Small Bits of Normalcy

I enjoyed 2, count them, TWO fun things this weekend without spotting at all. Yay! We went to a caroling party the first night. We had so much fun being silly with all the people a couple years ago and I was anxious to go again. I only got to do one street so I missed half the singing, but by stopping at a point before my breaking point and going back to sit down and socialize, I managed the situation. Then on Sunday we were able to go to our friendly Christmas party at Max's in Fells Point. We went early and watched the (abysimal) Ravens game for a couple hours and then headed upstairs to the party. We turned a windchime and paper towel holder into a punch bowl and some books at the White Elephant gift exchange. It's always a good time.

Then today I had a doctor's appointment that didn't ruin my day (http://jlsh935.blogspot.com/2012/12/passed-ton-of-tests.html) so I liked that too. Now I just have to get through 4 days of work somehow!

Year 3 - Day 196 - July 14

We drove all over the state of Maryland today to see friends from everywhere! First we headed to Reisterstown to visit friends who are here from Texas. After a cookout there and getting stuffed to the gills, we headed back up towards the country where we celebrated a friend's birthday with a pool party. (Well, we missed the pool part, but got there in time to see everyone.) A fun day, but I'm exhausted! :)

Year 3 - Day 147 - May 26

We had our annual "Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend" party today. We decided to make it Saturday since most people have lots of places to go and people to see on long weekends. This year, we actually remembered to bring out the popsicles! I couldn't believe how many people requested blue and green when I brought the bag outside. This means that all my favorite flavors are still in the freezer waiting for me! :)

Year 3 - Day 77 - March 17

Every year our friends host a St. Patrick's Day party. Since we were hanging out and chatting, I didn't think to take a picture until we were leaving! This is the remnants of the snack table. :)

Year 2 - Day 287 - October 15

I totally didn't take this picture, Carl did. However, I was having fun at Oktoberfest so I didn't think about taking pictures. He always remembers to take pictures, so here we go. ;) That's my left hand doing a princess wave while Darra gets ready to take us on our hay ride! It was a little scary and that cart wasn't very stable, but we had fun and survived to tell the tale. :)

Year 2 - Day 247 - September 5

If I was smart, I would take a picture AT a Labor Day party, rather than having to take a picture of the evite later. :)

Today we spent the day celebrating my best friend's new home and doing no labor in honor of Labor Day! What a wonderful way to spend an extended weekend day. Now I'm spending my evening getting ready for tomorrow night's class...

Year 2 - Day 182 - July 2

Our 4th of July weekend is a busy one this year, but I’ve been looking forward to it. Today we started the celebration at our friend’s house in PA. They are lucky enough to live down the street from their town fireworks location, so we could pop up chairs in the driveway and watch without the crowds. No traffic, no crowds, no crazy boaters trying to run us over, and a bathroom right inside the door. Definitely a leg up on previous fireworks excursions!

Year 2 - Day 148 - May 29

Between yesterday's friends party and today's family party, I have eaten enough sugar to last me a lifetime. Just a sampling of leftovers ... cookies from NJ, snickerdoodles from my friend's mom slash mom's friend, peanut butter chocolate cake from a farmers market, canoli cake from another farmers market, and chocolate butterscotch cookies from Mike's mom. (Not shown because it's gone: chocolate strawberry cake)

Year 2 - Day 78 - March 19

Tonight was our friends' annual St. Patrick's Day celebration.  While we enjoy the desserts at the party every year, neither of us is a huge fan of Irish food.  Therefore, we took advantage of being in White Marsh and ownership of a PF Changs gift card to try out their dinner for two special.  It's a pretty good deal, but if you're not starving then you could get out of there for cheaper than the $40 menu.  It's 4 courses - each person chooses a soup (He had Hot & sour, I had egg drop), you get an appetizer to share (We had chicken lettuce wraps), both people choose an entree (He had shrimp something or other, I had chicken), and then you each get a shot glass dessert. (His was lemon, mine chocolate.) We both ate only half our entree & we'll just have them for lunch tomorrow.  I was impressed that when they packed our entrees they gave us additional rice in the containers to fill them up.  I know that rice is practically free, but it was a nice gesture.  The party was fun too!! :) It was nice to relax & to see people we don't see often.

Day 365 - December 31

Here we are.  Day #365.  This year is ending right where it began - on 34th street in Hamden.  The bright orb you see is a street light, but if you look a little to the left and a little down, that's the mini ball that drops. 

2010 was a decent year - definitely better than 2009, but I'm hoping 2011 is even better.

Best part of 2010 was finally finding a house!  We also enjoyed the vacations - California, Boston, and Arizona.  We didn't see my mother as many times this year - she stayed in AZ for more time.  She was still here for Easter, her dr's appt's in the fall, and a wedding in the fall though. :) We survived a couple blizzards, although they were made easier by not being homeowners at the time.  We said goodbye to Sneakers which was sad, but attended several weddings that were happy! I went to my first roller derby bout and joined a book club to meet people near our new house.  We bought a grownup dining room table and learned how to install a garage door opener.  I had some seriously crazy medical tests done at the beginning and end of the year, but there's still technically nothing wrong with me!  While we did go to professional sporting events this year, somehow in the calendar year of 2010 we did not see a Ravens or Orioles game in person.  We ate some great meals, mostly on vacation, and took some great pictures that we still need to get around to putting up in the house.  And one of these days we'll completely unpack the boxes in the back bedroom....but hey, we have to leave something for 2011. :)

Day 353 - December 19

Today was our annual Winter Wonderland party at Max's.  Since the shindig started at 3, one of our friends came up with the idea to go early.  That way, the boys wouldn't miss any of the Ravens game.  Usually I drink water when I go out, but since I was taking up a seat at the bar for a couple hours during prime time, I upgraded to Sprite.  I was surprised to receive this GIGANTIC cup of soda.  I have no idea how many ounces of soda I drank because he kept refilling it before it got all the way to the bottom.  I am seriously feeling the sugar low now!  (The junk food at the party probably didn't help.) :)

Day 349 - December 15

All set up for book club ... just waiting for people to arrive!

For food, I decided to make:
The crescent roll/brie thing with crackers and apples
The sausage/cheese/crescent roll thing (also stolen from Danielle) ;)
Chips & salsa
cake pops
cookies
sweet & sour meatballs
wine
soda

Day 79 - March 20

I was all ready to use my picture from the line at Rita's today, but then we watched a dude twirl fire. :)