We Are The Champions!

Words can not describe what it means to be a Philly fan in this town right now. We are the World Series Champions and it feels oh so nice! It couldn't have happened to a better team in a better town.

Happy Birthday Brother!

My brother Matt celebrates his 28th birthday today. For those of you paying attention, that is the same age that I am. Since he was born premature, we have always been the same age for about 5 days. Every year it makes us laugh. Almost as much as this photo of us playing Puzzletown (If anyone knows what that is I'll send you a special prize).

Matt has always and will always be the closest person to me. I appreciate his ability to make me smile, no matter the circumstance and his desire to be the best person he can. Anyone that meets him knows there is nobody else quite like Matt.

Hope you have a great birthday brother! You deserve it :)

No Pain, No Gain

Today marks my last official time spent entering data for the local Obama chapter. I am honestly, relieved. Thank heavens there was more than just me on the 'data team' because I've been entering stack after stack all weekend and my right arm is literally so sore that it hurts to even type this blog post.

I can only pray that this was somewhat helpful in collecting the information needed to focus the right efforts in my suburban town. Or at least I'll just keep telling myself that until the carpal tunnel syndrome wears off.

Team Spirit

When John and I first met, it was the Philadelphia Eagles that we had our first conversation about. Fast forward more than four years later and our home team is still something that bonds us together. 

We were fortunate enough to be able to get tickets to a few games this season, which is exactly how we spent Sunday...

It was a beautiful, sunny day and the Birds beat the Atlanta Falcons 24-17. Win, win for everyone.

Me Time

My husband went to watch football today at his friend's house and while you know how much I love him, that means my Sunday can consist of the following...

Two great reads

While relaxing in one of my favorite spots in the house

Drinking many hot cups of this

While wearing these

I'm telling you, it's joyous.

I Have A Friend In DC

Saturday night John and I drove down to Baltimore to meet A. and S. for dinner. We stopped just outside in Canton, an adorable neighborhood with wide streets and cozy brick row houses. We've never been to that section before and it reminded us of a cleaner South Philly. We dined at Annabel Lee Tavern, a wonderful suggestion from one of A.'s co-workers and had dessert and tasty sangria at Birches just a few blocks away. It's so nice to have a central location as fun as Baltimore to meet up with them at. We really value getting an opportunity to share a meal and conversation with good friends like them. A. and S. are the kind of easy going couple that you could spend all night talking with. That combined with great food is definitely the recipe for good times.

OMG

The Phillies are going to the World Series!

Woo-Hoo!

Night Out Sedaris Style

Lately I've felt lucky to find any time to really enjoy myself. That's why Tuesday night turned out to be so special.

John had bought tickets for us to see David Sedaris months ago and I had been counting the days until the big event. We rode the train into the city and then ate dinner at an Irish pub called Fado where we relaxed with a few specialty beers...

Mine was the tall glass. Like I said, it's been a busy couple of weeks. 

We then walked a few blocks to the Academy of Music where the reading was being held. It's a beautiful theatre and I was glad to get a chance to be inside. This was how close we sat.

David of course was hilarious. It was my second time seeing him and John's first and he did not disappoint. He read all new work that kept us laughing throughout and afterward announced that the signing would be held at the Radisson hotel a few blocks away as the venue was too small to accommodate the line of fans. Knowing this would be a long night if we didn't get there stat, John and I fast walked our way to the hotel and up the elevator to the Grand Ballroom where hor'dourves were served along with coffee and other drinks for our waiting pleasure. It was the most elaborate book signing I've ever been to.

We were lucky to get to be about the 20th person in line but since David speaks to all his fans once they get up to see him, it took a little over an hour to get to the table. Dizzy from a long day and a strong beer, not to mention nervous, I smiled shyly as he asked what I did for a living and if I was married, how long, how I met my husband, etc. When I told him the answers he replied kindly and comically and then proceeded to scribble in my book. I thanked him a million times and then walked away. We read the inscription in the elevator...

I will cherish it always.

30 German Style

Saturday we went to a 30th birthday party for my cousin Lauren's husband Bill. It was an Oktoberfest theme in honor of Bill's love for German beer and food.

   

Everyone had a great time dining on the catered food and specialty beers. I definitely did not skimp, trying everything from bratwurst to German potato salad. During the drive home I found myself thinking of all the 30th birthday celebrations we've been to in the last couple of years and how the person always seems so happy and unfazed by the big birthday. I'm just over two weeks away from my 29th and am freaking out. Definitely gives me some food for thought...

Good One

Let me just say that's it's been ages since I've read a book that I just can't put down. I've been drudging through them for months now, so needless to say it's refreshing to really enjoy one.  I'm halfway through Mrs. Kimble, by Jennifer Haigh, a story about three different women tied to the same man. It's incredibly well written and engaging. I couldn't even wait to see how it ends before sharing it with all of you. And best of all it's fiction. Such a stretch for me, I know.

Grumpy Old Parking Man

I stopped over at the Obama office today to get more data to enter (my official volunteer job) and planned to literally run in for two seconds to drop off/pick up paper. I parked in one of the 10 or so spaces near the office in a strip mall. Apparently the man that owns the small grocery 'store' a few doors down wasn't very happy with this. He pointed at me and said, "You, can you not read sign?" I didn't even see his tiny sign that read "Grocery Parking Only".  Not knowing what to say I just kept walking into the office but he continued to shout at me, "Ah, figures you are a Democrat." I was shocked. I swear I was in there about as long as it takes someone to sneeze. As I got back in my car he stood in front of the sign pointing at it absurdly as I drove off.

Normally I would have shouted back in defense but I didn't want to really give Democrats a bad name so I just smiled and waved instead.

Philly Fanatic

I want to personally thank the Philadelphia Phillies for their win today which advanced them to the next round of playoffs, allowing fans to get that much closer to a Championship in this town.

I say this in all seriousness after sitting through yet another loss by the Eagles. Being a die hard, disappointed fan of that team would have normally put me in one stinky mood.

Go Phils!

Welcoming Committee

As part of my new job I spend a lot of time in Home Depot stores. I'm in charge of almost 40 across three states. It's important to visit them and have them get to know me as I continue to learn the ropes of my new role. However, that is increasingly difficult to do when I'm asked 20 times a day what happened to the old rep. "So and so was so nice and friendly",  "So and so was very knowledgeable and our customers loved him", "I'm going to miss him", blah, blah, blah. I understand there will be an element of that but it's daily and I'm now annoyed by it. Today when I arrived at a store to conduct an event to drum up business without being asked to do so, an associate immediately told me the old rep was very well liked around their store as his introduction to me. I just blurted out "Well, I'm sure I will be too once you get to know me." He simply smiled and walked away.

Give a girl a chance will ya? 

Politicaholic

I LOVE the debates as I mentioned in posts during the primary season, but I am looking forward to them so much lately, you would think they were the season finale of Project Runway.

Last Friday night I ordered a pizza and John and I settled in for pre-debate coverage, the actual debate and 'Real Time with Bill Maher' afterward. Besides my obvious feelings on the issues at hand, what struck me as one of the most interesting moments of that evening was how much my husband kind of looks like John McCain. Yeah. Check out the comparison...

   

I don't know if it's the shape of their heads or what but it equally makes me laugh and scares me. I think he could pass for a member of that family. Thank heavens they don't share any of the same politics. Could you imagine?

So tonight as we gear up for the first and only Vice Presidential debate I won't be as distracted. Well, that and I'm dying to hear what kooky catch phrases come out of Sarah Palin's mouth and praying Joe Biden can show this country what a real VP candidate looks like.