutes after his head hits the pillow (his ability to tune me out has been finely mastered, I am often more impressed than upset). The next 2 hours I watch reruns of The Nanny and Good Eats, fiddle with my blackberry, try moving the dog so he will "accidentally" wake up and want to play with me... all while trying every few minutes to trick myself into falling asleep. It rarely works and I spend a good 3 hours doing absolutely nothing but wishing I was snoring like Daniel next to me. So, last night I was awake until 2am. 2AM!!! (I am usually out cold circa 10:00pm and can almost promise if I am up any later, crankiness will follow in the morning.) I really need to figure out a solution to this problem, or just deal with it for the next two weeks because once the Lakers beat Denver on Friday, they will be off to the Finals. We are close to a finish people, we are close to the Lakers taking home the Championship, and we are close to the best team in the NBA winning the title they rightfully deserve this year.

And don't you just love my ring?!? I think I bug Daniel about it at least once-a-day. While he tries not to hyperventilate, I tried not to scream in frustration. You know how your mom always said, "He won't buy the cow when gets the milk for free." Well, I now completely understand that saying. He keeps saying he wants to be able to buy me what I deserve, which in his mind is 5 carats. (rightfully so, I am awesome) but lets be honest... do I want a huge amazing ring? of course; do I need or expect a huge one? absolutely not. The fight isn't that he doesn't want to get married, he just doesn't want to spend the money. Well honey, no one does, so why don't you just suck it up and get your amazing and beautiful girlfriend some bling. But, this theory never works and here I am spending my spare time designing a ring that won't be on my hand anytime soon.

KRIS WON AMERICAN IDOL

More normal entry this afternoon, I just couldn't hold in my excitement any longer!!!

As many of you know, I am a HUGE Kris Allen fan and am hoping for some miracle and him to win this season's AI tonight. Look how cute he is? AND he plays the piano and guitar, it just doesn't get much better. (Well, except if we were married. That would be perfect.)

It isn't that I don't think Adam isn't insanely talented, because the kid has got some great pipes. BUT, he isn't what I see American Idol being all about; in my head I think about the show finding some kid off the street who under normal circumstances would never have a shot of making it big. Someone like cute humble Kris from Arkansas, not someone who has already been on Broadway like Adam. And, I know that Adam is more than likely going to be tonight's winner, but part of me is still pulling for the underdog. So regardless of who wins tonight, it should be interesting to see what comes out of both of them. Dan is a big Adam fan so I just hope there aren't any fist fights tonight when they announce the winner. I can see myself elated and off-the-walls if Kris pulls this out, and Dan being bitter. Or, even though I keep telling myself to accept Adam winning, me still being upset Kris got cheated and end up reacting like these girls. :)
(ps best part of tonight's show... Randy's shout-out to the Lakers. Gotta love it dawg.)

Last night DCI Magic kicked off their summer softball season. My dearest Daniel is the coach for his work team and they are a pretty intense. Needless to say, they dominated last night and took home a 17-4 victory (is there no such thing as the mercy rule anymore?) Watching his team makes me really miss RNC softball, easily one of my favorite activities while working there. I loved our team, the way we all got together one night a week forgetting all of our campaign troubles to play and drink together, I loved our amazing coach (the awesome Mrs. Debbie LeHardy-Party), and I absolutely loved spending a beautiful summer night once a week on our nation's mall. Not to mention our complete domination of the DNC, the biggest game of the season each year. I may have gotten eaten alive by mosquitoes every game, but it will always be one of my fondest memories of my first summer here. But anyway, back to DCI Magic. Yeah, they are just peachy keen. Great group of people and fun to watch. I am now a "team wife" which involves me sitting on the sidelines with Buckley (one of two team mascot dogs) and chatting with two of the other significant others of boys on the team, always fun. So here is to a great 09 Magic softball season. I will keep you all posted on their upcoming games. They are playing some really good teams, a few heated rivals, and Heritage (where I spent 3 lovely months as an intern), so it should be pretty entertaining.

You know who else had a big victory last night? THE LAKERS!!! Woo hoo!!!!!!!!! I love big W's on the board. I have a bet going with Caitie's (Dan's sister) boyfriend, Peter, on this series. As a Denver native, he is obviously routing for the Nuggets (I know, I feel bad for him too) and we couldn't help but fuel a little friendly rivalry. While most would bet money, we bet our pride. If the Nuggets win, I will be refering to him Chauncey Billups and supporting his heavy drinking habits for one night during our family vacation in July. If the Lakers win, he must wear my Shaq jersey (I am an old school fan, none of this Kobe mania for me), support my baby drinking habit for a night, and refer to the Lakers only as "the best team in the NBA." This should give all others motivation to root for the Lakers. Believe me, nothing would be better than sending Peter out in a huge gold and purple jersey and making him buy me shot after shot. And, of course, I don't know how I am going to tell Dan that we have to save money for a night at the bars in Minnesota, especially when he won't reap the beneifts of said saving. :)
So, lets go Lakers!!

"We're all adults here, why don't we say exactly what we're thinking? How could they cancel Gilmore Girls?"

Every Monday night at 8pm I sit on my couch and watch one of the best shows on television, Greek. (ok, laugh now, get it all out. If you're making fun of me you clearly don't watch the show.) I rarely move, only occasionally during a commercial break to grab a fudgesicle or some ice cream from the freezer, and spend the next hour laughing pretty much non-stop. I am not going to lie, a year ago I would have never believed you if you told me that the first show on my tivo list would be Greek; now I am shamelessly addicted. I think that everyone should watch it and am willing to bet money that they will enjoy it and begin to watch it weekly as well. Ok, maybe some hardcore anti-greekers may not check out the website and add it to their DVR, but I guarantee that they will laugh, maybe even multiple times. And if you don't, especially at Dale or Cappie and their hilarious one liners, then there is seriously something wrong with your sense of humor. So try watching Greek on Monday nights at 8pm on ABCFamily, you will thank me later. And please don't let the channel change your mind. You never know, you might find yourself thoroughly enjoying a TV movie about a couple who fakes a wedding for the cash and gifts. (My Fake Fiance, Daniel's new favorite movie. Nope, not joking, I think he laughed more than I did.) Or enjoying the "exclusive" previews for Secret Life of American Teenager, the show about the 15 year-old pregnant girl who married her boyfriend, who happens not to be the baby's daddy, and the adventures of other 15 year-olds who act more like 23 than I do.

Moving on, one of my coworkers is in the process of selling her house and buying a new one, so many spare moments around the office are spent looking at couches, lamps, and other decorating items. Of course this has spurred a new found passion for all things related to interior decoration and has led me to this fun little quiz. My results? Who can guess it?


"The verdict is in—your style is Estate. Estate is an eternal American summer. Sporty. Charming. Breezy yet cultivated. A union of antique inspiration and geometric clarity. Civilization in peaceful coexistence with robust outdoor life. In the main house or the guest cottage, effortless elegance."

Are we shocked kiddies? Nope, me neither. I like crisp colors and preppy themes and have about a hundred must have items on my wishlist. Now I just need to find a way to present all these new found treasures to Dan so he can buy them for our next apartment. Wish me luck.

Here we go again...

I was totally one of those people who started a blog thinking, "I have so much to say, I am definitely going to write something at least once a day." And here I am with like 4 measly posts. Lame!!! If you know me, you know I ALWAYS have something to say. I have about 30 unfinished posts saved as drafts, but yet never seem to be able to hit that silly orange "Publish Post" button. Well, I am going to stop being lame and actually start updating. Even if I have a one sentence update, it is an update nonetheless.

So.... I am happy that it is Friday. Very happy. Why? Well because this weekend is our spring cleaning weekend. YIPEE!! It may seem crazy that I am excited to spend my whole weekend cleaning, but I actually have a list of everything I want to do. I keep looking at it thinking, if I were home right now, I would be doing this... weird, huh? The big thing is that we are cleaning the carpet. Yes, I am going to Giant and renting one of those silly machines and spending Saturday afternoon cleaning my carpet and couches. I don't care if Buckley and I are stuck on the bed for the remainder of the weekend, I can NOT wait to have clean carpet. Every single thing in our apartment is white. The counters, the fixtures, the carpet, the walls; it is horrible. What is also horrible is that Dan and Buckley are dirter than an eight year-old boy. Not like messy, like play outside in the dirt for hours on end dirty. Somehow it always seems to smell, there is always a spot, and I hate that it makes our apartment look dingy. Eww, it makes me upset just thinking and typing this. So, I don't care what it takes and how much it costs me, I am getting those carpets white again.