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Sunday, October 30, 2011

3G Road Trippin'

Finally!!! I've found 15 minutes to sit down in front of my computer and blog about the fun things I did last weekend.  Several months ago my sister asked me if I'd go to a Hanson concert with her and I said, sure why not.  We decided to get tickets to the Virginia Beach show and make a weekend of it.  Our mom and grandmother decided to tag a long too, no, not for the concert, just to get away for the weekend and take in all of the sights Virginia had to offer.

Virginia really is such a beautiful state, especially in the Fall.  Typically my family likes to go for Saturday or Sunday drives to the mountains for hikes and picnics.  We haven't had the chance to get away for a trip like that just yet, so this mini-road trip to the beach was a great filler.  Here we go:




Since my mom and grandma weren't going to the concert and had to be back to work on Monday morning, they drove separately.  We followed them down the back roads of VA and made our way to our first stop, the Virginia Bazaar.  We found a few treasures, but not much...it was worth the drive just to see the beautiful horse farms and homes.






The next stop was Berkeley Plantation.  Absolutely gorgeous, I love old plantation homes.  There was a wedding taking place while we were there out on the lawn.  If I were a VA resident I totally would have looked into a having my wedding there!  Anyway, there is a lot of history in this old house; two Presidents have lived here, Taps was composed here, etc.  




The plantation is right on the James River.
Considering it was the third week of October, the weather was perfect!








We finally made it to our hotel on the beach!  We took a stroll around the town that night and woke up to a gorgeous sunrise, some porpoises close to the shore and then Marci and I went for a run on the boardwalk.  A great start to a great day...




We heard that there was a beer festival about 2 blocks from the hotel, so Sunday morning after our mom and grandma hit the road we hit the pavement.  The beer festival wasn't open yet, since it was only 12:30, so we headed 20 blocks away to a Fall Festival at a restaurant called Watermans. Upon closer inspection it wasn't so much of a festival as a "Crush Fest".  They were debuting their new "Orange Crush" drink called the "Ruby Red Grapefruit Crush".  Fresh squeezed, ice cold, heaven in a plastic cup.  There was also a DJ and live band playing...yeah, we never made it back to the beer festival.  We did, however, hike our way back to the hotel to get ready for the main event...





 The Hanson concert.  I can't lie, it was a great show!  I really wish people would forget about MMMBop and listen to their newer music.  These three young men are so talented, but don't get the credit they deserve.  Despite witnessing a fight (yes, a girl in front of us had to be escorted out) and having a slight  hangover from the Crush Fest several hours earlier, it was a lot of fun.  I bought Marci a shirt during the show and shoved it in my purse, planning to give it to her for Christmas, but that didn't happen.  Never in a million years did I expect her to get the opportunity to meet on of them, so of course it happened.  Zac, the youngest came out of the venue and put his things on their bus then came over and signed autographs and took pictures...I couldn't believe it, after 14 years of loving this band Marci finally got to meet one of them.  It may not have been the man of her dreams, Taylor (who by the way is GORGEOUS...without a doubt deserving of a sexiest man alive title), but she still can say she met one of them.  And I figured what the heck, I might as well get a picture too...


The next morning we hit the road, reminisced about the concert and made our way back to Maryland, stopping at a few thrift shops and a cracker barrel of course :) Mission road trip, accomplished.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Must. Write.

Today, my newest guilty pleasure, HelloGiggles, told me that today is National Day on Writing, which means that I had to find my way to the computer tonight to produce this little blog post.  I have always loved creative writing, and even took a few English classes as electives in college, so I am all about the National Day on Writing.



The past two weeks have thoroughly kicked my butt, and I've been cleaning like a mad woman ever since I walked in the door when I got home from work, in other words; I am exhausted. Typically I would be off work tomorrow for my CWS Friday, but I decided to go in so I can take off on Monday.  And just why do I need to be off on a Monday?  Because I'm taking a road trip with my sister this weekend and our last stop is Norfolk, VA to see her all time favorite band, Hanson.



Yes, I am going to a Hanson concert.  At the age of 25.  Go ahead and get your laughs in, I know it's not the coolest thing in the world to be doing.  However, even though my cheeks go rose colored when I tell people I'm going to see Hanson, I quickly let them know that Hanson still makes new music, and it's pretty quality stuff at that!  Even though I'm pretty sure I'll be hearing a more masculine rendition of MMMBop (Yes, I still know that the proper way to spell it is with three M's), their new music is very good and I'm looking forward to seeing them live.  They are truly talented brothers who have been doing this their entire lives.  I have nothing bu respect for them and the music they make.

This picture is actually from a Tinted Windows (a side project/band that Taylor was a part of) concert Marci and I went to a couple of years ago.  

I'm having trouble keeping my eyes open, even though it is only 8:40pm, so I'm going to sign off for the night.  I just wanted to make sure I did my duty and wrote a little something on National Day on Writing.  Stay tuned for a blog update after our road trip, it should be entertaining! :)

Monday, October 17, 2011

Fall Forever

I wish it could be Fall year round.  Ok, well maybe that is a bold statement, but I do love the season of Fall.  The weather starts to cool down, the leaves start changing, and the pumpkins start growing! Let the decorating being.

Found this lovely fall wreath at Lowes

This is the first time we've put a Fall display out in the front yard.  Not much, but still cute. A pair of mums, dried corn, a pumpkin and a gord, all atop of a hay bail with a Mr. & Mrs. Scarecrow and a cornstalk background. Festive :)


Oh, and for a few giggles...I put this display out yesterday evening.  When I came home from work this afternoon I found this:

I'm going to guess the tailless Squirrel who lives in our backyard is to blame...

Saturday, October 15, 2011

An Incredible Loss

Written word has always been the easiest way for me to communicate.  And right now, there really isn't anything else I can, or want to, do except write.  Last week, 10-13-11 to be exact, the world lost a truly incredible human being, Mr. Richard O'Donnell.  I can't believe I'm writing this, it was only 7 short years ago that I was graduating from Chopticon High School and hugging him goodbye.  I never would have thought that a more permanent goodbye would be in store such a short time later.  After hearing through the grapevine how sick he was, I was literally getting ready to write him a letter to check in on him when I heard the news that he had passed.  Since I didn't get a chance to see him and write the letter, I thought I would write to him here, on my blog, just in case he's "following" me from up above.

Dear Mr. O'Donnell,

You gruff, sarcastic man.  Without a doubt, you will be missed far more than you will ever know.  You were like a staple at Chopticon High School, everyone and I mean EVERYONE knew who you were.  Some knew you as the basketball coach, some knew you as a history teach, and some knew you as the schools Athletic Director.  I, however, knew you as a friend.  High school is such a difficult time in any young persons life, and having known you honestly made my experience much better than I ever thought it would be.

I cannot thank you enough for the support system you provided me over the years.  You were my sounding-board to vent to when I wasn't happy with a few certain coaches, you were my encouragement when I didn't think I was good enough at basketball or field hockey or there was 'trouble in paradise', you were my hall pass when I was late for class, you made me smile with your crazy antics and silly jokes when I was having a bad day, you grounded me, never letting my head get too big and you never forgot about me, even when I went off to college... (I will never forgot the thoughtful care packages you sent us)

Without you in my life, I would not be where I am today.  I am sorry we lost touch the past couple of years, and that I didn't make it to see you before you passed.  I will forever treasure the love and compassion that you showed me.  You are in a better place now, and I cannot think of a more fitting guardian angel to watch over me, and all of the others that you've touched in your lifetime, than the one who was always looking out for me while you were still here.

I love you and will miss you always,

Mindy <3

ps- i hope you are enjoying a diet coke, cosmic brownie, fast break bar, and rice krispie treat right now, all while listening to Sheryl Crow's greatest hits and watching some basketball film. :) Save me a seat, I can't wait to see you again!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

The Rivah'

My dad has been connected to the water, more specifically the Potomac River (aka the 'Rivah') since he was born.  His parents worked the water together the majority of their lives, as well as the Morris relatives before them.  It's in their blood, it's what they do.  And it's what my dad did too, but times changed and it's nearly financially impossible to simply work the water today without an additional income, or two.

Having sold the boat he worked out of several years ago, he decided to get one made, that way it would be exactly what he wanted.  After several trips back and forth to the Eastern Shore, he finally got his dream boat: The Rose Marie.  Ok, well he hasn't painted a name on it yet, but I'm pretty sure that's what he's going to call it, in honor of his late mother and my grandmother, MawMaw.



He wants to get a cabin built on, but that is taking longer than he originally expected, so he hasn't take the boat out much at all this year. He has gone out a couple of times Oystering since he invested in some new tongs, also from the Eastern Shore, but no pleasure trips really. (Except for the photo above, that was the first time putting her in the water). So you can only imagine my excitement when he called me this weekend  and asked if I wanted to take a ride on the River to Cobb Island for some lunch.  Didn't. Think. Twice.




Our family LOVES the show "Swamp People"...I wonder if it has anything to do with the resemblance between Capt. Jeb and Capt. Troy...





Friday, October 7, 2011

A Weekend Off


I’m counting my blessings today.  It’s my CWS Friday, and I don’t have a single commitment this weekend. Thank God!  Don’t get me wrong, I love my friends and my family dearly, but sometimes you just need a weekend away from it all.

I slept in this morning and woke up to find that the weather was finally back to normal. Not too hot, not too cold, just perfect. Of course Bubba was out the door by 6:00am heading to Mechanicsville so I took advantage of the empty house and did something I only do behind closed doors.  I cranked up my iTunes, belted out a few of my newest downloads and started cleaning.  The mail lady sat outside the house for longer than usual while delivering my mail, I hope she couldn’t hear me…

Tyler and Allie (my brother and his girlfriend) are both celebrating birthday’s this week.  They are in Florida for school so I bought them some goodies and packaged them up with every intention of mailed them this week.  Work was so busy I didn’t get a chance to sneak out to the Post Office so I figured today would be the ideal time to send it. I hopped on my pink bike and rode up to Potomac Gardens (right next to the PO) only to find the metal window down and not a soul in sight.  Apparently in an attempt to save money, the PO is closed this entire weekend.  Sorry Ty and Al, but your bday gifts are going to be a little late!

Which brings me to where I am sitting right at this moment: The most peaceful and sunny spot I can think of, my front porch.  I can’t think of any other way to start off my relaxing and event free weekend than to be sitting right here, with the seagulls and butterflies.





I hope you all have a beautiful weekend! 

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Look Around

It's a sad day when you can have something so beautiful blooming in your yard to let you know Fall is on it's way and you've been so busy you didn't even notice it!


Don't pay all the weeds and grown up grass any mind...

Sunday, October 2, 2011

PBC Fun Fact

Since I've been posting quite a bit about my new Etsy shop, Point Breeze Cottage, lately, I thought I'd share with you a little story about one of the items we sold recently.  Meet our lovely Orange Step Chair:


This little gem still has the original tags on the bottom of the seat from the manufacturer, KROMETAL MFG. CORP. and is dated Nov. 27, 1955.  This bright, and original, orange vinyl was in decent condition that was quickly turned into excellent condition with a little soap and water.  A fresh coat of silver paint on the legs, along with a shot of black on the steps, and this baby was as good as new.



I had a hard time parting with such a unique and vintage piece, even though I reached a point where I wasn't sure I'd have to.  Even in its great condition, and extremely fair price, this chair kept it's spot in our shop for several weeks.  And finally, after numerous emails inquiries and hundreds of views, our orange beauty finally sold to a woman in Los Angeles, CA.  My curiosity (and excitement) was peaked when I began emailing back and forth with the woman purchasing the chair and she told me that she was a set designer in LA and worked on a period television show and that the new season begins in March 2012.

Late 50's?  Period TV show? New season in March?  Mad Men? hmmm...if you are a fan, keep your eyes peeled for this Point Breeze Cottage purchase!