I almost cried...I cried... and I smiled with joy.

I almost cried.... when I got off the train late and I was hoping to see Boat Shoes waiting for me by the train. A bit tired from a long day I was looking forward to a ride home from the train (usually I walk). Boat shoes wasn't there. I almost cried (I know its petty). So I called him, "Hi Boat Shoes. Is there any way you could come get me from the train?" "My dear flip flops. You drove your car to the train station today, remember?" "Riiiiight. See you soon."

I cried.... when we were driving along this evening by the cemetary close to our home. Typically, its empty. But not today. There was a young man alone at the cemetary at a clearly recent spot. He had placed a single red rose atop whoever this loved one might be, with his own homemade contraption. the vase has not been placed. It just made us wonder. What is his story? Who did he love? Who does he miss? We all have stories. We all lose loved ones. We all have ones that we miss. Tonight, he is on my heart.

I smiled with joy...when boat shoes and I looked in the mail and facing us was a beautiful wedding invitation. An elegant invitation. An invitation that holds so much joy. Isn't it interesting how much the invitation says about the bride and the groom? It's interesting when paper can replace words. Julie and Peter... We are honored to be at your special day. Julie... I am thrilled to stand by your side as you say, "I do!"

puppies and park benches...

lilly and I love to go for walks... and now that I have been cleared by my sports med doc for "power walking" this week... I am taking full advantage of walking my puppy at an increased speed! hooray for the little things!

we (as in Lilly Bean and I) decided to spend some time this evening at Haverford College. for you locals, its a lovely place to take your puppies, children, spouses or just yourself for a relaxing walk, run or time alone.

we spent time enjoying the simple pleasures of haverford college...

for me: park benches, watching a family fly a kite, spring flowers, tree lined paths, my puppy bouncing around, a spring breeze, watching geese gracefully on the pond...

for lilly: people to say hi to (ie: hands to lick because people think I am adorable), smelling different plants and trees, pouncing towards the geese, treats when I am good, treats when I listen, treats when I stay put...

breathe in. breathe out. take a relaxing walk.. with yourself, a loved one, or a puppy!

and some of my most favorites...

in the world!!!!

what a perfectly wonderful weekend in Nashville, TN!

when you wear a number...

you can hop in with your marathon buddy at mile 20 and trot along...

and you can bop in with your half marathon buddy and run across the finish line with your arms in the air!!!

and we'll have...

fun... fun... fun!!!!

24 hours in music city

highlights from the first 24 hours in Nashville, TN...

happy hour in the airport with kate and boat shoes before our flight. great travel companions. landing early. a fun rental car with a sunroof. 80 degree weather. standing by faith hill at a softball game. watching sterling play softball. dinner at california pizza kitchen with my favorite kiddos in the world. staying up late chatting with elizabeth in the kitchen, just like nannying days in gradute school. eating lunch at local taco in a lilly sundress soaking up the rays. shopping for lilly beans birthday at come. sit. stay. shopping with elizabeth at an adorable boutique, Jamie, where we picked out a lovely chic outfit for her from the the Lela Rose trunk show, played in the gorgeous jewelry boutique and picked out some fabulous Tory Burch shoes for me from the shoe salon at Jamie. played at the expo. had a pity party that I can't run the marathon. got excited for my buddies that get to run and being there for them as their biggest fan.

happiness... to be continued...

A closet for flip flops... and boat shoes

It's official! The date has been announced... let's start making plans! Sleepovers... pink and green gallore... and favorite friends shopping...OH MY!

And on that note...Boat Shoed and I need some help! We have found a fabulous home, with a good amount of space... however, there is one little eensy weensy downfall.. there are no closets. When I say NO closets... I mean no closets. So my friends, we will be transforming a bedroom into a closet / dressing room (for all of my lovely new Lilly finds!)! And here is where you come in... we need ideas! We have purchased the first attempt from Bed Bath and Beyond this evening but will be looking for more ideas... so come one .. come all... we need ideas!

pay it forward

Almost every day of my life... I witness a phenomenon called, "Pay it forward." It happens to be one of my favorite observations of people.

Today, I observed a fascinating interaction of a gentleman hopping on the bus with a 5 dollar bill and 1 one dollar bill. The bus fare is 2 dollars. If he were to place his 5 dollar bill in the bill collector, his ticket would be 5 dollars, there is no change.

Two women offered dollar bills. He refused. A woman offered her train pass for him to swipe. The bus driver stopped him, that ticket has already been used. Another woman offered a dollar. He asked for her address to repay her the money. She said, "Just help out the next guy. Pay it forward." He smiled. He nodded. He paid his fare and took his seat. He shared the story of his day. He was thankful to have a ride home...

May each of us find a way, each and every day to "Pay it forward."

4 days...

...and counting.

It's marathon / half marathon week for some of my besties. For me, it is get ready to cheer week. I still wish I could run with everything in me... but I will cheer cheer cheer and enjoy every second I am in Nashville, TN with some of my favorite people. Back to grad school days... nannying days... and just lovely nashville days...

simply can't wait!!!

in flip flop and boat shoes world...

We found a new home...and we love it (the front porch is ready for some rocking chairs and a front porch swing...)

I want to go glamping...

and I think I need these....in navy, black, pink... mmm the options are limitless.

"Sometimes we need really special ones now and then to make the walk a little more fun."

- Carrie Bradshaw in reference to a fabulous new pair of shoes

impromptu

impromptu engagement celebration in richmond...

She said YES! (well actually, she said, "okay!" but they dont make cups that say that!)

My lovely friend katy, virginia vines, and her husband joined us for a casual little dinner party complete with Lilly Pulitzer umbrella stirrers with Peep bunnies and a yummy raspberry beer spritzer! Fun times had by all!

richmond race fun

What a fun race... the Monument Avenue 10K in Richmond, VA!

A few dear friends...meaghan, rob & kate joined derek and I for a road trip to my families house in richmond for the big race!

Apparel: Hope for Haiti tshirts... tutus...grass skirts... flower lei neclaces... bunny ears... visors...fun times were had by all!

It was the first time I have ever walked a race... a new experience for sure... it seemed to take forever but mom and I enjoyed the bands, the people... and the costumes... note the mermaid in the bottom right! 6.2 miles in style...

update coming soon!

A wallet has been found (pictures to come...)

Boat shoes and I had a fabulous week in NC (stories and photos to come...)

I walked my first race ever... Monument Ave 10K with my mom and some dear friends joined for the weekend (snapshots and thoughts to come...)

hopefully tomorrow ...