Girls just wanna have...

Sorry I've been so slack on the blogging.

Al and I've been working so hard on the house, and work's been crazy. Doesn't help that I moved offices again. I am just waiting for that red swingline stapler. Any day now...

Last weekend, I had Maggie's batchelorette extravanganza. I'm the matron of honor for her and Andy's wedding, so I decided that while the boys were away (Atlantic City), the girls should play. And, I have to say, that I'm the luckiest girl, because my kick ass husband helped me cook and clean all week for the soiree.

Liz came in town early Friday, and since Al had helped me all week, we were able to hang out, catch up, and of course, go to Ben's for grease, and Cake Love for a tasty after treat. Yep, the healthy lifestyle went out the window for the weekend.

Friday night, the girls came over, and I had a table of apps, and charged Ilona with making the drinks (and, she makes a devilishly delicious cosmo). It ended up being a very small, but sweet group of 7 of us. After many cosmos, cheese platters, and dances in my living room later, we hit Adams Mill to meet up with Andy's batchelor party.

I'm proud of the ladies, because we made it later than the boys. Of course, I got little sleep, and so when the party continued into Saturday, I was dragging the heels a bit.

I got up early with Ilona to help get ready for breakfast and our trip to a cabin I reserved in Berkeley Springs, WV. It was only about a 2 hour drive - we went through some wacky weather as we headed up to the mountains. Rain, wind, hail....

After we got settled in the cabin, we headed out to Berkeley Springs state park. Berk. Springs is known for their fresh spring water, which several of the local spas use for bath treatments due to all of the minerals in the water. I can't even type about this next experience without cracking up....

So, Ilona made reservations for us all to take a "Roman Bath", so that we get to experience this mineral water first hand. So all six of us (the 5 bridesmaids plus Maggie), put on our bathing suits (which is just not fun in April), and we go into this little pool, that's super hot (102 degrees), and basically all just sit there together. As the time wears on, we all start getting kinda dizzy and loopy in our sweat box pool. We barely made it the 20 minutes that we were supposed to, but afterwards, the hangover was gone!

That night, for dinner, we decided to check out this place Maria's, which the 15 year old boys who ran the Roman Bath had recommended. (Disclaimer: this next part is not meant to be derogatory, and apologies if it comes out that way): As we enter, we each slowly start to feel this sense of discomfort. Everyone is looking at us, and there are statues, paintings, dolls, etc of Jesus and Mary everywhere. Now, in normal circumstance, I would feel slightly out of place, being Jewish and all, but since it's the first night of Passover, and we are a group of girls out for a fun night, the Jesus and Mother Mary thing was uber uncomfortable.

We got the hell outta dodge, and instead went to this cute little restaurant down the road call Tarri's. Had some nice wine with dinner, discussed our worst dates, and went home to play a rousing game of Trivial Pursuit.

Next morning, we woke up to snow (yes, snow in WV in APRIL!!!). We watched our girlie movies, and then, went for a nice brunch before hitting the road home.

I was exhausted from the weekend, but it was nice to get away, and have some girl time.

Biker Chick

Posted by Hello

Last week was so much fun, but such a blur!

I FINALLY got a bike...a belated birthday present from Al (and yes, my birthday is in September, but in his defense, he bought me a wetsuit for Hannukah, so I can't be too upset!!!).
The last time I rode a bike was in Germany, which was a few years ago, so it's been awhile. And, I had many beers in me at the time, so I wasn't too aware of my surroundings.

So, when shopping for this bike, I felt like a complete ditz. The poor guy at REI kept grabbing bike after bike for me. No, too big; no, not girly enough; no the handlebars are weird...

Finally, as the sales associate was at about his wits end, a light went off in his head, and he went in back to grab the most perfect of perfect bikes for me. It's a total teenager's bike, with flowers on it and everything. I LOVE IT! I just need a bell and I'm all set, ding ding!


As for the rest of the week.....Wednesday night, I invited friends to a happy hour at Hotel Helix. My friend Betsy had introduced me to Helix awhile back, and with the weather so nice out, I couldn't resist having a happy hour on the deck. About 8 people ended up coming, most of whom are friends who I've known since I was 2 years old, but haven't seen in forever. Mags and I bagged work early to grab some seats outside, and Mags was already a little tipsy from a happy hour at work. By the time everyone got there, Mags and I were already a good bit ahead of everyone, but it was all in good fun.

Thursday, Al and I got invited to a wine tasting at the Charlie Palmer's restaurant on Capitol Hill, which was another Style magazine event. There were small apps being passed, and 2 white wines, and 3 reds for tasting. The wines (I could only have the whites), and apps were delicious, and it was a fun way to spend the evening, and check out a new DC restaurant.

Friday, my mom was in town--she and Sam's mom, Eileen were hosting a shower for Mags on Saturday. Some of Al's friends were also in town for their alumni duties at the GW Crew Invitational. Mom and I had a nice dinner out, and enjoyed catching up (Dad was home due to last stretch of tax season). And, at 3 am, I was awoken by my wonderful hubby stumbling into bed, and again 2 hours later when he got up to head to the crew races.

Saturday, was BEAUTIFUL out. Maggie's shower was fun. There were about 12 people that ended up coming, and it was a nice luncheon. Afterwards, my mom and I headed down to the water and met up with David, and Ilona to watch the remainder of the raises. We got some seats at the bar Sequioa's, which has a patio right on the Potomac river, grabbed some beer, and enjoyed a lovely afternoon. Got to catch up with a lot of people I haven't seen in a few months, and enjoyed the day. Can't beat it.

Sunday, after brunch, I took my bike for a spin. I've never biked in a city before, but I love it. It's so much fun! I'm going to try taking it to work tomorrow, and I'm kind of nervous, but I have a helmet, and I'm going to try to go a little early so I can be careful of cars. I'm not the most graceful person in the world.

What do you think, am I biker-chic material???

6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon

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Everybody cut, everybody cut....everbody cut Footloose!

So, I've loosely been playing the Kevin Bacon game since I can remember, to determine if I could get within 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon. The closest I've come was meeting Jennifer Grey on the set of Dirty Dancing, who was in Ferris Bueller's Day off with Matthew Broderick, who is married to Sarah Jessica Parker who was in Footloose with Kevin Bacon. So, what's that, like 4?

I finally topped myself about 2 weeks ago. Al got tickets for a "inside-the-actor's" studio type presentation with John Lithgow. We went with our friends Bill and Shannon, and sat so close, we could see his striped shoes. Bill and I were dying to ask questions like "Mr. Lithgow, could you please do that voice from Shrek?" or "Mr. Lithgow, why were you so mean to Harry in Harry and the Hendersons?" or my personal favorite from Al, "Mr. Lithgow, do you know the Muffin Man?"

We didn't get to ask questions, but I did secure an autograph afterwards. AND....since John Lithgow was in Footloose with Kevin Bacon, I'm now only a mere 2 degrees from Kevin Bacon.

Plus, Al's best friend is his dobbleganger, does that count?