Girls Weekend

I just got home from Kendra & my 'girls weekend'. This year we went to Philadelphia. We both loved the city and agreed the weekend was way too short and we needed more time.

On our flight, we met Nick. He's from Philadelphia and is spending 4 weeks in Columbus on business (works for Red Roof Inn). He'd been here for 2 weeks and was going home for the weekend. He gave us suggestions on where to go/eat.

We stayed in the Center City part of Philadelphia. It was the perfect location since we could walk to everything we did. Friday night after we checked into our hotel, we ended up at Field House for a philly steak sandwich and to catch up on olympic highlights (and another Michael Phelps win).

The first stop on Saturday was to check out Reading Market (1 block from our hotel) and have breakfast. We then walked to the historical area. We lucked out and went to see the Liberty Bell first, before the long lines appeared. We also toured Independence Hall (had an amazing tour guide), Franklin's grave (that cemetery is huge and beautiful) and just walked around that area. By early afternoon we were ready to sit so we took the 'Ride the Duck' tour. If you're ever in Philadelphia, you must take that tour! Part of the trip is driving through the streets of Philadelphia, then you end up on the Delaware River for a short ride up and down the shore. Once again, we had a great tour guide.

On our walk back to our hotel we once again stopped at Reading Market. We'd seen this fabulous salad bar and got some to take back to our room. After naps and showers, we went for pedicures before dinner. Nick had suggested The Capital Grille but it had a 2 hour wait, so we went across the street to Marathon Grill. The atmosphere was as nice as the food. The weather was perfect and we just walked around a bit. On our way back to the hotel we had dessert at Maggiano's. We were back to our room in time to watch Michael Phelps win his 8th gold metal.

This morning we, once again, ended up at Reading Market and grabbed a bagel and muffins to take with us. The subway was right across the street from the Market and we headed back to the airport. Nick ended up sitting with us on our flight back to Columbus so we gave him some restaurant suggestions for his last two weeks in Columbus.

Even though we didn't go to a single yarn shop, we had a wonderful time, despite the fact it was too short. I definitely want to go back to Philadelphia.

Oh, Kendra survived being away from her puppy for the weekend...and they were both very excited to see each other.

Ravelry Swap

Yesterday I received my package from my ravelry 'swap' partner. What thoughtful items she sent! It was all so beautifully wrapped that I didn't want to open it. My swap partner & I 'got each other' and literally 'swapped' gifts. Now I'm anxiously awaiting another swap.

Puppy Info

Ok, I know it's been awhile.

First of all...I have a 'grand-puppy'!! Last Thursday (8/7/08) I drove Kendra (Parker tagged along) 2-1/2 hours to pick up her little girl. Darby (black/white Springer Spaniel, of course) is absolutely precious! She's so soft and pretty. We're all wondering when she'll realize how lucky she is to have Kendra for a mom. Uncles Marshall & Parker are already spoiling her rotten, not to mention Grandpa. Marshall's being a very over-protective uncle, which is no big surprise!

My sister, Susie, has been visiting since last Saturday from southern Illinios. It's been so great having her here. I'll be sad when she leaves tomorrow. We didn't do much, but have had a wonderful time, as usual. Our nephew, TJ, is getting married Sept. 20 and on Sunday we went to Meghan's bridal shower (she got some great gifts). Today I left work at noon and we went to Cheesecake Factory for lunch (Parker tried, but we didn't let him go along). Other than that, we've just been hanging out watching the Olympics. I tried to give her knitting lessons, with no luck...maybe some day...

...more later. I've got to watch Michael Phelps win another gold!!

Parker's Birthday

Another birthday this week. Parker was 24 on Friday and we celebrated with a BBQ. He picked the menu of ribs, baked beans, portobella mushrooms stuffed with green bean casserole and an awesome pb/chocolate cheesecake that he and I concocted the night before. He also made salsa...he's very good at that!

He had two friends over for dinner then the guys went to see the new Batman.

Now...after 2 in one week...no more birthdays till March.

Well...most of the day I kept thinking it was Thursday. Damn. 2 more workdays till the weekend.

We've got all but one of our overhead lights installed. Hooray. The only one left is the new ceiling fan over the kitchen table. I LOVE the kitchen lights I bought at IKEA.

I'm more than ready for another trip to IKEA. I took a vacation day last week and Parker & I headed to Cincinnati. He had a ball, going thru almost every display they had, esp. the kitchens and mock apartments (guess he was dreaming of when he could afford an apartment). I also found bookcases with my name on them. They look very good on my living room wall...now to fill them up.

Another birthday this week. Parker said tonight that he wants BBQ ribs on Friday for his big day. Now to figure out what to have with the ribs.

I haven't done any more on my sleeveless top but have been making dishcloths like crazy. Such a good feeling to complete a project very quickly.

Off to watch some tv and knit.

Kendra's Birthday

Today my dear Kendra turned 27! We took her to a Mexican restaurant in the Short North then headed back to her house for dessert. Bill & I picked black raspberries yesterday (I've got the scratches on my arm to prove it!) so I made her a pie for her birthday. It was sooo good! The parentals left shortly after dessert and Kendra and her brothers headed out to a local watering hole to meet some friends for some 'birthday cheer'.

Happy (belated) July 4th

Happy (belated) 4th of July! We watched 'Red, White & Boom' (Columbus fireworks on 7/3) from Bill's office. Great view! It was just the 2 of us, his brother Dick & his wife Sue, along with his sister Jan. Amazing, but we were the only 5 people on the 30th floor. Bill's office faces right where they were doing fireworks. It was nice since this is the last year he'll be there. I did manage to get 2 dishcloths knitted while we were there and Sue & Jan were the recipients.

Bill & Marshall headed up to Cedar Point (the boat) on Friday morning for several days of fishing. Unfortunately, they didn't catch a single walleye and headed back home on Sat. afternoon. All they hooked were sheephead, but they did have fun reeling them in. But...Bill was on Lake Erie on Wed. and brought home walleye for the freezer. After fishing 2 weekends in a row, going out on the lake a total of 5 times, I think he's done with fishing for several weeks!

I spent my time alone in the house plopped on our easy chair, feet on the ottoman, knitting and catching up with tv shows I'd recorded. It's nice being home alone sometimes!! I was hoping it would have been warm enough to float around in the pool, but the water was waaayyy too cold for me.

We're replacing all the overhead lights in our house, along with a ceiling fan in the kitchen eating area and adding a ceiling fan to our bedroom. We made a Lowe's trip yesterday and found (and bought) the ceiling fans since they were on sale. Now to find the rest of the lights. We were really noticing tonight just how ugly/cheap the lights we have are! I might need to take day off work and head to Cincinnati and IKEA for the rest of the lights. I'm sure I'll bring home more than lights from IKEA!!

...off to bed and a book.