Tina Fey is always right

Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) mentioned on last week's 30 rock episode that she just wants to be in a relationship 12 years in where she can just goof on shows and go to bed with no funny business. She talks about this right after she is asked out on a date and Jack is convincing her to go ahead with it. Right after that Michael and I gave each other a hiii five. That's the Ivey life.

Ahh, I am taking a little break

This week I continue my break! I have a lot of plans this week from Christmas decorating, cleaning (isn't that a goal everytime you have a break?), making a tv appearance (hehe), celebrating my 29th bday and watching tv on a very nice and new television and "couching" myself. I love it! Oh, and I know this is against work law, but catching up on some work here and there.

ps- Thanksgiving break was a blast! I had a pretty loaded weekend, it was awesome. And I bought gas for $1.18/gallon. Wowee!

My school has a photblog

Visit it here...
http://www.photoblog.com/rainbowstation

$1.97

I mentioned cheap gas the other day. How is $1.97 for cheap? A friend came to pick me up for a flick and the first thing she said was, "The BP (100 feet from my house) has gas for 1.97!" Fill-er-up! It will cost me $32 for 470 miles. Holy dookie.

Helvetica Ivey

Guess who's preggers? Not me. But if I was my husband would consider naming the baby Helvetica. Yes, as in the font. Er, I say. While it is a super awesome font and one day I shall have a super awesome kid her name will not be Helvetica. However, what do you think of Times New Roman? Or Comic Sans? And don't bring up Arial, not a fan.

Benjamin, Lillian, Donna, Jaime, and Michael

Before we headed back home to VA we stopped in for down home cookin. Here we are in some good ol St. Mary's company...

le's big day

My childhood friend tied the knot with her hubby, Mike. Lovebirds.

Cheap Gas

The gas station at the end of our road is selling gas for $2.45/ gallon of Regular. Some days it is $2.47 or 2.49. Find anything cheaper around you? I was in MD this weekend and the cheapest I saw was $2.86, I think.

7-election

In the middle of the night while driving back from DC I stopped at a 7-Eleven to get a cup of coffee (I think they have the best and it's not $10) so anyway, I see these red cups and then I see these blue cups and notice they have pres candis on them so I took both and put them around my plain 7-11 cup. I put the Obama one on top (so I guess he got the vote). Yes, the guy at the register looked at me like, "Trying to lift my cups eh? How many you got there?" I walked out knowing I needed to take pics when I got home. The things I like to do.

Richmond folk fest style

If you have never been to the Folk Fest you know it is good times (and yummy food). There's music, crafts, culture, food (wait, said that) and a lot of diversion from the everyday hoopla in and around Richmond. This was a place you could experience what I love most, exposure to cultures other than our own and tolerance. I love mexican folk art and there was even some of that there too. I resisted the mm mm good funnel cakes and opted for a gigantic vegan cookie and greenades green tea. I think I loved the go-go that EVERYONE was dancing to, young and old, black, white, asian, etc. It was great. It took a little getting used to: Richmonders dancing to go-go. But I won't be a snob about it, I wasn't dancing. I was a spectator having a good time. Here are some pics to share.

Did I totally forget?

I got to see my BFF at the concert as well and did not include a hottie shot. Here's me, Kelly Weiner, and Jaimbo!

Hangin tough!

New Kids on the Block came back! 15 years later! I went to DC Thursday night for their comeback show and it was phenomenal. I would normally just use that word when I am in disbelief, but these guys really gave everyone a good show. So, that $78 spent on the ticket didn't seem so bad after all. My added bonus: my best friend, Jaime, from MD came up too (she just got a ticket that day) though she had different seats I got to see her after 3 months! After the concert everyone at work the next morning asked how it was...the answer was "Unbelievable...I thought they wouldn't be the same. They're older and sound different. But that was not the case at all! They still had their old moves, they sounded great and the showmanship was still there." If you were ever a new kids fan and found yourself singing their songs as a kid and dancing around like a crazy person, then you got to see it live with all of the late twenties, thirty somethings that showed up to the concert. You could only imagine the rumble through the arena when they hit the stage. The bottom of my jeans were vibrating.

Vacation recap

Day 1 was such a breather. Got in touch with our friends down at milepost 21.5 and planned to have a filipino dinner night on Monday. Day 2-7 was a little bit of this a little bit of that bit no little bit of bodyboarding! What do you do? You become a major tourist and a shopper. This break was complete with massages, pedicures (Lotus), wave watching, bird watching with Tanya (DVO), hanging out with some good ol friends, boutique-ing, working out (3/7 days), DS playing (thanks to Joyce who challenged our brain ages) and movie watching.

The last day of vacation

All in all we had a GREAT time, but on the last day we checked the beach and the red flag was there to greet us again. So, the entire time we did not get to swim in the ocean or get to have good times on the boards (and we were prepared!). Joyce and Paul left on Friday morning to head to Richmond for Paul's tournament weigh in. (Pics from the NAGA tournament coming soon) Michael and I went to Corolla & Duck for the day. I really like the Currituck Lighthouse. It was made of a million bricks. And now on the retail note... If you're ever in Duck make sure you visit, now my fave in Duck, Confetti Clothing in the Scarborough Faire shopping center.

In good company

When you're in good company you can have fun on a windy, soggy, no swim beach vacay. Here we are enjoying the 45 MPH winds on the top of the hill at the Wright Bros. Memorial.

Finding more to do at Nags Head

With the extreme winds and no beach left we are venturing out and finding other things to do while we're here. We highly recommend the kayak tour with Duck Village Outfitters. We don't recommend going on really windy days because you might blow away once you reach the sound and bay. Remember to ask for Tanya! The sand dunes and Wright Memorial are kinda cool too.

Great views on the beach. Wait, what beach?

Joyce and I decided to get some more time in on the beach. We took a nap after our Mexican meal...so I guess we had siesta. We took a comforter and some towels and shnoozed. Since the wind was blowing so much and the waves were about a story high we could only lay on the incline because there wasn't much of a beach left. Here's what else we saw on the beach during "no swimming" time. I think they were going to break the law.

NO Swimming!?!?

We wanted to hit the beach first thing yesterday morning but...

WE SAW RED FLAGS ON THE BEACH! (we chose not to break the law)

So, we sat on the beach anyway, turned on the iHome, watched the big ass waves, and got attacked by sea foam. Then we headed up to Louie's pool. The pool was freezing and Paul jumped in. All in all, we have some of these things to look forward to doing while here while it rains for the rest of the week: kayaking, seeing the mustangs, spa-ing, eating, sand duning, and inshore fishing!

Beach Bound tomorrow

The Ivey's are beach bound tomorrow! We'll be on our way to Nags Head, NC for vacation. Every year since we've been married we've celebrated our anniversary by taking a trip. Our honeymoon was to Kauai (05). Then we went to NYC (06), Nags Head (07) for L&R's wedding, and then this year back to Nags Head (08).

So, I checked the weather report and lucky us, we'll have wind and rain. The wind will be good because the waves will be good because last year they sucked all but one day. Michael is ready and drilled a hole into his board and got his wrist strap on. This time I won't be worried that the surf will take away a large amount of money in one swoosh. Last year he had no strap. We'll be posting this week because we couldn't resist getting the house with wireless. We (Joyce, Paul, Mike and I) cannot live without our computers on vacay- I know it's sad. However, Louie and Rick can...they know how to vacation more than we do.

Time flies!

Time flies when you're havin fun! Here is a pic that I dug up from 2004 while I was searching for a few things this weekend. This was one of our engagement photos taken in my hometown. These were actually at St. Mary's College down on the water. (Photography courtesy of Jaime Canter)

How do you pronounce "Palin"?

GOP ( I like calling it that, there's something stupid about it) VP nominee Sarah Palin knows the right way to pronounce her name. News anchors kinda know. So, I heard it two ways this morning: "Pay-lin" and "Paw-lin". Sarah, if you're reading this, you mind throwing a correction my way?

Gina's going country!

Today is the day I've been waiting for since July! Jessica's new country album came out today, mmm, love it! (stop throwing your tomatoes) Anyone that knows me well knows that country is not on my ipod or in the Ivey combined household CD collection. Well, maybe a little Shania Twain has snuck her way up in there or Union Station and Allison Kraus. It doesn't really go beyond that. A lot of country fans have told me, "Don't listen to that Jessica Simpson stuff" or "That's fake country!". But anyone that knows me well knows that I am a tad of Jessica fan. Well, maybe not a tad. Yes, I own Jessica Simpson bags, sunglasses and shoes. I had to support my girl this time around on the country thing. And, I am Dolly Parton fan and she is an inspiration for my girl, Jess (they even did a song together on the album). I am recommending it. And hey, its only $9.98 at Target right now. It evens comes with a poster * a Target exclusive. Mm, gotta love the Target exclusive.

Whet Your Whistle Stop Tour (click here)

I googled my name this morning. You've done that too? Anyway, I saw that the Greater Richmond Chamber gave me a little name recognition for my volunteer work on one of their events. Click on the title to check it out!

The Grand Ol Party and some Grand Ol Delusions (click here)

La Barra Brava!

Have Mercy! I have been to a few sporting events in my lifetime but this, my friends, is unreal. Some of you might've heard of the crazy group called La Barra Brava. They can be found at any DC United game acting a damn fool! While visiting our friend Jayme up in DC we wanted to tag along for a DC United game and sit with the rowdy crowd. The game was exciting. The tailgating- even MORE exciting. This group has really got the tailgating down to a tee. The game started at 7:30, the tailgate at 1:30. Let's put it this way, I was set to hoot and holler right along with them! Not to mention, we won! Even better. United beat the Colorado Rapids 3-0. If you're going to go sit with these guys. What you need to prepared for: cold beer flying in the air, the stands bouncing beneath you (if you don't hold on tight you will fly), non-stop chanting, and a freakin awesome time. See more at http://www.barra-brava.com/ or click on the title above.

Thank you LeRoi

I received a lot of phone calls and e-mails today as if a member of my family passed away. It was a nice feeling and it was nice to talk about it with people because LeRoi's music is something to smile about. His music will always be around and no one can ever forget the sound he brought to so many of the songs.

My new license plate

In VA you can get a personalized license plate for $10!!! No wonder everyone in this state has one! Here's my very first personalized license plate oh Maryland friends back home!

8/20 Follow-Up
So many people in the past three days have asked me what my license plate means. So here's the explanation...Stolen Away on 55th and 3rd is one of my favorite songs by DMB, my #2 to be exact. The reason why I love it so much- Dave's guitar and LeRoi's sax are perfect together and the lyrics are really intimate.

Dave Matthews Band VA Beach 8/9/08

Everyone knows they're my fave. Absolute favorite thing in the whole world. No one can take my band away. Unlike other fans (yep, i am a dave snob), I am a fan of the ENTIRE band and a fan of the old stuff. I consider the old stuff to be Lillywhite and songs like Halloween. I enjoy Boyd who gets all crazy and hopped up on the crowd screaming when he lets go on the fiddle. It kind of bummed me out when Butch didn't join up this year. He was a great hook up for tickets on the house and great seats. Highlights from this show: the before party, meeting Dave's nephew, drinking miller lite with him, getting hype on #41 and Cornbread and the road trip.

Dave Matthews Band VA Beach Set

Seek Up
One Sweet World
So Damn Lucky
Old Dirt Hill
Pantala Naga Pampa
Rapunzel
Crash Into Me
Corn Bread
Eh Hee
Burning Down The House
Proudest Monkey
Satellite
Everyday (Tease.)
Halloween
Water/Wine Jam
You Might Die Trying
Sledgehammer
#41
Ants Marching
Encore:
Don't Drink the Water
Anyone Seen the Bridge?
Too Much (Tease)
Tripping Billies

OUCH my hand

My dad says I have arthritis. What the heck is wrong with my hand? Since last Thursday I've had a pain in my left hand. I first noticed it when I was driving and when I went to turn my wheel I said, "Oww!" When I squeeze it it feels super sore. Time to google it. Google search: "my hand hurts when I squeeze"

My hometown is ranked #3 "Dreamtown" (click)

More weekend recreation

Besides important housework there is also important work like: eating cherries on your deck, drinking Stella (my fave), bringing the computer outside for to enjoy the weather, and, of course, our favorite, swimming lessons with Terry.  We like to race now that he is pro in the 4 foot section :)

Ol' field hockey girls plus a volleyball player

I got together with some ol' friends over the weekend to celebrate the fact that we're all grown-ups.  When we were teens we'd crash at Tracy's whe her parents headed out of town.  She threw many parties that came with a lot of, ahem, illegal activity only because we weren't 21 yet.  Heck, we even got caught after prom, all 50 of us that pitched tents on the backlawn.  Well, this past weekend was definitely a blast from the past, although pulling up in the driveway and seeing mommy vehicles was a little different.  The party roster: Irene Chiyoko, Kristee, Tracy, Donna, Kris, Jaime and Gina. 

Life ain't complete without no summur vaycayshun

"Summur Vaycayshun" is how it's said in South Carolina.  Well, it sounds like that here in Virginia too.  Myrtle Beach became a summer vacation spot for me in 2004.  It was my first time in the actual "south", it was the place Michael proposed to me (Cherry Grove pier to be exact), it was the trip I asked my new family to make way to South of the Border...and now our annual vacation spot.  Michael's family had been going to MB for almost 20 years.  Now that we have nieces old enough to enjoy the water activities it gets better and better every year.  I was a little cynnical about the place at first because I was a little insecure about not seeing brown people like me.  Sure, I felt a little out of place and still do but, what the heck.  It's a good time to get away and spend time with the Ivey's.  It also has some great shopping and very pretty beaches.  The vacation agenda included:  Major mall hopping, Beaching, Lazy Rivering, Ripley's Aquarium (stingray fountain doing something to my head), 3D movie with some Dave Matthews, Antique Shopping, flae marketing  seeing the Zohan, Modest Mouse concert, a lot of eating, Murrell's Inlet, and early AM exercising on the beach of course. 

Green FYI

500 POUNDS OF CO2 PER YEAR IS SAVED PER HOUSEHOLD BY ADJUSTING YOUR THERMOSTAT TWO DEGREES HIGHER IN THE SUMMER AND TWO DEGREES LOWER IN THE WINTER.

www.stopglobalwarming.org

My favorite boy and my favorite store

We were on the hunt for my vanity.  This vanity was totally not my idea it was Michael's.  What he doesn't realize is that he is going to be adding to princess-ness.  Where did we end up getting it?  West Elm, one of my favorites.  We found it at the Dash for Design sale. 

Cross-eyed?

Taking pictures of yourself has some advantages.  You find out of one of your eyes is off center or of both are ready to cross.  Doyyy.  I am being honest, I sit in the living room and take pictures of myself.  It's easy when the camera is built in!  Oh, you'd do it too... check out the cross eyed girl.

Michael enters the pool

I am pretty sure I will have 20 posts about getting into the pool because it's def pool season around here.  Michael doesn't get out much, hence, the lacking tan...however, I was proud of my boy when we whipped off his shirt and took the plunge :)  He we are again...another day of good pool times.

Can you guess my favorite restaurant?

I just ate there today for the billionth time.  We always have a good time.  I have a favorite waiter here just because he knows my order every time and usually Michaels.  Sometimes Michael tries to fake him out and that's pretty funny.  Can you guess my favorite Richmond restaurant?  *Bonus- if you can tell me exactly where it is located!*

Terry has now entered Level 1 swimming

We teased Terry because he couldn't swim.  Time to be schooled :) We got into the pool again before AND after dinner and this man can now swim and venture out into the 4 foot section of the pool one week later!

Going Topless!

It was a hot 4th of July but still pretty enough to swim around in my pool! Here are some fun times with Terry and Rai at the pool. We had a pretty eventful time. I had to take a stab at teaching Terry how to swim. It was pretty crazy! We started off with level 1 swimming class (usually for 5 years olds). First, we blew bubbles in the water. Then, we tried some floating on our backs. His feet would not leave the floor of the pool and then we did some kicking while holding onto the side. We were going to try some gliding but he could not get seem to let go of the side or walk 2 feet away from the side! Just picture all of this with my brother making crazy funny comments while Terry had his swimming lessons. LOL :)

The Bama Green Project

What goes around does come around! There's no doubt that recycling is an important environmental stewardship effort which reaps many benefits key to the long-term sustainability of our planet.

Did you know that...
-Recycling a soda can saves 96% of the energy used to make a can from ore, produces 95% less air pollution and 97% less water pollution?
-One recycled aluminum can is equivalent in energy to a half a can full of gasoline?
-If every American household recycled just one out of every ten discarded HDPE bottles (used in milk jugs and most shampoo and detergent bottles), it would keep 200,000,000 pounds of plastic out of landfills.
-Please look for the Bama Green, So Much to Save customized recycling stations on the Dave Matthews Band tour this summer, beginning with the July 11, 2008 show at the Cruzan Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach, FL. You'll find the So Much to Save stations at the majority of the remaining shows this summer in the parking lots or at entrances of the venue. Every time you recycle a bottle or can at a So Much to Save location, you'll receive a ballot card with a unique code and a specific website address. Visit the website address after the show, enter your code and you'll be able to vote for your 3 favorite songs from the set list for that show. The winning songs will be included on a live digital album scheduled to be released at the end of the tour.

Dave Matthews Band, MusicMatters, Reverb and the Bama Green Project thank you in advance for assisting with the recycling effort and continued greening of the DMB 2008 tour!

ALSO...

Dave Matthews Band has also partnered with SolesUnited this summer. Get involved with SolesUnited, the first-of-its-kind recycled footwear donation program. Join this humanitarian effort by bringing your worn-out Crocs™ shoes to any of the Dave Matthews Band concert venues, and new shoes will be donated to people in need around the world on your behalf. You can drop off your Crocs™ shoes at the SolesUnited tent set up at the Bama Green Project Eco-Village. For more information on how to get involved go to SolesUnited.com

from www.dmband.com

Playing with Apples

When you have a Mac you often play because there are so many fun buttons! Boredom often sends you to these magical places. I've had this little machine for about 2 years and am still fascinated with her. Anyone that knows me well knows she has a name too...Marcia :) I had some plain ol pics that got a little facelift. Fun.