Welcome to the Bat Cave...

Halloween is right around the corner, but never did we imagine we'd have such a warm welcome. Tonight, I went to town to shop for a few minutes, and while I was gone, Troy and the pups were enjoying a cool breeze with the patio door when they had a visitor. Troy heard the pups wrestling around, so he went to see what all the fuss was about.

In this case, fuss = a bat! There was a bat in our house, and before he decided how to de-bat our house, he thought to himself, "well, I don't have a lot of experience with bats..." Now... I ask you... what would have been your first thought? Would it have been questioning your bat experience? Probably not!

So, Troy opens the balcony door and stands in the bedroom door way to block the bat's access (not sure why he didn't shut it), so the bat would stay contained in our den, kitchen, and foyer. During this time, Marlee is doing somersaults around the house chasing said bat. As he's protecting our bedroom, he watches the bat fly frantically throughout the house, bouncing from wall-to-wall, until it flies out the door.

I get home, and he says, "we had a little excitement. You're never gonna believe it." So, I am trying to pace myself where I can imagine the magnitude of the "excitement," but I a bat in our house never crossed my mind.

Needless to say, the screen on the balcony door is pulled shut, and we are enjoying the breeze through the gauzy barrier so the bat can't come back. I do--on occasion--ask for another pet, but I think I'll stick to the non-flying, non-rabies carrying type.

Bat, bat go away... don't come back another day!

Gainfully Employed!

Tomorrow I start my job with Staubach Retail. It's the company that was started by former Dallas Cowboy quarterback, Roger Staubach. I will be managing the office of three brokers for the southern portion of the Northeast territory. I'm really excited.

Our office is moving to a new location, but it is only across the street. This won't add any time on my drive everyday, and we will be home by 6:30 or so every night. I will also have a Target across the street to feed the habit, and there is a Pei Wei and Chipotle for lunch when I don't feel like packing my own.

I'm not sure what the details of my position may be just yet. I'm sure that I'll get to jump in with both feet and have updates later in the week. I've always thought that real estate would be fun, so I guess I'm going for it now!

I'll keep you guys posted!

Happy Fall, Y'all!

Although the day time temperatures really don't feel like fall right now, we are certainly feeling the effects of the changing seasons here in the mornings and evenings in Philly. It's in the mid-seventies and very warm in the afternoons, but at night, there is definitely a chill in the air.

The pups seem to like their post on the balcony while the cooler temps set in early morning and late evening. I've rather enjoyed dressing for the fall in jeans and sweatshirts or light jackets. TB definitely likes the cool weather... that nut thinks that 55 degrees is shorts weather! I disagree... strongly, disagree (if this was a Gallup poll, I think that the majority would disagree with him)!

Next week, we are expecting our first day with a low in the lower-40s and a high of only 61!! I must say, when fall comes to town... fall is here. There really isn't any warning... just cooler weather and beautiful, barely-there autumn leaves.

I'm so excited to be a part of the Northeast for the fall... it makes me want to buy apples and pumpkins and host a carnival. I can smell the crisp air now, and see the frost on the pumpkins. I bought some mums and pansies today to celebrate the new-ness of the season. I can't wait to have blooms on the plants!

Even though fall hasn't really set in for our friends across the southern and western portion of the country, we brag now, but you're bragging time is coming (think winter!).

We're Party Animals!!

Today was TB's birthday... I think he had a great relaxing day. I had to work this afternoon, so we went to dinner on Friday to celebrate at Carraba's, and I made dinner and brownies for us tonight. It's sorta been a birthday weekend... he's gotten cards and gifts everyday since Thursday, so I think it's been fun.

Of course, the best gift was the voicemail from Abby this morning. She calls every year to wish him a happy birthday... I know he can't wait until Izzy can talk, so he'll get double the love from our cutest, sweetest nieces, but for now, we know that all the coos from Iz means happy birthday, Uncle Troy!!

As most of you know, TB and Kelley share a birthday, so we definitely want to give her a happy birthday shout out, and tell her that we love her and hope she had a great day!!

He got lots of cool things from us for his birthday. From me, he got a "coffee table" book of the 1990's era Dallas Cowboys franchise, and from the pups and me, he got a mini replica Dallas Cowboys Riddell helmet. Of course, this stuff will one day go in his office at the airport (we've gotta bring a bit of navy and silver into a town that thinks that teal is actually a good color for a uniform), but for now, we'll enjoy it here at home.

We are now just hanging out and watching a bit of TV. Troy wouldn't take a picture, but I did manage to get a picture of our partying pooches instead! Thanks to everyone who called and sent cards and well wishes for his birthday. It's been great to hear from everyone!!

Life, Love, and the Pursuit of a Perfect Fall TV Lineup...

Well... as the faithful followers know, I have been rather down about the cancellations of some of my favorite shows. I'm really upset about Men in Trees leaving the airwaves since it wasn't resolved after the writer's strike last season. And, not to mention, Cashmere Mafia... fabulous show. Now, Lucy Lu is going to be on Dirty Sexy Money, and Notes from the Underbelly's premier date is to be announced.

Although with these pieces of sad news comes 30 minute and hour long blocks of sheer entertainment, that week after week will leave us clinching our fists as we travel with the characters from episode to episode until we reach the season finales only to relish the time spent together this season.

This year, I am pleased to say report that our TV lineup schedule is full, and our DVR is ready to record each second of the land we get lost in and can't get enough of, AND ALL WITHOUT COMMERCIALS!!! I've even found a few new shows to replace the ones lost but never to be forgotten.

If you are interested in seeing the 2008-2009 Fall TV Line up, you can visit http://www.tvguide.com/special/fall-preview-2008/fall-schedule.aspx. It is a preview grid by day and listed by network.

I never considered myself much of a TV buff until the revelation of the DVR; however, now I get giddy when it's time to set the series recording settings, and fast forward through the commercials from scene to scene. It's amazing the joy a remote control and season premiers can bring!

Rain... Check... Wind... Check... Hurricane... WHAT?!?

I feel like I should be ordering from a combo menu at Weather World... I'll take a number one... yes, the almost fall equinox and 86 the hurricane force winds and rain, please. What?? Mother Nature has removed that from the menu? Well... I'll go with the daily special... yes... 45 mile per hour wind gusts and 5 inches of rain will be fine. No... I wouldn't like to super size my combo.

Hurricane Hanna... who would have thought?? I mean, I moved from a Gulf Coastal state and headed to the north where I was hoping that there wouldn't be any terrible weather (for those of you who aren't that familiar with my very interesting, "that's-what-makes-me-'me'" quirks, I have been self-diagnosed with thunderstorm anxiety... yes, like a dog... but unfortunately, they don't give people Valium for thunderstorm anxiety like they do for our furry, canine friends!).

So, last week, I was on the phone with my Moma making sure that she had her hurricane preparedness kit for Gustav ready and feeling very helpless with my family down in MS getting ready to weather the storm, when little did I know that we (the transplant-Pennsylvanians that we are) would experience tropical storm force winds and flood-bearing rain storms. I know that tornadoes can pop up anywhere... anyone remember the SEC Basketball Tournaments in Atlanta this past season??... but I mean, COME ON! Let's get real... who actually expects to have one in a city, much less tropical storm force winds in a northeastern state?? Well... there were tornado warnings in the Philly area this evening... little to my amusement. I got the text message from The Weather Channel, and I immediately sought out my tornado shelter in the interior hallway and prepared myself to take cover in the event one should pop up.

I've lived in a state that has a tornado watch/warning every time the wind blows and the clouds cover the sun, and I was sooo looking forward to getting away from that scary phenomenon that some stupid people insist on chasing to get a closer look (think Twister). I just want to say to those guys... "we aren't cats... God didn't give us nine lives... TAKE COVER!" Anyway... Helen Hunt's a much braver girl than I.

Once again... I'm rambling. I tend to do that sometimes. I guess that it's time to sign off for now... I don't want to lose readers because of my rants and raves. I'll end with this... be careful; watch the weather; and remember... grabbing your ankles with your behind in the air during a lightning storm to ward off a strike has been proven to be a myth... if you're gonna get electrocuted, do it in a classy fashion.

Happy Hounds

I had today off from work, and after being lazy for a few hours this morning, Max, Marlee, and I went outside for a little walk and run. The pups had such a good time... they ran, slobered, chased, and stared at our neighbors.

It was a nice temperature, and the sun was shining ever so brightly. It was a perfect morning for a stroll outside. Max can't have as much freedom as Marlee because our little four-legged Houdini will not come back when he's called. It takes a mean combination of Puperoni and another dog to lure him back. Not necessarily Marlee, but any dog who looks like they could be a friend.

Marlee on the other hand will come when called and sit when commanded, so she gets to drop the leash and chase her pink, deflated ball down the grassy area by our building. I do miss the fence we had at our house in Brandon because I feel bad that Max can't run, but they do enjoy their walks.

Today, I decided to take the camera for a few shots of our kids. It was fun, and we had a good time. The photo session was over when they realized the treats were in my pocket. It was all down hill from there. We finished our walk and headed upstairs to our apartment. Now we are all resting... me on the couch; Max under the couch; and Marlee in front of the couch on the floor. What a perfect afternoon!

The End of Summer Nears...

Happy Labor Day!! Things are quiet here in the Northeast... it's a beautiful day here, unlike the Gulf Coast. I am so thankful that Gustav decided to take out the southern coast of Louisiana instead of the MS Gulf Coast or the TX coast line. I know that the rain and wind isn't a peach, but it's much better than going through another Katrina or Rita again.

Anyway... Just wanted to update you... the fruits of our labor paid off. We sold our house in Brandon, MS. We closed on Friday, and it's all over. It is kinda sad to know that we don't officially live there any more since it was our first house, and we loved it sooo much; however, on the other hand, we are so lucky that it sold, and we can move on with our lives here in PA.

Fall is beginning to come out of hiding here in the Northeast. Leaves are beginning to fall, and we are having such nice weather for most of the day... we open our windows in the mornings and the evenings to cool breezes and moderate temperatures. The dogs are loving the cooler weather, and enjoy our walks and playtime outside.

We wish you all a very relaxing un-official last day of summer, and look forward to writing about our upcoming season changes soon!

Our Day Trip to NYC

Last Monday, we drove into Trenton, NJ and hopped on the NJ Transit System where we ended up in New York City's Penn Station. Mitch and Jessica Grider (Troy's first cousin and his wife) were visiting New York for their anniversary and birthdays. We met them outside at the 32nd Street entrance and decided the fate of our day.

We decided to visit the Empire State Building. It's the tallest point in NYC, and from the 86th floor, you can see for miles. It was really a cool sight. We started on the North side of the city where you can see the GE Building and the MetLife Building and Central Park. Times Square is on the Northwest side of the building. Then we went to the West side of the building where you can see Macy's and the part of the street where the Thanksgiving Day Parade stops for little shows and dances. Going on to the South side, there was tons to see there. The downtown skyline where Ground Zero is with the Statue of Liberty was phenomenal. The Flat Iron building was really neat, too. We then went around to the East side, where Long Island lights up across the river. We spent a good bit of time on the observatory deck, but the majority of our time there was snaking our way through the interior of the building to get there.

We then left the Empire State Building and walked toward Times Square to grab a bit to eat. Of course, when you are in a big city, a majority of your time is spent walking which turns into an even better sport... people watching. And let me tell ya... if you want to see a variety of weirdos, just walk the streets of NYC.

On our journey, we went through the Fashion District and by the design school where America's Next Top Model is filmed. We went by very upscale fabric shops that were calling my name, but I resisted the urge. We walked by the New York City Public Library that was getting a face lift, and by nifty shops that are always fun to window shop by.

We ended our day at the Hard Rock Cafe where we had dinner and caught up since we haven't seen each other in many years. Then made our way to Penn Station, but not without stopping in front of Madison Square Garden for a couple of snapshots of the group. It was a fun day, and it was nice to see Mitch and Jessica.

The pictures from the Empire State Building visit are really, really good... Visit our Picasa Photo Journal site to see the album. I give it FIVE stars!! Enjoy!

Phillies Phan Phor LIPHE!

Ok... so whether or not the title is grammatically correct, you get my point. Troy is a die-hard Phillies fan now. He has a Phillies Titleist ball cap, and the link to their website on his Blackberry. We watch them on TV when they are playing... it's worse than I could have thought. I didn't want to become a regional fan of any team in the area, but Troy has done it. He uses the excuse that we must do as the locals do to survive, but I really think that he's been kidnapped by the shiny stadium, crazy fans, and overall glitz and glamour of the Philadelphia Phillies.

We went to the game on August 20. It was the night that Southwest presents the "Phan of the Month" to one lucky Phillies fan. Troy was able to present the winner with a certificate and two round-trip tickets on SWA. He was on the field doing the presentation when the Phanatic came out on his four-wheeler. He came up to Troy and the lucky fan, and had a little fun. Troy got a big kiss (on the lips) from the Phanatic. He acted like he didn't like it, but he sure did talk about it quite a bit... hmmmm.

It was Chase Utley bobble head night, so we got a bobble head, and sat in the Phillies Suite for the game. It is the first suite as you enter the second level concourse from left field, and it has a really good view. I liked being up there, but I really like the seats that SWA has behind the first base dugout better. You feel like you're a part of the action when you are only 13 rows up from the field.

Anyway... we had a great time, and there are a few pictures in the post from the night. View "Our Picasa Photo Journal" for more... I'll end this one with...

GO PHILLIES!