Owen is TWO (5)

YUMMO!

Nonni Wanda and Owen

Having some grapes and milk for breakfast -- b'fast of champions!

Birthday offering with "Pa" and Momma Beth 

Owen is TWO (4)

Oh the party will be fun!

WOW, Momma Beth is H-O-T-T!

Riding on the new tricycle from Dan & Georgia.

Eating the birthday cake that Momma Beth slaved over. YUMMO! 

Owen is TWO! (3)

Double fisting: Juice and Milk

Heart shaped potato chip -- what are the odds?

Pre-party juice and new Thomas the Tank Engine video

First look around the party room 

Owen is TWO! (2)

I think I've seen this picture before!

Eating some grapes.

With a present from Aunt Lee Ann -- a pig puppet! (Plus a dog, cat and horse puppet)

The Cat and pig puppets -- plus Momma Beth wearing Auntie M's shoes! 

Owen is TWO!

Auntie M. Loves Baby O!

See how much fun we have?

Owen and Aunt Lee Ann

Sometimes Auntie M squeezes TOO much! 

Make Mine Virginia Wine...

Good times with Gunther and his girlfriend Jennie. The four of us went wine tasting in Loudon County... Good times and good wine. Things got a little cranky at the end because of a lack of food throughout the day. It was my first time to go to a tasting. You can see we bought a bottle at this winery. Woo! Now Shawn and I will have to find reasons to drink it! We are so non-lushes...

In other news, I finally had people over for "housewarming" -- and it was fun. Very small crowd, but it was somewhat short notice and I wasn't expecting much. I made crab dip, which went over really well, and Brooke made peach pie.

I am contemplating buying my name as a URL... I am so dumb but I would like to have that. It would be less than $20 a year, so maybe it's worth it... We'll see. It is still available though...

I am going to get back to it -- some laundry, dishes, etc. I need to prep for the workweek, etc. It's only FIVE more sleeps til I squeeze a Bubba Max! YIPPIE!!!!!!

~Mari... 

riddle me this

HOW does one figure out what type of car insurance one needs? And how might she get all that finished up? Well when she is me, it is a rough question and tough stuff. I am slowly muddling my way thru, and hope to have insurance within the next few days (perhaps tomorrow) that is different from what i have been on (my parents' policy)... being an adult blows.

but i love my job!

~mari...

The Swamp - Chicago Tribune - Blogs.

The Swamp - Chicago Tribune - Blogs.

No FUN being an adult

I'm sure it's less fun than being a baby, although Owen might disagree.

At issue 1) a dispute with comcast over some creditors they have sent after me regarding arbitrary numbers for which I never received actual comcast bills. I *think* I have it taken care of, and two customer service reps (one from PG and one from Alexandria because I've had service in both areas) called me within a day or two of me e-mailing the complaint letters (and I sent those letters snail mail to the actual creditors on monday). It's possible this is because I sent the letters not only to the comcast e-mail for customer service but ALSO to the PR office, mentioning the fact that I am a trained journalist (not exactly a lie, right?)... Hrm.

2) Apparently I was supposed to get my car licensed, insured, etc. in VA w/in 30 days of moving here, SO I'm giving myself 30 days from today because I just realized this and I can't rewind time. It is going to be a pain in the ass but at least I have Friday afternoons off in August to spend at the DMV, etc. I've been searching the internet for insurance quotes, and they range so much it's hard to know what's what. I don't understand liability, etc. I can't believe I have a master's degree and I'm so INEPT at just functioning in an adult world. GAH!

Today at work was good. I went to a PRSA blogging event and found out about ways to get media exposure in blogs and some ideas for starting a blog at the actual company. We'll see though. Some people seem very against the idea of a blog, and we do have more work than we can possibly do with the staff we have now so we'll see.

I'm really tired and have no new pictures to post. I promised an update about the Danville adventure and hopefully it's coming, probably intermingled with my first visit to the VA DMV. And I keep calling it a state even though it's a commonwealth. I don't live in a county either. It's the city of Alexandria, and it's just not in a county. so weird.

SO tired. ~Mari.

HYSTERICAL

I found this picture as I was browsing my Picasa files and nearly died laughing. It's from our New York trip in March. Sorry for all the picture entries -- they're the kind I love best though! ~Mari... 

Baby O

THIS is what love looks like. He's a precious little moo hoo and I can't imagine anyone more loveable. I think I am too doting but I cannot help it. I love this child and everything about him. So there it is.

~Mari!... 

Dispatch from Danville -- July 29, 2006

This is delayed, and I need to write a complete update about it, but here is a brief view in pictures:

The first is a cowgirl I made with the confetti on the table at the anniversary/birthday party, which was a BLAST (as you can see by subsequent pictures).

The picture of Shawn and Dale (his mom) is from earlier in the day when we were sitting in her carport (she and Steve have cats, to which I'm quite allergic, and luckily in the shade with a fan we were OK to sit outside and visit!).

The next is of me and Shawn. Weird that my (blue) eyes were "red" but in the pic with Shawn and his mom and the same pic with Shawn -- their (brown) eyes were NOT "red." Curious. Although I'm sure the daylight had something to do with the Shawn/Dale normal eyes... Or maybe I'm just EVIL!

After that is a pic of Shawn and a couple of his buddies from high school days: Aaron and Josh. Kyle had already left, but there was quite the D&D contingent at this party... Ah, memories. :)

One more post and then I'm off. ~Mari.




 

Daddy & Jack

THIS is Indiahoma.

Here is my dad with Grandpa's llama, Jack. He and Shawn have a running joke that he (Daddy) will ride Jack to UMD for Shawn's graduation... Hope that isn't a requirement for Shawn to graduate, otherwise he really WILL be a professional student even more than he is!

~Mari...


 

Perfect 10s and the Odds of a Pink Nursery

Perfect 10s and the Odds of a Pink Nursery

Blogging from work is wrong, but this is TOO funny! ~Mari.

Indiahoma, Oklahoma (OK) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hotels, hospitals, schools, crime

Indiahoma, Oklahoma (OK) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hotels, hospitals, schools, crime

This is the FUNNIEST web site I've seen in some time. Ah, home.

~Mari.

Mari's So-Called Life 5.5

This is just a quick update on a few things. Namely the fact that I posted pictures of my apartment and a cheesy self-made floor plan. :) You'll have to come visit if you want to see for yourself! See entry below for "coded" message about where to find these pictures -- available if you know me.

Fourth of July was fun. We survived a torrential downpour and watched the fireworks in front of the White House. Pretty cool, huh?

I'm busy busy busy at work and life is just rocking along. It's hot here, but my AC has been working OK *knock on wood* and it's ALWAYS cold at work.

Otherwise things are just the same, and I'm filling my time with apartment arranging, searching for a table top (see the plywood in one of the apartment pictures) and counting down to Oklahoma time with Baby O! He turns two on Aug. 30, and I will be in I-town for his party on Sept. 1! WOO HOO.

Best wishes, and let me know what you think about the apartment. :)

~Mari...

Coooookie Monster

These are the cookies I made last week (or the week before?) for people at work. Am going to publish my floorplan and pictures of my apartment on my site -- sitename.com/myfullname.html. E-mail me if that doesn't work and/or if you don't know my full name!

~Mari. 

no reason behind the titles

And it's weird that the notes are anonymous.

Everything is fine. I am still pondering whether to try to transfer all my old entries from the other blog. I apologize for any confusion. I should have it under control eventually.

Apartment is still good. I am going to have pictures available soon, but I will probably keep that link private (off this blog) and just e-mail it to people. I will also print a couple sets to send home to Oklahoma. I just have some finishing touches to do. It's still very much a "college" type atmosphere but it's very nice and "Mari-like" -- and yes, Mari like. :)

Shawn and I got a kitchen table finally! So I still have the frame of the other one (the glass broke after I bought it). My plan is to get a piece of plywood cut, nail it on top and use it as a craft/scrapbook table and extra storage underneath -- not that I need it! I still have a closet that isn't full. :) Good times.

Work is still rolling. I feel good about what I'm doing. I got a little tired this week so haven't been as on top of my game, but I am hoping to regroup and come back guns blazing on Monday. :) I will still work hard tomorrow too!!! Aiyiyiah. I would encourage everyone to look at the job's Web site, particularly the advocacy site. (Would rather not include the name/link so that this doesn't come up in searches for the org -- not sure that it would, but I can at least TRY to keep my tracks from being THAT obvious!)

There's a House Hunter's on that's set in Annapolis! HA.

I have started watching Grey's Anatomy. SOOO good. Dr. McDreamy -- slurp! I don't think I'm ready for LOST but I know other coworkers at this new job ARE into it... I guess I'll just smile and nod as I did with the previous coworkers...

Anyway. Gotta get to bed soon. Will post more pictures and the story of the quilted purse shortly.

~Mari...

Fast Friends

Main Entry: tri·fec·ta
Pronunciation: trI-'fek-t&, 'trI-"
Function: noun
Etymology: tri- + perfecta
1 : a variation of the perfecta in which a bettor wins by selecting the first three finishers of a race in the correct order of finish
2 : TRIPLE 1b : achieved a show-business trifecta: a platinum record, hit TV series, and an Oscar>

Am still working out the kinks in this. Not sure if it's worth it for me to try to transfer all my entries here or if I should just archive them somehow. Would anyone besides me EVER have need to refer to them? I guess if I ever have a biographer. HA! I hope to do that auto-style. Hrm.

Isn't it interesting that bettor is spelled like that when referring to someone placing bets rather than good, better, best? I wonder if/when Microsoft has/will come out with a blogging software. Am getting too used to the automatic spell check on the products at work -- all Microsoft all the time. It's all good though.

Am going to bed. Hope someone is reading... even though I have nothing to say. :)

~Mari...

one more

Before I go -- this has the BEST story behind it, which I intend to type up and keep/post here. But for now here's a picture of the purse Aunt Lee Ann made me from an old quilt that my great-great grandma made when my grandma was living with her as a child (so it is like 70+ years old!)...

Now am really going to sleep. ~Mari...

July 20, 2006:
Gma V's grandmother made this quilt when Gma V lived with her (my Gma V was about 10 when she first moved in with her grandmother). This quilt was given to Aunt Jean (Gma V's sister) and used for year's, until Gma V's house burned along with the quilt that their grandmother had made for her. Aunt Jean sent this quilt for Gma V and Gpa Max to use for a while. It was returned to Jean, and they used it many more years. About 15 years ago, Aunt Jean gave this quilt to my Aunt Lee Ann (Gma V's daughter). It was very worn. Jean told Lee Ann that she could do something with it or throw it away. Lee Ann kept it for that long and then this summer decided to do something. She found two parts that had four stars together and made pillows for two of her cousins (the girls on that side of the family). She used the other stars that were usable and made three purses like this one (one for me, one for Beth and one for our third (?) cousin Kelli). There were a few smaller stars left over and Lee Ann made small pillows for the three remaining sisters: Jackie, Phyllis (Kelli's grandma) and Grandma V.

Here's the last line in Lee Ann's note to me:
"I hope you enjoy this purse. It was made with love for you, and that love started generations ago."

Pretty sweet huh? ~mp.

Lasting...

PERHAPS I can do better with this blog format. The things it can do are post pictures directly from Picasa and I can e-mail a post if I can't go to a web browser (or if I need to get a message across from my phone - which I highly doubt will ever happen).

Even though it's now M Hearts Va, I'm still going to keep up "SilverMari in Mari-Land." Even though I don't live in Maryland, I'll always live in Mari-land. It's part of the beauty of being me. HA!

Am so tired. It's fun to post on this blog! Going to get to bed now. More funfilled antics at work tomorrow!

~Mari... 

 

Cake made w/ no tasting... The Brown Bomber

 

A favorite picture

A word a day

This week's theme: terms from French.

frisson (free-SON) noun
A sudden, brief moment of excitement or fear; thrill, shudder.

I had one of these last night when I realized I left my purse on the Annapolis shuttle. The last day of CNS and I pull something like this. I didn't realize my mistake until I had dropped off Beth, Shawn wasn't home and I had to race back to Annapolis, crying and furious with myself. I guess alls well that ends well because the bus driver had rescued my purse and I'm ok, but it was a horrible night.

~m.

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF - The Survey
Name:	Mari
Birthday:	Nov. 26
Birthplace:	Lawton, OK
Current Location:	College Park, MD
Eye Color:	blue
Hair Color:	dark brown
Height:	5'6"
Right Handed or Left Handed:	right
Your Heritage:	European
The Shoes You Wore Today:	brown, scuffed bowling shoes -- it's snowing!
Your Weakness:	Owen Max
Your Fears:	Wasting time, longterm... Not knowing what I want and not getting it.
Your Perfect Pizza:	Papa John's -- lotsa meat
Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year:	Next year: graduate and find a bangin' job
Your Most Overused Phrase On an instant messenger:	lol
Thoughts First Waking Up:	Brrrr...
Your Best Physical Feature:	Eyes
Your Bedtime:	usually 11-12 p.m.
Your Most Missed Memory:	my Perkins Road 2-br apartment ... after the fall
Pepsi or Coke:	Coke, but Dr Pepper is tops... soda is on my not touch list for now though
MacDonalds or Burger King:	McD's, but I sure miss SONIC
Single or Group Dates:	single single single
Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea:	Uh, neither
Chocolate or Vanilla:	Chocolate
Cappuccino or Coffee:	Coffee, black, hot and venti
Do you Smoke:	No
Do you Swear:	Vaguely
Do you Sing:	To myself and/or Shawn
Do you Shower Daily:	Absolutely
Have you Been in Love:	Yes
Do you want to go to College:	Been there, still doing that
Do you want to get Married:	YES
Do you belive in yourself:	Sometimes
Do you get Motion Sickness:	Never happened yet, knock on wood.
Do you think you are Attractive:	Sometimes
Are you a Health Freak:	No
Do you get along with your Parents:	Yes
Do you like Thunderstorms:	ABSOLUTELY!
Do you play an Instrument:	no
In the past month have you Drank Alcohol:	Yes. Some wine at Mellen's party
In the past month have you Smoked:	NO
In the past month have you been on Drugs:	NO (unless antibiotics count)
In the past month have you gone on a Date:	Yes. That Shawn is tons of fun.
In the past month have you gone to a Mall:	Yes.
In the past month have you eaten a box of Oreos:	No, I wish.
In the past month have you eaten Sushi:	No.
In the past month have you been on Stage:	No.
In the past month have you been Dumped:	No... but it could happen!
In the past month have you gone Skinny Dipping:	No
In the past month have you Stolen Anything:	No
Ever been Drunk:	Yes
Ever been called a Tease:	Probably but not to my face
Ever been Beaten up:	Elsie T. hit me once in sixth grade and I got a bruised eye
Ever Shoplifted:	No
How do you want to Die:	Easily
What do you want to be when you Grow Up:	A mom and PR/communications/copy editor/something journalistic
What country would you most like to Visit:	Great Britain -- specifically a town called Putney to visit a family called the Burnses. God love 'em!!!
In a Boy/Girl..
Favourite Eye Color:	Blue
Favourite Hair Color:	Dark
Short or Long Hair:	Short, or medium
Height:	6'1" or a bit taller so I can wear heels and still be shorter...yeah i'm a girl
Weight:	Strong
Best Clothing Style:	Comfortable: jeans and T-shirts
Number of CDs I own:	nearly 200 ... they're going out and are worthless though
Number of Piercings:	7 all in my ears
Number of Tattoos:	zero
Number of things in my Past I Regret:	two.
CREATE YOUR OWN! - or - GET PAID TO TAKE SURVEYS!

Postage Paid

http://www.vertical-visions.com/_temp/postagepaid/index2.html

fact

Fun Fact

The turkey gobble is a seasonal call that only males make.
Female turkeys make a clicking noise. Males, or, toms,
gobble when they hear loud noises and when they settle in
for the night. One can hear a turkey gobbling up to a mile
away on a quiet day.

Source: Fact Monster

Funnies.

Some guy bought a new fridge for his house. To get
rid of his old fridge, he put it in his front yard
and hung a sign on it saying: "Free to good home. You
want it, you take it".
For three days the fridge sat there without even one
person looking twice at it. He eventually decided
that people were too un-trusting of this deal. It
looked to good to be true, so he changed the sign to
read: "Fridge for sale $50". The next day someone
stole it. Caution! These people Vote
=======
While looking at a house, my brother asked the real
estate agent which direction was North because, he
explained, he didn't want the sun waking him up every
morning. She asked, "Does the sun rise in the
North?" When my brother explained that the sun rises
in the East, (and has for sometime), she shook her
head and said, "Oh, I don't keep up with that
stuff"... She ALSO votes!
==========
I used to work in technical support for a 24/7 call
center. One day I got a call from an individual who
asked what hours the call center was open. I told him,
"The number you dialed is open 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week." He responded, "Is that Eastern or Pacific
time?" Wanting to end the call quickly, I said, "Uh,
Pacific" . . . He ALSO votes!
==========
My colleague and I were eating our lunch in our
cafeteria, when we overheard one of the administrative
assistants talking about the sunburn she got on her
weekend drive to the shore. She drove down in a
convertible, but "did! n't thin k she'd get sunburned
because the car was moving". .
She ALSO votes!
==========
My sister has a lifesaving tool in her car It's
designed to cut through a seat belt if she gets
trapped. She keeps it in the trunk. .
My sister ALSO votes!
==========
My friends and I were on a beer run and noticed that
the cases were discounted 10%. Since it was a big
party, we bought 2 cases. The cashier multiplied 2
times 10% and gave us a 20% discount...
He ALSO votes!
==========
I was hanging out with a friend when we saw a woman
with a nose ring attached to an earring by a chain.
My friend said, "Wouldn't the chain rip out every time
she turned her head?" I explained that a person's nose
and ear remain the same distance apart no matter which
way the head is turned...
My friend ALSO votes!
=========
I couldn't find my luggage at the airport baggage
area. So I went to the lost luggage office and told
the woman there that my bags never showed up. She
smiled and told me not to worry because she was a
trained professional and I was in good hands. "Now,"
she asked me, "has your plane arrived yet?". . .
SHE ALSO votes!