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Saturday, March 24, 2007

Learning about Maryland

Everyone,

This weekend marks the 373 birthday of the state of Maryland. So, since we live here, I thought I'd let you know a few things about the state.

1- The state sport is jousting. Yes, jousting. As in men covered in metal on huge horses hurtling towards each other and trying to knock the other off their horse. The state team sport is lacrosse.

2- Maryland is known as a border state because it exhibits both Northern and Southern characteristics. The more rural areas of Maryland are more southern, while the cities are more northern.

3- Maryland is the second richest state in the Nation. New Jersey is the first.

4- State symbols:

bird: Baltimore Oriole
boat: skipjack
cat: calico
crustacean: blue crab
dinosaur: Astrodon johnstoni (looks like a mini t-rex)
dog: Chesapeake Bay Retriever
drink: milk
fish: striped bass
flower: black-eyed Susan
folk dance: square dance
fossil: Ecphora gardnerae gardnerae (it's a snail)
gem: Patuxent River Stone
horse: thoroughbred
insect: Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly
nicknames: "The Old Line State" and "The Free State" (which I wonder about because aren't all the states free?)
reptile: diamondback terrapin (it's a turtle)
song: "Maryland, My Maryland"
tree: white oak

5- Maryland is 42nd is size. It is 12,417 square miles. It is also 21% water.

6- It is 19th in population density, with close to 6 million people in 2000. It is the 5th in population density per square mile, with 542 people per square mile. Or so. I am surprised at how packed the cities are, and how open the country is.

7- Highest point is Hove Crest at 3360 feet above sea level. Lowest point is the Atlantic Ocean.


Happy Birthday Maryland!

Safire

Monday, March 19, 2007

Spring, maybe?

Everyone,

Spring is trying it's hardest to make an appearance here. We had a few really great days. They were sunny, warm, and the flowers really seemed to spring up. I even realized that I had NO short sleeve shirts for Butterfly. Luckily, my mom was still in town and we went shopping for a few things.

And then, it hit. We got rain all day on Friday, which turned to sleet half way through the day, and then snow by 7pm. We probably got about an inch of ice under the snow again. But luckily, it's so warm that it didn't stay at all. I think we have seen the last of the snow, but I could be wrong. The weather has been so wacky. It's like winter got a late start and now spring is too.

I'm writing my parents' visit but it's just not done yet. I will post it as soon as it is. Not a whole lot to say about our lives here. They thought about sending Juice to New Mexico tomorrow and I'm glad they didn't because I would have had to cancel my Mom's Night Out with my mom's group. And I did NOT want to do that! (Especially since they moved it from Thursday to Wednesday night so I could make it when I started being in charge of the teenagers' activities at my church.)

Still babysitting, but it's coming to a close. I've decided not to continue when The Mom goes back to school in the fall. The money has been nice, the time out of my own house has been nice, but I think it's time to have my Mondays and Tuesdays back to my self.

Safire

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Dear Monticello


Dear Monticello,

The house is beautiful. The grounds, lovely. Thank you for keeping it up so that we can get a glimpse of what Thomas Jefferson's life and the life of his family was like. I loved seeing the huge tree that was there when he was, and also the dumb waiter and the alcove beds.

However, I did not appreciate you asking me to leave with my 2 year old because she was a little loud. I did not appreciate your worker telling us very rudely that she had to stop jumping in the entry way. I did not appreciate the fact that when your tour guide was telling us about the room where Jefferson enjoyed his children and grandchildren, we were asked to leave.

If you are not going to be child friendly, and by that I mean the under 5 year old set, please let us know BEFORE we step into your house and get reprimanded by strangers. That way you wouldn't have had to ask us to leave. We would have taken shifts and been content. Or perhaps you could have a tour for those parents of small children.

I'm sorry to say that that act left me and my party with a bad taste in our mouth about the plantation, and we will not be coming back.

Thank you,
yours, etc....

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Jelly Face

Everyone,

How much pb&j can one little girl eat? At least 6 half sandwiches yesterday. That's all she ever wants to eat, and while I don't mind that she's eating, a little variety might be good for her. She did eat 3 tacos for dinner last night too, along with a jelly sandwich. She is a bottomless pit.

We have a lot of visitors coming in today. My aunt, uncle, and their 3 youngest kids have driven from Utah to pick up their son who was on a mission for our church in Philly. They are supposed to drive from Philly to here today and do downtown this afternoon with me. (It's 11am and I still haven't heard from them so I have no idea if that will happen.) Then, my parents get in tonight to spend a week with us. I'm excited, but exhausted from cleaning my house.

But man does it look good. ;)

Safire

Sunday, March 04, 2007

Okay, March? Where did Feb go?

Everyone,

I didn't realize how long it has been since I've posted. We've been keeping really busy and I've been really tired so my normal posting time (before bed) gets cut out. And tonight will be short. Here are some highlights:


Juice finally beat, as in fought the last battle, his game he's had for 2 years. Wow, is all I can say. Does he know how to make things last or what?


My brother, MusicMan, celebrated a birthday last Friday. We had a nice chat and his wife surprised him which was great. You can read more here.


Butterfly is doing well. She is eating us out of jelly, bread, and peanut butter. That girl can put away food! And oh the diapers...


Me, I've been enjoying my latest duds.

I am so excited for this year's renn faire now that we all can go dressed up. I got this dress custom made from HERE. The owner is a good friend of Juice's from college. She did a great job!

I will be busy this week as my parents are coming for a week starting on Thursday. We've got a full week scheduled and I'm really looking forward to seeing them. And going on a date with Juice before baby bedtime. And watching girly movies with my mom. Should be fun!

Until next time,

Safire