My Current Muses

I haven't gotten into photography like ETK but I do use my camera a fair amount. My two "muses" are MTH and Phoebe. Here's a few (plus two by MTH)

MTH starting his bike at the 2nd Annual I Love the Tavern Triathlon

MTH finishing the run at the triathlon - he's almost done!

Phoebe playing with her catnip filled mouse

Phoebe - in repose - by MTH

Phoebe, Looking Away - by MTH

Of course, the expectation is that I (and MTH) will have a new muse in less than 3 months! I'm sure you'll be inundated!

When is a Miller Lite not a Miller Lite?

When you THINK it's a Harp. Yesterday at lunch, MTH ordered a Harp, it arrived, he drank it and didn't say anything about the taste. A little while later, the server stopped by to say that she was sorry becuase she had brought him a Miller Lite by accident. We all laughed about that one becuase he had no clue. And, the Miller Lite is half the price of Harp. I guess the Placebo effect is definitely real!

MTH's Upcoming Marathon

MTH is in the final stretch of training (or resting now) for the marathon next weekend in Atlanta. Two weeks ago, he twisted his ankle and it's still giving him some problems. I hope that he'll be able to finish the full marathon as he's worked really hard to get to this point! After the marathon, it'll be triathlon time. He's got a new bike which I'm sure he'll post about soon on his blog.

Miracles Do Happen

MTH got home before me. You may not understand how earth shattering that event is. During the time that we lived together and have been married, I could probably count on my fingers the number of times MTH has beat me home.

How to Save $$

MTH and I have our own version of the Bank of America "Keep the Change" program. If you haven't seen the commercials, basically they round up each of your purchases to the nearest dollar and put the difference into a savings account. MTH has a pickle jar that he throws all of his change into when he gets home. As you know, we've moved to a new place. Well, that pickle jar was really heavy (mostly with pennies) so we took about half of them to the Chevy Chase Bank. The reason we went there is not because we're customers but because they have a change counting machine that charges no fee. At the grocery store, it charges a 7 cents on the dollar!! We ended up with $100 in change! So, we went out for a nice dinner last night.

Of course, the one benefit of the BofA program - interest.

Keep Your Fingers Crossed

MTH and I put a contract on a house in Richmond today. So, keep your fingers crossed that everything will work out. We're really excited about the house. It was built in the early 1900's but has been recently renovated. Hopefully some of you can come to visit and check it out in person. Phoebe should love the place as it's about 3 times the size of our current house. If you've seen our current house, you'll realize that doesn't mean that the new house is going to be a mansion. Instead, it means that the house will be a normal sized one! There will be no bocce ball tournaments in the backyard of this place but there is a park nearby that will hopefully work!

National Portrait Gallery

MTH and I went to the re-opened Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery last Friday. That was probably one of my more fun days during my 2 week vacation. As I mentioned in an earlier post, MTH and I had some wellness issues while on vacation. Both of us didn't feel well at different points during our time off which made it not as fun as it should have been. Anyway, we headed down to the Gallery Place area for lunch and then the museum. We ended up having lunch at Fado's. I had a very good beef stew and MTH had a buffalo grilled chicken sandwich. We then spent over 2 1/2 hours in the museum. The President's portrait section was the most interesting to me. There was a blurb about each president. I had this book when I was younger that had a one page bio about each president. It only went through the 40th president (George Sr.). Although I didn't memorize the president's in order, it did help to me actually have heard of all of the presidents. It was amazing how much I remembered from that book. Like I said, not that I could have recited it but it still reminded me of when I would read anything so I would have something to read. Even the president's book for the 50th time!

Of course, the portrait gallery is much too large to see in one visit. MTH and I will have to go back to see the rest. Plus, it has special exhibitions all the time so there will always be something new to see.

Trip to NYC

MTH is on "vacation" until around 1/22. During that time, he actually has a lot to get done. Work out as much as possible, ensure the house is ready to be sold, play golf with his Dad, go on a trip with me, find us a place to live in Richmond. Actually, the nice part is we get corporate housing for the first 2 months so will have time to find a place once we're there. Also, since we've lived there before, we know the neighborhoods and already have an idea of what we want.

Well, about the trip to NYC. We had thought about trying to go somewhere warm but for some reason couldn't pull the trigger. I think the reason for me at least was that we've had some travel bad luck over the past month and a half. When we went to Key West in November, we got record low temperatures. When we went to Wintergreen (for snowboarding) before Christmas, we got warm temperatures (along with a sick MTH). Therefore, I'd like to take a lower risk vacation this time. NYC seems like the right place for that. Plus, we should be able to see EE and her new baby as well as MKN and her new baby. Yes, there's something in the water :)

We're also planning on going to see Spamalot on Broadway. We'll check out at least one museum and otherwise, if the weather allows, just walk around and enjoy the city.

Two of a Kind

Who knew that MTH and Phoebe have so much in common!!

Rosy and Grey is Back

MTH has decided to start up his blog again. It had been so long since he updated it that he forgot his user name and password. So, the blog is actually a new one with a different address but you can click on the link on the right and it will take you to the new one. I'll have him put a link on that one that will link back to the old one.

MTH is committed

MTH has signed up for the Lake Placid Ironman Triathlon that will take place next July. We bought him a road bike yesterday. We still need to get the biking clothes and the wetsuit. I'm sure there are many other things that he'll need. For now, he has to get used to riding this bike. It doesn't have real pedals. Instead it has clips on the bike and he wears special shoes that clip in. The story goes that the first few (or maybe many) times he tries to start riding, he'll fall over. Here's more info. It's very light. It's made out of both aluminum and carbon composite. Based on our research, it seems that we got a fairly good deal out of it. Oh well, it still wasn't cheap :)

I'm sure you'll be hearing more about this Triathlon training in the year to come. MTH is already doing well. He ran 4 miles today in 90 degree weather!