The Cape July 3, 2008

For every Fourth of July, we come up to the cape to spend time with John’s family (well, we didn’t come up last 4th, but that was due to circumstances beyond our control).  And it is great - a little nutty with all the kiddos and just sheer amount of people around, but always a good time.

Whenever I see all the huge, beautiful hydranga bushes, I know we have arrived.  I love them!  The flowers clusters are just so lovely and plump.

And I have been really surprised at how much I am enjoying the nieces (well, technically my niece-in-laws, since they are Boom’s sister’s kids, but whatever…).  I am not around kids that are 9 and 8 very much, and really didn’t know what to expect.  But I really am enjoying them!  They are so much more self-sufficient and talkative (very talkative) and can walk down to the beach and back with me (I was afraid they wouldn’t be able to walk that much, and their mom laughed at me!).

Meg is the oldest (L), Ash is 8 (M) and C is probably around 7 (R).   (Meg and Ash are Boom’s oldest sisters kids; C is his middle sisters kid)  Aren’t they adorable?!

We are taking Meg and Ash to see the Chatham A’s play the Harwich team tonight.  We’ve been to 1 game before, many years ago, and I just remember that it was seriously chilly.

Which is another reason I am really enjoying our visit this year - the contrast in weather to H-town is huge!  And I don’t mind the break from the heavy humid and hot air.  We went for a run today around 9am, and it was still fairly cool!  and post run, there was a great breeze, so we just hung out on the driveway and enjoyed it.

Since Boom’s parent’s house backs up to conservation land, this is the scenery I enjoy from the back porch.  Can you hear the wind whistling through the trees?  Can you feel the cool breeze?  It is awesome.

Boom’s oldest sister that currently lives in Chicago just bought a summer home about 15 minutes away from Boom’s parents.  I am pretty sure Boom’s mom really wants us to do the same some day, but that would be many moons from now.  We’ve got to get our R house sold and then get the new house furnished…  That could be her consolation prize, since we are now in Texas and not moving away anytime soon.  And who wouldn’t love that - to get away from the oppressive heat each summer?  All in good time, I suppose, and it is always nice to have a pipe dream..

San Diego, cont. June 24, 2008

Check out our first night activities here.

The next day, we went to La Jolla to check it out.

Dolphins frolicking in the ocean!

It was really quite beautiful! and the weather was unbelievable!

Boom got into town and we went to the Hotel del Coronado (or “the Del” as it is known), out on Coronado island.

Very glamorous! We then headed to an early bird dinner, as we thought Kandy A’s flight was getting in around 9pm. But there was some miscommunication and that was actually when the 2nd leg of her flight was leaving! So eventually Kandy A and Gretty got into SD - yay!

The next morning, for the 2nd morning in a row for Cubs and I, we went to the Mission for bfast. So delish! Everyone was starved, so it really hit the spot!

This is where we overheard other marathoners talking about wanting to go to the Olive Garden for dinner that night, but how the OG doesn’t take reservations… too funny! Gretty and Kandy A had the best tofu ever as part of their meal!

Then onto the race expo…

Here are the excited runners!

Since I didn’t have time to make my own sign, I at least was able to find the place where I could write on a sign. This side is for Boom, the other side (pink) was for Kandy A.

Then we met up with Gretty’s excellent friend, Kurt, who is a Navy SEAL! We headed back to The Del to let the others experience it and have some more lovely drinks.

Kurt was the instigator of getting fruity drinks… Twist our arms!

He was also kind enough to pay for all the drinks with a gift card that had been re-gifted to him. Niiiiiiice!

Cubs and Gretty stayed out that night with Kurt and his SEAL buddies - and hung as VIPs in a bar with bottle service! Those gals know how to live it up!

The next morning, I think they were hurting just a little bit. But they were good sports and got up early with me to go see Kandy A and Boom at the half way point.

Here we are on the trolly to get to the half way point. The trolly system there was very odd - buying tickets seemed to be optional, as there was no system that ensured that only people with tickets boarded the trolly.

Kandy A at the half way point - she zoomed by us really early on! (I guess that is what happens when you run a 3:25 marathon).

After that, we were waiting, and waiting, and waiting for Boom! So many green shirts - but no Boom. I was really getting worried, and rightly so.

When he gets to us, he can’t breath and really needs his puffer for his ashtma. Poor guy, ran 4 miles barely being able to breath!

After seeing him, Cubs and I dropped Gretty off at the 24 mile mark so she could run the last couple miles with Boom. We also go to see Kandy A at this point.

She definitely seemed less chipper, but who wouldn’t be?

Then Cubs and I proceeded to walk the rest of the marathon so that we could get to the finish area. This is slightly painful, as we were in jeans and flip flops and it had really warmed up. But what was worse was when we would pass folks on the course. I know how they feel and it just stinks!!!

We got to the finish area (Marine Corps recruiting depot - much nicer than we had expected!) and it was PACKED! Throngs of people. We finally wedged our way onto a fence that lined the course - and also met up with Kandy A. Kandy A and Cubs headed back to the hotel (as we needed to be checked out by noon - highly annoying), and I waited to see Boom and Gretty…

When I saw them pass me, I then made my way back to the actual finish line area. It was so crazy! So many people everywhere! I thought there would be no way in a million years that I would be able to find them. I saw them in the runners coral and I screamed and yelled to get their attention. Nada. So I then ran to where I thought they might come out, and they did. Thankfully, otherwise there would have been no way to find them!

I think that is a smile of relief, to be done! Good job, Boom! We took the trolly back and actually beat Kandy A and Cubs to the hotel room!

A post-race victory photo!

After checking out of the hotel, we headed to a beachy place called South Beach for lunch. Kurt met us there later… It was crowded and reminded us a lot of Sidewalk Cafe in Richmond.

We ate our fill, drank a little, Kandy A got picked up by her friend to spend the rest of the day together, and Boom and I needed to head to the airport. Kurt led us in a sneaky little shortcut, and Cubs and Gretty returned the rental car early (for a rebate of $100! Woot woot!).

When Boom and I landed in H-town, he said to me, “The gals haven’t even gotten on their redeye back home.” Crazy. It was a great trip with great friends. I hope we can do it again soon! I know some of the ladies are gonna sign up for the Houston marathon, which Boom is planning on doing. I may do the half or just be the cheerleader again!

Beating Them Off with a Bat June 10, 2008

The trip to San Diego was great! That Thursday, Cubs and I were the only ones that came in early, so we met at the car rental place (which was off site and really far away! I was convinced it was in a different zip code) and got our brand new Suzuki SUV - kind of a random car, but better than a 15-passenger van, which is what they tried to give us at first.

Here’s our odometer reading only 6 miles!

We went into Little Italy for a snack pre-dinner / going out. Got a yummy cheese plate. Luckily for me Cubby had done some leg work before the trip. She had even gotten a book - and little did we know what we were getting ourselves into with the “Trendy Bars and Hip Single Scene”.

After freshening up, we went into the Gas Lamp district - started out at the rooftop bar at the W hotel that had actual sand. Too bad we increased the population at the bar by a third - it was also very windy and cold! So we only stayed there for a couple drinks.

We headed to where we ate dinner at the bar. Well, my dinner was the same as our snack - a cheese plate. Sometimes it is not so fun being a veggie. But the bar was cool - kinda deserted, but it was a little early for a Thursday night. By the time we finished dinner, there was a little scene developing. There was a DJ spinning, and lots of gals in short dresses or shorts. We started noticing a trend - that most of the folks there were Latin and the DJ was spinning dance music in Spanish!

I wish I had taken some snaps - they would have shown the men that were clamoring to meet Cubby! She needed one of those deli line number hander outers!  If they weren’t trying to talk to her, they were winking at her from a few feet away. It was great - and there was lots of cologne going on. One business card that Cubby got was from a guy who wanted us to come to his hotel pool the next day! HA!

When we decided this was not exactly our scene, we headed off to another bar - The Bitter End - which was the exact opposite of Confidential - much more fratty and mostly all home slice dudes. Still, the guys were all about Cubby - and who could blame them?! She is so cute and looked awesome in her DVF sting ray dress - love it! There were guys at this bar telling me that my friend was very attractive (duh) and begging her to dance! Finally, I convinced her to dance with one of the poor chaps - I am sure he was in hog heaven!

When this was all going down, a little guy was talking to me. Blah blah blah, whatever whatever whatever. But the great fun was that I had him convinced I was a 2006 college grad!!! That was a definite high light of the night - and he didn’t even blink an eyelash! So silly since I don’t even think I look like I am 23 or 24 - hopefully I can still pass for late 20’s but def not early 20’s.

We stayed until last call - around 1:30am west coast time, but that was 430 for Cubs and 330 for me. We were beat.

Here we are at the beginning of the night…

Here we are at the end of the night. Not too much worse for the wear, just really tired…

Fun times!  More SD updates later…

Team Sea Lion May 29, 2008

I am headed to San Diego today for the marathon this Sunday! Boom and Kandy A will be running. Cubby, myself and Gretty will be spectating (well, Gretty may run the last few miles with Boom). Kandy A will likely be running a 3:15 - 3:20. Boom, who really stopped training a while ago, says the writing is on the wall and that there is nothing else that he can do… so he’s shooting for a 4:00 time. Will just be great to take a little trip and see some of gals and hang out.

I had grand plans of making a sign and t-shirts for all of us, but being in flux has been much harder than I thought it would be. So none of that stuff this time (unlike Austin) - perhaps next time. I think Boom is going to sign up for Houston (which I did back in 2006) - it is a good one, and since we live here, it will be easy, in terms of logistics. I hope some of Team Sea Lion decide to sign up for it as well!

I haven’t been to SD since I was in lower school - going to Sea World and that sort of thing. With all the stuff that has been going on with the move, I really haven’t had time to do any research or plan anything out. Luckily, Cubby has been on the ball about that stuff. And Gretty has a friend who lives there that may be taking us around to the local spots.

Likely I won’t be able to post until I get back home on Sunday night, so wish Boom luck (Kandy A doesn’t need it) and ciao for now!

Eat Ski, Beaver Creek March 21, 2008

Where to begin?! It was a whirlwind… from planning on Monday to leaving on Saturday! Talk about a short turn around time…

We stayed at the St. James at Beaver Creek Village. Nothing too fancy, but definitely not a steal. However, it was the only thing available, as it was Spring Break (mental note - ski before March next year!).

SKI

Beaver Creek’s tagline is “Not Exactly Roughing It” and people there really took it to heart. We were always out on the slopes early - usually right when it opened at 830am. Between 830 - 930am, the mountain was empty! Great skiing, usually sunny and making first tracks. We loved it. And from 230 - 4pm, the mountain again really cleared out. We were usually racing to get the last 330pm lift up to Grouse Mountain, to go all the way down and take the Centennial up, since that closed at 4pm.

Here we are bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready to hit the slopes!

Here we are waiting for the ski storage to open.

Here we are on the lift! Look at the snow and the sunshine!

Boom was the King of the Moguls! He really improved his skiing on this trip overall, and was the leader in the moguls.

We rode almost all of the black diamond runs. Once, we went down what I thought was a single black, but then we looked around and the only options were all DOUBLE black diamonds! We went down Bald Eagle, but we were a bit over our heads - I ended up getting a hematoma on the inside of my knee, due to falling and hitting the inside of my knee on my skis.

CELEBRITY SIGHTING

On Wednesday (our last day) we were riding up the escalator to the slopes, and who do I see?! Troy Aikman! and his 2 twin girls. I was very excited, as I was not expecting a celebrity sighting! I wanted to get a photo, but Boom is a bit more reasonable than I, and he was like, he’s just trying to get his gals into ski school, like a normal parent. Let him be a normal parent. Boo, so no photo of Troy (QB for America’s team, the Cowboys, back in their dynasty heyday).

EAT

We ate like royalty. I had a serving of fries every day, sometimes 2x a day (currently, I have instituted a “No Fries” policy for myself). On Sunday night, we went to the Grouse Mountain Grill, the 2nd best restaurant in Beaver Creek. It was pretty good, but something (the lobster app, wine, or something) made my tummy hurt. I have a rather delicate disposition, so a bit too much cream could throw it off.

Here is my wine glass as big as my head!

Monday night we didn’t have reservations, so we bummed around and had beers and nachos (in honor of Gretty) at Coyote Cafe.

Nothing special, but just a very casual place to hang out. Very popular apres ski…

Tuesday night we checked out Dish, a tapas-style place, but not Spanish food. It was good, but I was at the height of feeling sick, so not a good date.

Wednesday night we ate at the best restaurant in Beaver Creek - Mirabelle.

Very tasty, and a little bit fancy pants. Though Boom and I didn’t dress up for anyone or any restaurant.

Wednesday night, our last night, we went into Edwards to find a very casual place - ended up at Lark Burger.

I enjoyed it (had a Larkburger with no burger, so just bun, cheese, lettuce & tomato), but also had fries, which made it my 2nds helping of the day. That was when I realized I need to put a ban on the fries.

3 of the 4 days, we at lunch at the Ritz-Carlton, which is where my fry habit took over… and lunch at the Ritz was also not a steal, but we were able to get a table every time, which was worth its cost.

THEME SONG

Taco, Burrito, What’s coming out of your speedo?

You’re in trouble, You’re blowing bubbles;

You’re going down, You’re gonna drown!

- Spartan Swim Meet (Will Ferrell & Cheri Oteri)

Fashion Week January 22, 2008

Since Fashion Week 2008 is soon to be upon us, I thought I’d post my experience of Fashion Week 2007. It was AWESOME! I bid on Oscar de la Renta and Michael Kors tickets in the fall of 2006 at the Richmond SPCA’s Fur Ball (their big fancy fundraiser). I took Yarb, as her Christmas gift - and we had a BLAST!

We were one of the lucky ones - you can’t BUY tickets to Fashion Week and we were going to be inside the famous tents at Bryan Park…

Our first show was Oscar de la Renta.

This was the mass chaos before the show started.

The models at the end of the show.

Some famous people at the show…

And Oscar himself!

I’ve retrived the emails I sent from NYC to my friends post show:

today was the oscar de la renta show - it was just FABULOUS! so awesome! here is what socialiterank.com (unfort, this website is no longer active) has to say:

TOP FIVE SHOWS TO BE THOROUGHLY INFESTED WITH SOCIALITES:

Oscar de la Renta: He’s grasping 10021 between his magical fingers and he’s not letting go. For the society, this is THE show to score tickets to. The ladies will gasp, cheer and applaud at every look in a beautiful, privileged unison.

- and -

Right now, the real 10021 divas are gracing the front-row seats of both the Carolina and Oscar shows.

it was totally unreal - the whole experience! the paparatzi was there in full effect - barbara walterspiper perabo were the main famous peeps that we saw. the creative direcor of Elle was there as was the editor of Elle Decor. lots of socialites (i am assuming, since the photographers loved them and i didn’t recognize them!) and that was all before the show started!oscar’s evening wear was absolutely BEAUTIFUL! i loved most all of his dresses! the models were sooo thin - and tall. the dresses were simple, classing and yet modern at the same time. lots of fur trim - gorgeous pinks and also black and a lovedly taupe dress with a tulle skirt. new trend - black hose / tights with everything!

i was literally sitting on the edge of my seat the entire show! it lasted around half an hour. our seats were pretty good - maybe 4 rows up - so definately peeps sitting behind us and the standing room was at the very top. the music was also really great - somewhat techno but still melodic. i really, really enjoyed the whole thing! all the socialites were carrying HUGE bags - i feel like i need to get a new, and REALLY BIG bag.

we ended up wearing skinning jeans and sweaters. it was much better to be dressed as we were, than to be one of the ones “trying too hard”. and we fit right in!

anyway, i’ll write more after the micheal kors show!

xoxo

p.s. scooter - full length puffy jackets are all the rage here in nyc! you are so cutting edge!

And our second show was Michael Kors:

Here is what I emailed after the show:

i just got back from the Micheal Kors show - INCREDIBLE! that is all i can say - it was effing INCREDIBLE! lots of star sightings, so let’s start from the beginning…the first celeb we saw was Anna Winter (Editor-in-Chief of Elle; the character that “The Devli Wears Prada” is based off of…) with her was her Editor-at-Large of Elle, I dunno his name, but he is a really tall, African-American man. He was also at the Oscar show on Monday. She is super thin and stylish, as one would expect.

the next celeb spotted at the show was the Dutchess of York, Fergie. She looks just like she does on tv. seemed very friendly - some random peeps were going up to her to talk to her!

the bald guy from “what not to wear” and “fashion police” was there - in a bright orange jacket. he was also at oscar’s show.

the next celeb we saw was jane k., the secretarty from ally mcbeal. she has a lot of blone hair! and is quite petite.

so… the next star was a biggie - jeanne’s lookalike Kim Catrall from sex in the city! she looked great! ee got some great shots of her after the show when she was talking to the media. i’ll send them out once they are downloaded.

the donald was there with melana - he looks exactly like he does on tv! she was wearing a huge fur hat - and looks very glamorous!

both this show and the oscar show was in the main tent, there are smaller shows in the salon and another smaller tent. this time we sat on the other side of the tent than we did for the oscar show.

the music was much more pop-ey than at the oscar show. mainly “groove is in the heart” and some gwen stefani. and sportsware made up most of his pieces. he did have some male models as well. neutrals were everywhere - and lots of fur. the few colors that did show up in his clothing were orange and blue. but mainly just grays, khakis, browns, blacks, golds and silver. he also had patents leathers.

large bags were everywhere. on the models and spectators. i am coveting a chanel black patent leather bag - huge! i went to saks to see if i could just hold it and check the price, but they had none left! i saw no less than 5 ladies carrying that bag!

for you richmond gals, tinsley (mercer) mortimer was there - and she is ranked #2 on socialiterank.com (the last ranking time frame she was ranked #1).

i didn’t wear a drop of make-up the entire time i was in nyc! i didn’t even shower for this show (i did for oscar) - just call me pigpen the ponytail is quite in, which makes me happy! and so are skinny jeans / pants. i felt out of style when i was not wearing skinny pants - even the men are wearing skinny pants!

i am headed home in a few hours - hopefully i’ll catch up with you all in person soon!

xoxo

And here are other random photos from our fun 5 days in NYC…

Yarb & I in Bill and Juan’s apartment (they took 2 apartments and made into one, very Sex in the City-esque)

Yummy - cupcakes! I have always loved them, and then they became so en vouge!

Here is all of us - this was a Sun or Mon night - we went to dindin and then out DANCING at a gay club. Very fun. I felt like such a city gal!!!!

Thanks, Boom, for letting Yarb and I go up yo NYC. It was the experience of a LIFETIME (though I’d love to do it again… and I hear SCAN has gotten their hands on some Fashion Week tickets to auction off at the Progressive Dinner event…).

The Big Easy November 9, 2007

When we finally arrived into New Orleans (via Memphis), I was super tired and maybe a little hung over. We stayed at the Ritz (very froufrou, but nice enough) right in the French Quarter. Good location, as we could walk to a lot of places!

The church was so quaint - S had gone to school there from 5th - 12th grades! We got there an hour early, as the instructions told us to “*Arrive early for a seat” - and even being that early, C’s side of the church was already half full! S looked beautiful in her dress - rumor has it that she designed it herself! And the priest that married C&S also married S’s parents - I love that! Such a great sense of history.

I love wedding cake! To look at and to eat! Yummy!

We took a tour of the city - there is actually a lot to do and see outside of drinking and what I saw as a college student!

Love the ferns and iron!

Luckily on Sunday night when the Pats played, they won!!! Despite all the horrible officiating - seemed like the referees wanted the Colts to win. Sadly, I have gotten into New England sports - I definately prefer football to baseball - I guess the nearly 5 years we have been married, something has rubbed off on me from Boomboom.

We also had to visit an iconic spot:

I didn’t really remember what beignets tasted like, but after our mega order, I did! and they made me feel not so hot.

Isn’t Boomboom cute?! Love him