Is it just me or is August 25 a popular day for birthdays?

Happy Birthday Car Car!
I believe this was taken after doing some mad push-ups on my birthday. I hope we see these skills tonight!




Happy Birthday Mrs. BakerKimbell!

Birthday celebrating won't be as wild as usual this evening, with the triathlon looming but I know Ash is going to kick some ash on Sunday!

Chili Cookoff
I love this picture of my Dad from the Chili Cookoff in 2001. I had just started living in Arlington and he metroed from Springfield to meet me (before the cell phone craze). I was wondering how to find him in the crowd because he easily blends into any environment. But, I found him completely in his element, with his chili pepper shirt on, beer in hand, and chili already on his nose from sampling. It was a great day. Also pictured is former roommate Tanja, friend Lauren, and Brian (Chili Cookoff contestant for CUMONIWANALAYA chili).

He would have been the big sixty today.

Running Tip #16

When running with mace, it's not a good idea to test it out while running across a bridge when the wind is blowing (I would think).

Gramma Rose

Grandma Rose would have been 88 today. She was my Mom's mom, and I'd like to think I inherited some of her spunkiness. I had the pleasure of being the first grandchild and although this came with many benefits, now I realize the best was that I got the most time with her, compared to my younger cousins whose memories are not as clear. At the time, I didn't realize how cool and non-traditional-grandma-like she was. Originally from Clairton, PA (pronounced 'Clerton' by local Pittsburghers), she moved to Northern Virginia in the eighties (culture shock).

I spent several summers in PA with both Grandmas, and they each would try their best to get me to stop sucking my thumb and relying on my Pink Blanket (Pinky, who is still a big part of my life thanks to my Mom). Every time I returned from a Grandma-only visit, Pinky was smaller (they kept cutting it) and my parents had to reassure me that my thumb would not fall off or be deformed if I continued to suck it.

Grandma Rose was an adventurous, beer-drinking, bargain shopping, card shark with a passion for yard sales, cruises, and polkas. She had an eye for jewelry and made sure her children and grandchildren each had one of anything she bought (thanks to QVC). Both my Mom and my Aunt also turned to the QVC craze, so I'm sure it's only a matter of time before I'm up til 3am grabbing for my cell phone as supplies for a limited edition dustbuster count down..

She was also not afraid to belt out a song in church, and sometimes I still feel like I can hear her voice, especially whenever the choir sings 'How Great Thou Art'. If she were around today, I know she would be hip on the internet and still referring to me as the "doodlebug' or 'segunka' (which I think is Polish for 'stinker').

Iron Girl

I have to take this opportunity to make fun of Lisa and her hard core ways. There are about 9 of us training for the upcoming Iron Girl Triathlon (in less than two weeks..yipes). Every time we talk, somebody is complaining about how they are not training hard enough etc etc. The last few months have just turned into one big guilt trip (like when you hear someone had a great swim while you instead sat on the couch and watched 'SYTYCD' (So You Think You Can Dance)!

Lisa is a great athlete and competitive (yes, hard to believe). So last night we had a bunch to do and ended up commiserating about how we both skipped our workout (or so I thought). Note that each of us takes great comfort in knowing the other also skipped the workout. A little bit later in the evening Lisa happened to mention something about "On my run home from work". AH HEM, EXCUSE ME?

Yes, Lisa runs home from work many days and she merely considers this a 'commute'. I find great humor in the fact that she doesn't consider a 3 mile run a workout!!!! As we talked further about this, I realize that I am not as competitive as I thought, Lisa definitely takes this cake!

I didn't even get in to her behavior on actual race days. I remember vowing some time ago never to travel with her again on the morning of a race, but meet her after we finish..ha!

Watch out girls of Columbia, Lisa's already got her game face on!

Love you Lissie.

Who is Counting Now?

Happy Birthday Brian!

Last year was the big 3-0 bash, but I guess it's all just middle age years from there ;) I don't know if we'll be able to top last year's clarendon grill party having, embarrassing baby photo showing, custom cake cutting, bus renting, custom t-shirt designing, 9:30 concert going, post party flip cupping extravaganza?!?!? Maybe just a happy little weekend with a trip to Home Depot and Bed Bath and Beyond, time permitting. Hope you are having a good one today!

Note: please disregard this teasing when March rolls around.

AJ BDAY

Happy Birthday

Aunt Janet!

These were taken from a birthday celebration a couple years ago in Adam's Morgan!

Everyone needs an aunt like AJ. She has always treated me as if my opinion and thoughts were important and respected (she sure knows how to humor me..ha!) She also always laughs at my imitations and jokes (a bonus). And, what other aunt would you find in Adam's Morgan on a Saturday night? Love it and love you AJ!

"I can KICK and STRETCH!!!"

Sayonara Sayman

Things I'll miss about Scott Sayman:

* 7am wake-up calls for Flag Football and the evil eye when I still showed up late ;)

* Watching his fancy footwork as QB and his huddles where any play could be explained by drawing on his chest (who needs armbands!)

* Knowing the words and singing to any song

* Tuesday Night Quarter's on Highland Street (ok, we did it twice but we tried to make it a weekly event)

* Encouraging words, a smile and a hug whenever anyone needs it (I know, I had to put a sappy one in here)

* His ability to rally for any party or event

* Amazing Crab Soup recipe (and special deliveries for me)

* His sweet skills as shortstop and the throw down of his glove when he gets mad at himself

* His generosity for letting me keep his favorite red hat when he accidentally gave it to me in a drunk moment

Congrats to Sayman and Allie! We will miss you!

Summer of Dahn

That's Right.

Happy Birthday Dtox!

Favorite Things

Hanging out with my roommates provides endless entertainment and blog material. Over the last few days we've had the most random conversations about our favorite things.

My Favorite Things
(according to Big Blue)

Back Packs with Hoses and
'Good Friends' for Breakfast

Drillbits and Ziplocks and
Supplies for the Office

Straws in Orange Soda and Travel Size Samples
Spray Butter that sticks on my Toast and Corn Muffins

Tupperware Containers filled up with Greens
These are a few of my favorite things

When the bar's closed
When the gym's full
When I'm feeling sad

I simply remember my favorite things
and then I don't feel so bad!