Fre Graduates!

Our little Frebers graduated today, hooray! It was good to be at Caldwell to celebrate, especially since I was on that stage 7 years ago (omg, I'm old). Fre, we're so proud of you!

Goodbye Jay

I think it's pretty cool that I was able to be home and see the last Tonight Show w/ Jay Leno as the host w/ my Dad. It was our thing growing up- he would always let me stay up on Monday nights to watch Headlines and we would laugh & laugh.

Another Carrie/Dad ritual is watching the NBA finals. Although, I have to say that I haven't been quite as dedicated as in previous years, but it's still fun to watch, especially since JJ is playing for Orlando! Yeah.

For Al

MIA

I haven't felt like blogging much lately. Mom's chemo/cancer battle has been really tough on her and it's pretty much the worst thing in the world to go through.

The good news is, of course, that the tumor is shrinking and also that we will have a week break coming up. Her next chemo isn't until June 5th! We've noticed a pattern since she started so she should be feeling better Thursday or Friday.

I think once this is over we all need to go on a nice, relaxing vacation! :D

My dream car

MD

I LOVE Long Island. Perhaps it's because the boys are out there or because it has so many memories... or it could be that it's surrounded by water and is a great place for a local "vacation" from the City. Anywho, I would go out there and visit my friend Tammy (hi Tam!) for various holidays like MLK, Labor Day and Memorial Day. We would make our way from North Shore to the Hamptons to Riverhead.

Last year we went to Jones Beach for MDay. We were only out for 2 hours but we got burnt to a crisp. I think we must've gone out on that Monday because the next day I was a red lobster who couldn't get out of bed. That's right- I had to call in sick. It hurt so bad to move. Right after I called into work (and I hate missing work), I got a text from Tam that she had to call in sick too! It was a hilarious moment, although sad that we had that much sun poisoning.

But I do love MDay. The first weekend of summer! If I can't celebrate it out on Long Island, I decided to go to my other favorite small town- BOONE! Gin is visiting Jeff in Boone this weekend and I'm going to hang out with them on Sunday. It's been a year since I've been back and I'm ready for fresh mountain air, to visit Mast General Store and get more mason jar mugs (for sweet tea, of course), and to hang out with that Ginna girl.

Tomorrow we're also having a Garden Party for my Mom, where people will bring fresh herbs and plant them while drinking lemonade and eating cucumber sandwiches. Or at least I guess that's what you do at a garden party. It's been a rough week for my Mom. Chemo is awful and leaves her exhausted. Today we're going to the hospital to get Round 2B- but then she's off for a week. Oh thank goodness!

Hope everyone has a great Memorial Day weekend! Here's to grilling, beaches, pool parties and fun!

There are no rules for blogging

I sometimes get caught up thinking I have to have these definite blog posts with a beginning, middle & end and with lots of pictures to capture your attention. But not today because I have all of these random thoughts to share. So I will.

1. Park Ave to Myers Park? Today I went to Charlotte to visit a church. It was a great road trip down there especially since I'm still weighing options on the BIG question of 'what to do next'. I enjoyed the service and hope to be down next week to look at another church (but I really miss you, Tim Keller!). I also drove around my new favorite neighborhood: Myers Park. Malar went to Queens University, which is right in the middle of MP. Oh it is so quaint and feels a little like the City- walking distance to restaurants, etc. Although the houses are ginormous. Definitely don't have that much space in NYC.

2. Special Sneeze Al, you will appreciate and fully understand this: I think I had the special sneeze tonight. Oh no.

3. Damn mosquitos I got my first mosquito bite of the summer. Arg.

4. Snapple The other night I had this intense craving for a peach Snapple. So I went to CVS to find some. After NOT finding any in the cold beverage isle, I went to the girl up front and asked where it was. She said they sadly don't have any and that it is very hard to find Snapple down South. She said her & her mom had to drive all the way to VA to get it. I then found out she's from Queens in NYC and I feel like I found a friend! We talked a little about the City and shared in our common Snapple withdrawl- it was a special moment. Oh and on my way home today I got a call from Lucy saying she found Snapple. What a doll!

5. Homemade Dinners Oh wow. We have received some pretty amazing homemade dinners from our family and friends. We are very appreciative! I guess that goes on the lonely plus side for having chemo.

6. Mostly Love/Sometimes Hate Relationship with Pets Our sweet, little dog Petals has found a nice little spot in my room to pee. Lovely. She also decided to TEAR UP my new favorite summer flip flops. fjdskla!

7. Al & B's wedding I find myself truly knowing their big day is soo soon because I have to start thinking of the small details such as bridal luncheon/r. dinner outfits, mani/pedis*, how to do my hair, transportation details, and everything else! What fun to work on the little details for their big & special day!

8. *Mani/Pedi I will end with my one grievance in the South. Oh how I miss the mani/pedi special: both for $19.99. I know you, Miriam, can agree with me on this! There just isn't anything like this down here. I've already started a list of things to do when I go back to NYC and this is one of them.

Have a great week, y'all!

Back and forth

Perhaps it goes back to our days in Eggers, but Al and I have these different items that we tend to pass back and forth ( or creatively hide) on each visit. The old dorm phone, different pictures, magnets and now we have this lovely frame. I saw it at Gin & Al's on my last visit and once I got to Gboro I found it in my purse. (Thanks, Al :) ).

But it is a classic picture of the three of us! Circa 1995? Frame from Old Navy when they first opened?

I really miss my...

... New York friends.

I'm having one of those mornings where I'm missing everyone in NYC. All my friends, the boys, my deli guys who would feed me, my doormen, the crazy people on the subway, roomies, work friends, cabbies, celebrities, AC, and the list goes on. But I am especially missing my friends. :(

Wide open spaces

Happy Two!!

Al & B are getting married in TWO MONTHS!! I can't wait!

Bald is the new black

If it's three, let it be

As I make the adjustment from big city to country (where people call me darlin' and ask how my day has been at the grocery store), I am encountered w/ new (or vaguely familiar) situations. Like tornado watches- for the past week there has been a tornado watch/warning in surrounding counties. Freaks me out! I'm not used to these weather patterns and big storms rollin in... I'm used to tall buildings.

Another thing is poison ivy. My Dad just told me that we have a ton of poison ivy in our backyard and asked me if I know what it looks like. I do not. He must have a special eye for picking it out because I think poison ivy looks like any other plant. But my Dad cannot believe that every summer he has to point it out b/c we forgot. "Girls," he says, "if it's three, let it be". So I don't believe I'll be frolicking through our forest anytime soon due to my fear of snakes and now poison ivy.

Bone to pick

I got a text from my sweet friend LeeAnne this morning telling me that the peonies are now at all of the bodegas and flower markets. (thanks, LA!) If you know me, you know that I LOVE peonies. And if you really know me, you'll know I never have peonies in my apt/house except on May 1st. My grandmother, Memo, loved peonies and had many peony bushes in her backyard. Their beautiful smell reminds me of her and running around on her farmhouse.

She died May 1st, 2007 and after that I promised myself I'd only buy peonies on May 1st (I know, it's kinda strange...) Anyways, last year the peonies were right on time at my favorite, local bodega. This year- nothing. Granted, I was driving halfway across the East Coast on May 1st- but I still looked for them last week. Now they're there. Gah. I missed them by a week. I am so bummed. If you're in NYC, please stop and smell the peonies!!!

I will leave you with the ones from last year. :)

Life is a Highway

Yesterday I rented a car, loaded up all my stuff and kissed the City goodbye. I can't remember how long it's been since I've driven on a highway. It was not fun. I don't like driving and found it to be really stressful. But at least I got to break up the trip and stop in Silver Spring to hang out with Gin & Al!

(Thanksforthepics,Al!)

Engaged: Maggie & Neal

Congrats to Mags & Nealbers!














Tonight a bunch of us girls got together to celebrate w/ Maggie on her recent engagement! Yay!