Spring... er, Summer Cleaning, part 2!

So... some of you may recall a post earlier this season where I had been cleaning and discovered some things in need of a new home! Everything is in too good a condition to throw away (some stuff has never been used - ack!), and I'm happier knowing I gave you all the opportunity to claim what you could use before sending it off to Goodwill. Here's an update: from the previous post I still have the CD cases and the laptop computer InCase brand cover (I'd still like $5 or so for it, but at this point I'm willing to exchange it also... any offer will be considered!). Here is what I have to add to the "things to give away pile":

From left to right we have:

- feather boas... yes, laugh it out now... it's funny! But.. they would make GREAT additions to a dress-up room for some sweet little princess out there - I'm sure you know one!

- next is an array of hair products: an assortment of cute little clips (these were used by me years ago, but are still in great shape); a set of hair ties (not used); and two packs of velcro hair rollers (Conair brand, also not used! there are 8 total)

- a metal shower rack, was used for one year but has been thoroughly cleaned - no rust or tarnishing!... and it holds a lot of stuff!

In the back, from left to right:

- and OXO brand mixing bowl with a grippy handle on one side and a pouring spout on the other - it works great! we just have other bowls that we use more and need to clear up cabinet space

- a pearly white little trash can - clean, good for small spaces

- a stack of books and movies, which if you can't really tell in the photo are:

- The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski

- Empire Falls by Richard Russo

- Breach

- To Die For

- Saw (Uncut Edition)

- Lord of War

Send me an email/facebook message/or text message if you are interested in any of these items. First to claim it, gets it!

Hope you're all having a beautiful end to the summer! As you can see, my day lilies were gorgeous this year. That's a photo I took when they were at their peak just before music camp started a few weeks ago. I was so happy that I didn't miss their blooms while I was busy with camp like last year.

meet me in St. Louis

Last week Noah and I had an extra special treat: our first vacation just the two of us in almost three years! (Thank you shout out to my Mom & Dad who partially funded the trip as our birthday gifts!!)

First stop: St. Louis, Missouri

I had never been to St. Louis until last week, but now I hope get a chance to visit again soon. What first drew me to visiting St. Louis this summer was the Opera Theatre of St. Louis's production of the powerful John Adams opera The Death of Klinghoffer. This is an astounding work of the late 20th century that has rarely been fully staged but deserves attention and critical consideration. I heard about this production because a dear friend of mine from my beloved Wake Forest days sang one of the main roles - I had this gut feeling that this was a show I shouldn't let pass by without being there, and I was right. Wow! I have yet to find sufficient words describing the depth of this music or how significant this work seems in our post-9/11 society. Everyone should experience this astounding composition and contemplate the many issues it presents.

Check out this link for a review of the production in the New York Times!

After spending my birthday at the opera and catching up with Chris, while eating the most delicious chocolate mousse EVER, we spend our second full day in the city being all touristy. We went up the arch (which is an amazing feat of engineering!) explored the riverside, and spent the evening at Busch stadium watching the Cardinals take on the Phillies. Cliff Lee pitched a fantastic game! And it was fun watching Noah take in his first major league baseball game (I guess that's a good start to turning 30, huh?) :-)

Here are a few photos from fabulous STL!

After a few days in St. Louis, we headed further north to Long Prairie, Minnesota to visit some of Noah's family. It was my first trip to MN also! What a beautiful state - and all those lakes. We certainly saw our fair share of them! Noah played some golf, we learned a super fun new game, and enjoyed multiple boat rides. But most of all, it was great spending time with family who we don't see enough of and think of often. We love you!!

And now, we're back to the real world. Vacations never last long enough, do they? This one will be remembered for a long time!!

Next up: Summer Music Camp! *shudder* I'm not quite ready yet...

Spring Cleaning Giveaway - Part 1

Ok, I know it is almost summer and that in a large portion of the country it already feels like summer... but I am just now getting to my "spring" cleaning. I'm a graduate student, don't judge. And so, in the thorough cleaning of each room in the house that has now commenced, I will periodically post lists and photos of items that I wish to part with. (note that I said that "I" want to part with... sorry, Noah.) In other words, ya'll can have any of this stuff you want!

In this photo, starting in the back from left to right, we have:

- a wooden bathroom wall shelf/towel rod (used, but in great condition)

- two portable CD/DVD cases (used, in excellent condition)

- complete set of the Twilight books (again, please don't judge!)

front row:

- pink, 15" incase brand laptop sleeve (used for only a few months before getting a new, smaller computer - this is worth much more than the price of $0.00 that it is offered at!) *wink*

- glow in the dark marker board (this thing is cool! you write on it in highlighter, turn on the build in black light, and everything glows. I really like this thing, but it no longer has a place in my house).

- 4 piece set of ivory suede place mats, gray-ish brown cloth napkins, and wood napkin rings (also slightly used, but mostly just for decoration - in very good shape)

- set of four metallic gray/brown striped decorative accents

If you're interested in claiming any of these objects as yours - sent me an email/facebook message and it's yours! :-)

Next cleaning adventure: our closets. Stay tuned - who knows what is going to come out of those hiding places!

they say, "time flies when you're having fun"...

...and apparently they are right! How has it possibly been almost two years since we posted anything?! You must all think we've fallen off the face of the Earth (not yet... they say the rapture isn't until 6pm today. HA!), but trust us - we're still here! Same house, same cars, same kitty cat... different us. :-)

Noah's still working full time at UNCG in addition to playing in the local symphonies and everywhere else, it seems. I'm a graduate student again - and by this time next year (keep your fingers crossed!) you'll all have to call me "Doctor Cat." That's right. :-)

It would take me all morning to recount all the things we've been up to since we left you all in the dark... so I'll just post some pictures, and you'll get the idea. We love you! I promise there will be more exciting things to write about - and I'll try to spare you from constantly hearing about my dissertation. Note that I said "try." ;-)

picture 1: snow in Four Oaks, Christmas 2010

picture 2: in Savannah GA, Summer 2010

picture 3: new walkway!! July 2010

picture 4: meeting our beautiful niece, Aly, Summer 2010

picture 5: with Leslie & Brent after Cat's first DMA recital, March 2010