Resolution Sunday: Skype!

Skype is a game changer for long distance relationships. Having traveled abroad for long periods of time away from those I love the most, Skype has allowed me to talk periodically and see their faces (when the interwebs cooperate). When you are far away and feeling disoriented, seeing a familiar face can really right the world again. I also use Skype at work to communicate with my co-workers all over the world. During my travels, I have met some really awesome people and we are able to keep up with each other this way too.

And now that we have both of our siblings living abroad, we are on Skype all the time. I got the chance to talk with my sister from her bedroom in Costa Rica just this morning. I have no idea who invented this technology, but cheers to you.

Feel Good Friday

Hey Friends!

We made it another week, can you believe it? And this week has been a long one. As I write, the rain is just dumping outside - a result of Tropical Storm Andrea.

(Don't worry Mom, I am staying off the roads and remembering "turn around, don't drown". The nice weather man keeps repeating it at us all day).

Here are a few things that helped me get through the week.

The glow from the weekend at the beach.

This article on how we talk - I simultaneously speak like a Washingtonian, Michigander, and now Southerner. That's right ya'll, doncha-know.

RSVPing to a wedding in Indianapolis. A new city! This activity will make a great pitstop on our (ONE WAY!) trip home. Perhaps the groom will look like this? (Grab the tissues).

A concert at the Duke Gardens. Nothing is better than live music, am I right? Especially live music on a warm summer night.

This video about sad kitties.

This article vindicating my addiction. This makes me feel so much better about my six-year-old self making coffee in the morning before grade school so that I could get my mom out of bed - I am such an enabler.

This video. Ah, relationships. Or am I the only one that things this is funny?

I am going to spend part of the weekend watching arrested development. Anyone else? Marty loves Gob.

(other people who have made a mistake)

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

STAY DRY!

Cherries

Once a year I make the same mistake - its almost a tradition. It always happens around this time of year, when I walk into the grocery store and see bright red cherries from Washington sitting there all juicy, just calling my name.

I have a soft spot for eating foods from Washington. I eat an apple from there every day. Somehow it just makes me feel closer to home. I just forget that these cherries are 8 bucks a pound.

I think about picking them from my neighbors yard, making pie with my mom with juice stained fingers, or that one funny story about my dad spitting a pit into his boss's ear on his first day of work (he worked there for nearly thirty years after sending her to the ER on day one).

When I get to the register and check out I am always surprised to find that my purchase is so expensive, having forgot about the 13 dollar a pound cherries somewhere between the spaghetti sauce and the toilet paper.

And I always groan and buy them anyway, and mumble to myself about how I shouldn't have spent 42 dollars on a half a pound of cherries.

But man, they are good.

What produce do you miss from where you are from?

(Another thing I miss from home -good politicians.)

Resolution Sunday: The Beach

I love the beach. 

The ocean is the place I go to find calm and inspiration, and to humor God with all the plans I make for our future. 

Oh man, I am pretty sure He was yukkin' it up this weekend when we headed for a quick weekend at the Outer Banks.

A lot of plan making going on at right now.

Where do you go to find inspiration?)

(Picture from the top of the light house at Cape Hattaras)

Oh Man!

Oh man! Have I been behind on blogging, eh?

Well, I will tell you that it is for a good reason. 

See, we are in the midst of a big transition here at our place. Marty just got a job out in Seattle and so we are planning for a cross-country move in just a few months and he is frantically writing his dissertation.

This has meant the last two weeks have been a bipolar blur of excitement and anxiety, tempered with a visit from my very very favorite kindred spirit friend, Lindsay.  And check out this giant red hat. Isn't it awesome? 

More on all of this later (no, really, I promise!)

But now we are off to visit the one place I know I will find calm - the beach.
(We jammed to this song when we found out we were moving home)

Half Way There!

Today is my half birthday. Yes, I celebrate my half birthday.

This year, I came up with a list of 28 things to do while I am 28. I am waaay behind. Better get cooking! This is what I have left to do.

1. Watch “dude where’s my car"  (It was awesome. Probably would have been better when it first came out.)
2. Go to Disney World with my BFF
   
   
3. Make a loaf of sandwich bread
4. Get nice picture of me and Marty in front of Eiffel Tower
   
5. Successfully order an almond croissant in French
6. Successfully make meringue
7. Learn how to fix my bike
8. Learn how to use manual settings on my camera
9. See the NC Symphony at Meymandi Hall (perhaps with Boyz II Men??)
10. Run another half marathon
    
11. Learn about the car
12. Write e-mails to long lost friends and not take it personal if I don’t hear back
13. Go to Savannah and see the Spanish Moss
14. Drive to New Orleans
15. Run a 5k in a PR
16. Sell the Camry and buy a new car
17. Rewatch Now and Then, hopefully with some old girlfriends
18. Cook something from every cookbook I own (at last count there were 27)
19. Wear a pair of high heels for more than an hour
20. Go the barrier islands in NC --> NEXT WEEKEND!!!

Resolution Sunday: Pie Social

I know, I know, I went a whole week with just the Sunday oh-so-thankful posts. Well, its been a full week and I am sure to update y'all right quick.

But first, this week I am thankful for an awesome community that comes out to support an awesome organization. When I saw this poster at the local coffee shop, I thought, hey! Two of my favorite things, Pie and a good cause! And knew it was meant to be.

So off we went today to sample six slices of different pies and donate to a good cause. This organization puts gardens into low-income neighborhoods and teaches about food (like produce, not Mickey D's), to kids in those neighborhoods.

I can't quite remember all six I tried, but the chocolate meringue and coconut chess stand out in my mind. Ooooh, and this blueberry one in the picture below. And also the buttermilk one Marty had. And...

This was a fun afternoon spent in the rain of a summer storm, eating pie for charity like a champ. I am an exceptional pie eater and am happy to lend my hand (or rather my tummy) any day. Note to all organizations needing funds: PIE SOCIAL. Pure genius.