A Night in New Windsor

     A late night and a long ride home inspired a sleep over.  This led to a delicious breakfast.  That led to some time lounging in the sun...which eventually developed into pool time! Oh, and little by little the whole crew piled on in...doggies included.  Thanks to the O'Brien Bed and Breakfast for their wonderful hospitality...bathing suits and all!

McCauley Summer Bash

     There was a white tent and decorations.  Tons of ice cold drinks.  Meat, meat, meat and mayonnaise based salads (this is now a big inside joke).  Music was fun.  Food was delicious.  Margaritas were dangerous.  (Leah, you are still in trouble ;))  There was even a fire eating man...though I'm not sure that part of the show was planned.   All of this would have made a fun party...but the people made it a terrific party.  Not only did I reconnect with my corner table buddy, Stacey,  but I made a few new friends as well.  I also got to spend some quality bonding time with the girls and the crazy that follows them.  It was a collection of family and friends and a tent full of love, laughter and life.  It was the first annual and I am already looking forward to next year!!! Thanks to Carrie and Tommy for putting on yet another amazing event!!!

Watch Little Ousmani and Alyssa in Alice in Wonderland

     Remember when we were little and every time we saw adults they would go crazy over how fast we were growing?  How tall we were just mystified them.  We would hear endless jokes about slowing down time so we would stop getting older. Well....I was one of those grown ups today.  I saw two girls I haven't seen in a bit and it blew my mind to see how big they had gotten.  How old they seemed.  How tall. 
     I also got to watch two little stars in a musical production today at our adorable little theater.  I have watched Ousmani grow for years now.  I taught her sweet little face back when she was tiny.  I watched as she painted rainbows and galloped around like a pony.  I often encouraged her to dance like the butterfly that she was...a free spirit...my little pixie.  Today, she wore wings...butterfly wings and I teared up just a bit.  She is my curly haired little buddy and it is amazing to see how beautiful she is in spirit.  I also have watched little Alyssa grow up through the years.  She stole the stage with her dancing and singing.  She shone like a little star.  I wish I would've recorded it because it just might be one of those moments they end up showing on talk shows once the star is all grown up and famous.  
     It was fun to take the kids to see a cute little show but it was extra special to know the stars.

Horrible Bosses

     Tonight I went to see the movie, Horrible Bosses, starring Jason Bateman.  It was funny.  Really funny.  I laughed out loud during quite a few scenes.  So did the rest of the audience so it must've really been funny because I've been known to be the only one cracking up at stuff from time to time. 
     It got me thinkin' about bosses.  I've had a few winners.  There was the one that screamed if you used the wrong color ink in the books.  Then there was the one that found the one piece of carpeting going the wrong direction when everything else was perfect.  There was the one that flaked at every single chance with any and all excuses for why you didn't get paid or why there were no supplies.  There were the ones that fired me right after Christmas to "go in a different direction" when I had been primed to spend years at the job.  Have I ever thought about offing anyone?  Nah, not really.  Not for being jerky bosses.  The guys in the movie had their reasons...
     I can also be grateful for the good bosses that I have had.  Some have actually taught me things.  Passed on their experiences and made me a better person.  Some are patient and flexible.  Some inspire.  To them I say thanks...which is good because I really don't have the money for a hitman!

Saute of CSA

     This week after I picked up my shares from the farm I was so excited that I set them all up (food stylist like) and took a picture.  Yes, I know...I'm a dork.  Today I grabbed Emily and told her to help me figure out which goodies would cook up nicely together to accompany our meat.  I threw in the little potatoes,  a leek, red onions, garlic seed head, lemon thyme, zucchini and carrots.  I also made a salad with the lettuce and cucumbers...I had already eaten all of the cherry tomatoes...oops.  This meal had more farm stuff than ever before and I can't wait until next week for the next batch!

Welcome Center Wash Up

     All this camping is making me see things in a whole new way.  So....when we had no power for a bit we got creative.  Solar lights were placed around as night lights.  The lantern was used to navigate down dark hallways.  Food and coffee was made on the grill. 
     But morning came and I had to get ready for work.  No power means no water at my house.  I grabbed my "camping toothbrush" and some other toiletries and headed for the local welcome center.  As I brushed my teeth I wondered if I would be asked where I was from...was I a weary traveler or a tourist from another country?  To that I could make up some elaborate tale of my cross country journey or my camping trip gone awry.  In truth I was from three minutes down the road with nothing glamorous or exciting to speak of....just no electricity.  I listened to the conversation of the poor sad woman on her cell phone.  I heard a French accent go by.  My curious little brain made up stories about all of the people there on a Tuesday morning at 7:30am.  I headed out of the center and followed my usual path to DD and then to work feeling a bit out of sorts, a little bit cleaner and satisfied that I had accomplished my new thing of the day and it wasn't even 8am. 

So Fun! Yogurt

     You take a cup to your yogurt of choice and load it up as full as you'd like.  Then you go to the toppings bar and smother your gurt with stuff.  Then it gets weighed...$18 for 4 and it wasn't all that great.  So fun?  Not so much. 

Note to rents: Monitor the children carefully!