Happy Mother's Day, Ladies!!!!

Weekend Update

Saturday Rich and I had a yardsale, and we sold and got rid of unnecessary items and made a few bucks in the process. Eugene, Marizza and our neighbors, Gary and his family, came and kept us company around noon, and of course other friends came by also, ie Sandy from UU, Sher & Glen, Malaika. I'd say it was a successful first time attempt at yardsaling (is that even a word? haha), although we almost cancelled because of rainclouds threatened to pour.

Yesterday, Sunday, Rich and I quickly ran some errands, quick because we needed to get back in time for our UU meeting. We went to VA BCH to get my hair cut, stopped by the bookstore and Costco and bought some items for the house, maybe more unnecessary items to replace the ones we sold. Jus kidding...actually we bought a small dictionary for the car for easy access for when we're on the road, other various self help books...And at Costco we bought three plants, one orchid that we'll give to Rich's friend who performed our wedding ceremony, a thank-you gift from us, and other misc. items for everyday use or consumption. Anyway, we were a few minutes late for the meeting but it was ok because everyone was glad we came. haha..ah, that's one thing we have to work on for sure...we have to stop going across the bay when we know we have to get back before five pm. At the meeting, Sandy had a group presentation on Godless America. Apparently, various Christian groups attempted five times since the conception of the Constitution to add God in the ammendments but failed to do so. Lately the debate of whether there should be a separation between church and state is on the front burner once again. And it's a big issue. Many Christians feel that morality should be brought into the conscienness of the americans, and to do so is to ammend the constitution. As far as my opinion on this matter goes, I don't think there's a need to change what's already been written. To do so would only create chaos among people from different cultures and religious background and lack thereof. Apparently our forefathers saw this coming and thought it all out and it's work perfectly well. I think that's what allowed this country to evolve to what it is now, as imperfect as it is. Isn't that ONE of the many reasons they came here was to have religious freedom? To pray to whatever God they please? In Ireland, Catholics and Protestants are more likely foes than friends. Here in the US, it's possible for them to be friends. Last week I read an article featuring two girls rooming together in college who shared everything else but their religion. This country made it possible to have more tolerance for diversity. Our Constitution has allowed us to have tolerance for each others differences and it's great...slowly we're moving to the right direction..the direction of a more tolerant place. I understand that religion plays a big role in people's lives, and yes, it gives hope to those in need, but I have many friends from all walks of life, gays and lesbians, friends from different cultural and religious backgrounds and I would never dare impose my belief system on them because they have the right to believe whatever they choose to just as I have the right to choose mine. I've always respected my friends's ways because I love them regardless of what they believe in.

Aqua Photos

These photos were taken outside and inside Aqua...May 4, 2006

Another Quick Update

Hello again everyone!!! Just a quick update from last night. Up above are pictures from last night's pre-dinner pics. Rich and I met with his colleagues from work, one of whom was the new recruit. Again, I'm sure you're all tired of this adjective, she's NICE and delightful. I sat and just listened to them talk about work. It's really fascinating to hear them talk about work..I pick up new terms. They were worried that I was bored, but it was cool listening to their past work experiences. Who knows, maybe someday the infos I heard may come in handy, right?

Disclaimer!!!

Just want to add that I rarely check my spelling nor my grammar, so I'm pretty sure that there are a lot of those in my writing. It's not that I don't care, it's just that maybe it's just laziness on my part or maybe I've prioritized my life. As they say, there's always bigger fish to fry and this really is just on the buttom of the totem pole. Just want to share with family and friends...just read and don't judge...haha...anyway, thanks for understandin my wackiness...you all know how wacky I can get sometimes....I love you all!!!

So Behind on Updates

Well, looks like I'm so behind with updates. I'll make it a short one, I promise!!! haha..anyway, this past weekend was fun for Richard and myself. His niece Kerry came for a visit. It was the first time we met. I wish I took more pictures while she was here, but most of the time I would forget to take the camera with me. Anyway, the night she was due to arrive, Richard and I had a party thrown for us. Jeanne hosted it at her house and pictures were taken by Richard's friend, Frank. The party was great and I met more of Richard's friends and they were all great people. I have to admit that I like all of his friends. Of course in the beginning it's always awkward because we don't know what to say, but as I get to know them and see them more, it's cool. Anyway, it was a potlock and extremely enjoyable. Frank is such a funny character and the conversation topics were all interesting and very casual. Anyway, I'll share the pics later when Frank sends them to us.

So, back to Kerry, she arrived later that night, around 11:30 pm. I think she must have been exhausted because it was a long drive. So we all went to bed and the next day we went to a garden tour. We could only fit one house tour in our schedule because we had other events lined up for that day. Next stop was lunch at the Harbor Grille. I can't remember what I had, most likely some kind of fish dish coz that's all I ever order. Kerry may have ordered the portabella shroom sandwich...oh, I just recalled that Richard had a vege-burger with seaweed salad for a side and also Kerry. Kerry loves Japanese cuisine, and so I recommended the seaweed salad and she loved it. Next stop after lunch was to Aqua restaurant because Frank had an art show there that day. We bought a gecko, the green one Richard's holding in the pic down below. BTW, Frank is the guy standing next to me in the same pic. It was quite windy that day and cold, so we didn't stay long. Next to Frank's tent was a jewelry show and Kerry and I enjoyed looking at different jewelry. They were all beautiful. After that stop, we crossed the Bay and went to the Asian store. We bought some items there and then we headed home. We stayed home long enough to get ready for Richard's spelling bee. I met some really interesting and nice people there. Dot, who sat with us was an interesting character. She shared that when she was thirteen, she made a wish list of what she wanted in a mate, even down to his bloodtype. I think she said that she was married when she was 15 yrs old. We were amazed that at thirteen she would have a clue about blood types and such. And of course I also met David and Cathy. They're both pediatricians. They were the nicest people you could possibly meet, so down to earth and just easy going. And of course our neighbors, Garry and Barbara and their kids were with us. They're also really nice. We ran out of room for them and they sat at the next table, but Raegan, their youngest son sat with us. He's so funny. Rich, Cat, and Garry were a team. Sad to say that the Reverends beat them though, but it was all fun and we all enjoyed it. There was a silent auction and we one a piece of artwork made by our friend Vezna. She has such a great gift, her talent is amazing. Her ex-husband, Jose, is also a renown artist here and he has his own line of china dishes. His dishes are highly sought after here in the shore. I will post a pic of the dishes when I get a chance and also Vezna's art, which are also very popular here. They're both locally known and you can see both their work in a lot of stores here. If you see one or the other, you'll immidiately know that it's theirs, very distinct. I think this place is a haven for artist because there are so many of them here. Anyway, so Kerry and I had a great time watching the spellers. BTW, a friend of ours was there also, Miss M. She also enjoyed the whole thing. I saw one of my friends there, Barbara. She has an identical twin so I was like, Barbara, right? And she laughed and said yes. We hugged as I left the restaurant. The event was over before ten p.m. and so we (Ker,Rich and I) played scrabble when we got home. Richard beat Kerry by not much. Then we all went to bed after that. Next day we ate breakfast at the diner, one that was brought in from Jersey, so it really is an authentic diner. Good thing that we got there earlier than most because we would have had to line up for a seat. Then after that we went to the grocery store to buy ingredients for a potlock we were going to that late afternoon. I was making Barley Vegetable Soup. Then we all went home and assembled Richard's chair that Kerry brought down from DC. That chair was a pain in the neck for everyone...it travelled from Athens, GA, to DC, then finally to its resting place here @ home. That chaired acquired a nickname that I can't repeat her on my blog coz then I would have censor my blog...haha...anyway, Kerry did a great job assembling most of it while Richard and I help a little bit. Then after that, we did various things and then went to Rain and Jose's place. We checked out their cool yard with their amazing bread oven, arbor, small pond, and garden, all of which were made by Jose himself. We brought some fruits with us and we ate that inside and talked a bit. Rich and I pushed Clay on his swing and played with him a bit. He's a fun kid. Rain is really cool also, which reminds me that I have to email her soon...haha..i'm so bad...anyway, I have to take some pics of their yard...As i've said before, it really doesn't take much to amaze me. I'm like a child in a candy shop or in an amusement park who sees everything and is amazed by everything she/he sees, no matter how simplistic things are. But I'm like that....I think everything is just amazing. And more and more I'm liking the extrovert in me. The more I meet people and just simply hanging out is making me more of an extrovert, which really tells me that maybe I've always been an extrovert who morphed into a introvert and now remembers my extroverted side..hm..makes sense...btw, sorry if sometimes i talk about things that seemed so irrelevant sometimes, it's just that as I'm typing, my mind just takes over and it takes me wherever it wants to take me and I just let it. So, typically when I blog, I have an idea of what I want to write about and start from there and who knows what else i'll write about because I will write whatever comes to mind. I call it freewriting..much like in school when my english professors encouraged us to do to get ideas on paper....anyway, so here they are...ideas fresh out of the oven...i made that up...haha...anyway, so that was that...we went to Rain's and then right after we went home and cooked the barley soup. I almost didn't have time, we arrived a little late, but no biggy because it was a potlock...but i still hate to arrive late...anyway, we were @ Deene's (sp?) and Jeff's. Another wonderful people. Our church group was there, but not all were present, some arrived late also. The food were all vegeterian and very healthy. We enjoyed eating and the gathering, once again, forgot the darn camera. Next time, I'll have to take it wherever I go. So, right at six, after Ker finished eating, she had to leave to drive back to DC.

OH, just remembered, Kerry shared some pics from her trip to Costa Rica. The pics reminded me of the PI. The bar and the store looked like places you see in the PI, especially the store. It looked like a sari 2x store. And of course it looks so tropical like the Philippines, a lot of coconut plants and basically same vegetations. I think Kerry will love the PI and I will make a point to invite her to come along when Rich and I go for a visit...There's are so many things to see and learn there. Anyway, so that was that. The End for now...haha...

Middle Stage of Process

The Before Pictures

What A Wonderful Day It Is!!!

A great day outside. I worked on the garden today, all day. I was finally able to plant some veges on our garden and I feel much better about it. It's been a few days since the last time I was able to work outside. The yard is slowly taking shape and looking better and better the more work I put into it. So that does make me feel like I have accomplished something. I've looked at the "before" pictures I took just before spring, before I cleared the garden, and it looks so much better now. Although it has a long way to go before it'll look exactly like I want, I can see the progress that has been made. I will post the "before" pictures and its slow process. Tis all for now.

Various Photos from early spring to April 29, 2006Photos!!!