Huzzah!

So, even though I was a little hung over by 8:30, the day at the RennFest was awesome. I got to see two of my best friends who go all the way back to middle school and hang out w/ all our respective husbands. I even think the men had fun together. It makes me happy when my husband can get along so well with my friends and their significant others. So between the Dragon's Blood, Black and Blue, and all the good food, I can say I had a pretty good day. The weather held out and even though it was hot and steamy, at least it wasn't raining. Here are some pictures for fun.

The ladies with our Dragon Blood.
The men conferring.
Shielding ourselves from the sun at the jousting arena.

Back in town!

Just some random pics from our trip, more to come soon!


View from the beach on the Penobscot in Passadumkaeg, ME.

Our sleeping quarters in the cabin.
Brewery #1.
Brewery #2
Brewery #3
Brewery #4!

Trip through VT and NH to Burlington.Random waterfall.
We're in Montreal! And eating poutine!
Streets of Old Montreal.
Drinks at the fancy "Wonderbar" at the W hotel.

bon voyage

VAP and I are off on a week long trip to the north. We're flying out w/a friend in about 20 mins to Maine. While there we're going to take a few day trip to Burlington, VT then to Montreal Canada. I've never been to either. Once back in Maine we'll head to Boston for the final day/night then fly out next Saturday. We're going to visit a lakeside camp for a few days and have a clam and lobster bake, go kayaking, go to brewery tours, a Ben and Jerry's tour, wander around a foreign city, and do whatever we please. I'm not usually ok w/ such a spontaneous plan, but I'm excited to wander and relax with friends. I'll try to take lots of fun pictures and reflect once I'm back. Hope you all have a great week!

I could have been arrested....?

So, while on vacation a few weeks ago down in Avon, NC, VAP and I went shopping. We headed for a shop I've gone to most years, though usually I just window shop. Walking up to the store, VAP asks, what's a nips? I look up and the sign on the door says, "No NPS Allowed." I think this is kind of funny and wonder, what letters could have fallen off to spell "NPS" [ie. National Park Service]. Upon closer inspection, we learn by reading the many posters, newspaper clippings and random rantings that are posted up outside this woman's business that she is VERY unhappy about the state of things on the Outer Banks and blames the Dept. of Interior, and specifically the NPS. I really couldn't tell you what her problem was, b/c unfortunately for her, she is not skilled at writing a reasoned argument. I really have no idea why she is so mad at the NPS but she had plenty to say. So, VAP and I thought it would be funny to get my picture [as an NPS employee] from inside the store. More for our own entertainment than anything else. I had visions of walking in and asking her if she worked for commission and telling her "Big Mistake, Huge" a-la, Pretty Woman, but eh, he store was filled w/ cheap crap I wouldn't have bought anyway.

So...I skirted being arrested [one poster said she'd call the police if you were caught on her property], and came away with this fun picture I will post up on my cubicle at work for everyone's entertainment.

"I know when I look into your eyes...

that a man can just drown in there." That is what the older gentleman at the circulation counter of the library said to me today. Not creepy, just sweet. What a cute old man. I told VAP he'd better watch out, I have an admirer.

super proud

SO, VAP and I went running today, around one of the lakes in Columbia. And I'm happy to say we made it around the whole lake without stopping, it's like 2 miles. We've never run that far together without stopping. Lately we've been running 3-4 four times a week either around the track at the gym or in our neighborhood. We started a few months ago and we've definitely improved, which is awesome. I don't totally love running, but I feel very happy with myself after I've done it, and I like being able to track my progress. I'm very proud of VAP. When we started he couldn't really run a mile w/o stopping or looking pretty pooped, and now we've doubled that. I'd like to be able to run 3 miles as my next goal, but that might take a while. I'm gonna work on making 2 miles my standard run for a while and get used to that.

So, hopefully tomorrow morning we head back out to run again. Then it's off to a family bbq/pool party, then later to a Jaws themed party in Frederick! Pretty good day lined up.

My Moral Dilema

So Sunday I had to choose between going to church and shooting guns. I've been trying to find a church up here that I would like to go to regularly, and I haven't been in a while, so I was figuring I'd try one again Sunday. Then VAP told me that he and a bunch of friends were going to a friend's parent's house to target shoot. I've never shot a gun before, and I don't really like the idea of having them at home, but the idea of shooting at a target and attempting to be accurate intrigues me. I was a 7th and 8th grade archery champion [as was BeepsNRays!]...so I've always wondered if I'd be good at target shooting.

So, guns won this Sunday. I have to say, it was pretty fun. I shot a 9mm and a AR15 [I believe]. There were other guns that I did not attempt to shoot. And to make everyone feel better, we were supervised by a cop who taught me how to shoot it and stood by me while I did it. So I felt pretty safe. Again, I have no desire to have a gun in my home, and I worry about other people that do, but I wouldn't mind going to a range and trying my hand again. We didn't really check the targets after each person for accuracy, so I don't even know if I hit what I was aiming for, or anything at all for that matter.

So, here are some pictures of me looking super tough!
Now for the super big gun...