Choo-choo! (154/365)

More toys!

Toy (153/365)

Did you ever have this toy as a kid?

Cutiepie (152/365)

Last night involved a wonderful get-together with an awesome group of ladies, as well as a few fellas.  We talked, ate, hugged, played with fire and joined together in support.  As the evening wore on, the strawberry shortcake came out and Heather's baby, "H," pictured above and below had a delightful time chowing down!  I'm not sure what she enjoyed more, the strawberries or the whipped cream...both appeared very, very yummy!  

By the way, isn't she adorable?  

P.S.  For the time being I have decided to continue with Ralph.

Confederate Memorial Chapel, Richmond, VA (151/365)

***Click on the photo to see a larger image***

Today a trip was made to the Confederate Memorial Chapel in Richmond, VA

Ralph & Kahu served as "cannon fodder" in an original Civil War cannon!

The cannon, from a different angle and sans Ralph

The actual chapel

The cannon was used in the battle at Ft. Sumpter 

The chapel, another angle

One of my favorite houses in the city, I think it is actually part of the museum's property now

The house has a beautiful balcony, right out of Romeo and Juliet!  

The entryway to the beautiful house

TV - The Great Babysitter (150/365)

While I'm still thinking things over, Ralph and Kahu are being babysat by "Mom's Little Helper," the television.  I'm sure they will keep me up all night, as they are watching a scary, paranormal movie.  C'est la vie...

The towel, throwing it in... (149/365)

I am busy.

Like, really busy.

I work a full-time job, two part-time jobs and am now enrolled in a hybrid distance learning chemistry course.  The "hybrid" means that I go to class for lab twice a week and then have to spend my own time studying the lessons and learning the material online because we don't have lectures.  I'm also still trying to get to the gym and workout with my trainer in hopes of bettering my health and losing weight.

Oh yeah, and don't let me forget to make time for friends, family and a few moments of "me" time.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that this everyday blog was fun and exciting at first, but it has become tiresome and more of a chore for me.  Perhaps if I had less pressing things going on, I'd find it more amusing.  As it is, this isn't really doing anything for me other than making me anxious.  Therefore, I am considering calling it quits.  Perhaps I will keep posting here and there, but not everyday?  I don't know...I'm thinking things over.

Thoughts?

Today's post is a video that the lovely Beth made of Ralph while we were at the Roller Derby this past Sunday.  I am exhausted today and really don't feel like scrambling to put together a picture.  So, enjoy!

Walking the dog (148/365)

Ralph was excited to have Kahu visiting him for a few days.  However, the excitement ended when he realized it would be his responsibility to leash up and walk the dog throughout the day.

Arcade (147/365)

I found the name of this game to be hilarious!

Pac Man!

Derby Day (146/365)

Ralph has a new friend, a little dog named "Kahu."  He's a friend of Beth and is named after her pup, Kahu.   Their first "date" was a trip to see the Richmond Derby Demons at the Roller Dome and they had a BLAST!  Ralph even came up with his own derby name, "Rebel Ralph" - mine is "Dixie Demon."  :)  Who knows?  Maybe one day soon we'll see Ralph in roller skates?!

Coffee (145/365)

"Chocolate, men, coffee...some things are better rich."

Rapture? (144/365)

City Park (143/365)

Ralph appears to have made it down to The Big Easy, taking a ride on a mermaid and her fish in the pond at City Park.  At least he's staying cool!

Kickin' rocks (142/365)

It seems Ralph has decided to run away from home.  He packed his bag with some fish flakes and said he was "movin' on down the road."

My guess is he won't get too far.

Chemistry (141/365)

This class will begin making my life sucktacular on Monday.

Fish... (140/365)

...it's what's for dinner.

I still get nervous and self-conscious when I take a picture with Ralph in public.  I felt like all the store video monitors were pointed at me and kept waiting for security to jump me after I pulled him and the camera out of my bag.  Alas, I made it out of Kroger without incident.

Snowglobe (139/365)

So, I have a gift for Amy that seems to just sit on my counter, staring at me day after day.  It's just waiting and waiting for it's picture to be taken, but I can't seem to get it to her!  So, I thought I'd put it to use with Ralph.  Although I know Amy will take much better pictures with it when it makes its way into her talented hands!

Straw hat (138/365)

Closeted (137/365)

"If you can't get rid of the skeleton in your closet,

you'd best teach it to dance."

(George Bernard Shaw)

The wheel's on the bus...(136/365)

...go round and round, round and round, round and round.

Memories (135/365)

Today I light a candle in memory of Carol, a dear friend to me throughout my teens and 20's.  I remember you and wish you a happy birthday, wherever your spirit may be.  I understand why you did what you did, the pain must have been unbearable; however, the pain and suffering you ended by your own hands has only been passed down to those of us who loved you.  For that I forgive, but cannot forget.

Mourning (134/365)

Ralph is in mourning over Swiper being lost in the berry patch.  

Hot coals (133/365)

A Day at the Park (132/365)

Had a great breakfast at The Village Cafe this morning, followed by some fun in the sun at Byrd Park.

Drinks like a fish (131/365)

Thursday saw me traveling to Baltimore to go with a friend to the "First Thursday's" concert to hear April Smith and the Great Picture Show play.  (The band was great, by the way).  I treated myself to a hotel room in NOVA and drove the rest of the way home Friday morning.  Friday evening saw me volunteer at Gallery 5's "Disrobed" event.  I went back up to Northern Virginia (Herndon, to be exact) for a date Saturday (yesterday) and came back home late last night.  Then, finally, today was a trip to Hampton for Mother's Day.  I am now home and have a relaxing day off planned for tomorrow; a day that will involve sleeping in as late as possible.  

With all this go, go, go, I think Ralph has the right idea.  It's time to slow down with a nice "cold one."  

Oh yeah, because I know someone will ask, all I will say about the date is that those are several hours of my life that I can never get back.  ..::Sigh::..

A little April Smith music, in case you haven't heard of her!

Disrobed (130/365)

Last night Gallery 5 hosted Disrobed III, a nude performance art show.  It appeared to be a huge success and I enjoyed volunteering and having the opportunity to interact with everyone as they entered.  

And that Ralph, all about town, enjoyed having his photo taken from atop the wheel of the 1906 fire "truck" housed at the gallery.  

(And, yes, that is a giant dairy bottle in the background of the picture below.  It's the Richmond Dairy Apartments).

Flowerpot (129/365)

Movie Posters (128/365)

Inspired by Heather, I thought I'd make Ralph a movie star and include him in some movie posters.  This is what I came up with...

Ralph's a star!

Slurp! (127/365)

(126/365)

If you look in the window, you'll see someone who isn't happy that Ralph and I are outside and he is inside.

Catfish II (125/365)

Baliey and Ralph are the best of friends.

CBS Tower (124/365)

I was sitting outside reading and decided I wanted to try to make one of those cheesy pictures where perspective makes it look like someone is doing some impossible feat (i.e., I have a picture where it looks like I am crushing the Washington Monument between my two fingers).  My goal was to have it appear as if Ralph was eating the CBS tower from top to bottom.  Although I couldn't figure out how to do it without (1) my fingers appearing in the photo and (2) it looking not like he's eating the tower, but about to be impaled by it, I sort of like this picture.  I dunno, it is what it is and what it is is today's picture.