Wait, the countdown already began?

Yeah, we leave for the beach in a day and a half.  Saturday at 5:30am, we're outta here (Eric will say 6.  I say, we'll see.)

Ordinarily I would have had some sort of countdown, but really July has just flown by.  Yes, I know, like I say every month.  I think that's what happens if you just stay busy.  I'd say I'm seldom ever 'bored' anymore.  There is always something to be done.  And if I'm too lazy to do something worthwhile, I'll just go to sleep.  It's just that easy.

I figured my ABBA kick would have been long over by now.  It's not.  Did you know they actually have a ton of songs?  Not just Dancing Queen or Mamma Mia, as I had originally thought.  My interest started to take flight a few years ago at Maryland States when I first heard 'Take a Chance On Me.'  That was my power song that whole weekend, and Eric and I took first in one of the events.  Then it's just been gaining traction ever since.  Now I don't even mind watching the Meryl Streep movie version.  I've seen Mamma Mia! live at Wolftrap.  I own an ABBA Karaoke CD.  They play on loop on my iPod.  Seriously, it's getting ridiculous, but I now celebrate their entire catalog.

. . . Yay, Office Space!

So we made the leap to yuppiedom and actually hired a cleaning crew to come once a month and clean up our house a bit.  We had touched upon this idea back in Q1 but couldn't find a cleaning crew to our liking that seemed like a cost benefit rather than just a huge expense.  But recently I received an email from a lady with M&WR.  They charge $65/hr for a team of 2 workers, and whatever they can get done in that hour is what they do.  You can specify...so, Eric and I said to focus mainly on the floors (those of you who have ever been to our house know exactly how cat-hairy the place is) and if after the floors are done there is any time left, to spot clean bathrooms.  Well, we got home on tuesday to fabulously clean floors, all of our trashcans emptied out, our beds made, and our master bathroom scrubbed down.  So, these workers are quick, thorough, and work for a cost I can appreciate.  I'm very happy with their first job.  Can't wait until 8/19 when they come around again!

I've got my room booked at the Johnny Appleseed inn down in New Market.  I think it's really like a Quality Inn or something like that, but I just call it the Johnny Appleseed.  This, of course, is for the RT 11 YARD CRAWL!!  I think I'm going to make my mom, aunts, and me shirts :-) And Michelle if she comes along.  Can't wait :-)

Tonight is CARCASSONNE!  The final playing before the beach.  My last chance to nail down this whole farming thing.  Bring. It. On.

The Weekend Highlights

--Starting Thursday evening, Michelle came over to watch Cassy baby while Eric and I slipped away on a date night to Wolf Trap to see Mamma Mia! live.  We dined on cheese, crackers, and deli meats, killed a bottle of wine, ran into several friends, and just had a great time.  I think he's starting to come around to live performances.

--Got out of work a bit early on Friday.  Unfortunately we couldn't get in a round of tennis, but otherwise had an alright night.  Played some foos, played Perfection!, went to sleep moderately early (by midnight).

--Grandma's 80th birthday party and my grandparent's 60th wedding anniversary party was on Saturday at my aunt Pam's house.  Relaxing (HOT!) day filled with family, good food, just conversing. 

--Mark and Amanda stayed Saturday, we played Carcassonne (after some rather disappointing Chinese food).  We tried to play Munchkin but realized teaching/learning a new game around 3:AM is not a great idea.

--Got bit by a snake on Sunday morning, scared me half to death.  Discovered it was a black racer, which is non venemous, and it didn't break the skin anyway. 

--Met with Phyllis and learned all about the wonderful world of Cutco on Sunday afternoon, then had a dinner at Don Pablos.  Watched Djokovich beat Nadal in the Wimbledon championship that evening. 

--4th of July!! -- had a cookout at Mom and Dad's (hot dog bar!), threw frisbee and lacrosse, lit some fireworks, introduced Cassy to sparklers.  Walked up to Herndon, took in the show, and reveled in the fact that Cassy wasn't at all opposed to fireworks.  She giggled at them and clapped, then we all went home and went to sleep.

--Found out good friends of mine got engaged!!  YAY! Congrats :-) :-) :-)