First, the bad. I spent 12 hours in airports yesterday trying to get home. The good thing about this is, when your boss picks you up at the airport at 2AM, he doesn't argue when you tell him you are not going to work the next day.

Anyway, I left on Thursday to see Phoebs. I arrived in Manchester at about 8:30 that night, and we drove to her house. Thanks to a flood, it is currently in a state of construction, but it is a cute little house. With a pink deck.

The best thing about the house is that it is within walking distance of Pawtuckaway Lake. She and her neighbors keep their kayaks there, so I was able to borrow one. We spent Friday morning kayaking and picking really small blueberries. We then went into Kittery, ME, at at the Weathervane, and went outlet shopping. After eating, we visited the restroom. The woman who had been in the stall next to me took the opportunity to tell me over hand washing that she thought I was her daughter when she saw my feet, because we both have the same freaky long toes, with the second toe longer than the big toe. "Makes it hard to buy shoes," was her parting comment. Phoebes was flabbergasted by this conversation. Scarily, it is not the strangest one I have had with a random person.

Saturday we went into Boston and went shopping along Newberry and Boylston Streets. While walking along Newberry, a girl walked into me. Not only did she not apologize, she kept going. Right through me! I need to remember not to wear my Invisibilty Cloak when shopping. (Incidentally, later in the T, a man walked into me, but he apologized. Also, he was blind.) I did by a really cool framed set of three prints (Boston scenes). Now I must decide whether to put them in the living room or the bedroom.

Sunday we went hiking at the Flume Gorge at Franconia Notch State Park. (Do check out the winter photos!) This reminds me what I miss about New England- the scenery. (The winter photos remind me what I don't miss.)

Monday- kayaking, then airport hell.

Phoebs should be sending pictures- I'll try to post some.

I called TR girl last night. She told me that when she got home from work, she locked herself out of the house (their doors lock behind you when you close them). She thought the BIL was working until 9, so she decided to go for a walk. The BIL (who I should point out is a volunteer firefighter and trained EMT) got home early, saw her truck, but no TR girl. So he called our mom. Who is in Maine.

The boys are crazier than usual and other newsOrion has taken to sleeping on the back of the couch, which is why if you come to my house you will notice that the center back cushion is dented. Saturday night he was sleeping up there and fell off. He woke up hissing, presumably at whomever had knocked him off. Neither Jaz nor I had touched him.

Yesterday when I got home from work, the TV was on. Sometimes you just need to watch Lifetime, I guess. Later, Jaz decided he needed some alone time, so he went up to my bedroom and closed the door. I also discovered that Orion has made himself a toy. It's a box with a rubberband in it. See, you put the box near the dining room table, then climb up on the table, jump into the box, and attack the rubberband. Hours of fun, apparently.

In other news, I am now on arthritis medicine for my ankle, and I am supposed to "cut back on my activities."

Last night, as I was falling asleep (at 2310), the phone rang. Now, it is a rule that you must answer late phone calls, because otherwise you won't sleep for wondering what's going on. I did not make it to the house phone in time, so the caller called my cell. I found the phone, and it was Bud.

WG: (sleepily) Hello?
Bud: Oh, did I wake you?
WG: Yes. Some people have to go to work tomorrow.
Bud: Well, now you're going to be mad. I just called to ask you a question.
WG: What?
Bud: Who sings that song Breakfast at Tiffany's?

Yesterday, I rode in my first horse show. It was dressage (well, there was jumping, but I don't jump), and I won a second place and a third place ribbon. Some mistakes, but nothing major. Also, I got some good compliments from the judge. I had a really good time and definitely will do it again. Now I need boots, clothes, and eventually a horse.

In other news, it turns out that I am shallow. My hairdresser straightened my hair on Tuesday, and I got many compliments. So now I am blowdrying it every day. Surprised Cdub on Saturday who said, "It took me a minute to recognize you."

List, part 1
In a follow-up to yesterday's post, I list for you ten things I love about the Raleigh/Durham area:

1. Crape Myrtle. Seriously, it's the Best. Tree. Ever.
   
2. Barbeque. Yum. Double yum if there are hush puppies.
   
3. The fact that I never ever have to wear my big coat (well, OK, there was that 11 inch snowstorm. But that was one time. In three years.)
   
4. Duke Gardens
   
5. Housing prices. Y'all, I live in a 2 bedroom townhouse for less than $700 a month.
   
6. The fact that native southerners call a stocking cap (or ski cap) a toboggan. See, it always makes me picture someone with a plastic sled on their head, which is funny.
   
7. Our relatively small and very convienent airport.
   
8. You don't have to drive very far to get out of the sprawl and into the country.
   
9. You can go to the beach for a day. Said beaches are clean, free, and the water is warm.
   
10. I have finally found a good hair stylist!