1900 miles, 11 days, 10 states, 0 tickets

The Great East Coast Migration of 2005 is over. Fini. I am back to work today and Halley has been left at the apartment, blissfully and uninterruptedly sleeping her puppy cares away. The final tally of miles is just above 1900, round trip. The tale end of my trip was spent in PA with Snoop and the family. The wee ones were a joy and made my ovaries ache. I told Snoop and HDH Dr. J that if I was assured as good a partner and dad as Dr. J is, I would not hesitate to have kids. Halley was very well behaved and tolerated the kids grabbing at her and general kid play. The wee boy is 3 years old and constantly testing his boundaries; it was a learning experience for him to be around a little dog. Clairebean is a beautiful 6.5 month old, so aware, so happy! I did hear her cry twice, when she was over-tired, but oddly enough it did not grate on my nerves as do most wailing tots.
It has been difficult to regain momentum and get back to work. A new rotation student was erroneously sent to me; the diode was broken. Both of these things took up my time, and now I have but 15 minutes to waste before yoga tonight.
After 1900 miles in the car, my back is anxiously awaiting yoga, craving twists and bends to work out the kinks.
and House is on tonight. Brilliant. Then Boston Legal. Even more Brilliant.
ciao

last post from SC

Alas, the week is over. Tomorrow I embark to Philly to hang with the Snoop, her hubby and the two wee ones. I am very excited; I visited them briefly after Mac's wedding last year. Hopefully I will get to see Dr. Snoop's lab I have heard so much about.
The weather has taken a turn for the colder, but not by much, today's high is ~65F. The sky is clear as far as the eye can see.
Halley did her sunbathing indoors this morning. here is the pic... apparently at the top. go figure.

greetings from SC

well, big news big news. I am finally an aunt. Olivia Ina, 8 lb 3 oz, 20 in, was born on November 2. Cute little bugger.
This is my first and alas only post from South Carolina. I am on vacation in a little spot just south of Myrtle Beach - Surfside, or something like that. I was going to blog the other day, but didn't get a free moment. I am sitting here on a swanky couch in Caffe Dolce (3100-B Hwy 17 S Business, Murrells Inlet, SC 843.651.9370). Seriously, if you find yourself in the neighborhood, they have some of the BEST gelato I have had. Ever. And the pignola cookies are quite tasty as well. Chat with Paula while you are here - she is a card.
The sun has been shining non stop since my arrival. It was a marathon car ride down (16 hours) from CT (I went from Waltham to CT the night before). We stopped several times, since Halley was in the kennel in the back seat. This is the first time halley rode in the kennel, not on her booster seat, and she was quite unhappy. And I felt guilty for keeping her cooped up - so we stopped and ran around often. We fianlly arrived in MB, and after a few turn arounds, made it to the condo. It is quite literally on the beach, and the surf is loud. Lulling into some wonderful sleeps and naps though.
We have been to the beach everyday, swimming and frolicking in the surf and sand. Halley chases the birds. the ocean temp is 65 F, not too bad - like New England in August.
OK, Caffe Dolce makes canolli to order. Fresh!! I just ordered three!
Gotta go. I tried to upload some of the pictures from the beach, but for some reason i can't get it to work. They will have to wait.

More later...

updates and more updates

Wow, terribly long time since I last posted - not that any of you care.
Hmm, lots have happened and I am not sure where to begin.
I participated in the Hartford Marathon, after running in the Huck Finn 5 K with the broken toe. The 5 K was the wettest race I have ever run. The rains were torrential at times. It was not too cold, but since the rain did not let up not even for a moment, by the end of the day I felt like an ice cube. My participation in the marathon was as a 'hugger' at the end of the races (marathon and 1/2 marathon). People crossing the finish line were assailed by many of us offering medals, water and mylar blankets. I was a mylar blanket girl, hence the hug squad designation. I did a lot of cheering and was picked to hold the winner's banner across the finish line for the women's marathon. It means my foot and hands made it onto the 6 o'clock news that night. I was volunteering with my friend Cake, whose husband was completing his first marathon. Outside of a great many blisters, everyone made it through the day unharmed.
That same weekend, Gabriella the Cat decided to leave this realm and passed into the next. It was very sad. I was thankful to have my mom there, since it was originally her cat. Gabi was quite sick for more than 2 years, and it finally over took her. Gabi did have great green eyes, and was amazingly annoying, but both Halley and I miss her.
The following weekend I managed finally to drive out to my friends' new house in Bolton. Not a bad drive, but this was at the end of a 10 day straight rain and the roads were a bit flooded. I have serious house envy and I am looking forward to a time when I can visit and see the outside, too. I went with a former lab member and by the time we left, the sun finally poked through the clouds. As our friend exclaimed, it had been raining so long, seeing the sun 'was like an orgasm.' Pretty much sums up just how desperate we were.
I went a little mad and made three apple pies in one evening. I proposed this to my lady friends as a yankee swap of sorts - I would make them a pie in exchange for the use of their kitchens, which are both much bigger than mine. Well, both ladies bit and we decided to do this at Cali and the Cuban Exile's place. Queen Barkms and Cali quilted that evening, while I toiled away in the kitchen. The impetus was to make pie to bring into the lab for a birthday. That was the first pie I put together. that was baking in the oven while I worked on the other two - making the house smell delicious. Since I was in Cali's kitchen, I made her and the CE a USA pie, in honor of the CE having his citizenship interview the next day. What is more American than apple pie?!? Little did I know it was his irst taste of homemade apple pie - thankfully they turned out great. And, since QB had offered up her kitchen as well, I made her a pie. After cleaning up, I drove QB home with her pie on her lap, transfering all those yummy scents to my car. Ultimately, pie was had by all, though I was exhausted by the end of it.
that brings us to this past weekend, which brought pumpkin carving and Halloween. Pumpkin carving at QB and DrD's house has become a much anticipated event. Both QB and DrD hold Halloween in high regard and it is in their presence a very fun holiday. The pumpkins were for the annual party on Monday night. Halley went as a Chia Pet; I went as a girls gone wild girl. Halley was by far cuter. If the picture of Halley as Chia does not appear, I may have to figure out another way to post it.
Now I am preparing for my vacation - a much needed break from the lab and New England. But more about that later. I have to get some work done.