Gotta Make My Mind Up, Which Game Can I Pick?

I've been neglecting the blog. I could blame a myriad of happenings but rather than pass the blame I'll just jump back on the bandwagon! And what better place to start than with the locked out NFL. Now that the Ravens schedule is out, I need to pick a game to attend! It's not urgent, obviously, considering we don't even know if there will be a season, but I would like to get some friendly input. I could channel my inner Rebecca Black and create a music video to make my mind up or I could just ask all of you to vote for a game. Keep in mind the Redskins schedule could play a big part in my road trip since it's very likely my schedule will again revolve around the season. Clearly the schedule gurus didn't consult me when they decided to give the Ravens and Redskins the same bye week. So, go ahead, VOTE! And I thank you!

poll by twiigs.com

On the Ravens Road

In advance of tonight's NFL Schedule release, I wanted to get reader input on which Ravens road game I should attend. Once the schedule is released (both the Ravens and the Redskins) I'll be able to narrow down what's feasible based on my work schedule, but for now, please vote! Voter input will weight about insert arbitrary number here 50% on my final decision.

poll by twiigs.com

Flowerboxin'

I have flowers! This isn't on the '30' but still wanted to share. Picked out some annuals at Home Depot last week and planted them in a 36" window box. I decided on yellow and purple Pansies (one of my favorite color combos). Ideally they'd be hanging over the railing on my balcony, but that's on hold until I find suitable brackets. I initially bought these railing brackets but we couldn't get the brackets and flower box to stay securely against the railing. It appeared fairly certain that a medium wind gust would land the flower box atop my neighbor's car. When I went to return the brackets I ended up in a 15-minute convo with a sales guy who suggested I drill holes and fasten the box directly to the rails. I may end up jury-rigging a bracket but first I'm gonna try and find a ready-made solution. I found this Railing Flower Box Holder on Amazon and might just order it if I can't find something similar in a garden store this week. If any of my plant/flower-savvy friends/readers have a suggestion for me I'm all ears! Pictures below so you can see what I'm workin with!

Flower Box's Temporary Home On The Table

Purple & Yellow Pansies

A Subtle Shade of Purple

A few of the '30' are on my 'imminent' list. There's get back on the diet wagon, walk over to the Jewish Museum of Maryland, and paint a wall of my house. As I've mentioned before, even after 4 1/2 years all my walls (with one exception) are still "builder grade" white. The one exception is my power room on the main floor which is a light shade of yellow. It was a messy shade of red for a while after my one and only attempt at painting. It was disastrous hence the "clean up" job which was completed by a professional painter. My failed solo painting attempt really discouraged me from doing my own painting. That being said, I need some color in my life. I don't want to go crazy with paint, after all I tend to be a bit ADD when it comes to decorating, but a little color never hurt nobody. My plan is to start small and paint one wall (with the help of some paint-savvy friends). I think I've settled on the wall behind my bed (see below). I'm stuck on a purple. I'm contemplating both light shades and dark shades. Initially I considered a dark purple (plum) for an accent wall behind my bed and a lighter blue on the other walls. However, I've decided to paint just an accent wall and leave the others white. I'm leaning towards a more subtle purple, perhaps lavender or lilac is the most accurate description. I've put a couple of the samples below. I know it's hard to look at paint on a computer, but if you feel so compelled please chime in and let me know what you think.

Front View

Corner View

Behr Wildflower

Behr Lilac Rose

Juno Beach Evening

A few photo's from last week's Florida vacation. We celebrated my dad's 55th birthday with dinner and the beach.

stroll along juno beach

enjoying the evening beach breeze

charlie loves the beach

 

my awesome parents

Deidra & Music 4 More Make the BBJ

Big congrats to one of the my best friends in the world, Deidra Stevens, who was profiled this week in the Baltimore Business Journal. For those of you unfamiliar with Deidra's non-profit, Music 4 More, I encourage you to check out this profile, visit the website, friend us on Facebook, and come out to the next event. I'm so excited that Dede is finally getting the recognition she deserves. I'm so proud to be on the Board of Directors and elated to see the spotlight on the charity.

Living Social FAIL

I'm a Groupon-fanatic but I just recently signed up for Living Social. Yesterday, I got this Shenandoah Valley "deal" in my email:

$329 for a 2-night (weekday only) stay in the Shenandoah Valley (plus $60 dinner credit and $15 in gift certificates) doesn't sound so bad. I decided to check it out since visiting Shenandoah and photographing Skyline Drive is one of my '30'. But when I clicked "Find Out More" and went to the website for the 'By the Side of the Road Inn' I discovered they offer "Hot Deals" including the EXACT SAME DEAL for $149/1 Weeknight or $248/2 Weeknights. 

The $248/2 Night stay through the Inn's website includes a $60 credit to the same restaurant as the Living Social Deal and includes a bottle of wine. It does not include the $15 in "extras" but last time I checked $15 does not equal $81.

Not impressed Living Social. Not impressed. Always do your research. The good news is I discovered a potentially way fun 2-day getaway, purchased directly through the Inn of course. Or I could suck it up and just go camping...