I got together with my family to spread my grandfather’s ashes. It was a wonderful way to remember my grandfather who was very important in my life. I credit him with getting me interested in science and was a big part of my life growing up.

Wolfie met his cousin doggie, a very cute Pomeranian

I went to a winery with some pals. I love sampling wine.

I went to the Outer Banks for a week with the future Mr.’s family. It was very nice, especially since I had both weekends off around the week off. I hadn’t realized what a daily level of stress I’m under – it takes a while for it to unwind! But it was great to get away, be somewhere new – I’d never been to the outer banks before. Very nice, beautiful place. :) I don’t know if I’m just stressed on a regular basis or what but residency takes a toll on your soul far greater than I would have imagined. There’s been some college students around and I just wonder if it’s worth it to mention to them the cost on your spirit all this takes …. but I had some people warn me and I didn’t really hear them at all. ;)

Found some japanese cukes :) Yum. Much crunchier, yummier than those big ol american ones :)

The second anniversary of my Dad’s death came and went. Last year it was particularly awful, work was extreme high stress and I just couldn’t even get it out to explain to people why I’m the way I am. I am not good about letting people in. This year was not so bad. We still haven’t taken his ashes to the Pacific Ocean. Its hard to do, to really fully acknowledge that he’s really not here. Never coming back. Its not like I forget the day he died, or watching him die in front of me, but instead just that this person who was a huge part of your life is all just a memory.

Went out to a state park to do canoeing but no doggies allowed. So Wolfie did a little swimming, some willingly, some me holding him in the water – all cute :)

Wedding planning is going. Its hard to find what I want and fits budget wise. I really don’t want to do anything too crazy or expensive – I just want it to be right and not just this whole commercial over done typical thing. So just trying to go with the process, see how it goes.

And here’s my handsome man wearing the bling.

I proposed to him with a pinkie ring. ;)

So yes, I knew it was coming – we had discussed it before. I also don’t have that many free weekends so it had to be planned in advance. Of course, I ended up working that weekend anyways so whatever the original idea was didn’t quite happen. (I wanted to be surprised with where we would be going) My mom and his parents met us at Morris Arboretum and we walked to the rose garden. :)

(This pic is from a year ago, I love to go there around this time of year because of the roses)

And the Mr and I sat on a bench and some very wonderful and lovely things were said and I got something super sparkly!

I had picked out the ring beforehand. I’m not big into the traditional thing so I wanted to have a ring that was different. I also like blue. :)

Now I have to figure out a wedding. I do love going to weddings and all but I’m not sure all the traditional stuff is for me – but there’s no reason why I can’t do what I want for the most part. ;)

Anyways, since last time…

I made a fruit tart

I don’t know what recipe I used but … the tart was ok. The crust was not that great so next time will be looking for another recipe anyways!!

Went hiking in the delaware water gap

Was a beautiful area!! It was a wonderful day out in the wilderness although some of the other folks hiking were a little noisy. Wolfie enjoyed the woods but did bring some ticks home :-/ He also now has lyme disease but is getting medicine.

I watched the end of Lost with some good friends – the episode initially left me disappointed but then on reflecting on the goals of the creators of the show the really did realize their goal very well. I also had been having some issues because I just have felt so frustrated for so long about not knowing what was going on. So mixed feeling in the end but glad I dont have to worry about if the episode is going to be a good one or not!

I made little peanut butter cupcakes. The recipe was ok as well but the icing came out fairly well. I got freshly made peanut butter from whole foods… now that stuff is good!!

Had some time off so trekked up to visit some people but not enough time to see everyone or do everything! My vacation didn’t work out well with my work schedule as I had the weekdays off but was working the weekends around my vacation. Worst part about it was that it was my fault – just didn’t really think about that when I picked that week… opps!

Visited Marlee and her parents. Marlee’s all grown up now from the puppy she was last time – and she is kissy like Wolfie is… but she is a lot bigger than Wolfie! So getting kisses was like a doggie shower!

Revisited the area which I used to live in while I was in grad school… oh how I miss it! It was such a cute little area and I loved being close to public transportation!! Went to one of the yummy Jewish delis in the area Zafdigs and got a yummy potato pancake.

Also went down to the beach with some buddies and had lots of yummy seafood! Amazing although it was too chilly to go visit the beach.

Cool hawk’s nest near the alewife T station

Yummy burger at B good

Interesting wall mural

Had yummy cupcakes at sweet

Seems like all I do is eat huh! :)

Had a super good vegetarian meal – didn’t think it would be that amazing! Wish I could cook like that :)

Little guy on the window ledge

I also went to the ballet but didn’t take any pictures boo! :(

Went to a beer fest

Rode segways!!

They were really fun to ride and very intuitive! :) I was very surprised and I really didn’t want to give it up at the end of the tour – wanted to take it back home with me. Really great way to tour a city and would highly recommend it – this was in the area I live in and it was still very fun.

Now that I’ve done some fun things, I’m back on for the next two weekends and won’t have much to chat about… ;)