Anchors, away!

I took my dad to Annapolis today. I have never been to downtown (historic) Annapolis except when I would take my fourth grade class to the state house on a field trip. It felt nice to go there as a grown-up without constantly counting little heads to make sure I have everyone. Trust me--I wasn't worried about my dad getting away from me. ;)

Annapolis is beautiful. I think that I may have mentioned before that Baltimore isn't really a pretty city. There are pockets of beauty, this being one of them:

(that was for someone in particular), but for the most part, Baltimore is pretty industrial. Annapolis, however, is just plain pretty. Here is my proof:

At the recommendation of someone, we ate lunch at Chick and Ruth's Delly. It was awesome. There is something to be said about good deli food. What did I have? Wellllll...I had a veggie burger. Wait...quit rolling your eyes and thinking what a wuss I am. I did have onion rings with it and they were heavenly! I highly recommend Chick and Ruth's if you are looking for some down-to-earth, alebeit, not quite so healthy, yet very yummy food. :)

We also stopped in at Paw's, a bet boutique. miss raven and Gracie both got cookies:

Oh, yeah. They liked them. Cannoi for miss raven and a peanut butter daisy for Gracie. Just in case you were, you know, wondering. :)

We went to the mall and I not only now have unlimited texting (Y.E.S.!!!!) but I also now have a Blackberry! Whoo-hoo! I feel so, so..."tech-y"! LOL!!!

Dad took me to eat Chinese food for dinner...mmmmmm....and hey, no Rita's tonight! Yes, I am feeling just fine, thank you. :)

Oh--one final picture, just because I like it:

;)

Plans? I don't need no stinking plans....

I'm on vacation; I don't need plans. :)

We had discussed going to Annapolis today but, seeing as how it is now almost one o'clock in the afternoon and I am only now beginning to seriously contemplate getting ready for the day, I think it is fair to say Annapolis will be waiting for another day. My dad is kind of tired from yesterday, too. :)

I will be visiting Annapolis in the near future, though, because I received a recommendation to Chick and Ruth's Delly. Check out the link. The food looks A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I have decided that I may just have to get over my fear of driving in large cities. :)

I haven't crocheted in forever. Not because I don't want to, but because I am uninspired at the moment. I finished the log cabin blanket and am now in crochet limbo. I thought about starting a new log cabin but crocheting a blanket in the summer is not fun. I did go on a baby hat making spree a few weeks ago. My roommate volunteers at a pregnancy center a few times a month, so I make baby hats for her to take in. I think every baby should have something handmade. :) Now, though, I don't know what to do. I still have plenty of yarn with which to make hats, but I'm just not feeling them now. I consideresd a sweater, but it's summer for pete's sake. I don't want to think about winter clothes right now. :P

What do I want to do right now? Hmmmmm. I think, no wait....I'm on vacation. I don't need to have a plan. ;)

Who wants to swim with the fishies?

Dad and I drove up to Baltimore this morning to spend the day at the Inner Harbor. The weather was beautiful, albeit a wee bit on the humid side, and there weren't that many people when we first got there. Some people were riding dragons like these: I am a huge chicken when it comes to driving in large cities. In am not ashamed to admit that. To drive into downtown Baltimore on a weekday is a rather daunting task. The traffic wasn't too bad and as soon as I found an avaliable public parking lot I swung right in. Fortunately, the lot happened to be right across the street from the harbor (whoo-hoo!) We walked over to the Baltimore Aquarium and only had to wait about 20 minutes before being allowed in. While we waited I took a picture of the lesser know, but just as important, Baltimore sparrow: I haven't been there in a long time and was pleasantly surprised at all the changes that had been made. We went through the sharks and rays exhibit first. The name is a little misleading because there is WAY more than sharks and rays in the exhibit:

After that, we stopped for a quick lunch and then it was on to the dolphin show: When the dolphin show was finished,we went through the jellyfish exhibt:

When we were finished with the jellyfish, we walked through the hallway to the main part of the aquarium. Isn't this a lovely bridge? ;) After the aquarium, we walked back through the shops at the Inner Harbor then decided to go to dinner. I had gotten a couple of recommendations for McCormick and Schmicks. Although a little pricy, it was well worth it. We split an order of peel and eat shrimp cooked with Old Bay and onions. I had the crab cakes (I'm so boring!) and my dad had the boiled seafood platter. That would have been great if only it didn't have salmon, scallops, and oysters on it. Blech!

After dinner we went to Rita's for dessert. I seriously think that my dad is going to have Rita's withdrawls when he goes back home. It's my fault, I take the blame. I have made my father a Rita's junkie. :)

It was a good day. We missed the rain, the traffic wasn't all that bad, and I even got to finish the audio book I was listening to. Oh--you want to know about miss raven? Of course you do! She is sitting here on the couch staring at me. She wants me to take her out. Not because she has to go, mind you, but because my dad just took his dog Gracie out. miss raven is feeling a bit jealous. I snapped this picture last night. Isn't she the sweetest? Who could resist this face??

Cause it's Root, Root, Root for the home team.....

Ok, so I really didn't expect the Nationals to win. My roommate and I were even joking about it; she asked me who they were playing and when I said I didn't know, she said they were playing the winners. (Seriously--that was funny) My dad really likes baseball, though, so I figured this would be a nice time. I have never been to Nationals Park and I highly recommend going to a game if you can. The park is beautiful, spacious, and well laid out. Here we are at the game--I look rough, I know it, but dang, was it HOT out there!

We had amazing seats! We were about seven rows behind the first base dugout. We are right behind the kid with the crazy hair, who, coincidentally, ended up being voted the fan of the game.For all you non-sports people (and you know who you are) that means we were on the home team side. The game was especially exciting and I am not lying when I tell you that it was one hundred and fifty million degrees outside yesterday. I, um, forgot to slather up with sunblock so the tops of my legs are a little toasty. The Nats won the game in the bottom of the 10th inning! Yea for the home team!! :) They are still in last place--as a matter of fact I think they might be the worst team in baseball at the moment but I was glad that they managed to pull one out while my dad was here. :)

All in all, I'd say it was a good day. :)

Here I am...

I haven't blogged in a while. Not because I didn't have anything to say...I ALWAYS have something I can talk about. I've been busy. Here a little, there a little, spending time with friends and family. Trips out of town, both near and far.

I'm officially on vacation. I took this week and next week off so that I could have some time away from work before the school year officially begins. Where did the summer go? I blinked and it disappeared. I didn't do half of the things I wanted to do, but I have had a good summer, nonetheless.

My "official" vacation has been nice so far and the rest of it is looking promising. I was able to spend time this afternoon with someone I haven't seen in a long time. I think we were both a little apprehensive about getting together because of some things that have happened in the past. The thing is--what happened, happened in the past. I learned long ago that I don't want to become a bitter old woman who can never move on from things that have happened along the way. It is way better to deal with someone who has hurt you and either forgive and keep going in the relationship or forgive and move on. The key, though, is forgiveness. And so I did, and so I have. And I am glad for it. This person was really special to me growing up and I have missed having them in my life the last several years. I am looking forward to reconnecting with them and moving forward.

I have also learned that people can have different opinions and still get along. Not that I didn't know that before, but I guess that I have just had more of a chance to put that into practice this summer. I have some strong views on different subjects and have met people this summer who, in some way or another, disagree with me. I don't expect that everyone will agree with me all the time but it is nice to know that, no matter what your opinions may be on whatever subject, you can still get along and have a good time.

Don't I sound like such a grown-up? :)

miss raven is doing well. Still as cute and well-loved (read: spoiled) as ever! She doesn't like the summer as much as I do. I think it is more the humidity than anything else. She has been very lethargic lately--except at treat time. Then she is like a maniac. She is "excited", though, because her only friend in the world is coming to visit tomorrow. My dad is coming to see me and is bringing his dog, Gracie. Gracie is the ONLY dog that miss raven gets along with and it is wonderful fun to see them together. Pictures to come soon, I promise!

Truly, I am the coolest auntie....

Yesterday, as you know, was not only H's birthday but miss raven's as well. I couldn't let such a special day go by without doing something to commemorate the occasion. Miss H and I went to see Ice Age 3, in 3D. The movie was good--ya gotta love Queen Latifah. The 3D effects were seriously lacking. Miss H seemed to like the movie, though, and that was all that mattered.

Miss H decided that she wanted to go to Red Lobster for dinner. Fine by me! I mean, who doesn't {heart} their cheddar biscuits? The best part of dinner was when she took a bite of the biscuit, sighed with happiness and then looked at me and said "It's like a party in my mouth." What 10 year old comes out with these things?!?

After dinner we decided to walk around the mall. We ended up at Build-A-Bear and this little fellow managed to come home with Miss H:His name is Lucky. I think he is lucky to have such a special little girl to go home with. :)

When we got home it was time for miss raven to celebrate her birthday. First, all birthday girls must have a present. miss raven's was a squeaky starfish:
If you can't have cake, eat ice cream (peanut butter flavored, thank you):
And finally, thank mommy:
and pose for a picture:
We had the best day ever! :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today is a special day in my world. Not only is it H's big 10th birthday, it is also miss raven's big 10th birthday!!! Wow! What a special day!

My BFF graciously allowed me to take her only daughter all the way back to my world for a week. We are having fun, despite having to come to work for a few hours each day. Right now H is sitting at a desk "playing" school. (As an aside--why do children hate school so much yet play school during the summer? They complain ALL school year long about how much they despise school and then when they aren't there, they play like they are. Inquiring minds want to know.) I feel bad that I had to bring her to work with me but at least it is only for a few hours. :)

Anyway--today we are going to see Ice Age 3, hopefully in 3D. Then we are going out to dinner, anywhere she wants, and to Rita's to get some yummy custard. What a day!

miss raven is home sleeping. She will get her birthday presents and ice cream (yes, ice cream. What? I don't see a problem with that. It's made for dogs.) later on tonight. In the meantime, here are some pictures to tide you over (you. yes, you, in the law firm in Ohio~~you know who you are):

Miss me much?

Oh. You know you did! :P

I just got back (yesterday) from the state of Ohio. I would say the great state of Ohio, but....now, now, we ALL know that Texas tops 'em all.

I was in Ohio for the 10th birthday part of the coolest (almost) 10 year old I know. My BFF's little girl is turning 10!! Double digits! So hard to believe! She is a big girl now. She had a way-cool party at a pizza/arcade place. While she was hanging with her friends and playing games, her (way-cool) mom and I were playing Dance, Dance, Revolution. Laugh if you will but that is one awesome game. We really had a great time!

Tomorrow is the actual birthday so I will wait to post most of my pictures until then. For now, though, here are a few--mostly because I know her mommy will want to see them. :)

Hannah's bestest present!

Me and my BFF!

The sun will come out tomorrow....

That's what the song says, so it must be true, right? And I am pretty sure that it didn't mean that the sun was actually going to come out...it was talking metaphorically.

I have been in a deep funk lately. I mean a DEEP, DARK, NASTY funk. I felt in some ways that I was barely functioning. I was going to work and doing all the things I was supposed to do and on the outside I supposed I looked fairly normal (well, as normal as I usually look, anyway!) but on the inside I was a step beyond barely holding it together.

Talking about depression is a risky thing for me. In the circle in which I work and have friends, there are people who will not understand this. Because, to them, if you believe what you say you believe, you don't feel like I've felt. You trust, you believe, and you don't fall into the deep, dark pit of depression. If you do, you're not trusting or believing enough. I trust, I believe, but maybe not enough, because I have been seriously depressed.

I hate when people ask me what is wrong and then don't like my answer. "I don't know." It's the truth. I don't know. If I did maybe I would tell you, maybe I wouldn't, but I would at least tell you that I wasn't going to tell you. If I say I don't know, then accept that as the truth.

I hate when people tell me all the "pat" answers that I already know. I think sometimes that people who don't understand, for whatever reason, think that all you have to do is wave some magical wand and "poof" the depression will go away. After all, you aren't really depressed, right? You're just sad. Or selfish. Oh, how I hate that! I'm selfish because I am depressed. When you are depressed you are only focusing on yourself. Just shake it off. Get over it. Think about others and you will be alllllllll betttttttter. IT DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY. I don't consider myself a selfish person, I really don't. And believe me--if there was some magic make-it-go-away wand out there, I would LOVE to have it.

I have spent the last week and a half trying to figure out why it hit me now. Why I couldn't seem to shake the oppressive, wet-blanket feeling that had settled down on me. This is my absolute favorite time of the year. I love, love, love summer, so why on earth would I be depressed now? The sad thing is that I still can't figure it out. The happy thing is that it seems to be leaving me. I am feeling better and more optimistic about things. And hey, if this can't cheer me up:

nothing can! And yes....the sun is out today, both really and metaphorically. :)

As previously promised....

.....just a few days late. :)

Here is the finished project I mentioned last week:
Notice raven sitting nicely to the side. She thought it was a blankie for her. ;)

It is my first attempt at a log cabin design and I am really liking it. I now have plans for some of the leftover scrap yarn that I have. :)

10 things I do not {heart}.....

In no particular order:

1. liars
2. mosquitoes and ticks
3. snow
4. winter
5. putting the wrong companies movies into redbox
6. hypocrisy
7. liver
8. rude cashiers
9. mushy apples
10. public restrooms

I do {heart} finished projects, though. You get to see one tomorrow. :)