HAPPY EASTER, EVERYONE!
Friday, March 29, 2013
Have a Colorful Weekend!
It's supposed to be a beautiful (as in the sun will be out, not high temps) weekend here in DC and there's a rumor that the Cherry Blossoms just may "pop-out" tomorrow! We're excited to have these 2 very special guests on their way (actually, as I type this post) to visit us this weekend!! Can't wait!
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Anonymous Parking Lot Bully
Here's a short story with an important message for your Thursday afternoon:
Title: Pay the Opposite Forward
Characters: Jaime, Wes and the anonymous Parking Lot Bully
Setting: Lee Highway/N. Kirkwood Rd. intersection inside a Nissan Rogue
Plot:
Jaime's Tuesday began early at 6 a.m. with a refreshing yoga class. This was a particularly rewarding class, as she was able to get into a new yoga pose that she'd been reaching for in the previous several weeks. As she drove home, excited to share her accomplishment with Wes, the beautiful morning sun was peeking over the horizon. This is going to be a good day! thought Jaime, with a happy smile on her face.
Arriving home to a still sleeping Wes, Jaime went about her morning business of checking her favorite blog, practicing that pose again to be sure she really had it and preparing a few special packages to be mailed home.
Fast forward an hour or so...
With the sun now higher in the sky, pouring down over Arlington, Jaime drove Wes to work in her Nissan Rogue, when the unthinkable happened. As the car eased to a stop at the intersection of Lee Highway and N. Kirkwood Rd., Jaime's eyes were drawn to an unfamiliar object flapping underneath the driver side windshield wiper. "Wes, there's something on my windshield! What could it be?!" she cried out in panic. The always cool, calm and collected Wes replied, "I'm not sure, why don't you get it? The car is stopped at a red light, after all." And so, with nervous hands, Jaime opened the car door slowly, reached around to the front windshield and retrieved what appeared to be a ticket. And this is what she found:
Folks, if your reaction was anything like Jaime's, it went a little something like this...
(I'll spare you the expletives that poor Wes had to suffer through for the remainder of our drive, and just say that I probably would have been happier had it actually been a parking ticket.)
Back to the story...
Jaime wasn't quite sure why this incident, which was probably hopefully someone trying to be funny, bothered her so much, but it did. Sure, life in Arlington could be trying, but she was usually able to laugh these things off. This time, it was something more. But what?
As she drove back home and ever so carefully parked her car back at the scene of the crime, it dawned on her - it was just plain MEAN! Maybe she was parked like a "jacka$$;" honestly, she couldn't remember if she was perfectly parallel with the yellow lines or not, and figured she probably wasn't, but did that mean that she should be subjected to such bullying?? What if I had just heard some terrible news and wasn't focusing on parking like a perfect citizen?! she thought, blood boiling.
Marching into Potomac Towers mad at the world, Jaime suddenly realized how much she was letting this coward mean bully get to her and thought that instead of allowing him/her to ruin her entire day, she should take the advice that she gives to her 1st graders when confronted with a bully: use an "I message" and let it teach you to be kind.
And so, not having the actual Parking Lot Bully in front of her, she imagined a disgruntled Virginian, mustered up the most assertive voice she could and spoke out loud to the imaginary bully: "I feel angry when you put mean notes on my car," and then spent the remainder of her day trying to be kind to others.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Did It Myself!
In honor of Easter, I decided to turn our overflow of paper bags into something useful. Check it out...
Before
After :)
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Extraordinary in the Ordinary
Recently, while I was taking a yoga class, Wes wandered around Clarendon with his camera in hand. Below are just a few of the many photos he took, for your visual pleasure. His photography reminds me of this quote by Vincent Laforet:
“Images are happening around you every second. You can photograph anything in a million different ways, but what I always try to remember is to photograph something as if I’ve discovered it for the first time. And if I have photographed it before, I find a way to see it as I’ve never seen it before.”
These are lights hanging outside of one of our favorite coffee shops, Northside Social. I can't decide which I like better. I like the perspective of the bottom photo, but also enjoy the focus on the single lightbulb in the top shot - it really makes you look at it.
I love bike shots!
COLOR! The building in the background is a very yummy Mexican restaurant called Mexicali Blues. When Karyn was visiting way back in 2011 (can you believe we lived here in 2011?? Where has the time gone?!), we stopped by for a margarita and saw a squirrel plummet to it's death from the roof onto a plastic lawn chair below. ...something I hope to never witness again. :/
Anyway...
This photo is taken through the top opening of a garbage can (you know, the kind with the arched top)!
I love (this) lamp (post).
Monday, March 25, 2013
Chicken Noodle Soup and Friends Make Everything Better!
Since it still doesn't feel quite like Spring just yet, I decided to embrace the chill in the air and attempt to make my mom's DEEEEELICIOUS homemade chicken noodle soup, for the FIRST time!
And since this guy...
And since this guy...
was in town for a visit, I had 2 eager taste-testers in house! Side-note: Rob brought his own slippers with him "so that he could feel at home." I thought that was sweet and wanted to capture the moment before it quickly passed. ;)
Here goes nothing...
mmmmmm....fresh vegetables!
My first wishbone!
Please note: I spared you all photos of the actual chicken. I almost became a vegetarian during that process. Who knew so many things could be packed inside of such a small little body?! All I have to say is THANK GOODNESS the guys were around to help.
Our apartment smelled a.m.a.z.i.n.g.
Ready to go!
Results:
Surprisingly, it tasted just like my moms!
Rob asked for the recipe - must be a good sign, right?
Wes fell into a food coma immediately after finishing.
They both had soup for breakfast the next morning.
All-in-all I would call it a success!
THANKS MOM!
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Siblings!
This past weekend we had the pleasure of hosting my lovely siblings and their fantastic counterparts. They arrived on Thursday afternoon, which made for the best drive home from work in quite a while. There's nothing like running out of work as fast as you can because you have guests coming!
*love that feeling*
Here are some photos from our weekend filled with good food, drinks and laughs...
Night #1: Sushi at Sushi Rock!
For the majority of our dinner the lights were super dim. We made the best of it with the tiny candles.
Night #2: A deeeeelicious meal and margaritas from Mad Rose Tavern, followed by rooftop cocktails at one of our favorite tiki bars (sorry no photos :( ) and then an impromptu stage performance by Mark & Wes (video definitely coming soon!).
Day #3: Out and about in DC...
...for more food, of course...
...and beverages...
...and super cool trees!
Thanks to Karyn, Steve, Mark and Kelly for making the trip down! We were in desperate need of a dose of family and this was quite satisfying. Although we're already ready for our next round of visitors! ;)
Monday, March 11, 2013
Kind People Do Exist in VA.
Our downstairs neighbors (who we've never met) left us this thoughtful note this evening. Wes joked that we should call them after work one day to ask if they could pick us up a loaf of bread on their way home. I suggested vying for their friendship.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Sunday Morning Happiness
There's something about the quiet of Sunday mornings that makes me smile. This particular Sunday morning I am inspired to blog about some other things that have made me smile recently...
Reading my favorite blog - A Cup of Jo. I happily stumbled upon this blog a few years ago and have been hooked ever since! It's a daily blog that covers everything from fashion to travel to parenting. I've found so many great ideas from this blog - gifts (for myself and others :)), fun things to do while in NYC, interesting and easy recipes - this writer has quite the insiders perspective on all things lifestyle.
I've always had a slight obsession with this woman and her music. There's something about her vulnerable confidence that intrigues me and the tone of her voice brings chills to my arms when I listen to her music. Her most recent album is one of the best, in my opinion. I literally CANNOT stop listening to this song...Just Give Me a Reason. So, so good!
When Wes paints. He's really talented. My personal favorites are his black and white paintings...
I love the simplicity.
Wes is currently working on a top-secret painting to be revealed soon. Stay tuned. :)
My kiddos working hard and enjoying it! There's nothing better than when you teach a lesson, it goes really well, and the kids are able to turn around and demonstrate the skill on their own. Here are some of them working together to ask "wondering questions" about their non-fiction reading. :)
Hope you're having a HAPPY Sunday morning, too!
Saturday, March 9, 2013
It's been too long!
Hope you haven't forgot about us; I've been terrible about blogging! I'm determined to be more consistent again. We have some exciting visitors coming our way over the next month, so I'll have some fantastic material. If you're reading this and you're not part of the "exciting visitor" crew, IT'S NOT TOO LATE. We would love to have you!
Ok, back to our happenings. Last Thursday we flew to Orlando for a wedding. One of my most loyal friends said "I do" in an absolutely beautiful setting. Take a look at some pics from our whirlwind weekend...
Ok, back to our happenings. Last Thursday we flew to Orlando for a wedding. One of my most loyal friends said "I do" in an absolutely beautiful setting. Take a look at some pics from our whirlwind weekend...
We hit up Downtown Disney on Thursday since we had the day to ourselves. Shout out to Tony Juliano - this is one of his favorite places to eat in Downtown Disney.
Nothing tastes better than your 1st beer on vacation, albeit a mini-vaca.
Cheers!
That night we went to the ALE HOUSE! When I lived in Orlando (for about 2 seconds after college), my friends and I hung out here ALL THE TIME. So I just had to take Wes.
We had the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner on Friday. Here we are waiting for our ride.
Check out the venue! If you squint you can see the Groom and his Groomsmen taking photos on the sand. This is a shot I took from the bridal suite, which was super cute and cozy. A perfect place to get all glammed up while sipping mimosas before the big show.
Laurie and Tom were married under the pergola. It was really breathtaking - you would never know how freakin' cold it was! By the time the ceremony started it was high 40's - low 50's but with the wind felt well below that. Luckily, it was a short and sweet ceremony and we were able to wear shalls over our dresses (a last minute, much appreciated decision).
And finally - the beautiful bride! She was absolutely S.T.U.N.N.I.N.G.
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