MDW 2K13

Memorial Day weekend started off with my Mom and Sister stopping by overnight.  Saturday morning they headed to nearby Lorton to board the auto train so Laura can start her Disney College Program adventure!  We took a few pictures before they left.  She is currently getting settled into her apartment and she will soon start to "Earn her Ears" in training.  Mom is taking advantage of the free time by enjoying a few days at the parks.  I'm extremely jealous.

With her Monsters, Inc. Coloring book I gave her for the looong train ride

Davis girls

GOOD LUCK LAURA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 After they left, we packed up the car and the pins and headed down to the Property for some good old redneck fun.  In typical fashion, I did not charge my camera, so I only got pictures on my phone.

One of the biggest achievements from this weekend is that Doc spent the majority of it off leash.  This was actually more training for ME than it was for him.  He is a very obedient boy and will do ANYTHING for his Dad's affection, but I am so worried about him running away or losing him that I freak out if the door is open and the pins aren't contained.  Chloe is still a little rambuctious but by the end of the weekend, she was running around with the leash trailing behind her (so she'd be easier to catch if she decided to run for it) too.

Pins Passed out on Pillow Pets

I heard yelling and I came out of the house afraid Doc had run off.... he was just sitting there. In the leaves. Chillin.

Playing fetch with Dad in the front field

I actually have some great videos but Blogger is not cooperating at the moment.

We had a great weekend full of outdoorsy things.  The boys got to play with their toys, and I got to drink girly drinks and watch the Nascar races.  I really enjoyed being able to relax and do nothing.

Joey is sporting my pink earmuffs

Biggest burgers I've ever seen

Boomerang in a tree? No problem.

Sigh...

With so many people and so many things going on, it was a little exhausting for the pins.  So I'll leave you with some sleeping pin pics.  (Well, it's sleeping Chloe pics.)  Enjoy!

~SG

The Year of the Cicada

If you don't live local to Northern VA, you might not know that we have been invaded by small, dumb, red-eyed aliens.  Yes, I am writing about Periodical Cicadas on my blog.  Judge if you must, but I want to look back and remember certain things about my 20s and this is a significant issue!

They are everywhere.  They come out of the ground every 17 years, and this was the year.  The dull roar of cicadas can be heard outside in the evenings and early mornings.  Their little skins are stuck all over my back porch and retaining wall. My dogs delight in pawing them until they break in half. 

It's so gross. In general, they are slow moving and not dangerous or malicious.  They are just material cicadas living in a material world.  But they are going to be around for the next month or so, and that is really cramping my style.

That song is in your head now, isn't it??

Happy Friday!

~SG

No Soliciting.

It's that time of year where our home is continuously threatened by the little girl on the bicycle, or the cat across the street, or the neighbor mowing his lawn.  Now that the weather is nicer and everyone is spending time outside, the Min Pins feel they must keep watch out the front door in case (and God forbid) a door-to-door salesman shows up on the front porch.  It is actually quite humorous to watch these people leap backwards in fear as the dogs descend on the foyer, howling and screaming like banshees.... then I just look out the window, make eye contact with the person outside, shrug, and walk away.

My First Stitch Fix

Have you heard of it?  I had never, until I complimented a new friend on her blouse and she said that's where she got it. She gave me her referral link, and the rest is history!

Stitch Fix is an awesome company.  You fill out a survey where you describe what kind of clothes you like- what styles, what looks good on you, and what size you are.  It's very detailed and they go to great lengths to get a good idea of what you do and don't like.

Then you schedule a fix- you pay $20 (your "styling fee", which also can be used towards the items in your box if you decide to purchase anything) and they send you a box of about 5 pieces for you to try on!  It can be anything- pants, skirts, dresses, jackets, jewelry.  You have 3 business days to try them on and mail back the items you don't want!

I was so excited for my first box to arrive!  It finally did and I played dress up all weekend.  Here is what came in my first box:

Note: I lack two things- a full length mirror and a good camera.  So I used the mirror in the guest room and my phone camera. The pictures aren't that great but you can at least get a good idea of what the clothes looked like.

HOORAY! My box is FINALLY here!!!

 Item #1: Bracelet
I loved this bracelet. It took me 2 days to figure out how to put it on.  I thought it was really cute and I love the color, but I didn't "$38 love it".  So it went back.

Item #2: Cute little triangle dress

I thought it was a cute dress and I loved the way it made my legs look (perfect cut).  But It fit me a little weird around the hips and I didn't really know where I'd wear it.  So it went back.

Item #3: Green heart sweater

This one was comfortable but of all the items in the box, was least "my style".  It went back as well.

Item #4: Color block tank

Initially, this item was my favorite out of the box.  It is light, comfortable, and I like the colors.  I decided it was too "booby" for me, and also it was a little gappy near the armpits. I opted to return it.

By now you are like "dude, did you keep anything from the box?? The answer is yes, I did!

Item #5: Peplum shirt
I like this one for several reasons, but mostly because it is perfect for work, play, and otherwise.  I can wear this so many different types of places and it fit perfectly, which is what made it so attractive to me.  I would have never picked this out on my own- I don't typically go for colors like this one.  Best part? With the $20 I had already paid, it was only an additional $18.  Total win.

So, obviously I've already signed up to get my next Fix!!!

I'm going to be incredibly tacky but if you are interested in joining, click on this link and I'll get credit for your membership :)

http://stitchfix.com/sign_up?referrer_id=3076424

Two things to leave you with:
1. I loved how everything in my box fit me.  It is hard to make that happen even when I'm shopping for myself!
2. I waited about a month for my membership to go through, but it was totally worth it!!!!!

~SG

Laura Graduated!

Well, I'm officially old.  Both my siblings are out of college.

This past weekend, my youngest sib walked across the stage to get her diploma at Penn State. 

Joey and I made it a day trip, and headed out around 7am for a noon ceremony.  We had no issues getting to State College, got changed at a McDonalds, ate breakfast twice, and met up with my family outside the arena. 

The graduation ceremony was like most others.  The keynote speaker was the Executive Chairman of ESPN, George Bodenheimer.  He was also a proud Dad of a graduate!  His story was definitely inspiring- he knew he wanted to work in sports so he got a job in the mailroom at ESPN about 30 years ago.  And now he's the Executive Chairman.

But by far, the most inspiring moment of the day (sorry Laura), was when a student in a motorized wheel chair was helped to his feet, and walked across the stage by himself with only the help of a walker and some encouraging classmates.  Even though the crowd had been instructed to remain quiet until all names are called, the place went WILD.  It was so inspiring and awesome. He got a standing ovation! After he had returned to his seat, so many grads were passing by and shaking his hand. What an amazing accomplishment.

Laura is in that mass somewhere, about to cross the stage

Returning to her seat

Our happy grad!

Our family

Siblings (I'm the only non-PSU grad!)

"sorority pose"... my Dad has a better one

After taking pictures, we all headed over to the Mount Nittany Inn for dinner reservations.  It sits on the side of the mountain and has gorgeous views.  Joey, Laura and I had apparently parked in the right parking lot, because we got out of there and to dinner in about 15 minutes. Mom, Dad, Alex and Corinne weren't as lucky.  We'd already gotten a couple drinks and an appetizer by the time they arrived :(

Beautiful view!

We got our food and let me just say, IT WAS DELICIOUS. I highly recommend this place and I will definitely be back.  When, I don't know. But I have always loved visiting Happy Valley so maybe someday I will coerce my own child into going there.......

Finally, many of you have inquired as to what Laura is going to do now that she's graduated:

That's right! She's going to Disney World! She'll be there from May until January (or longer!) for an internship with the Disney College Program. I am beyond jealous and planning to live vicariously through her.  We are already planning a trip to visit her in November. 

Congratulations, Laura! Welcome to the real world!

~SG