The Gang of Seven (GO7)

Just who are the GO7? The best group of friends (and family) a couple could have! This past weekend, the GO7 threw us a wedding celebration not to be missed. I say "BAH!!!" to those of you didn't attend (just kidding). Many thanks to the GO7 and everyone who made this a special day for us. A lot of hard work went into this party and we can't tell you how much we appreciate it. We love you dearly!


GO7 (from top): Mike B, Sean, Mike M, William, Becky B, Val, Freddy

For those of you who fell in love with the yummy cookies and cakes, Val tells us she got them from Balducci's, which is the old Sutton Place Gourmet at the intersection of Democracy Blvd and Old Georgetown Rd in Bethesda. John and I also received many wonderful gifts and thank everyone for their generosity.

Here are some shots from the party. I was having such a good time chatting with folks I hadn't seen in a long time, I didn't really take many pictures.


John tries to smash a plate of cake in my face by distracting me with the little piece


Ann comes straight from a soccer game


Lovely Julianna


Cutie Pie Geneva


Volleyball


Griffin (right) and a pal


Beautiful Michelle and little Gabrielle


The High Point HS crowd


The Dallas Avenue Crew

New 'Do

It's been quite a while since I've had my hair cut someplace without a name like "Cheap Cuts". Not that those places have bad stylists, as they get me through times when I just need a basic trim and nothing special. I normally go to the Perez Salon & Day Spa in Rockville. My good friend and artist, Susan Engle has had her hair styled by Michael Jr for years now and he always makes my hair look fabulous. I love the honey blond highlights I get there and his styles are always very flattering. I'm the type of person who believes that hair will (usually) grow, so I'm open to any new and trendy techniques he's learned and wants to do on me.

So what's the problem? Well... it's often difficult to get an appointment with Michael Jr on short notice. And as much as I think he's worth it, this unemployed gal can't afford the new rates ($75 or more) for a haircut, plus another $85 or so for the highlights... plus tips for the shampoo person, the blow-out person, etc. I used to go once a year as a treat to myself, but more and more, it's gotten to be more like every other year.

I really needed a haircut, as I'm supposed to be starting a new job soon and want to at least look like I haven't been sitting around the house doing nothing for the past 4 months. I went to Linda's salon, Noggins, in Wheaton. Although I didn't get my hair cut by her stylist, who was off today, I did end up with a cute new modern look. Sort of a layered bob. The inspiration for this cut actually came from Nicole Richie in the "Best & Worst Dressed" issue of People Magazine. Depending on how it's styled, it probably looks like "the Rachel". I will have to get John to snap a pic of me to post so you can see for yourself.

Afterwards, I went to meet up with Linda at World Market. If there's one in your town, you must go!!! As Nik puts it, it's like Pier 1 on steroids. All kinds of cool stuff there. Linda took me to lunch at Taipei Tokyo Cafe for a belated b-day lunch and I enjoyed my usual - Salmon Teriyaki. Yum! Thanks, Linda!

John wanted to take me to dinner tonight, but I was still full from lunch. We ended going to the library instead, and on the way home, stopped at Rita's Water Ice for a Misto. They're closing October 2nd for the season, so we have to get our fill. I'm so happy they had my favorite flavor, Wild Black Cherry. Sadly, John hasn't encountered the Mint Chocolate Chip Cream Ice since his inaugural Rita's Misto earlier this spring at the one on Route 5 near Waldorf. He ended up with a Root Beer Misto instead. Did I mention I got the LARGE this time? (moooo) Half of it is in the freezer for tomorrow.

On the way home, while stopped at a light, we heard some screaching tires and a thump. Someone in a Honda in the far right lane behind us hit a big 'ole Yukon type SUV. Then we heard more tire screaching, but this time, it was the Honda getting into the middle lane and speeding off. So the Yukon chased after it, but only up to a certain point. I'm not sure if they just took the tag number or what. So MEY253, you'd better watch your back, 'cuz I'm sure Mr. Yukon isn't so happy you hit and ran!

Oddly, Sunday when we were coming back from Khalid's 40th, we saw another chase on this same stretch of road. A motorcycle zoomed past us and then an SUV (like an Armada) cut in and out between the cars to catch up with the motorcycle. I'm not sure if they were racing or not, but it seemed more like the SUV was pissed at the guy on the motorcycle. Maybe it was the full moon or something, but if you can, stay off 198 between 29 and Route 1. Some crazy driving going on there!

Happy 40th, Khalid!

Well, Nicole did it again! A wonderful party in celebration of Khalid's 40th. If I had more room in my stomach, I could have enjoyed another piece of chicken and more tortellini salad, but I decided to make John a to-go plate with a couple sausages, chicken and salad instead.

The Kelly Bell Band played at the party and introduced a new song as a present to Khalid. Kelly and Khalid have been friends for over 20 some years. It's so awesome to hear live music and everyone enjoyed the band's blues-y sounds.

One more fun, busy weekend has come to a close. It started Friday night at the Corner Pub for some pizza with Freddy, William and Mike. Saturday, John and I went to a small gathering at the Sommerkamps'. This was mostly friends of John's from jr. high and high school. Next weekend is the big GO7 party for us at Parklawn in Rockville. Too many celebrations, so little time! So, I leave you with some pictures from Khalid's party and wish you a very happy week! Holla!


The Kelly Bell Band plays a couple numbers for us


Tracy, Jake and Joe enjoy the Kelly Bell Band


Who's the guy with the hair??? Khalid then...


... and now


Gabrielle and Nate


Eric, MaryBeth and William muggin' it up

Busy Week

Due to the pressure received from everyone who really wants to give me and John wedding presents, I finally went to Hecht's and registered. It was hard! I don't know how people do it! I think I need to go to another store and add some items, as I only picked out about 30 things, and some of them were ridiculous -- Dyson vacuum cleaner, $600, HELLO!!! John's dream vacuum cleaner. We can't go to a store without him stopping by to look at them. We have a perfectly good Dirt Devil! We don't need a vacuum cleaner that costs more than his car payment. Which reminds me... I really need to vacuum today!

I know how much you LOVE when I blog about my knitting! Late this past spring, I bought some yummy alpaca organic Peruvian tweed at a new favorite yarn store, Crazy for Ewe, down by the beach cottage in Leonardtown. I originally bought it to try my hand at socks but this stuff was too special for just socks. So it sat in my yarn stash this summer and every so often, I'd pick it up and enjoy its delicious softness. I saw some lacy scarf patterns in a Vogue Knitting magazine that might be good for this yarn but some of the patterns were a little complicated. So, I went to one of my go-to sites, knitty.com, and found this pattern:


Current knitting project: Lacy Leaf Scarf

It knits up pretty quickly and I couldn't wait to see how it was really going to look, so I blocked it (wet it down and flattened it out to the proper dimensions) while the scarf was still on the needle. I don't think it's proper knitting etiquette to do that, but who cares?!?? I can't wait to finish this up (hopefully very soon!).

The other thing I've been working on are the invites to an event at Thai Farm Restaurant in October. I printed about 35 inserts (two invites to a page), cut them to spec and started gluing up inviations on Tuesday. Wednesday morning, I realized I put the wrong time on them!!! AAAAHHHH! So off I went to Michael's to buy some more ribbon as I had to trash the 20 or so invitations I had already completed. I had to reprint, cut and fold 70 more invites. Thank goodness Freddy left me with plenty of card stock paper from the invites we created for the big party next week.

For those who have not RSVP'd to Sean about next Saturday's party for me and John, make sure you do it soon! And bring a side dish! I think we invited everyone who ever crossed our paths. Kecia is coming from CO, and my buddy, Mike, from back in the old Brooks days is coming from PA. I hear Heidi is coming in from TX, Irene is coming from CA and Stacey from CT. My cousin, Kara, is also planning on coming from Chicago, but she may just come for the October thing. I'm not sure what embarrassing things the GO7 (gang of seven) have planned for me and John, as we're not the ones putting this thing together, but the party should be a blast and it looks like the weather will be really nice. Back to the grind...

Ocean's Eleven at OBX

Labor Day Weekend 2005 started off with Joey's 30th birthday, hosted by Joey's girlfriend Michelle and William at the estates. Being a Friday night, it was a little tough for those trying to get out of town for the long weekend to make it, but those who did attend were treated to fantastic eats and drinks. I must get that Broccoli Salad recipe from Michelle!

Joe got some nice gifts, mostly booze related (a jug of Captain Morgan, some 1800 tequila...), but the funniest of all was this:



What THE...??? Yes, that's a Donkey Boy pinata... John and I spent a week making that and filled it with some candy, little airline bottles of liquor, and a couple dollar bills (we didn't have time to get lottery tickets). There really wasn't a good place to hang it at William's the night of Joey's party, so we told him to bring it down to the beach.


Our Corolla OBX beach house "Ocean's Eleven"

We had some new folks come down this time -- Joey & Michelle and Mark & Julie. I think they had a good time, so maybe they'll join us again! Saturday, we all arrived at different times. The day was spent figuring out where folks were going to sleep and then some of us went to Stripers to check out the Maryland vs. Navy game. We brought home the ritual Saturday night pizzas for everyone back at the house.

Sunday was mostly spent out on the beach after a delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage gravy & biscuits, bacon, fruit salad and juice. We couldn't have asked for better weather, although it was a bit breezy, hindering the amount of volleyball to be played. I also understand there was a strong riptide, but as I rarely go into the ocean beyond my ankles, I couldn't tell you if that was true or not.


Johnny before the burn

Reading, playing volleyball, drinking (beer, cranberry & vodka, bloody marys), sand, sun, ocean -- what more could you ask for on vacation?


3 Bloody Marys and a Screwdriver later...

William, Joey and John chilled out in the hot tub while Michelle did her best not to pass out after drinking a lethal Screwdriver served up in these huge tumblers. William's advice: DRINK LOTS OF WATER! The crew managed to sober up enough to enjoy my famous beef curry, shrimp & pineapple curry, rice, broccoli, zucchini and salad for dinner. I should have brought more rice! In the past, curry night didn't have this much participation, as folks leaving on Monday would go out for dinner on Sunday. Mental note for future trips: bring extra rice.


Little Natalya loves the beach!

After dinner, a few games of pool were played. I'm not sure who took the championship, but the group decided to go upstairs to play some cards. They never made it to the upper level from the lower level, as Kevin had his guitar out and the sing-a-long began... I don't know the name of the song or who sings it, but the "Darlin' Darlin" song was heard quite a number of times. Freddy claims this is the only song everyone knows all the words to. Eric and Kevin took turns playing the guitar and trying to come up with songs to sing. My vote for MVS (most valuable singer) goes to Val, who loves to sing. She sings with all her heart, like no one is listening, simply for the pleasure of it. I envy that.


The Kevin Polen Show - (l to r) Michelle, Joe, Rosa, Kevin, Freddy, Val, Mike

Monday, I woke up to a wonderful surprise as my loving hubby gave me a great card and box of Godiva for my b-day. I also got a present from my mother-in-law to open, which was a matted print of the Currituck Lighthouse (where John proposed) and some delicious smelling orange soap. Kevin and Rosa cooked up some French Toast, bacon and fruit salad - an awesome birthday breakfast. I was sad William left the beach at 5:00 AM to attend the funeral services of an old high school friend's brother, but understood he wanted/needed to be there for Annie as her brother's death was tragic and unexpected.

The red "no swimming" flags went up on Monday, so we mostly hung out by the pool. Some folks went out to explore the area, some had to head home, and we welcomed the arrival of Stacey from Connecticut who we hadn't seen since spring 2004. That evening, most of us headed out to dinner to celebrate my birthday and returned home for some cake and B-52 shots.



We capped off the evening by taking a few swings at the Joe Head. After about 5 hits, the loop used to hold the head to the string we tied to the railing came off. We were able to put it back on, but the head fell to the ground after each hit. There were a few dents in the head and his ears fell off, but no one had really cracked it open yet. I guess John and I made it too strong in some parts and not strong enough in others. After it became impossible to tie it back up, we tried another approach. Being one of the Chumados' strong hitters and as it was Joey's head, after all, we decided to pitch the head to Joe, who broke it open with one smack. Candy and liquor flew all around the pool area and we lost a few dollar bills, but I think everyone enjoyed being able to take a swing at Joe's head.


Michelle takes a crack at the head


Joey smacks it open

Tuesday, Joey & Michelle and Mark & Julie headed home. Marie cooked up her famous spaghetti and we were joined by Mary Beth's sister, Christine, and her husband, Ryan, who were staying nearby. Wednesday, Freddy, Mike, Marie and little Natalya went home and Becky (my mother-in-law) arrived to enjoy the tail end of the week. We had a fabulous dinner at Stripers (I recommend their crabcakes!). Christine and Ryan took Evan and Brady for the night so Mary Beth and Eric could enjoy an evening without the kids. Thursday, Sean, Val, John and I came home while the Falks, Becky and Stacey stayed on. Another fabulous vacation! Can't wait for Memorial Day 2006!