Happy Halloween!

I know my nieces outfits weren't meant to be costumes, but I present to you:

Ava, the cutest New York Rangers fan (my dad is so proud!).



And Nola, the most beautiful elf.



And just because I LOVE these photos. My dad sure is one pround grandpa.





Happy Halloween!!

My knitting group and me

Every Wednesday night, the Snarky Knitters, my knitting group, meet up. I go as much as I can between political meetings and other events. My friend Katey invited me to meet all the girls and join the group on January 9 of this year. We've had a couple of girls join since then, but the fabulous dynamic of the group remains the same. I love these women and how we complement each other with our diverse backgrounds.

Last night was swap night. Basically, we each knitted an item for a secret pal and then gave them the item in addition to about $20 worth of other fabulousness. It was the first time I had ever done a knitting swap, and the gifts I received were wonderful.

And, as always, the girl time was awesome!


My gift for Sherrie. I went with an ice cream sundae theme to go with the dishcloth that I knitted.


This is actually only the second project I have ever finished and I really enjoyed making it.


Sherrie looking at her presents.


I think she likes it!


Jennifer had Laurie. And Laurie had Jennifer (who needs to start a blog, by the way). Look at that hat and those fingerless mittens! And oh yeah, Jennifer is a new knitter and she made those incredible items!


Jennifer is super expressive. We love her for that and so many other reasons.


Look at the beautiful mittens Laurie made for Jennifer.


My knitted item from Katey. She handspun the yarn. It is absolutely gorgeous. This photo doesn't do it justice.

And as an aside, I am wearing a camisole in the middle of a chilly fall because I was very warm in the house. I don't usually dress like that.


What is this again? A wimple? What the hell is a wimple?


"Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match.
Find me a find, catch me a catch."

I can't tell you how much I love my gifts, Katey. Thank you so much for knowing me so well.


Amy and Nina had each other. Nina looks so Christmas-y! Aren't the pieces beautiful?


Nina is an aspiring photographer and Amy thoughtfully gave her an album to display her portfolio.


Jillybean approved of Sherrie's gift.


Amy's gift is still a works in progress, but I think she was pretty darn happy with her gift card!


The real star of the show. And one of the only photos I could get of her beautiful mama, Steph




Steph, can y'all please move back from Seattle so I can hang out with you and kiss Jillybean's cheeks as much as I want? Please?


My wimple up close and personal. So beautiful!

I'm not even sure what to say about the following photos, except we really love each other. A lot. And we were playing the ha-ha game.

I miss my family

Happy Hump Day! I'm really looking forward to the weekend for many, many reasons.

(i) I get to see my parents for the first time in a month and a half

(ii) I get to see my sisters and their husbands for the first time in a long time

(iii) I get to see these two precious angels for the first time in a long time





(iv) I'm taking my mom out for a special surprise on Saturday night, just the two of us



(v) I'm going to challenge my dad to a game of Scrabble and maybe convince him (it's not difficult) to make me his infamous pancakes...



What are you looking forward to?

Georgia Tech Homecoming in Photos

Saturday after the half marathon, one of my best friends, Cam, treated me to a game at Georgia Tech. And sadly, while it was Tech's homecoming, Virginia won.

As a footnote (wait, wouldn't this be a sidenote?), I actually injured my left foot (now you see why I said footnote - ha!) during the half marathon. I can't put any pressure on it and I'm really hoping it's just bruised. So, while I was extremely excited to be in the front row at the game, I was less than excited about having to walk up and down a huge flight of stairs every time I needed to, ahem, answer the call of nature. Which happened once every quarter. And once every quarter Cam would have to help me up and down the stairs while people sent pitying looks my way and asked if I was okay. And every time Cam offered to carry me up and down the stairs, but even though he is a burly 6'4" and I am a slighter 5'8", I couldn't take the idea of being a damsel in distress. Because I am just that stubborn.

So, here is the game in photos!


Me and my friend Michelle at my first tailgate! It was a wonderful first time. They did it right with a great tent, great food, great beer and great company! And three guys asked me and Michelle if we are sisters - do y'all think we look that much alike? I think it was the fact that she and I both talk with crazy hand gestures and have long hair. That and all of us Georgia Tech girl fans look the same.


Me and Cam chillin' in the sun.


Michelle and I thought this little boy was too cute, so Cam went and grabbed his photo. I hope we didn't scare his parents.


Buzz!


Buzz and I became friends.


Me looking up in awe.


If you look behind us you will see how far up I had to go to find a restroom. Man, I'm complaining a lot. I really did have a great time!


Cam posin'.




Football player bums.


The band. Did you know I marched the sousaphone in high school?


Yep, he really is that tall!


It was a gorgeous day!


I'm so street.


Notice I have put on a sweater. It got chilly!


The Ramblin' Wreck, me and Cam.

I did it!

Well, WE did it! My fantastic brother-in-law and I ran the Silver Comet Trail Half Marathon on Saturday, and while he finished 20 minutes ahead of me - and with bloody ankles no less (Go Ryan!), the important thing is that I finished.


Could I be any paler?

My time came in at 2 hours and 50 minutes on the nose, which means I ran 12 minute, 58 second miles.

Running the half marathon was one of the easiest and most difficult things I have ever done. Easiest because I wanted to do it so badly and the most difficult, because hell! It's 13.1 miles! And oh my gosh, at mile 11 I became mentally defeated, which was the strangest feeling. But I still ran in the last half mile and could not have been happier that I did it.

I don't know if I'll be running another half marathon again any time soon, but now that my bro-in-law got a taste for the race (this was his first race ever and my second) I think I have found a new racing partner!



This also means I can cross #13 off the 108 in 2008 list!

The ABCs of the ideal me

I aspire to be...

Admirable
Beautiful
Conscientious
Dedicated
Empathetic
Funny
Gregarious
Healthy
Involved
Just
Kind
Loved/loving
Moral
Neighborly
Optimistic
Persevering
Quirky
Roseate
Sympathetic
Thrifty
Useful
Vibrant
Well-mannered
Xenial
Youthful
Zippy