Hello 1000 & The National Cathedral

Yes that's right this is post 1000. Holy Cow that is crazy town. It's also goal #51 on my list so check!  I had all these grand intentions about blogging something that was a list of 1000 somethings but time continues to escape from me and that never happened so instead you get a post from family vacation 2011. 
This summer we packed up the cars and drove to Washington DC and to Ocean City, both familiar places but we wanted to be able to drive on vacation this year to keep costs down.    Sadly the Schreve and Al couldn't join us this year since they are paying for a wedding in the fall but we didn't let that stop us from having some quality family time.
First stop on our trip was to the National Cathedral one of Chris's favorite places in the city.    It was hot enough outside to fry an egg however we enjoyed that the Cathedral is air conditioned.  This is a less frequented travel stop in DC because it's kind of out of the way, but it's no less beautiful.  It's a great place to go to avoid the crowds of tourists.  The architecture and stained glass windows are awesome.  And even the crypts are cool.  Did you know that helen keller and some presidents are buried there?    If you have never been I highly recommend it - on the way there check out embassy row too. 
JJ and Chris had their camera which they graciously let me use so I actually appear in some of those taken on my camera since Jono and Lita got to use it.   But as a result I only have a small portion of the photos to share with you now as I need to download like a gig of pics from the other camera.  However hopefully you enjoy these Cathedral photos

A little sunflare and the cathedral I always love that Washington has blue skies for me.

Jono and Smash - there are quite the amount of photos of these too taken on my camera

Me and Thomas Jefferson

JJ and Chris - for the record I cannot help that Chris and I get a little crazy when we hang out together I think my brother is dating my twin personality ;o)

See magnificent windows

The girls

I love the view from the gardens

Roses

I wish Schreve was in this brother photo.

Party Like It's Your Birthday (Because it was Mine!)

Several weeks ago it was my birthday! And I like to party like it's my birthday all of July well not quite that much partying but I do like to have a good time.  We kicked it off with a little Karaoke in MA.   My friends serenading me with "Super Freak" - I'm not quite sure what it says about me but I'm going to with that it's because there's nobody like me.  But I need to hand it to them because even Jackie, Caz, and Hou got up and sang and I was not expecting that.  Thanks you guys are the BEST!  I really do need to get everyone else's photos as I have none of me and all mine look as though they were taken by someone who just downed too many rapidly fired shots of patron but I'm not quite sure who that was.  I also must admit that I should stop trying to get my rap/hip hop on with Jackie from here on out I think I might have completely butchered some "Jiggy With It", but Fermin redeemed our group with several awesome numbers - damn can he sing.

I also celebrated with some poolside, hot dogs and yo-gourt with some other awesome folk.  It was good to soak up the sun.  I got some of the best presents too - spy glasses, frames, iTunes, sunscreen and other loveliness try not to be jealous!  I am also proud of smash who went into a thrift store for my present I never thought I'd see that day. 

Smash's hot dog - doesn't it screen summer?

Yes that's right those are vintage Stellar Spy Glasses

Yes you are reading that right look at my mad skillz

Anyone know which yo-gurt is mine?

And there also was some fireworks and fourth of july celebration too.

 

I wish I could be patriotic like this guy. 

 Until next time may you party like it's your birthday too!

Happy birthday Jodie!

Happy birthday to Jodie! I am so glad we are friends and we share a birthday month. You are the best kind of friend - sweet, warm, inviting, fun, and genuinely awesome. Happy happy!

Pardon the Interruption

I am vacationing in the severe heat so you have to wait to hear about birthdays, train, chicago and more.

Cincinnati Red Stockings & Shawshank is the Behind

A few weeks ago Shawshank, Smash and I went traveled all the way to Cincinnati (which if this was 1860 would have taken a day in our wagon).  The Blues were playing for at Sharon Woods. 
Shawshank (aka Jono) played the Behind which is the same as the catcher, but he tells me it's officially called the Behind in 1860's so you know we should get the lingo down. They played two teams the Cincinnati Buckeyes and the Cincinnati Red Stockings.  The Red stockings  - are the original Reds team's vintage team and I have seen at the Opening day parades among other places I'm sure. I was a little torn about who to cheer for since I am a Reds fan at heart.  But I was a crank for Shawshank and the Indianapolis Blues anyhow, because blood is thicker than roots (or however the expression goes).   They ended up splitting the games by beating the Buckeye's but losing to the Red Stockings. But huzzah to all three teams!  And Huzzah to my brother's debut as the Behind ;o)

This is one of my favorite photo from the day.  Jono the Behind in action.

Best of Life May Video- That's Some Dream

My computer does NOT like processing these it took me forever to get this to export to a viewable format. FOREVER.  I also couldn't use several video clips because they took in weird sizes not sure why they don't all take in the same size.  
I deliberated over the song at least twice as long as the 9 hours this took to process.  I wanted something more upbeat but I love this song and it was less lovey dovey as the others I came up with if you have an suggestions for future songs please feel free to share. The song is called "That's Some Dream" by the Good Old War - check them out they are cool. 

If you want to see the other videos for this year you can find them here. I'm sure after you watch them you'll want to hire me to film all your events birthday's, weddings, retirements etc.

July July July

Where the heck did June go!  June was not the best month for me finishing goals i set - see my progress here.  Instead I found myself enjoying summer most of the time and doing as I saw fit and finding myself loving summer. 

In June I found myself running well really jogging more and despite my continued hatred for it - I have been preserving. I also found myself at hotel pools swimming three stroke laps until am a prune or make myself a wave pool.  I didn't progress with my floors a smidge or really any of my 52 goals really unless you count finishing two year long goals 1/2 way. But I quilted, I went out lots, I made jam, and hummus, and used up cilantro from my garden, I had a new roommate move in, I scrapbooked on the road, and I enjoyed myself, so I am not going to beat myself up over goals not met. Onward and upward!

July is going to be an action packed month and its already on it's way to being crazy awesome. So when I jotted down my July list on the plane tonight I wanted to make some July goals slightly more fun but still with some actual accomplishments thrown in.

July goals -

• A Family Vacay Photobooth or 10 ;o)
• Get those Floors Finished
• Go out with westerners
• Finish 5 of the 52 in 11 list
• Daily devotionals
• Improve mile time
• Finish May and June videos
• Finish the up-cycled dress

Favs on Friday - On Time Flights

I take pleasure in small feats sometimes and this week is no exception. I have had lots of little moments recently that make my life such a blessing. And so this week I want to celebrate a small thing that I appreciate - on time flights! Double fist pump from a weekly traveler for these. In the last few months I have had few and far between but today I will have two. And I have to give it up to USAirways you might have cancelled my directs to Boston but you and I can still be friends because a shuttle + a regional jet beats all that delta can throw with their ever troubled cancelled bs delayed directs. You win! I will be loyal from here on out I promise. Here's to on-time flights and other small blessings in my life.

Happy birthday to my birthday twin!

JJ it's your birthday and you should party like it's your birthday I know I will be.