Renovations, Visitors, Phils!

Lord, it's been forever since I've last written! I've been so busy with my house renovations (well, George & Simon have been busy, and doing a fantastic job!). I'm now working on putting the decorating touches together...a lot of shopping took place this week! It's great to finally have this moving along, and I have Sue & her bf to thank for giving me the kick in the ass I needed! They're coming in very late Monday night and leaving Saturday afternoon. Should be a wild, crazy, and sleepless week! I'm really looking forward to hanging with her and catching up! Bought Phils tix for Thursday's game (fingers crossed that my boy is pitching!). Had an absolutely wonderful Easter with the family, and Dad's birthday the Thursday prior. Not sure if you remember me talking about my brother a while back, but there was a profoundly touching moment that night. My parents made 2 sizable donations, one to St Bridgets church and one to Food for the Poor (for a house and outhouse for a family in Haiti) in Anna Elisabeth's memory (my brother's daughter who passed away 10 years ago). It's really hard for me to put into words what is was like. My parents' act of kindness moved my brother to tears (not an easy task to accomplish) and so, of course, the rest of us were
crying. In the same moment, I felt extreme pride for my parents and the example for living that they have set for their children, and overwhelming love for my brother. It's one of those moments that will choke me up everytime I think of it, and that I will remember forever.
Easter was at Rich & Em's, and the weather was great! They did an awesome job of feeding us and we had lots of fun and laughs!
Monday began my shopping insanity, and I still have a ton to do (so what am I doing here at Saxby's??)...so I'm going to try not to panic.
This morning I met the doc at the Linc to set up for the Broad Street Run expo for tomorrow and Saturday. Should be a fun and interesting experience!
I'll check in (hopefully sooner than later) and let you know how the visit goes...!

A Horse, 2 dogs, some work, and a homer...

I'm sitting in a really cool coffee shop/cafe (2 floors) in Northern Libs catching up before my last dog walk of the day. The house is coming along VERY nicely...George is THE BEST and Simon is moving along painting (doing a very nice job!). Took my 2 little pups for their 1st walk today and went by the horse stable (I think it belongs to Phila Trolley Works) and a beautiful, white horse came right up to the fence to say hi! I was like "Oh my God!!" (if you know me, you know that I really did say this). We hung out for a few minutes petting him/her and feeding him/her grass. It was such a wonderful moment for me. Then I went to the doctors' office for a bit more work, and then to Pub n Grub to eat and watch the Phillies...and thanks to Shane's homer we won!! I was cheering and clapping and I was all by myself...but I don't care...I'm not embarassed by this kind of thing (and again, if you know me, you know this is true). I still have to get my ass to the gym...haven't been since Sunday and I've really gotten behind (and speaking of behinds, mine will start to grow if I don't get there!). Ok, back to Calvin & Cooper (and maybe another pop over to see my horse friend!).  :-)

Catching up at Saxbys...

I know it's been almost another week, but what can I say...I have to come to a coffee shop to get on the internet, although it's not a bad deal...
The 'new' Saxbys is pretty nice, cleaner, new furniture...and it's nice to have my old 'hang' back.
I had a fantastic week! My only complaint is that I didn't get to do everything I had planned to...I kept running out of hours in the day (I'm serious...this really does happen my friends). Did the dog walking gig and the medical practice gig all week. (I got in trouble with my dog-walking boss...seems I missed a walk this week...LORD did I feel bad about it!). Mom & I went to see "39 Steps" at the Walnut Street Theatre Tuesday night after a meal at Bourbon Blue, and we ran into my dear friend Eric and his pal Jarrod.  It was a great production and we had a lot of laughs! Wednesday mid-day I had a 'day date' with someone I met in Cape May...and I have to confess...I was a wreck beforehand! It occured to me that if someone expresses an interest in me who I am not necessarily interested in (at least not yet), I go on the defensive. It has ALOT to do with my previous relationships and my lack of knowing how to establish boundaries. I'm just glad that I'm at least aware of it and hopefully I'll try not to be so nutso in the future! We wound up having a nice time...and I'm glad I went. Thursday was a busy, busy work day and I didn't get home and settled until much later than I expected. Friday started my fantastic weekend...I had 2 walks and then went-a-shopping at IKEA. I made out like a BANDIT and even drove home from Columbus Blvd with a load in my car and a sofa on the roof (which I fastened myself, ahem...). Yes, it was a bit nerve-wracking driving on 676 and Kelly Drive with a sofa tied to my roof, but I did it and was pretty damn pleased with myself! I spent the evening with Dom & Ali...dinner at Carrabbas (sp?) and then a blues band. We had a blast...but I always do with them...and we laughed our asses off! "You're a mess!" (Ali to Dom); "But she can hear a little, right?" (Dom, after I mentioned that our waitress might be deaf), and so on. Did this and that Saturday, and went through one of my 'totes' (full-o-crap) from the basement. Found some old trophies and alot of 'back-in-the-day' clothes. Like my Roxborough Eagles cheerleading jacket (OMG, so small...I almost cried), my Philadelphia Children's Theatre jacket (with "Annie" embroidered on the front...another 'ahem'), a few Duran Duran shirts (courtesy of the Ocean City boardwalk), a Pee Wee Herman t-shirt, and ...drumroll please...an MC Hammer "Can't Touch This" t-shirt...I almost peed my pants!
Later on was dinner at Bourbon Blue and "Limitless" afterwards with G&D...a GREAT movie! Today was spent back at IKEA (thank you Miss Daisy!) and then putting furniture together, while G worked on sheetrocking the guest room. MAN I am lucky to have the friends I do...seriously...they are the best!
Ok, I think I covered everything...hopefully it won't be another week before I write again...

Damn technology!

Still can't get on the internet at home, so I'm down here at Starbucks trying my damndest to catch up on all things internet. It's Monday afternoon & it's a glorious day! The weekend was great! A new friend (met in Cape May) came down Friday night, and I got to spend some quality one-on-one time with my friend Kevin...man, we had a blast and laughed alot!! Saturday was the grand opening of Fairmount Family Integrative Medicine and it was a great success! Then Bill & I went to Theresa O'Shea's surprise birthday party (thrown by Andy, Theresa, & Tom) - what a fantastic time! I'm really, really glad I went. Then I spent 2 hours on the phone with a new friend (also met in Cape May). Yesterday I went to see Jane Eyre (fanTAStic movie!!) at the Ritz 5 with friends, and George came over both days to work on my house. Life is really moving along rather pleasantly, I must say. I've got so many things to be grateful for, and so many things to look forward to! SHAMALAMADINGDONG my friends!!!!

Where've I Been??

It's been a week since I've been able to get on the internet! And I'm at Starbucks now trying to catch up before they close in 20 minutes! Anyhoo...the past week has been fabulous! I had a wonderful weekend in Cape May at the Round Up with my friends and roomies (SO much fun...we laughed our hinees off) and I met a ton of great peeps and made a few new friends. I never would have thought that voluneering and being in service would be so much fun. And I was lucky enough to have Erin and Mere keep my boys company over the weekend.
This week has been really busy so far with dog walks and getting ready for the grand opening (of the practice in it's new location) on Saturday (Fairmount Family Integrative Medicine...right across from the art museum...check it out!).
Tuesday night I took Mom to see Amos Lee at the Merriam (with the Secret Sisters opening). What...a...stellar...show!! The Secret Sisters were amazing...their voices give me the goosebumps. I went out to meet them during the break and got their autographs (listen, they worked with Jack White...I had to do it!) - what sweet girls they are. If you haven't heard their stuff, give them a listen. Then Amos Lee & his band blew me & Mom away...his talent is unbelievable...and he's from Philly, yo! "Mission Bell" is his best album since his first...check it out!
I just went to a meeting of Friends of Pretzel Park at Bourbon Blue...there were only 4 of us there, but it feels good to get involved, especiallly since it's my community and my Jack really likes the park.
I really can't believe how busy and happy I am, especially since I'm unemployed. Seriously, this is the happiest I've been in a long time. AND....the Phillies are doing well and CLIFF LEE is pitching tomorrow night...it will be a fabulous start to the weekend!