Latest on the street

I can't think of anything to write... so I will put up a picture or 2...

Here are the 'girls'... everyone reading this knows Danielle and I and the newest addition is Heather!














Adam and I went to get a Christmas tree...



















Ha! We didn't actually buy this tree but wow... can you imagine?



















This is our tree (and Heather... can you see her?? She blends in with the tree!)















And Christmas isn't complete without a Christmas Beagle....

2006 Holiday Edition

Welcome to the 2006 Holiday Edition of Getting to Know Your Friends! I won't call anybody out but if you want to copy and paste this to your own blog, be my guest! Just let me know so I can read your answers! Merry Christmas!

1 . Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate or Spiced Cider!
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? No Santa in our house… I do the wrapping and put them under the tree! Adam does a heck of a job complimenting me on my wrapping job though!
3. Colored lights or white on tree/house? Colored lights!
4. Do you hang mistletoe? You know… I don't think I do… I may have to do something about that.
5. When do you put your decorations up? Apparently yesterday. We got a tree and pulled out all the decorations… fun times!
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Anything my dad makes ;~)
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: There are a lot of favorite memories... too many to count or list here.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I was about 7 I think... no loss... I am not a huge fan of Santa (although I have quite a few musical Santas around my house, go figure!)
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? One and usually it is a stocking stuffer
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Lights and ornaments! It was decided last night that the garland would have overwhelmed the tree (it's on the smaller side ;~)
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it or What's that? :) I like it... more so I like watching how my husbands face lights up at the mere thought of snow.
12. Can you ice skate? Depends on your definition of 'skating' and how upright you have to be in order to qualify.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? No but I remember giving my favorite gift. A perfect piece of Lladro that I gave to my mom... gave it to her on what turned out to be her last Christmas.
14. What is the most important thing about the holidays? Not working... well that and spending time with the fam! Looking forward to having Christmas day and evening at my house with dad and Stacie!!! Fun times!
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Hot buttered apples (I think that is the name)
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Getting a new ornament every year.
17. What tops your tree? An angel
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Giving... no question. I love the feeling of getting a great gift for someone and watching them open it!
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? White Christmas by Bing Crosby only because I just watched White Christmas (the movie) the other day (shout out to Danielle!)
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? I am with Nancy... I like the fruit flavored!

First day back after 6 off

Man that was tiring! Finally dragged my butt into work and logged on to my computer... to find what?

285 unread emails.

When I left on Tuesday, I had one read email in my inbox... One... 1... One email. That I had already read. Daunting doesn't even begin to describe!

Anyway, it took me the better part of the morning just to sort through it all and figure out what had been taken care of and what was still outstanding. I was exhausted after a few hours! Jen (the temp that they hired on to work with me through the holiday season, YAY me!) was great. We had a little refresher course and I sent her off with her own contracts... she did some and I did some and we actually caught up! I am loving having another me around... hopefully this position might be made permanent!

Life at work is going as usual... hate it some days and like it others (well tolerate it). On the other hand... Adam's business is blowing up like gangbusters. He is working with a new lawyer who has really taken an interest in him... he keeps him busy and full of work and he even offered some office space... my husband with his own office... forming an LLC... how very adult is that! Anyway... I don't want to go into all the details but know that things are moving and the business seems to be the direction we should be going... God just seems to be laying out the brick path before Adam, day by day. It's fun to watch!

I hope all is well out there and that everyone is gearing up for Christmas!

Yeah yeah... I suck at this game.

I have been off for 5 days in a row so far and this is my second post... sad, I know. Honestly... I used to have so much more free time but with Danielle back and Josh and Heather next door (NOT complaining about either FYI) every night seems to be filled! Between games, movies and outdoor events... blogging takes a backseat!

Anyway here I am... What a great break this has been so far. Adam and I completely rearranged the storage in our apartment yesterday. We moved all the storage bins of my moms clothes to an accessible place and stored all the 'long term' stuff away. I realize that doesn't seem like a lot but trust me... it was back breaking, time consuming and thought provoking. Now a picture of my moms clothes... Count them (go ahead, I dare you!)


13 storage bins... ridiculous right! I love my mom but good gravy, that's a lot of clothes! In her defense, there are shoes and some of my clothes in a couple of them but for the most part, moms clothes. I can see that going through these will take a while. And talk about the worlds largest quilt! I think I will have more than enough to make quilts for my kids as well (and quite possibly enough for a small nation).

Thanksgiving day was a good time... We met up with Adam's dad for brunch in Annapolis which was better than the original plan... having dinner at Adam's stepmom's brothers house. Since Adam's dad and stepmom are separating... meeting for brunch out was a much better idea. I have to say, this is one 'separating' that I am happy about. Those of you that know the story... Adam's stepmom and I didn't exactly get along like BFF's. More like a 'tolerable' relationship. I honestly believe that with her gone, we may be able to spend more time with his dad. She was a good part of why we stayed away... and if you think I am over reacting or being mean... you should hear the whole story ;~)

Anyway, after brunch we went to a friends house but not before cuddling with the dogs (Scout and Riley) for a half hour on the couch (literally, all 4 of us on one couch... we were adorable). We had a good dinner and good conversation at our friends house... Sarah and Demetri can really do Thanksgiving dinner!

We left there and came home because we knew that Josh (aforementioned neighbor, who is officially at 'little brother' status with Danielle and I) was home alone... his wife had to work the late shift so we wanted to make sure he had someone to hang out with... as it turns out, Heather got off work about a half hour after we got home and joined us... and Danielle came home around the same time so we all sat around and played Trivial Pursuit Pop Culture Edition.

All the dogs were here as well which made for some fun mayhem... Let me go over the cast of characters, they are:

Layla - the 3 month old pug who goes and goes until she passes out and then 20 minutes later is ready to go again;

Scout (left) - the 4 year old mutt who doesn't have an off switch and who's life has meaning when there is a rawhide around, and Riley (right) - the almost 10 year old beagle who is turning into a crotchety old man who needs to police ANY fun that might be had.

This translates to Layla running after either Scout or Riley and biting them (did I mention she is fearless?) and Scout and Riley warning her to lay off or playing right back... If Scout and Layla are playing, that means Riley runs behind or between them and barks (LOUDLY) which then drives the humans (at least me) batty because Riley's barks are head inducing. All in all, complete mayhem and complete fun.

That has been our life for the past few days... the 5 of us get together for breakfast some days, dinner and games some nights and black Friday shopping on the day after Thanksgiving. Good times!

The most awesome dog in the world...

Today is a happy day for me...

I am off work for the next 6 days. You can't even imagine how happy this makes me!!!

Adam and I have some loose plans throughout the holiday weekend but for the most part... it's all about what we want to do! For the actual turkey day, my dad has gone to visit his family in NY, Adam's mom and stepdad are off on her brother's yacht somewhere between here and FL (rough life, I know!) and Thanksgiving at Adam's stepmother's was cancelled (well at least for this part of the family... which makes me pretty darn happy too!) So Adam and I are going to meet his dad for a Thanksgiving brunch somewhere and then head over to the Poulos' (friends from bible study) and have dinner with them.

As for the rest of the holiday weekend... what I want to do most of all... is go through my mom's clothes. I saved almost every last piece of her clothes and it is currently in plastic bins stashed around my house. For those that don't know... my mom had a LOT of clothes so there are a lot of plastic bins! Also, one of the things that we loved to do together is shop so a good portion of these clothes, I was with her when she bought... not to mention the memories I have of her in some of the outfits. I have been asked several times, why don't I wear them... she was 5'4" and a size 0 or 2 petite... ain't no way folks. No way my amazon self is fitting into those bad boys! I am also asked why I don't give the away... while in theory this sounds like a good idea, there is no way I could. I have too many memories of her clothes and I couldn't bear the thought of someone else having them. As I carted her clothes around from apartment to apartment I came up with the perfect plan for me. Make a patchwork quilt from her clothes. Then I can keep it with me always... my plan is to also make quilts for my children so they have a piece of their grandmother as well.

Anyway, I thought about this alot (for almost 2 years now) but never acted on it... I needed the time to be right... I mean we are talking about cutting up her clothes... that is going to take some willpower to do... not only that but just going through them in the first place. Oh it will be tough! But I think I am ready. It's been 2 years and I think that I have healed a lot... don't get me wrong. I would die on Friday if it meant that I got to spend Thursday with her but I know that I can't make those deals so I say that I am healed ;~) Back to the timing... I was waiting until the time was right...

Enter Suzi... I saw a long time friend of mine at church this past Sunday and somehow or another we ended up talking about my idea. Low and behold, she makes patchwork quilts... seriously, I had no idea! We talked for a little while longer and she really wants to help me with this project which just happens to be fantastic because I need lots of help with this project! We have a plan to meet in the beginning of Dec to chat and get the materials together so my plan is to get started now! And it just so happens that I have the next 6 days off to do it... and that folks is how I tie a story together ;~)

Peace out and sorry it's been so long... I will try not to let that happen again ;~)

2 years and 2 days

It's been 2 years and 2 days since my mom died. Sometimes it seems like yesterday and other times it feels like its been decades. I feel older and wiser now... like I am privy to a world that a lot aren't. There is nothing like losing immediate family to really jar your life and change you forever.

I miss her a lot... she really was my best friend.

I planned on spending the day being mopey and sullen... I wanted to leave the 12th open for me to be sad... but then it turned out that Danielle was moving back into the neighborhood, for good, on Nov 12th... then a couple things surfaced for that day and I realized that it could only be God saying that He didn't want me to be sad and full of self pity... that here on earth, there is a lot to be happy about and a lot to look forward to. So I embraced it.. and that is what I have learned in the past 2 years and 2 days... to make the clear decision to live without anger, sadness or regret. Don't get me wrong... I don't always get it right but life is too amazing not to try.

So I spent the day watching the 2 year olds in second service, chatting with friends after service, grocery shopping the heck out of Safeway with my awesome husband and helping Danielle and Adam put together a very cool computer desk. It was a good day, one that I can look back on and know that I did it right.

Now I leave you with an image of my awesome mother...

Updates!

This is what Adam found when he was getting ready to leave the apartment...

Seriously folks, you don't get much cuter than that! We have always known that Riley prefers to sleep with our clothes but here he takes it to the extreme.

So Adam and I went to see James Lovell last night and what a great time! He is so interesting (hovering around the moon will do that to you apparently) but more than that, he is funny. He has a great sense of timing and humor as well as relaying the drama of what he went through. Very very cool.

One point that I thought was especially poignant came when someone asked him what the moon looks like up close... he gave a brief description (all shades of gray and dusty) but then he said that what was more outstanding to him was the sight of earth from out there. How all you could see was the blue of the water and the white of the clouds, there was no NY City or Baltimore, no black or white... its just a piece of matter in our solar system rotating around the sun and we are all just people aboard. I thought that was a particularly awesome statement.

So before we went to see the speaker Dad, Stacie, Adam and I went to get some ice cream and play some scrabble at a coffee shop in Baltimore... here are some pictures!

Our Troops

Regardless of any feelings that I have toward John Kerry, good or bad, his statement was one of the most crass and insensitive comments ever made.

He does have the right to think what he wants, no matter how elitist it may be but he doesn't have the right to generalize an entire group of people that fight for our freedom day in a day out, at the sacrifice of life, love and family. Team morale is one of the hardest things to build and maintain and statements like his can crumble that morale in a split second. These men and women need to believe (and hopefully know) that their sacrifice is worth their effort and all that they have done hasn't been in vain. Say what you want about the war... I am not convinced we should still be there but I am convinced, without a doubt, that every soldier no matter the education level or salary level is entitled to be lifted up and revered and not to be told that they are stupid and that they somehow deserve this life because they didn't work hard enough. Plenty of men and women joined because at one time or another wanted to make a difference and this is their contribution. That shows more courage and gumption than any degree that can be earned.

I believe that these soldiers may enter the military out of high school and don't get the 'book knowledge' that Kerry apparently holds so dear but I also believe that these soldiers are smarter than any of us can ever imagine. They have seen more, done more and lived more than most people who went to college can ever imagine. Their experiences have taught them more than a classroom ever could.

To Mr. Kerry... here are your stupid and your poor... enjoy your freedom.

In the little things...

I love when I see God in the little everyday things...

Yesterday was a rough day at work... really strenuous and difficult... on top of that I am not feeling well and I am tired because I am not sleeping well... even with all that I ended up staying at work an hour after I should have (and yes, I am putting that on the timesheet!).

My loving husband decided to skip his regular meeting and stay home with me (such a nurturer) and this is a huge deal because he RARELY ever misses this meeting. So I get home and our neighbor is outside with his new little pug, handing out halloween candy. I stop by to say hi and pet the puppy (and I mean puppy, she's 10 weeks old). We chat for a couple seconds and I head in to the house. Once I was in the house, I felt the need to go back and out and chat some more... so Adam and I took Riley out (as well as the candy to hand out) and joined Josh and Layla. We ended up chatting with Josh for at least an hour or so...

Now for the God part... we were talking about people relocating to 'slower' states (east coast being too busy for some people) and I mentioned that a lot of couples in our bible study just relocated to North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia... they all seem to be leaving the craziness of Maryland. What Josh heard was that we are part of a bible study and that we go to church... as it turns out, he and his wife have been looking for a good church around here. And to top it off, they are interested in going to our young married bible study... so they are coming with us tomorrow night!

I love how God can take a crappy day and remind me that it isn't about me... it's really about Him and doing his will.

Birthday weekend of sorts

In addition to celebrating my dad's birthday on Friday, Adam and I celebrated a friend turning 30 on Saturday.

His actual birthday was on Oct 12th... So HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY CRAIG!

What a great time... besides awesome friends and a great time, the food was delicious! Wifey sure can cook!

Much love to the 'over the hill Paco' who could never possibly get old. Young at heart forever!

Better late than never

A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my dad!

Here's to the man who thinks Oct 27 is just another day!

I love you and hope you had a great day!

Long time no blog

I haven't been feeling well this past week so I have been a little absent on here... after work, all I could think of doing was vegging on the couch until it was time to go to bed! And many thanks to my husband who took care of me and let me do just that. Not to mention, I have an awesome Creative Memories photo album going and I have been focused on that lately.

So this weekend was pretty interesting... Saturday night my department had a social get together at the bosses house... only at an event like that (and 5 glasses of wine later) do you get a picture like this...

Yep, that's me with my bosses, smoking a cigar... good times.

Peace out ~

White and Nerdy

This speaks for itself and before anyone says anything... yes, a few references did ring true... Shaddup!

Happy Friday the 13th!

I don't really believe all the hype about being unlucky today... in fact, I had a rather good day. Busy but good ;~)

I bet you didn't know that Riley does impressions. Oh yeah, he's a regular (insert famous impressionist here).

Check it out...

Can you guess who this is?

Anyone recognize this face?

Yeah, he's pretty awesome.

How painful...

does life have to be for me to make a change? Apparently very. But I am ready now. I am going to really try to follow through with some major changes... no matter the fear of rejection or fear of hard work. I owe to myself to do this.

I realize this is cryptic but this is all I want to divulge right now. Wish me luck!

How do you celebrate 10 years sober?

With LASER TAG of course!

What a great night... Rob orchestrated the whole event and for that I am so thankful! Here are some pictures of the nights festivities...


Gearing up for some hardcore laser tag.


Adam and Yocky


Being threatening with our warpaint


Group shot... left to right... Yaya, Loser, Pretty, Lucky, LightfeasorG, Shark, Punch, Spike, Knee, V, Phaseshift, Tiny, Cream Puff and I was Poofy. Good times!

10 Years

Adam is celebrating 10 years sober today!

Check out his story.

I am so proud of you sweetie! I love you!

A litany of baby G pictures... cause she is so darn cute!

We have a new cutie in the family!!! Welcome baby G!


Sly and subtle 'What's up homie?' pose


Mom and big sis M getting ready for the day


Aunt S and baby G chatting it up


"(YAWN) Man, it's rough being this young... so tiring!"


"How do you like my mohawk?... Fixed it this morning, just for you."


Oh yeah, that definitely looks right!


Seriously! How small is she compared to him! What a peanut!


What a gorgeous baby... so loving her!


If you can get past my double chin, this is a great pic!... Now raise your hand if you didn't see the double chin until I pointed it out... oops ;~)


Talk about comfortable... like I was born to do this!


Oh yeah! It's what all fashion all the babies will be sporting this winter... ski bunny babies!


Big sis M and I at the opening of grandma and grandpa's store... looking good!


Mom and her girls!


Big sis M is going to do well with baby G!

Fathers

I have been thinking a lot about fathers lately. My biological father, David, in particular and how he relates or compares to other fathers that I come in contact with throughout my life.

My birth father spent 7 years with me. Living in the same house, watching me grow up, theoretically, being a father. Yet one year after my parents divorce, he was gone. I haven't seen him since I was 8 years old. I have spoken with him 3, maybe 4 times in the past 20 years. Wow, even to write that is astonishing. I remember once when I was about 14 or so, my mom somewhat threw us on the phone together (in a desperate attempt to help forge a relationship) and he blathered on and on about his step-daughter getting ready to go to college... couldn't remember how old I was or what grade I was in (let alone that I lived and died by the New Kids on the Block)... nope, rambled on about Laura, the (apparently) world's best step-daughter.

The last time I spoke with him, I called him just before 10:00 pm about some paperwork that I needed filled out. Deadlines were approaching and I needed it done so I could keep medical insurance through the military until I was finished with college (as was my right as his child)... and he got angry that I called so late. The conversation lasted maybe 3 minutes. I hung up before I started crying (ANYONE that knows me knows that is quite a feat) because I couldn't bear the thought that he would know how much he hurt me. I was 19. I haven't spoken to him since. I doubt he knows my mom is dead... actually, I doubt he cares. I doubt that he cares that I could quite possibly be alone in the world.

So I look at people in my life and fathers that I know now.

There is the father that attempts to have a relationship with his child but is blocked for one reason or another. The father that tries to know about his child but isn't let in. This guy, he is my hero. It doesn't matter if he always gets through or not... it is the effort and attempt that make the difference. I pray that when his child is of age, the love that is there will finally be able to be seen. I hope that it will be evident why he wasn't there all along and that his child will love him for the effort. Hang in there... from a kid that truly was abandoned. I would love to hear that my dad tried.

There is also the father that takes on more than necessary. The one that 'adopts' the older sibling of his biological child, even though they aren't blood relation. The one that loves his wife's child as if the child were his own... The one that has no problem adopting a child of a friend in need because there is no where else for her to turn... The father that earns money to support them and then, at the end of the day, goes home, kisses his wife and walk right outside to play with his 'children'. This guy is also my hero.

Then there is the father that comes in later in life. The one that doesn't do anything particularly heroic, or at least that is what he would say. However, in reality, he is quite heroic. The one that manages to erase years of hurt by another man and restore the lost confidence. The one that steps in and shows, by actions, how real love is supposed to work. The one that stands by through much pain and suffering and through the very worst of times and comes out the other end, still as strong and loving as ever. The one that I couldn't possibly live without.

So to all the fathers that I know... Thank You. I love you guys.

Festivities

Some pictures from the weekend...

Dad, me, Adam, Billy, Cindy and Stacie

Billy, Dad and Stacie holding cell phones in lieu of lighters while Cindy did karaoke

Adam getting ready to dig into his Vacarro's eclair

Riley enjoying the ride to H-town

Adam and I's goddaughter, Erika Ryan, being adorable

Carter Sauce, Jeffrey and I... I swear Jeffrey was happier than he looks to see me!

Celebrating Nick's birthday... one of his many gifts was an electric razor... definitely needed!

The birthday boy!

Noticeably absent

I have been slightly absent lately... my sincerest apologies! Life has been a little crazy around here...

First and foremost... Rob is deploying again... to Iraq nonetheless... very not happy news. It is happening soon so Rob and Danielle are making quick plans to relocate her back to MD and thank the heavens above, back into their house. Their tenants graciously agreed to move out so that Danielle could move back in. This does mean that I get Danielle back as a neighbor (I see grueling yoga workouts in my future) and for that I am so happy but it is tainted with the fact that Rob is deploying. I just ask that everyone out there keep them in your prayers... for strength and safety... it's going to be a long few months but if anyone can make it, the Townley's can. I have never met a couple more ready to handle this then them! Ok, enough gushing over the Townley's...

You may notice that I am posting during work hours... 'shouldn't you be working hard... pumping out contracts for the millions of $$'s of revenue that passes by your desk each day...' to which I say 'stop being so judgmental and how do you know what I do?' oh, and then I tell you that I HAVE THE DAY OFF! Normally this isn't such a momentous and noteworthy occasion but it has been so hellascious at work lately that today's day off was definitely needed. My only sadness is that I left KMR and Nancy to deal with it... many apologies ladies... much love ;~)

The husband and I don't have a whole lot planned... shop a little... hang out and enjoy a GORGEOUS day here in MD.

I am excited because my dad's sister is coming into town and we are all going out to eat some yummy MD crabs... then tomorrow we are heading to the H-town to visit Adam's family... we are celebrating his dads birthday (which was in mid Sept and this is the first chance we have had to get up there)... we are also celebrating Nick's 22nd birthday and what would have been Ryan's 30th (their birthday's were a day apart). All in all, it should be a great visit!

Hopefully I will have some fun pictures to post! Love to everyone out in the blogosphere!

About Me

Things you may not have known about me (or maybe you do!)

Four jobs I have had in my life:
1) snowball maker
2) waitress
3) babysitter (shocker, I know!)
4) grocery store cashier

Four movies I would watch over and over:
1) Anne of Green Gables
2) Where the Heart Is
3) 10 Things I Hate About You
4) Any of the TV shows on DVD that I own

Four places I have lived: (somewhat in order)
1) Texas
2) Spain
3) Ohio
4) Maryland

Four TV shows I love to watch
1) Scrubs
2) Grey's Anatomy
3) Gilmore Girls
4) Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

Four places I have been on vacation:
1) Bermuda
2) Arizona (twice)
3) Puerto Rico
4) Saratoga Springs NY

Four Websites I visit daily:
1) MySpace
2) Pink is the New Blog
3) Hotmail
4) CNN.com

Four of my favorite foods:
1) Eggplant Pancakes
2) Italian Wedding Soup
3) Chicken and peppers from the grill
4) Ice Cream

Four places I would rather be right now
1) Home with my beagle
2) Vacationing in Greece with the hubby
3) Driving with Danielle... got to love a road trip! (can't wait to see you girl! Much missing of you going on here!)
4.) Doing something that I thought made a difference in someone's life...

I tag whoever wants to play!

Season Premiere

It was good... ok... I did enjoy it but it wasn't the all consuming storyline that I thought it would be. There was a LOT going on... almost too much where my emotions were pulled in so many different directions that I couldn't get fully invested in one story line.

I liked the Izzy on the floor bit... that was my favorite part... I know the feeling of losing someone and just wanting people to stop hovering because there is too much pressure when you finally do want to move. And everyone has advice... none of which that person on the floor wants to hear.

The rest was interesting but since there aren't a lot of die-hards that read this, I won't go through every story line...

I will say that I still enjoy the show a lot and will most definitely continue watching it... I am still hooked!

It's true, I am addicted

Adam and I watched the last 4 episodes of Grey's Anatomy Season 2 last night! What a great show... I am so entralled with this show I can't stand it!

Tonight is the season premiere! So very excited!

PS... You would think I would learn not to watch a show where at least one person dies in a hospital every episode (bad flashbacks) but nooooo, I am apparently a glutton for punishment. Oh well, crying heals the soul, right?

And the Jeep drama continues...

Got out of work on Friday and Jeep was nearly dead. Fantastic.

Since I have no mechanical ability whatsoever, I rely on my husband... who has a surprisingly strong mechanical ability... especially when it comes to our Jeep which has been the greatest learning tool ever. However... this particular weekend... he is away at a conference where cell phone reception is almost nill... there is a particular spot where every congregates to use the phone and then anywhere else... dead. So, I can't get in touch with him... so I have no idea how to handle this situation...

Enter Nancy... who offers to take me all the way home (lets just say that it isn't on her way home... think opposite end of the city...) Thanks so much Nancy! You are a lifesaver.

So the car sits in the parking lot overnight. Now, I was supposed to pick up a friend on the way home (who doesn't have a license) and we were supposed to go shopping and she was going to spend the night... yeah, that is out of the question. It's me and the Wonderbeagle on the couch eating ice cream.

Saturday I was all set to get a rental car... I call Victoria to ask her to take me to get it and she gives me her car... Seth will be home soon and she doesn't need it... Holy cow, I have awesome friends! So, I drive the Rav4 (surprisingly... I LOVED IT!)

I pick up my friend and we go to our scheduled appointments for facials... Very nice. Couldn't have picked a better weekend to get a facial! Then we go out to eat. I will spare the details because this blog is about me gossiping about my life, not other peoples lives. Lets just say that lunch did not end well and I ended up back at home... just me and the Wonderbeagle! Truly this weekend has turned out NOTHING like I imagined.

Sunday I do a Gilmore Girls marathon... the Wonderbeagle and I... until Adam gets home. We then go to inspect the Jeep as I have left it in the parking lot all weekend. We get some much needed jumper cables (you would have thought that owned a pair but nope!) and attempt to jump the Jeep. Left it charging for 15 minutes... Jeep started but promptly died when I took my foot off the gas... so we let it go longer... praying and hoping that this won't cost us an arm and a leg. Another 15 minutes and the Jeep holds its charge! We, cautiously, drive it around the parking lot... so far so good... I mean it still feels like a bucket of bolts but it's at its normal. YAY!



We drive it home and hope that it starts tomorrow (Monday) and it did... nevertheless... we are conspiring a plan to get out from underneath it... I have visions of the Jeep just spontaneously exploding and me being trapped inside, or driving on the highway and all the tires shooting off in different directions... my mind is toooo vivid! Anyway, we are hatching a plan... more to come if it works out!

Oh and for all those that will tell me that I left the dome light on or the headlights on... NO I DID NOT! What we believed happened, and is VERY likely, is that the brake lights were on all day... yes, I said brake lights... Seriously, you can't make this stuff up! Infrequently the brake pedal will stay just slightly depressed (thinking of getting some anti-d's for it) which in turn keeps the brake lights lit... thus killing my car at the end of a very hard day...

How am I still smiling? Life is fun!

I got this email from my friend Beth at work today... I am not usually a 'forward' kind of person but this one touched me so I am sharing it here...

I try to be a good father. Give my kids mulligans. Work nights to pay for their text messaging. Take them to swimsuit shoots.

But compared with Dick Hoyt, I suck.

Eighty-five times he's pushed his disabled son, Rick, 26.2 miles in marathons. Eight times he's not only pushed him 26.2 miles in a wheelchair but also towed him 2.4 miles in a dinghy while swimming and peddled him 112 miles in a seat on the handlebars--all in the same day.

Dick's also pulled him cross-country skiing, taken him on his back mountain climbing and once hauled him across the U.S. on a bike.

Makes taking your son bowling look a little lame, right? And what has Rick done for his father?

Not much--except save his life.

This love story began in Winchester, Mass., 43 years ago, when Rick was strangled by the umbilical cord during birth, leaving him brain-damaged and unable to control his limbs."He'll be a vegetable the rest of his life;" Dick says doctors told him and his wife, Judy, when Rick was nine months old. "Put him in an institution." But the Hoyts weren't buying it. They noticed the way Rick's eyes followed them around the room.

When Rick was 11 they took him to the engineering department at Tufts University and asked if there was anything to help the boy communicate. ``No way,'' Dick says he was told."There's nothing going on in his brain."

"Tell him a joke," Dick countered. They did. Rick laughed. Turns out a lot was going on in his brain.

Rigged up with a computer that allowed him to control the cursor by touching a switch with the side of his head, Rick was finally able to communicate.

First words? "Go Bruins!"

And after a high school classmate was paralyzed in an accident and the school organized a charity run for him, Rick pecked out,"Dad, I want to do that. "Yeah, right. How was Dick, a self-described "porker" who never ran more than a mile at a time, going to push his son five miles?

Still, he tried. "Then it was me who was handicapped," Dick says. "I was sore for two weeks."

That day changed Rick's life.

"Dad," he typed, "when we were running, it felt like I wasn't disabled anymore!"And that sentence changed Dick's life. He became obsessed with giving Rick that feeling as often as he could.

He got into such hard-belly shape that he and Rick were ready to try the 1979 Boston Marathon.

"No way," Dick was told by a race official.

The Hoyts weren't quite a single runner, and they weren't quite a wheelchair competitor. For a few years Dick and Rick just joined the massive field and ran anyway, then they found a way to get into the race officially: In 1983 they ran another marathon so fast they made the qualifying time for Boston the following year.

Then somebody said, "Hey, Dick, why not a triathlon?"

How's a guy who never learned to swim and hadn't ridden a bike since he was six going to haul his 110-pound kid through a triathlon?

Still,Dick tried. Now they've done 212 triathlons, including four grueling 15-hour Ironmans in Hawaii.

It must be a buzzkill to be a 25-year-old stud getting passed by an old guy towing a grown man in a dinghy, don't you think? Hey, Dick, why not see how you'd do on your own? "No way," he says. Dick does it purely for "the awesome feeling" he gets seeing Rick with a cantaloupe smile as they run, swim and ride together.

This year, at ages 65 and 43, Dick and Rick finished their 24th Boston Marathon, in 5,083rd place out of more than 20,000 starters.

Their best time'? Two hours, 40 minutes in 1992--only 35 minutes off the world record,which, in case you don't keep track of these things, happens to be held by a guy who was not pushing another man in a wheelchair at the time.

"No question about it," Rick types. "My dad is the Father of the Century."

And Dick got something else out of all this too. Two years ago he had a mild heart attack during a race. Doctors found that one of his arteries was 95% clogged. "If you hadn't been in such great shape," one doctor told him, "you probably would've died 15 years ago."

So, in a way, Dick and Rick saved each other's life. Rick, who has his own apartment (he gets home care) and works in Boston, and Dick, retired from the military and living in Holland, Mass., always find ways to be together. They give speeches around the country and compete in some back-breaking race every weekend, including this Father's Day.

That night, Rick will buy his dad dinner, but the thing he really wants to give him is a gift he can never buy."The thing I'd most like," Rick types, "is that my dad sit in the chair and I push him once."

So my husband is an awesome lawyer...

If you will recall a previous post titled Lord have mercy in which the Evil Empire deducted hard earned money from us for the bogus charge of urine on the carpets... seriously, this adorable pup does NOT pee indoors... we are barked at often enough to be aware that this dog demands to be outside.

Anyway, this wasn't something that we were going to let go down without a fight... our dog's good name was on the line!

So Adam sat down in about 3 hours time crafted the most beautiful letter to the Evil Empire.

Here is the letter.... (missing vital information of course!)

Adam XXXXXXX
XXXXXXX
XXXXXXX, Maryland XXXXXXX
(t) XXXXXXX
(e) XXXXXXX

August 27, 2006
Management
Evil Empire Corporation
Evil Empire Apartments
XXXXXXX
XXXXXXX, Maryland XXXXXXX

Re: Return of Security Deposit for Jessica XXXXXXX nee XXXXXXX
For Rental of XXXXXXX

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing this letter on behalf of my wife, Jessica XXXXXXX (hereinafter referred to as Jessica XXXXXXX), in connection with the lease of the above referenced property entered into on May 4, 2005, in which Jessica XXXXXXX agreed to take possession of the property on May 13, 2005, and to vacate the premises on May 31, 2006. I, Adam XXXXXXX, was listed on the lease document as "Occupant - Husband". On May 13, 2005, Jessica XXXXXXX paid to Evil Empire a security deposit in the amount of $X.X.

On April 11, 2006, Jessica XXXXXXX provided Evil Empire management with her Notice of Intention to Vacate Apartment, informing Evil Empire that she would be vacating on June 11, 2006. This date was later modified by mutual agreement of the parties to June 9, 2006. On this Notice, Jessica XXXXXXX provided Evil Empire with the forwarding address of XXXXXXX , XXXXXXX , Maryland, XXXXXXX.

Pursuant to the Residential Lease Agreement ("Lease Agreement"), the Application Agreement and Security Deposit Agreement ("Security Deposit Agreement"), as well as Maryland landlord-tenant law, Evil Empire Corporation - the "Landlord" named in the least - was required to return the security deposit paid by Jessica XXXXXXX within 45 days - or by July 24, 2006. The amount returned to Jessica XXXXXXX must, under the terms of the Lease Agreement and the Security Deposit Agreement, include "interest computed at 4% per annum accrued at 6 month intervals".

On Saturday, July 21, 2006, Jessica XXXXXXX received in the mail an envelope bearing the return address of "The Evil Empire, XXXXXXX , Suite XXXXXXX , XXXXXXX , Maryland XXXXXXX". The sole enclosure in this envelope was a check from "Evil Empire Apartments, Owner-Evil Empire Corporation, XXXXXXX , Suite XXXXXXX , XXXXXXX , MD XXXXXXX" paid to the order of Jessica XXXXXXX (XXXXXXX). This check was in the amount of $X.X. According to my calculations, the full amount of the security deposit plus interest is $X.X. These numbers reflect a withholding of $X.X.

On July 24, 2006, I telephoned Evil Empire to discuss the $X.X withheld from Jessica XXXXXXX's security deposit. I spoke with a woman who claimed to be the manager, and who told me her name was "Cruella DeVil". I was told over the telephone that the money was withheld because the carpet had to be replaced because of urine stains caused by our beagle. I informed the manager that our beagle was over 9 years old and, in the last 8 years, he has never once urinated or defecated indoors, anywhere. I demanded over the telephone that she provide me with written reports demonstrating the presence of urine stains on our carpet. Moreover, I demanded written documentation evidencing a lack of urine stains prior to the date we took possession of the property. Cruella DeVil assured me that she would get the records to me.

I informed Cruella DeVil that I had to be in XXXXXXX County that afternoon and that I would stop by and pick up the records then. That afternoon, shortly before 5:00pm, I arrived at the Evil Empire leasing office, where I spoke with Cruella DeVil in person. Cruella DeVil quickly became uncooperative and refused to provide any documentation to me in person. I informed Cruella DeVil that if I had to, I would sue to recover the money which I believe was improperly withheld. Cruella DeVil assured me, this time in person, that she would mail to me an itemization of damages withheld and the documentation which supports their claim of damages.

I write this letter on August 27, 2006, greater than one month after that conversation. As of yet, Evil Empire has failed to provide my wife and I with an itemized list of deductions or the documentation that supports Evil Empire's claim for damages.

Maryland Real Property Article, § 8-203(g) provides as follows:
(1) If any portion of the security deposit is withheld, the landlord shall present by first-class mail directed to the last known address of the tenant, within 45 days after the termination of the tenancy, a written list of the damages claimed under subsection (f)(1) of this section together with a statement of the cost actually incurred.
(2) If the landlord fails to comply with this requirement, the landlord forfeits the right to withhold any part of the security deposit for damages.
(emphasis added).

Because greater than 45 days have elapsed since the termination of the tenancy, and no written list of damages were mailed to Jessica XXXXXXX, Evil Empire is absolutely precluded by Maryland Law from withholding any part of Jessica XXXXXXX's security deposit.

As such, Jessica XXXXXXX and I demand that Evil Empire return to Jessica the amount of $X.X (the difference between $X.X (security deposit plus 4% interest) and $X.X (the amount previously remitted to Jessica XXXXXXX). If a check is not received by Jessica XXXXXXX at her home address of XXXXXXX, XXXXXXX, Maryland, XXXXXXX, by Wednesday, September 6, 2006, she will be filing a lawsuit in the District Court for XXXXXXX County.

In this lawsuit, Jessica will be seeking three times the amount wrongfully withheld plus reasonable attorney's fees. That means that she will be seeking $X.X - three times the $X.X wrongfully withheld - plus $X.X for attorney's fees. Evil Empire should be well aware that Maryland law provides for these damages:

(1) Within 45 days after the end of the tenancy, the landlord shall return the security deposit to the tenant together with simple interest which has accrued in the amount of 3 percent per annum, less any damages rightfully withheld.

* * *

(4) If the landlord, without a reasonable basis, fails to return any part of the security deposit, plus accrued interest, within 45 days after the termination of the tenancy, the tenant has an action of up to threefold of the withheld amount, plus reasonable attorney's fees.

Md. Real Property Art., § 8-302(e) (emphasis added).

In sum, Maryland law is crystal clear that Evil Empire, by reason of its failure to provide by mail a written itemization of damages withheld from Jessica XXXXXXX's security deposit, is absolutely forbidden from withholding "any part of the security deposit for damages." Md. Real Property Art., § 8-302(g)(2). On this basis alone, Evil Empire must return to Jessica XXXXXXX the $X.X which has been wrongfully withheld. We are giving Evil Empire until Wednesday, September 6, 2006, to return this money to Jessica XXXXXXX. If this money is not received by Jessica by that day, Jessica will file a lawsuit seeking $X.X.

If you would like to discuss this matter further, please contact me at the telephone number or email address listed above.

Signed,


_______________________ _________
Adam X. XXXXXXX Date


_______________________ _________
Jessica X. XXXXXXX Date
nee XXXXXXX


So, needless to say, we were wondering what the Evil Empire would do and how they would react. We were sitting around the house on Saturday when there was a knock at the door... which funnily enough annoyed Adam and I because we weren't expecting anyone so we figured it was a solicitor... so wrong... it was DHL with an envelope... addressed to me... I open in and there is a smaller envelope addressed to me... with a check inside. Nothing else, no explanation, no note... just a check.... for the full amount!

Sweet justice!

Big Update

I will try to make this brief but anyone that knows me, knows that I tend to ramble... even on a keyboard.

So, I clued everyone in that Adam was miserable at work... not normal 'man, I hate having to work, I wish I could be on my couch' miserable but the 'too many cases to handle, motions and briefs on top of the cases, boss treats me like I am an idiot and curses at me on a regular basis (meaning everytime he is around) even calling on Saturdays to yell at him for a deadline that has yet to pass'... like I said miserable.

So... after the aforementioned Sat call Adam and I thought about all the possible scenarios for what needed to happen. We discussed Adam talking to his boss (hereafter referred to as 'No Heart') and how that might go, whether Adam would give his 2 weeks and if No Heart would even allow that, whether No Heart would actually listen and try to make an effort with him... all the possibilities...

So after a weekend of prayer, reflection and discussion we decided that Adam would go in and talk to No Heart, calmly and rationally, and explain exactly what the problems were and where Adam was (moments away from tendering his resigation) and whatever path No Heart took, Adam would act on his best judgment. We trusted that God would give Adam the courage and words to have this conversation.

Monday came and Adam and No Heart had a tension filled debate (re: argument) about the supposed 'missed deadline' as soon as the day started... the end result being that No Heart overreacted (and way toooo early) but ended it, not by saying sorry but by telling Adam that he 'dodged a bullet'... what a .... ugh... I digress.

And No Heart brought in another person to assist Adam which when they started working together it became apparent that both of them would be scrambling to get everything done still... it was a lot of work.

So the day never really lent itself to this discussion that Adam wanted to have with No Heart so Adam took it as not God's will for that day and let it go. He would try again on Tuesday.

In the meantime Adam called the placing agency that got him this job in the first place, explained the situation to the woman and she felt badly and supported Adam's decisions and future steps... and would start looking for work for him, just in case ;~) This woman loves Adam a lot... everywhere she placed Adam reflected well on her because he did so well.

So Tuesday comes and No Hearts admin comes in visibly distraught... I won't go into the details of why because it is not my place to gossip about anyone else's life (other than my own) but she lets Adam know that No Heart was too hard on him and that he has been doing a great job and she tells No Heart not to be so hard on him... she likes Adam.

So No Heart finally comes into the office, about midday and Adam asks to speak to him. They close the door just the 2 of them and Adam begins speaking. He lets him know the problems and how frustrated he is working there. No Heart stops him and says before this gets personal he wants to say something... No Heart then proceeds to tell Adam how well he has done since he got there... how Adam is writing like someone with 5-6 years of experience and that none of this is his fault. He said he compromised by hiring someone with such little actual experience and that he really needed someone with more experience but that isn't Adams fault and for that he is sorry. He said, this relationship will end on a high note... Adam will stay on until they phase in a new lawyer (with much more experience) and that way Adam isn't out without a job and then when he leaves, he gets great references.

All in all, it is the best possible situation... Adam didn't want to stay and commit to working there for any substantial length of time and he doesn't have to... and he has time to look for more work... and he gets good references... So, all I have to say is Praise Jesus!

Continued prayers are welcomed as we are entering back into the world of uncertainty but we are ok because just as we went into this situation with faith in God, we will enter this next situation with faith in God.

For no other reason

than I feel like it... I want to say "I Love You Adam - You are so awesome!"

Small update... more to come

For everyone that has been praying... THANK YOU! I (we) really appreciate it.

There has been a resolution and really it is the best possible outcome... I don't really have time to elaborate right now... I promise I will post later.

I just have to say that when things like this occur and the outcome is good everyone says "great! God really came through for you on this one!" or "thank the Lord that He answered your prayers" but I would like to say that I don't think that is what happened... I think what happened is all the praying I (we) did and the praying for done for me (us) helped keep me calm and focused on God, thereby letting his will (whatever that may be) be done... Instead of previous times of trial where I freaked out because I relied on my own knowledge. In his will and trusting it is a MUCH better place to be!

Anyway, I felt that needed to be said!

Oh and for anyone that isn't aware... today is my birthday! Happy Birthday me! If you get a moment, might I suggest checking out a very cool birthday greeting that was left by none other than the Townley's... It may not be AS funny to you as it was to me but it is a good read and so very sweet! Thanks Townley's!

And here we go again...

Without giving up too much right now, before anything is decided, I will just say that Adam and I's future is up in the air again. Things aren't what we hoped they would be at this law firm... the firm is great, the work is precisely what Adam enjoys but the boss is making life unbearable. I can't even explain how defeated Adam looks some days... this guy is killing his spirit and making him hate work. Hate work! Can you imagine... anyone that knows Adam knows that this is his life... his calling... God wired him to think like a lawyer and he gave him the compassion to be a good one. And this guy is killing it.

We haven't really decided what to do yet... we are relying on God's direction... we even had a prayer circle last night with our roomie Danielle, Adam and I. We are just trying to listen and figure out what is best for our little family (and growing that family in the future, near future if I can help it!)

I guess what I am asking for here out in cyber space is prayer... anyone that believes in the power or prayer... please pray for us.

Thanks everyone ;~)

Yep...

I just ate an entire 7 oz. bag of good and plenty… I am not proud of this.

It happened!!!

I have a stereo in my Jeep and I love it!!! The new speakers sound wonderful and the new headunit is great... I just have to figure out how to work it!

Let me interject before I get to the pictures... I fancy myself a good friend... a really good friend. I will sacrifice time and energy to help a friend of mine out... sometimes to my own detriment. And I enjoy that, that is just who I am. So when a friend does the same back, it gives me a warm fuzzy. It makes all the sacrifice I feel that I do, worth it because someone is doing the same for me... a pay it forward type effect. That being said, I would like to thank Paco for taking his last little bit of vacation time before heading back to work and using it to sit in my parking spot in my heap of a Jeep and install the headunit and 4 speakers... going well past available light and using those headlamps (Craig and Adam looked like miners ;~). I would also like to thank Ali for 1. allowing him to be sacrificing for me, 2. keeping me company and 3. helping me get dinner ready!

Good friends are hard to come by... I am not letting these 2 go!

Also, I would like to thank my husband for taking care of a problem that I couldn't even hope to do. A cute cuddly bunny met its demise 2 nights ago and unfortunately it was under our Jeep... no we didn't run it over... the neighborhood cat is apparently the Crofton version of Biff (family reference)... suffice it to say, the cat was hungry and bunny was the main course. Not a pretty sight and I will spare you the details. My loving husband put the bunny in a box and disposed of him and sprayed down our parking spot... again, sparing details here but please know, it wasn't nearly as easy as it sounds... there was a lot more to it and Adam took care of it. So thanks honey... I could have never handled bunny detail.

On to the pictures...


Craig dismantling my Jeep...


Adam doing something with wires...


Craig flashing me a big smile


Ali and I chillin in the parking lot... we weren't much help (surprise surprise!)


Breakfast for dinner night! Yummy!


Craig and Ali enjoying dinner! Sorry Ali... caught you with your mouth full... you still look cute though!!

Thanks again guys!

So, it's true... I am awesome

The reason for my extreme self importance... I installed our new door knob all by myself! To anyone that feels compelled to tell me that it is simple and a monkey could do it... don't. I am so very proud of myself. I am keenly aware that it doesn't take a Masters degree in hardware to install it... what I am proud of is that I didn't give up. There was a moment when I opened the package and thought 'Adam is really better suited to do this... I should just wait for him to get home'. But, I shoved that thought aside and made myself keep going. And I totally did it! Yeah, I rock.

Honestly, it is just nice to remind myself that I am not completely helpless when it comes to that type of stuff. I hope that nothing ever happens to Adam (we have a pack that he isn't allowed to die before me until he is 80... then all bets are off) but if God had other plans, it is nice to know that I could do it... That being said... I will probably let Adam do a good portion of the hardware type things, I only need to remind myself every so often... maybe once every 2 years?? Yeah, that seems like a good timeframe. Heck, it will take 2 years for me to stop congratulating myself on a job well done. Yeah, I am awesome.

Stereo Stuff

I got this picture in an email from Paco...



All new headunit, new speakers, ipod adapter and install kits... for much less then you can imagine. Paco... totally my stereo hero! Can't wait to see you Tuesday... waffles galore!

Good Weekend

So Adam's parents got him a waffle maker for his birthday! It is so very cool... professional grade, yummy fluffy Belgian waffles. We set it up Saturday morning (well technically Sat afternoon but we had just woken up ;~) and made waffles all around. It is so quick and easy and just about the best breakfast ever!

This is how we know we are getting older... a waffle maker and we are in love with it! Actually a few years back Adam's parents bought us a Washer (as in clothes) for his birthday and we were ecstatic about it.... that is growing up!

Adam also got some ties, socks, a griddle and iLife '06 which he has been talking about for at least a good year or so. He was a very happy boy.

The rest of the weekend was good... very relaxing. I got to spend a good bit of time on a project for a friend... I can't say more because she reads this blog... but suffice it to say, I needed a few good hours to work and I got them! I love it when a project comes together.

The weekend was tempered with a heavy feeling that I couldn't shake. It is never a pleasant feeling having something unsettled between friends... I hope it gets resolved soon.

As always Monday morning is upon us and I would rather be home but alas, I am plugging away at work. Time to get back to being despised... oh I love my job (please sense the sarcasm ;~)

Oh and a grand thanks to Paco who is helping me purchase/install a new stereo and speakers for the jeep... I am so very excited!