Weekend Funtivities

Happy Birthday Thomas!!!

Last weekend Tom and I went to my parent's house to spend the weekend. As usual, we enjoyed a yummy cookout with smoked chicken and pork. Tom is our braai master! Lets just say it is his favorite past time and it shows! The men enjoyed a "man day" on Saturday, which consisted frolicking in the yard, socially drinking, playing poker, and managing the smoking activity.

While we were there, we also took the opportunity to celebrate Tom's birthday (which is today!). Per his request, I attempted and, I guess, successfully made him a poppyseed cake. He used to have one every year for his birthday when he was growing up. Anyway, I made it using a castle-shaped cake form. I've discovered that boys really enjoy their birthday cakes in the shape of a castle at any age!

a true "man day"

"man day" evidence = braaing

batter - the best part of the cake-making process (in my opinion)

Sisters

Ivy and Mike

and again... with bunny ears

and hail from a wicked storm!

Lobster Anyone?

I heard a segment on "All Things Considered" yesterday about a group of Lobstermen in Maine who have started an online business to sell lobster. The name of the business is "Catch a Piece of Maine." The fouders are brothers and their parents insisted they go to college... which seems like it paid off. They studied business and put their knowlege to good use. The lobster market is feeling the pain from a weak economy and growing seafood industry from abroad. In order to bypass the wholesale market, these lobstermen formed a group and created an online business. Thus, taking out the middle man. From the broadcast, it sounds like the business is doing well. They have also done a good job of personalizing their site for customers. You can view a video of the men and select which Lobstermen you want to catch your dinner.

Tom and I love lobster and are always looking for fresh lobster at the farmer's market in Philly. We never end up buying any because they are always soooo expensive and we question their freshness. But now we can order them directly from Maine!!

"In Tough times, Lobstermen Use Web to Net Profits"

Check out their website: http://www.catchapieceofmaine.com/

Done Done and Done!

After hours of working on three assignments all due the same day, I am FINALLY done!! It feels so good to be done and not have my course work linger over me as a constant worry. I have to be careful and not get swept up with all of this free time I'm going to have after work, as it will sadly come to an end on the 25th of August when my fall semester begins. I tend to begin elaborate projects when I get a taste of freedom after a course ends. I end up bitterly putting my projects aside to go back to studying. I think I'll handle some odds and ends around the apartment the next two weeks so I feel like I've accomplished something!

Brother-Sister Weekend

Ivy and I instituted Brother-Sister weekends last year.  Our first one was in October 2007, then in May 2008, and our third taking place this weekend.  We had one crazy weekend, running here and running there, but we made the best out of it.  There is one park (not in Philly) that I take him to every time he visits.  It has a large wooden castle playground, tennis courts, skate ramps, and soccer field.  I love going there, mostly because I get to play too.

Carter drawing a picture for Tom

Upside down and loving it

Conversations with a 7 year old

Carter and I did all sorts of things today, including playing, drawing, grocery shopping, washing the car, reading, and talking.  Our conversations are really entertaining because of Carter's perspective. While we were waiting to see Tom, we watched a mother change and interact with her baby.  I thought this was extra adorable and mentioned that the baby was so cute and seeing the mother and daughter interact made me want a baby.  I really don't want a baby now but you get the point.  Carter then informed me that I will have a baby and that I just have to wait.  I asked, "what do I have to wait for?"  Carter then says, "you know... for your belly to... you know... get big and full."  He then made the international sign for pregnancy by clasping his hands together and moved them over his stomach region in the shape of a circle.  

Another notable conversation arose when we sat down for lunch at the dining room table. Carter has been fixated on a calendar that is hanging on the wall.  The calendar has a picture of a half-naked women for each month.  This calendar is Tom's and one that I have allowed to stay in its spot as I have not gotten around to redecorating the entry way of the apartment (on my list of things to do).  Anyway, as we were eating, Carter asked me who the calendar belongs to - me or Tom.  He then asked me where it was bought.  I told him Barnes & Noble.  His eyes lit up and said, "oh yeah?"  He then said, in a very innocent way and almost as if he was reminding himself to pick one up on his next trip to the store, "instead of my adventure calendar, I need to get a sexy girls calendar."  His tone and demeanor as he said this had me laughing so hard.

Mom, Carter, and I went to Ikea yesterday to take a gander at new displays and pick up some odds and ends.  Whenever we go to Ikea, we always make a point to eat their staple meal - meatballs/potatoes/gravy.  As we were sitting in a wooden booth by the window, Carter observed people entering and exiting the store.  He then commented on the different kinds of people he was seeing and said, "there are more African Americans here than at home."  My mother chimed in and started telling Carter that Philadelphia has a very diverse community with people from different races, nationalities, and, ultimately, color.  Children notice differences that shouldn't be ignored.  Carter than informed my mom, in a very authoritative way, that he knows about every thing because he learned it at school.  His confidence just amazes me sometimes.  I know he's only 7, but I often think about what I was like at his age, and I know I wasn't as confident about anything as he is. 

These moments are hard to translate as they truly happened, but it always reminds me to slow down and enjoy them.

Absolutely Classic...

Carter: "What is a cat-scan?"

Mom: "It's when the doctor's examine your head.  They lay you flat on a sliding table and slide you through a big donut...."

Carter: "Can you eat the donut?"

Hahahahaha... Carter's comment reflects not only a 7 year old's ability to comprehend such a procedure, but it also shows his true love for food.  

Crocs on the decline

I think I should have went to school for economics...  I guess it's never too late.  I love the economic and business segments I hear about popular products, decline/rise in sales, and what's happening behind the scenes in the business scene.

Anyway, the producers of Crocs noted a 90% decline in sales.  I think they may be in denial, but they are convinced it's not because of their signature style.  No, they are blaming the low sales on the economy.  

I don't know how I feel about them... I've really never had an opinion.  I know a lot of people who have them and love them.  I'm just not one of those people.  Maybe it's because I don't have a pair... how can you love something you don't have?

Now that I'm thinking about it, I've never been one to jump on the bandwagon when it comes to trends.  I don't like to wear labels and definitely don't like to conform to a certain image or style.  Although Crocs are not plastered with labels, their style is a label enough.  There!... after critically thinking about it, my true feelings have surfaced. 

Now on to other things...