Make New Friends, But Keep the Old

God love the Brownies. It's amazing how lessons learned when you are 5 years old, sitting in a brown uniform wearing a beanie hat, apply throughout your life. Sure, the uniform and badges are long gone, but I can still appreciate that it's important to hold onto your friends of the past and make new ones as you move forward in this crazy thing called life. But I have to say, I'm not so sure about the "one is silver and the other is gold" part. To me, all my friends are Gold!! :)

This weekend, I was lucky enough to spend some quality time one of my very best friends from college AND some new friends from the neighborhood. Ed had to work on Saturday so rather than sit at home and do nothing, I was lucky enough to find myself in Arlington with my dear friend Beth ~ aka Poochie Girl.


Beth and I met Freshman year at JMU in the McGraw-Long dorm. She lived in the room next to mine and after meeting, we became instant friends. From meals to classes to parties to petty larceny (pulled a tulip out of the ground in front of our building ~ a big no no at JMU!), we did everything together. We had an obsession with taking pics of our butts - but I have to say, back then they looked pretty good!


Beth transferred to George Mason University in the middle of our sophomore year which saddened me greatly (we were roommates at that point), but we managed to stay in touch and stay friends. After graduation, we did lose touch, but with one phone call to my parent's house we reconnected, and now I can say that she is one of my best friends in the world. To know Beth is to know what it's like to be with the happiest, most loving, caring, wonderful person in the world. Her laugh is infectious as is her sunny disposition. I always know that when I am with Beth, I will have a great time and our lunch at Arlington Rooftop Bar and Grill did not disappoint. We don't get to see each other as often as I'd like, but when we are together, we know how to have a good time. I treasure her friendship and know she will be someone who will always be in my life. I love you Poochie Girl!!!!

After my wonderful time with Beth, I headed home to find some of the neighbors setting up tents in the common area near the house. It was the night of the Great American Backyard Camp Out and they were ready to get started. Now, if you know me, you know that I'm not a camping type girl ~ even when it is in my own backyard! But they managed to lure us over with their enticing margaritas and of course, their wonderful company.


We had a blast eating burgers and sausages, drinking batch after batch of margaritas, looking at old yearbook pictures (turns out I went to the same high school as neighbor Chris Newland - love the mullet), roasting marshmallows for s'mores and playing with the kids. Even Lucy got in on the action. I've said it before and I'll say it again, we are SO lucky to have the GREATEST neighbors who I can now call friends. Thank you guys for such a wonderful time and next year, we promise to get into the whole tent/sleeping outside thing!


As I said before, God love the Brownies. They really know what they are talking about.

Weekend Whirlwind Part 1

What a weekend! Mother's Day...Dog Festival...Dinner with Friends ~ this is what life is all about! Sorry about taking Monday off... we were still recovering from the weekend festivities, but we are back in action and ready to share. First let's talk about the weather - GORGEOUS!! I can get used to 65 and sunny with no humidity. If only it would stay this way all year round. We took full advantage on Saturday morning and finished our landscaping project in the front yard. We needed to add the final touch of mulch to the flower bed and now, I am proud to say, it is complete. I also added a cute little planter to the front porch to provide the finishing touch!

The day continued with a trip out to Reston to visit the 2011 Pet Fiesta and Festival. Lucy was so excited to greet all the adorable pooches that were attending and got her fair share of treats and goodies from the many vendors. There was even a Frosty Paws eating contest!


Lucy was a VERY happy girl. :) The best part of the day was when a Great Dane (that was literally as big as me) thought that the Costumed Character Dog was real and started going nuts. Good thing his owner was strong enough to hold him back! The guy in the costume was smart enough to slowly walk away.

After our big day at the Festival, we headed out to Bristow for a BBQ with the Beahr family and the very fabulous Andrea. First of all, their new house is GORGEOUS! Little Maddie (our 4 year old tour guide du jour) showed us the digs and I think my mouth was wide open in awe the whole time. It was beautiful. We spent the night catching up and playing with the girls - Maddie and Celia - who may be the cutest, smartest, most well-mannered kids I've ever met. Seriously ... both Ed and I want to order 2 exactly like that when it's time for us to have kids! Lucy even had a good time with new BFF Erin. The puppies had a ball running around the back yard as well as the house. The best was when Lucy tried to play with Maddie's Cabbage Patch Kid. I think we are going to have a rough time teaching Lucy which toys are hers and which are the kids. :)




After a delicious meal, it was time to test out some toys. I don't know who had more fun...the girls, Lucy or me and Ed!





It was a great evening ... one that truly makes me appreciate all the wonderful friends we have. So that concludes Weekend Whirlwind Part 1. Stay tuned for Part Dos!