TROPICAL STORM LEE'S LOCAL RAINFALL TOTAL: By Saturday morning, we received another inch and a half of rain Friday after 10 inches this week from tropical storm Lee! That's almost a FOOT OF RAIN (a total of 11.5 inches) in a week! - All that on top of the 5.5 inches the weekend before from Hurricane Irene. That means that in 2 weeks, we received 15 inches of rain. That's almost 4 months of rain in one week!

A LIVING FOOT REST - Our Weimaraner, Dolly and Dachshund, Franklin couldn't be any closer as "sister" and "brother." Dolly sometimes rests her head on Franklin's back and now even used his back as a foot rest!  

WEEK 3 AND STILL SICK - I (Rob) have been dealing with congestion in the sinuses and upper respiratory tract for 3 weeks now. I saw a doctor last week and they said it was a bad cold that became bacterial, and settled in my upper respiratory system. I'm almost done with round 2 of antibiotics, had steroids, ibuprofen, zinc lozenges, nasal spray, allegra, mucinex and using an inhaler (2 actually) for my asthma. Having asthma with this crap has created breathing difficulties. My FAVORITE MEDICINE: Dunkin' Donuts Coffee.

 

Fun Puerto Rican Style

Our neighbor and friend Yolie had us over for a Puerto Rican dinner and dessert. Everything was incredibly tasty, and Tom enjoyed his margarita. :) Our other friends and neighbors DeeDee and Bill were there, and Yolie's boyfriend, Rocco. After dinner and dessert we all played cards!  It was a first for Yolie, Tom and Rocco. None of them had ever played cards, so DeeDee taught Rocco, I helped Yolie and Bill helped Tom. What's interesting is that Bill and Tom won the majority of the hands, so I guess Bill is the best poker player and he taught Tom well! 

Tom's got another winning hand as Bill watches (right)

Rocco and DeeDee listen to Yolie's bad hand... she went out after!

Rocco, DeeDee and Yolie study their losing hands.

  

VIdeo Clips from Sunday's Lunch Out!

Yesterday we had a nice lunch in Washington, DC with our friends Hil, Richard, Jeff and Jose. The famous Washington, DC cherry trees are beginning to bloom and although we didn't go down to the Tidal Basin where all the trees are, we did manage to catch some of them that are planted throughout the city.
 - This was also the first time I was using a new Flip video camera that my brother and sister-in-law sent us, so I'm not very good with it (yet). Anyway here are two short videos from Sunday. :)

Federal Hill's Festival Fun

On Sunday afternoon we managed to get most of the chores done and went to Federal Hill (Baltimore) Street Beat Festival with our dogs Dolly and Franklin. It was warm and the bands were playing, and vendors were out in full force. We did take some great pictures on Federal Hill's park.

WHAT IS FEDERAL HILL? The neighborhood is named for the prominent hill that is easily viewed from the Inner Harbor area, to which the neighborhood forms the physical south boundary. The hillside is a lush green and serves as a community park. The neighborhood occupies the northwestern part of a peninsula that extends along two branches of the Patapsco River—the Northwest Branch (ending at the Inner Harbor) and the Middle Branch. This peninsula is generally referred to as the South Baltimore Peninsula, and includes the neighborhoods of Federal Hill, Locust Point, Riverside, South Baltimore, and Sharp-Leadenhall. MORE INFO: http://www.historicfederalhill.org/www

Saturdays are Meant to be Busy!

Saturdays always seem to be busy around the house.
MORNING STUFF - By 12 noon, we had already walked the dogs twice, Tom got a haircut, went to Lowes, swept and mopped the entire first floor, loaded the truck with construction debris, went to the dump, and had a Dunkin' Donut breakfast sandwich and coffee for lunch. Then the afternoon started!
- We've hired a great, hardworking perfectionist named Brian who painted our living room (photo below of picture and lamps), stairway and upstairs hallway, painted the master bedroom (photo below) and our sitting room, painted and installed 6 new doors we bought. He's been doing that over the week, and today he finished painting and installing the doors. (Photo below are the spray painted doors in our front yard). We hired someone to do all the painting, because Rob is not allowed to paint. Tom has seen Rob's painting skills and we'll just say they're not too good. Perhaps that's intentional? :)



AFTERNOON STUFF -The afternoon was just as busy as the morning. Tom did edging work in the yard while Rob mowed the lawn. Then Tom went on a weeding and gardening frenzy (see below), while Rob took the dogs (Dolly and Franklin) inside and bathed them (see photos below of Dolly in a towel, and Franklin in the sink!), cleaned their ears, and brushed their teeth. After the bath, Dolly and Franklin just had to crash! Rob also wrote a press release about his book and updated this blog...before going onto laundry and the next project!

Fun Weekend with Darold

Our friend Darold lived with us for about 3 months last winter when he moved from FL to DC for a new job. In February he found an apartment in northern Virginia, and for those who live in the Washington, DC metro area, its like living very far away (because of traffic). So, this weekend, he came up and stayed over- making for a weekend of fun- and our dogs, Dolly and Franklin were so happy to see Uncle Darold! - We drove over the Bay Bridge in Annapolis and went shopping in the outlets on Maryland's eastern Shore (although traffic was HORRIBLE getting over the bridge). We watched a GREAT MOVIE called "Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief."
- Sunday after breakfast we had a nice long 3 mile dog walk, did some more shopping, had a great lunch at our friend Mike B's Dad's restaurant in Annapolis called "Eggscellence" and sat outside in the backyard for a couple of hours enjoying the cloudy, cooler weather. Darold played rope toss with our Weimaraner, Dolly - her favorite game, while Franklin explored the garden. We ended the day with another nice dog walk. Here are some fun photos from our weekend.

What to do on a HOT Saturday?

What's the best thing to do on a hot summertime Saturday? How about breakfast out at Panera Bread, lots of laundry, an early morning 1 mile dog walk, playing rope toss in the backyard with Dolly (the Weimaraner) and shopping at IKEA for a new desk chair? Well, that's what we did. Tom and I spent some time in IKEA trying out the chairs until we found one we liked (Pictured is Tom trying out chairs in IKEA). We're also in search of a daybed/futon/small couch the becomes a bed. We found one in IKEA we liked, but it only came in dark gray - ICK. So, we're still looking.

So Many Invitations...Not Enough Time

Did you ever notice that you can go for a string of weekends without any invitations to events, then you get multiple ones for the same day around the same time? That's what happened to us this past Saturday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SARAH - Our friend Sarah was celebrating her birthday, and she's been braving a battle against cancer, so we went to celebrate with her and her husband.
Sarah is the most loving, optimistic, determined person ever, and radiates love. Even battling for her health she maintained smiles, hugs, and love for everyone. Sarah and her friend Dona (whom we had never met until Saturday) had spent days last summer baking and making elegant cupcakes for our wedding reception. The cupcakes were such a hit that we only had one left after the guests departed! We also share a deep love for our canine children. We are so proud of Sarah in her determination and we ask you to keep her in your prayers.
One of her friends hosted the event and it was wonderful. The house was situated on the Severn River and had a beautiful view into the Chesapeake Bay. There was also a hammock there, that Tom couldn't resist!


GRADUATION EVENTS - The events that we were unable to attend (both in different towns), but were there in spirit were for our friends Sadie (graduating from college) and Phil (graduating from high school). We are very proud of both of them and they've both got a great life and career ahead of them.

Sunday Sun and a "Serviceberry Tree"

Franklin the Dachshund and Dolly the Weimaraner loved the weather on Sunday. It was sunny and 74 degrees Fahrenheit! The average temperature is around 53F, so this was a really awesome and welcome day.
Rob woke up with a stomach ache that didn't ease but made the best of it. We walked the dogs in the morning, and Rob walked them in the afternoon and evening, while Tom worked in the garden and did all kinds of indoor projects!
In the afternoon we briefly visited friends Mike and Heidi, as they were celebrating Mike's and Sadie's (one of their daughter's) birthdays. Rob wasn't up to staying out long due to feeling poorly, but it was great to see everyone albeit briefly.

Because the State of Maryland is offering a $25 reduction in the purchase of a tree (from certain nurseries), we took advantage of it, and bought a "Serviceberry Tree Autumn Brilliance". The tree, pictured here when in bloom, requires Full Sun to Partial Sun, grows to 20-25 feet, spreads 15-20 feet, and flowers profusely with snow white flowers in early spring. It's green leaves turn brilliant orange in the fall. It's a fast growing ornamental tree with beautiful white flowers in spring. Red fruit attracts birds including Cedar Waxwings. Red-orange fall color. If you live in Maryland, to get a coupon for $25 off, go to: http://www.trees.maryland.gov/

Moving Jeff to his New Apartment

Yesterday our friend Jim and I helped Jeff move some stuff into his new apartment in Alexandria. Between Jim and Jeff moving was actually a really fun experience as we laughed a lot. Jim's partner Terry was taking care of their dog, while (my) Tom was taking care of our dogs and gardening, so it was just the three of us. The weather was perfect, which really helped.
We took a couple of trips, and as you can see, my truck was loaded up, as was Jeff's car. I had to get a picture of Jeff with Loretta Lynn's photo packed in the back of the truck!
We stopped for a short lunch and more coffee for me at Dunkin' Donuts, of course. I'm glad Jeff moved near a Dunkin' Donuts. That's important!! :)
The apartment is really, really nice, and so is the neighborhood. It's also really convenient to Jeff's office.
We started around 9:30am and I finished by 4:00pm, while Jeff and Terry headed out to shop for stuff for the apartment. We were happy and relieved that Jeff's move went so smoothly and now he's getting settled in. How often can you say a move was actually fun?

Good Movie/Jaw Pain / Sunshine Sunday!

SUNSHINE!! Today really felt like spring was coming! The sun was shining, and we took the dogs on two walks- one over an hour long. It was 55F and beautiful. Tom raked up the backyard (which is now devoid of snow!) and filled up 2 trash bags with broken branches and leaves while Rob worked on a presentation for a talk about his book (More on that another day).
JAW PAIN UPDATE - the oral surgery that I (Rob) had on Tuesday has been waking him every night around 3am when the pain killers wear off. Today, I started stretching out my cheek muscles that are pulled taught because of my TMJ, and it started to reduce the headache. I've been without ibuprofen since 9:30am (for the first time since Tuesday) but will take the big pain killer to sleep tonight. The jaw where the tooth removal and bone implant occurred still hurts like heck.
GOOD MOVIE - We walked the dogs to the library on Saturday and checked out the movie "MOTORCYCLE DIARIES." I had never heard of it- and it was entirely in spanish with English subtitles. It was, however, captivating, and surprising to learn it was a true story! Below is the summary and the movie trailer.
The Motorcycle Diaries (2004) is a biopic about the journey and written memoir of the 23-year-old Ernesto Guevara, who would years later become internationally known as the iconic Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara. The film recounts the 1952 journey, initially by motorcycle, across South America by Guevara and his friend Alberto Granado. As the adventure centered around youthful hedonism unfolds, Guevara discovers himself transformed by his observations of the life of the impoverished indigenous peasantry.

How Do You Fill Up a Saturday?

It's really easy to fill up a Saturday in our house. Tom got us all up at 5:30am (Rob wanted to stay in bed), so Rob let the dogs out and made them breakfast while Tom went to the CAR WASH (yes, the car wash at 6am). We had breakfast at home, and then got haircuts at 7:15... then back home, loaded the truck with stuff for the dump and copper piping from our old shower for the recycle center. We drove north about 25 minutes (we had the dogs in the truck with us, laying on their pillows and comforter in the back seat of the cab). We learned that recycling COPPER piping, you need at least 10 pounds. The recycle place was "nice" to us and gave us a whopping $8.00. Then we went to the dump with other stuff, came home and cleaned up the back yard (of doggies presents now that all the snow melted). After a lunch with Tom's parents, we shopped for a new vacuum cleaner; cleaned up the flower beds of leaves and trash and trimmed the broken tree limbs (from our double blizzard in Feb.); walked the dogs 2 1/2 miles; did 6 loads of laundry and made the bed, cleaned a drain in the bathroom, and we're still going. It's 5:30pm... Are you TIRED YET?? This is typical for our Saturdays. Of course, with my (Rob) jaw still killing me - and I'm on pain killers every 4 hours, I'd like to take a nap. Um... forget that!

Saturday Tasks / Book Progress!

A TIRED FRIDAY NIGHT -Friday night was one of crashing. Work during the week was very busy for both Tom and I. So, I made us and our friend/roommate eggs,homefries, sausage and bagels for dinner. It's nice to have breakfast for dinner sometimes! Darold and I watched "Ghost Whisperer" on CBS while Tom went to bed!
(PHOTOS: These are today's photos of the drywall up where the sink goes, and drywall around the shower.)
SATURDAY CRAZY DAY /BATHROOM RENOVATION PROGRESS - After an early breakfast at Panera, Tom, Darold and I unloaded a lot of the construction debris at the dump, drove to Annapolis and dropped off stuff at Goodwill, then went to a cabinet maker for a custom cabinet for the remodeled bathroom. Of course, the bathroom contractor arrived at the house just as we went into the cabinet maker, and he didn't have the right key to get in- so I dropped the guys off and I drove 45 min. round trip to let him in! After he finished sanding, etc. the bathroom drywall -the first floor was covered in dust!! So, all three of us spent HOURS vaccuming, dusting, mopping, doing lots of laundry, washing windows, changing the beds and giving the dogs a bath!
GHOST AND SPIRITS BOOK DEVELOPMENTS! - I wrote a press release for local media so I can advertise my "Ghosts and Spirits" book, and I'm going to issue it next week when I get some of the books from the publisher (they haven't arrived yet).
BIG NEWS! Now that I can see how the book is doing, I noticed that out of ALL the books on paranormal the Amazon.com sells, my book moved up from #71 to #30! I can't believe I have the 30th best-selling Paranormal book today on Amazon.com. WOW. Of course, out of ALL the books Amazon.com sells, it's number 69,490! Anyway, I have no idea what that means, but it sounds good!

Taking Advantage of a Sunny Sunday

The Coastal Low pressure system formerly known as Hurricane Ida finally left the area late Saturday, and we finally had temperatures warmer than 45F on Sunday. In fact, the sun came out and it warmed to 70F! So, we took advantage of it.
We had a great breakfast and fun conversation with friends Steve, Jane and Jeff, then Tom and I spent hours raking more leaves.

PHOTO: The dogs were so excited to run outside and see sunshine, just as we were! Here's Franklin running up and down the fence, chasing and barking at the neighbor's dog on the other side of the fence. Meanwhile, Dolly, our Weimaraner, insisted that we play rope toss for 3 hours as we raked leaves. We did, and she was finally tired!

PHOTO: We raked another 5 bags of leaves, even after last week's 8 bags!

PHOTO: Dolly chewed on a stick while Tom even cleaned out all of the flower beds, too.

Sunday Part1: DC March/Rent

Sunday was a busy day for Tom and I (Rob). There were so many things happening between Baltimore and Washington, DC that we wanted to go to- so, we opted to do different things with friends. Tom and our friend Jeff went to Washington, DC for the National Equality rally. Here are some pictures from Jeff.

The National Park Service doesn't provide headcounts of attendees, but estimated 150,000 people attended the march. The Equality March is seeking wider civil rights, and dammit, I think our marriage needs to be recognized. Medical decisions, social security, pensions and more are the reasons why this matters. If someone took them away from straight couples, they'd be furious, too. Everyone deserves equal rights.
United Press International said that demonstrators were energized Saturday night by a speech by U.S. President Barack Obama, who vowed to target the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, as well as the federal Defense of Marriage Act. (They both need to go). Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl, a gay man and Army veteran said at the Capitol rally, 36 states allow housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and 29 states permit firings on those grounds. Same-sex marriages are legal in only a handful of states -- including Massachusetts, Vermont, Iowa and Connecticut. Depriving gays of the right to wed, Rosendahl said, deprives them of 1,100 rights.
Some of the signs read "We're trying to lower your divorce rate," and "Jesus had two fathers" (clever!!).

This is an amazing time in our history, and Tom and Jeff noted that there were an unbelievable number of young people there- who all believe in equal rights. They said that this new generation is going to wipe out all inequalities. I hope so. I think that too many people even our age (40s) hold hatred and prejudice in their hearts. The younger generation seems to accept all people a lot more than our generation does.
**After the rally, Tom and Jeff went to see a high school production of RENT in DC. I bought 2 tickets a month ago, but Baltimore's Comic Book Convention was happening that same day, so that's where I went. More to come on that!

Our Saturday Dog Adventures!

After all the errands on Saturday we made sure we spent time with the "kids"- Dolly the Weimaraner and Franklin the Dachshund. In the late afternoon, we decided to drive to a nice big industrial park nearby, that has a lake and an old mansion (back in a wooded area). The sun had come out, and it was about 65F, so it was great walking weather. We enjoyed walking the dogs for about an hour around the entire complex, and they enjoyed sniffing all of the new scents. We even found the old mansion that has been restored- we don't know what the owners are going to do with it, though. Here are photos of us from the walk today:



After the long walk, we took the kids to Petsmart to get more bags of dog food, and they love walking through the store - they love the attention and scents. At the checkout, Dolly stood up and put her paws on the counter (as she always does in Petsmart) to say hello to the check out person. Meanwhile, Tom had put Franklin in the shopping cart!
Afterward, I took the kids in the truck with me while Tom ran a short errand. Here's Dolly looking out the window waiting for Daddy Tom, while Franklin finds napping more to his liking.

Annapolis Sightseeing Cruise -" EGGCELENCE" in Annapolis

Our friend Jeff's mom and dad are visiting this week from Maine, and we got together with them this afternoon for a great lunch at "EGGCELENCE" in Annapolis, Md. It's a really nice restaurant, with a friendly and great waitstaff and management, and OUTSTANDING food! http://www.eggcellencebrunchery.com/. Tom's mom met us there, too (his step dad was on travel), so we had a nice group for lunch. We highly recommend the restaurant!

After lunch, we drove to downtown Annapolis and took a 40 minute cruise of the Severn River listening to a narrated tour on the Harbor Queen.

The day was overcast and around 70F with a good breeze, especially on the open water. This is a picture Rob took of the Severn River looking to the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.

This is our group! Front L to R: Tom and Rob/ Back L to R: Jeff, his Dad and his Mom.
It was a really enjoyable cruise and just long enough with some interesting tidbits of info about Annapolis, the Naval Academy (there in downtown Annapolis) and the Chesapeake Bay.

This is a nice profile pic of Jeff that we took on the boat.

The Naval Academy midshipmen practice sailing and other things on the bay. They were out practicing their sailing skills when our tour boat cruised past them.