Quick attempt at a catch up post

So, what have we been up to lately, you ask?
Not much, not really, just:

Disney (Sept 20-23)

Next Weekend: Cambridge (Canada) for Brian's parents' surprise party the next weekend (which needs its own post but isn't getting it right now and I'm going to give up on waiting to type it up and add photos for now. Suffice it to say it went great!)

Next Weekend: Pennsylvania Rennaisance Faire. Except that we decided we were too tired and had too much going on so we wouldn't go. Instead, when I got up Saturday morning, I *really* wanted to go to my not-so LNS. At the least I needed to pick up something I had ordered for a Hallowe'en exchange. Then on Sunday, Brian decided he *did* want to go to CT for a game. I stayed home and tried not to get sick.

Next Weekend: Brian went up to CT for gaming. I'm truthfully not sure anymore what I did... I might have gone with him or I might have stayed home.

Next Weekend: Pennsylvania to see Bob and Sue. We had a great visit and it was nice to go relax. Spent Saturday at the Philly Zoo and really enjoyed it. Need to post photos from then too.

During this week, Brian got a full time job!! :)

Next Weekend: Brian up to CT on Saturday for more gaming, I stayed home to host more LG here at our place. Sunday's plans to do one of the corn mazes were rained out. I was rather relieved. We finally had a day at home to relax.

This past week: Wednesday I had a one day seminar in NJ and got to drive there and back for the day. Saw an instrument that could put me out of work. It did in 10 minutes what takes me weeks to do! Thankfully, it still needs a human to set it up, check it's working right, and interpret the results. And it's over $100k. I think I'll get to keep my job for now :) Got home in time for some of the Trick or Treaters (not many this year). Andrew, who used to live beside us even came by to say hi, see Brian, and especially pet Percy! We also ran over to Sharon's to see Stephanie in her adorable Dorothy outfit. Thursday night I went into Neutral Ground to game. In order to make the train to get there on time, I was at work before 6:30am. And the mod ran late, so I didn't get home until 2am. Uggghhh! But I had Friday off. Original plan for Friday: Go into the city on first non-peak train and spend the day relaxing/sightseeing/shopping/museuming/whatever-looked-fun-ing before going to see The Police at MSG. :) New plan: Brian worked Friday so I lazed around (and tried to sleep but failed miserably) and then we went into the city. Absolutely *LOVED* the concert. It was our first big "event" concert in the city and a celebration of Brian getting his work permission (and job!) We did book a hotel since otherwise we'd have had to be back on the train at 8am to make Saturday's plans: Worldwide Dungeons and Dragon Gameday. Got to NG with plenty of time and much better rested than if we'd gone home. Discovered that NG hadn't received their package afterall, so there was no mod to run! The five of us went down to The Compleat Strategist and played it there (I ate it so the others could play). Caught an early train home and relaxed for an hour before Jess's birthday party. Met great people and had a nice night out. Decided to skip the after dinner (10pm ish) group trip back to J&J's for Shaun of the Dead. Drove Jen and Steve (?) home instead and went to bed early-ish. Sunday Brian had planned two mods of LG at our place. I decided to skip the later one and just relax. Smart idea...

Phew! Are you exhausted yet? I know I am. I've been working very hard lately to not get sick, and (knock wood) have managed to so far. The next few weeks will be much quieter. I'm looking forward to it. No stitching photos I can show since all I'm working on right now is obligation stitching.

Superbowl Sunday

I *LOVE* Superbowl Sunday.
And I *LOATHE* watching football.

So why do I love it? For the commercials? Nope, although I did get through the full 4 hrs in about 45 mins to watch them. Some were funny, but none were anything special. I did particularly like the Blockbuster one though. Even rewound it to watch it again. To see if I won the office pool? Nope, yet again I was off by one box this year (it's random and really cool since you don't need to follow sports to win, and every year I've been off by one box...). The halftime show? Nope, but Prince was pretty good. And holy rain! Congrats to the camera folks who did a wonderful job at keeping the camera lenses clear.

Nope. None of the above. I love it because of the Annual Superbowl Sunday Sale and Show at my LNS. Brian was a wonderful husband and drove me, Jen and Carrie to CrossStitch Unlimited in NJ for the day. We met up with Tina and Joanna and their husbands once we arrived. Brian and Jon (Joanna's hubby) gleefully abandoned us to go to the gaming store. It was great to see the cross stitch store so packed full of people. And I do mean packed! I spent the least of the three of us on stitching supplies, but I also arranged the framing for Phoenix. Ouch. But worth it. I'll be heading back to NJ to pick it up for the 24th of Feb. I did pick up a pattern for the trip to London and Paris, and I'm having to work very hard not to start it now. I'm dying to start it! But I specifically wanted something without a lot of colour changes that would be easier to take while travelling. Everyone found something to stitch. Afterwards, of course, was Mastori's for a late lunch. And it was awesome as always. Lots of talk, gaming stories, character build discussions and the best line goes to Jon: "I think we're freaking out the mundanes". It was fun seeing the looks on the faces of some of the people around us. Good food, good friends and great conversation. Who could ask for anything more? The drive back was fine overall. Something was going on with the Belt Parkway, so we took the BQE. Good bit of off the cuff navigation if I do say so myself. And home 12 hours after leaving feeling full and satisfied. Another great Superbowl Sunday.