It's the Little Things

Happy Friday! Here are a few little things that have brightened my week!

Finals are OVER and it is SPRING BREAK! Spring break looks a little bit different in grad school than it did in college.

I still have to work this week, but my evenings are open!

I don't even know what I'm going to do with all of this free time!

Last night, I attended (cool)progeny ' s event in Fell's Point. 

No, I'm not a mom (and don't plan to be one anytime soon), but my friend Sarah's older sister organized the event. 

Be honest, would you really turn down a girly night with vino, shopping and fun snacks?

I certainly didn't!

Even though I'm currently fighting with my kitten, she definitely is adorable and has made me smile more than once this week.

What little things have made you happy this week?

Adventures of Vivi-Cat

For those of you who don't know, I live in a very quirky old home. 

I have outside windows on the inside of my house,                                

 crazy steep twisty turning stairs, 

and brick floors in my kitchen.  

My bathroom on the second floor has a window that can be opened to look out into the dining room which has a cathedral ceiling. 

Vivi-kitty has been making me nervous recently, because she perches in that window and has that "I'm about to jump and you can't stop me" look. 

I couldn't imagine her jumping to the first floor though, so although I've tried to keep the window closed, I wasn't too worried about it. 

Yesterday afternoon, I had just gotten out of the shower, when all of a sudden, Vivi arrived in the bathroom window. 

WHAT? 

I was so perplexed. 

I knew she wasn't in the bathroom with me. 

I heard her land, as if she had just jumped. 

It just wasn't possible!

There was no way my kitten leaped from the dining room table, located downstairs, into this upstairs window.

  

I looked out the window just to double check that the chandelier wasn't swinging or anything. 

After a few moments, I figured it out!

 Vivi found herself a new perch, and let me tell you, she certainly rules the roost. 

Remember that Time I Almost Died

Okay so, this morning, I woke up to a strange man calling hello, hello. 

I thought I was dreaming because neither my housemate or her boyfriend were home. I jolted awake and heard it again. So I jumped out of bed, grabbed some pants and tiptoed to the top of my steps, figuring a robber doesn't say hello! 

Then I heard the beep beep from the alarm system, which means my front door was open or shut. I go, "Hello?" No one answered, so I crept downstairs and didn't see anyone. I was terrified, convinced I'd see this guy!

My front door was shut, so I run and open it and my neighbor was there. 

Keep in mind, I just woke up. I'm so confused and disoriented. It's 6:30am. So I ask him, what's up? He said that my front door was wide open, and Vivi, my kitten was standing there looking out. So immediately, I go "Oh my, did I leave my keys in the door?" (which unfortunately has happened before)

I start looking in my house to make sure I wasn't robbed or anything. 

He said no, the door handle was locked but I must not have locked the dead bolt and the door hadn't latched all the way. I guess I was pretty out of it after class last night because I always keep the deadbolt locked and double check it - even midday! 

I was so relieved! Thank God, Vivi didn't escape. I thanked him profusely. 

So then my other neighbor walks over and asks about whether they take recycling on Veterans Day. I proceed to have this pre-7am 10 minute powwow with my neighbors who I've literally talked to, maybe 5 or 6 times, ever. 

I go back inside and realize I had just jumped straight out of bed in a terror to come outside. I wonder how bad my hair is. I go to the mirror, and don't know whether to laugh or cry. 

I ended up laughing so hard I cried. I had completely forgotten that on a total whim I had put this opaque white mask stuff on last night. My face was covered with spots of white goop. The only thing missing from my ensemble was rollers in my hair.

If only it was this cute...not even.


Not only am I that young girl on our block who locks herself out / can't shut her door properly. I'm now the girl who has early morning powwows with crazy hair and white goop all over her face.

I hope that you enjoy the ridiculousness of this situation as much as I did. 

At least I wasn't attacked by some crazy person in my sleep!

10 Day Challenge: Day 2

Day 2 of the Challenge! Nine loves. 

These will not be any type of particular order. 

9. My family: 

As much as they drive me crazy, it really is a blessing to come from such a large family. I have such a network of support, whether I want it or not. :) 

My mom is one of 5. My dad is one of 4. I'm one of 4. There are 16 cousins on one side of the family and 11 on the other side.  SO MANY PEOPLE.

It's fun too, now that we're older, the age differences don't seem to matter as much.

And the newest addition to the fam: 

Vivi Kitty

8. Water: 

For years, I swam on swim team year round. 

One of my winter coaches dubbed me with the most awful nickname, Reba, which has stuck, to this day.

 Sailing also took over a solid portion of our summers down at Indian Landing. 

Most people don't get the Landing. It's sort of a time capsule. 

A lot of our parents grew up there, and we've all taken our turns working there. 

I spent a summer coaching swim team with Bree & Richard.

It's a boat club, not a yacht club or a marina. 

There is a pool, tennis courts, basketball and woods to explore. We spent every summer there.

 Every parent was everyone else's parent. 

When people ask how I met some of my oldest, closest friends, they are shocked that I didn't meet them in school. To this day, I won't give up my membership. 

7. Bright Colors: 

Yes, we had an inflatable pool full of play place balls at our house in college. 

No explanation necessary. 

6. Sequins & Sparkles

5. Storms: 

Specifically, that crazy still moment right before a storm. 

4. Travel adventures:

3. Books: 

The smell of old books. 

The way you can get lost in a novel. 

Wandering through a library. 

Challenging concepts and ideas to tackle. 

I could get lost in here for hours.

2. Churches: 

Old, elegant Churches with traditional liturgy. 

I think my favorite so far is the Duomo in Siena. 

1. Crabs feasts and Beer:

 What can I say? I'm a MD girl at heart!