I need a vacation after my vacation

Ugggg. I really do feel that way today. After a wonderful week+ in Seattle, I'm back in Raleigh, and not feeling very motivated. I'm still swamped at work, behind on YW stuff, Girls Camp coming up, and a filthy house that hung in limbo while I was off playing. And I can't seem to find the energy to pick it all up again. And I miss that little Lucy! I miss plucking her out of her crib at 6am sharp, and warm bottles, and making her laugh. And the way she would dance for you every time music would come on. You moms really have the good life, you know it? I know it's hard for you sometimes, but I really loved the little taste I had. Such an angel.. Here's a picture I took of her picking dandelions with her dad at Snoqualmie Falls:

Anyway, I'm glad to hear that Shelly is back safe and sound. I know that Daron was definitely ready for me to come home. Nine days of eating his own cooking might have scarred him for life. Dr. Carr asked me if he was skinnier when I got back, and I think that he might have been. The dog looked skinnier too, now that I think about it. It sure is nice to be needed! While I was in Seattle, my sister-in-law Sherri came and met me out there. It was her first trip to Seattle, and also her birthday weekend. For her birthday, I took her to the Space Needle, where we took these fabulous pictures:

We got some great shopping in (thanks Bellevue! thanks H&M!), and the weather was wonderful for the most part. I think the day that we were at the Space Needle was the best though. All in all, a wonderful trip, but it's good to be home. It's nice to spend time with family, but there's something to be said for sleeping in your own bed. Am I right?

Happy Easter From Seattle!

Happy Easter everyone! I made it to Seattle yesterday safe and sound. After a 5.5 hour flight from New Jersery, I made it here in one piece. And no delays! Poor Lucy keeps looking around for her mother, and at times seems a little confused. Fortunately, an 18 month old can be easily distracted. I've found that an M&M works great! Her dad is scheduled to go back to work tomorrow, so that will leave her and I flying solo. I think we are ready for it, though. It's been rainy and cold here- I'm really hoping that the weather improves so we can spend some time outside tomorrow. Lucy is a very funny baby, and has a pretty mischievious side too. We didn't quite make it though church. Really only about an hour, and then we were "done for the day." We're looking forward to Wedneday and Thursday when Sherri and Grammy make it here. The more the merrier! In the meantime, here's a video of our silly Lucy:

Seattle, Here I Come!

For all you poor souls that have to return to work on Monday morning, I'll be thinking about you. For one anxious week, my brother and sister-in-law are entrusting their precious little Lucy to my care! Shelly is going to Ethiopia for two weeks on a humanitarian trip, and John can't take that much time off of work. So that's where Aunt Elisa comes in! I'm going to have to be on my toes, I hear Lucy has turned into quite the climber. Stairs, furniture, desk... I know Shelly will have a hard time being away from her, but I'm excited to be there with her for Easter. Plus, Seattle is just always a good time! H&M, I'll see you soon!

For those of you in Raleigh, someone check in on Daron once in a while. I would hate for him to starve just because he's forgotten how and where to buy groceries.

Arrrgh! Ignored again!

Why the Rock Hall says: No Rush for you! Prog rock gets ignored by the selection committee every year. In the past few years, fans of Yes and the Moody Blues have started online petitions to get those groups a nod.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29903313/from/ET/

The article says it all. The fact that progressive rock gets ignored year after year is criminal. But for fans, it's almost a bittersweet blessing that these bands get less attention. It keeps ticket prices down for the rest of us! And the fact that this great music is created by THREE men should tell you something of the talent involved.

By the way, I have to give a shoutout to my parents who instilled in me a great love of music. All those years of music lessons, band concerts, orchestra concerts, really made us who we are today. When we were little, Mom liked Neil Diamond, The Statler Brothers, and Peter Paul and Mary. Dad liked old country like The Highwaymen, Waylon, and Willie. We also listened to a lot of Strauss and the other classical greats. With an early music education like that, how could we not love music? And what's even better is that music makes me so HAPPY. Some of the best memories that I will ever have have been at Rush concerts with my brother and my friends... Hopefully there will be many more! So whether or not Rush ever gets inducted (this is a VERY sore spot with fans, and has been for many years..) doesn't matter. The real fans know!