Driving update

Over the weekend I tried out something new - driving to AC Moore. On the surface, it was running an errand to buy yarn but the greater purpose was to get me to drive somewhere new. It's a 15 minute drive, one of the longer ones for me, and included highway driving and narrow road driving (both of which make me nervous). I did fine. Sweaty, but fine. Enough so that I even drove home - something I don't usually do but I figured if I was going to push myself then I should really do it.

Agricola

Happy owner of my own set of Agricola.

But I love chewing gum...!

So sad to learn that chewing gum is primarily made out of plastic.

:(

http://fakeplasticfish.com/2010/01/chewing-on-plastic-yum/

Brookline in a box

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Longest conversation with my brother since January

Nicole: hey marc

Marc: hey

Nicole: you're up early

Marc: yeah, I have to go to work soon

Nicole: email me back sometime then

Marc: ok

Nicole: ok. have a good day

Marc: thanks...you too

Gardening

The weather has been nice for the past few days so after work yesterday, Max and I headed to Home Depot to pick up a giant pallet of stuff from the garden center. When we got home, I planted some lilies of the valley while Max repotted one of our hostas. Then the two of us covered our front garden in a fresh layer of black mulch. Suddenly everything looks great! It's amazing what mulch can do. For now, it's a little bare with only the tiny green leaves of our chrysanthemums peeking up but we're expecting rain from Thursday through Monday so hopefully soon there will be more.

Tonight we tackle the back yard - including moving a giant juniper tree. THAT should be fun. But totally necessary. Luckily the hole is already partially dug (Sunday's effort) so maybe it won't take that long. My Dad gave me some chive heads to plant so those will go where the tree used to be, along with more mulch.

Allergies?

Is it allergy season already? It's only March! But I've been knock-me-over tired for the past two weeks... anyone else out there already feeling the effects of allergy season?

Mardi Gras Rock n' Roll Half Marathon

On Sunday, Max and Slav and I completed the Mardi Gras Rock n' Roll Half Marathon in New Orleans. Slav came in first, then Max and then me. I finished with a time of 2h48min. Longer than my first half but the circumstances were completely different.

It was 45 degrees when we started at 7am. I was wearing a long sleeve shirt and capri pants. Was I cold? Definitely! But I warmed up soon enough and the miles started rolling by. The three of us stayed together for a little while but I had a hard time keeping up with the boys and by the end they were well ahead of me. I managed to continue running without stopping until the 10 mile mark but after that I had to walk a little and run a little to keep on going. My legs just wouldn't cooperate. But my mind was strong and I managed to sprint into the finish. It was a good run, great scenery, and the weather was beautiful. Sunny and warm by the time I crossed the finish line, definitely the best day of the entire trip.

Busy weekend

I'm so tired. This weekend was alot of running around because my brother in law and his girlfriend are visiting. On Saturday we had breakfast at home (I made pancakes) and then we went downtown to see the Terracotta Warrior Exhibit at the National Geographic Museum. We couldn't find parking so we ended up parking in a lot but when we got to the museum, the exhibit was sold out! So we looked at their other photography exhibit for half an hour and then drove over to the Washington National Cathedral. Spent awhile there looking around at everything. When we got home, Max had to run out and buy a birthday present for our 5-year old neighbor's birthday party. For dinner we went to Food Matters. Then at 6:30, we went over to the neighbors house for Caleb's birthday party. And then at 7:15, we had to leave the house to go to the Kennedy Center to see the concert. We were sitting BEHIND the orchestra, practically on the stage. It was the weirdest thing because you know everyone was looking at us. The concert was okay, some weird stuff, some stuff I recognised. By the time we went to bed it was midnight and I was exhausted.

Yesterday we had brunch at Rosa Mexicano. Marvin and Helen seemed to like it. We took them to Chinatown because they wanted to see it - all 2 blocks! After a couple of minutes of looking around they decided they didn't want to wait for the Chinese New Year parade. Instead we went to the National Archives to see the Magna Carta, The Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Then to the American History Museum. I got to see Julia Child's kitchen. Very small but so interesting to see all the tools that she had and how they were displayed. We were there until 4pm and then took the Metro back. For dinner I made risotto with sauteed portabello mushrooms, and a big salad. For dessert we had some cookies from the store since Helen had been craving them. I went to bed on time but I'm still so tired this morning.

White blanket in progress

A little green hat

Icycles

Erin

More snow in DC

More like this

photo-791874
Originally uploaded by Knerq

Imagine the colors brighter

On the fritz

My knitting mojo has been on the fritz of late and after a row or two, I'm bored with it. Crazy, right? It's probably the winter blues just affecting everything else but this weekend I finished my first project of the year (and the first one since December). I don't have any pictures yet but I am quite happy with it. Very colourful and wavy. And even better, something for me! All that's left to do is weave in the end and steam press it on the ironing board.

Running update
Ran 5 miles on the treadmill yesterday. Could have been truly tortuous but it wasn't that bad actually. Today I'm feeling pretty good and if it continues I might go to the gym tonight and do another 2. I'm in training for a half marathon at the end of the month - yikes! Too soon! Too soon!

Driving update
There has been more driving on the highway and for longer distances. Woohoo!

Orchid

By my desk

Things that make me happy

1) Max (most of the time)
2) yummy food and drinks
3) warm weather and sunshine
4) getting my nails done
5) ice skating
6) new clothes
7) sparkly stuff