Last Friday I went crabbing on the Chesapeake Bay with my older brother (Eric) and younger sister (Liz). The shocking part - not that I was bonding with my siblings on a Friday afternoon - but rather that I was crabbing. For some reason, people can't see me as the outdoorsy, get dirty type. Hello people, I used to play sports! Nothing like dirty, stinky shinguards. I also love hiking, but avoid getting dirty when I do so (yes that is possible aside from the sweat which is fine). Okay, confession, you will never catch me camping. Sorry, been there, done that as a kid, don't need to do it again. I can hike during the day, but I want to sleep inside, thank you very much.
The three of us set out around noon for our adventure. It took about an hour to get there - we had to go south since the crabs don't migrate up to where we are (making it an easier adventure) until later in the crabbing season. The area we went crabbing in, Kent Narrows, which is in Kent Island, is gorgeous. It is immediately after you cross the Bay Bridge. There were so many bars and restaurants on the water...I was very tempted to grab a drink and relax, especially since crabbing wears you down.
We got there, launched Eric's boat, and threw out the buoys and traps (you tie chicken necks in them). Then it becomes a process. You can only have 25 traps (these wire squares with an open top...they lay flat when they are on the bottom of the Bay). Liz and I took turns during each "run". During the run, the driver of the boat slows down, you reach over the side of the boat, grab the buoy, grab the rope that is attached to the trap, and throw the buoy...all while quickly pulling up the trap. If there is a crab in the trap, you have to bring the trap on the boat, and shake the crab in to a plastic basket. All the while trying not to fall off the boat or get bitten by a crab. Then you throw the trap and buoy back in the water and move to the next one.
Eric and Liz riddled me with constant criticism throughout my time pulling up the traps...e.g. "throw the buoy, throw it, why are you doing it that way?" Oh dear! My method worked and I should get a Rookie of the Year award. Eric and Liz are pros considering they go almost every weekend in the summer. My husband, Mark, will go with them too if the trip doesn't call for a 3 am wake up call to get a spot on the water.
At one point I pulled up a trap and said, "oh this one is heavy, that's good!!!" Ummm not so much. I pulled up the trap only to discover a horseshoe crab taking up the entire trap. Ewww and scary! I threw the trap at my sister who was much calmer. Then Liz and Eric laughed hysterically at me for a few minutes. Oh and before then, a few yards after we launched the boat, we saw a stingray jump out of the water. Between the horseshoe crab and stingray, I don't think I will ever go swimming in the Bay again.
Crabbing is a tough workout - it works your shoulders, back, and arms especially. Then add in your legs for stabilization (to prevent you from going overboard). Ouch! Oh and the bruises...the bruises...from your legs and knees hitting the side of the boat. We ended up with a bushel in a half in a few hours which is pretty decent considering it was just the three of us. No pictures since a camera is not too safe on the boat when you're crabbing.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Three Year Wedding Anniversary!
Wednesday, June 9th was our three year wedding anniversary! Ah yes, the old adage that time really flies when you're having fun is accurate in most aspects!
Three years ago we had beautiful weather on our special day, thanks in part to the 90+ year old gentleman that I worked with. He was known for channeling his dead cat, Spencer, to ensure good weather for brides-to-be. I kid you not. I made sure to talk to Mr. K. before my wedding and he said, "oh that's right, I'll get on the phone with Spencer right now!" I'm not sure what was stranger 1. the fact that Spencer was dead or 2. that he was going to call his dead cat. Either way, he's a lovely person and he and Spencer made sure we had perfect weather.
We had our ceremony at the Basilica in Baltimore. When we first started planning our wedding (we got engaged in October 2006) the Basilica was just re-opening after being closed for a long time for significant reservations. We were VERY lucky to get a date there.
Three years ago we had beautiful weather on our special day, thanks in part to the 90+ year old gentleman that I worked with. He was known for channeling his dead cat, Spencer, to ensure good weather for brides-to-be. I kid you not. I made sure to talk to Mr. K. before my wedding and he said, "oh that's right, I'll get on the phone with Spencer right now!" I'm not sure what was stranger 1. the fact that Spencer was dead or 2. that he was going to call his dead cat. Either way, he's a lovely person and he and Spencer made sure we had perfect weather.
We had our ceremony at the Basilica in Baltimore. When we first started planning our wedding (we got engaged in October 2006) the Basilica was just re-opening after being closed for a long time for significant reservations. We were VERY lucky to get a date there.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Tucker Can't Swim!
This past weekend we made a quick trip to Rocks State Park. The purpose was to check out a "waterfall" and let Tucker play in the water. Too bad the waterfall area was occupied by a lot of people...and not everyone welcomes a big, fluffy, harmless dog, so we kept our distance.
Instead we threw Tucker's beloved frisbee for him in some shallow water. When the time came to try to get him to swim in deeper water, he wasn't having it. Like.at.all. He timidly put one paw in the deep water and then retreated to his mother (me). Poor boy is going to have to learn how to doggy paddle from his cousins Kayla (my sister's golden) and Colby (my parents' black lab). Considering Tucker needs to lose a few lbs, he will also need to buy Colby's flotation vest. Kayla and Colby are intense water dogs especially when we take them swimming in OCM in the bay.
A tired pup!
Instead we threw Tucker's beloved frisbee for him in some shallow water. When the time came to try to get him to swim in deeper water, he wasn't having it. Like.at.all. He timidly put one paw in the deep water and then retreated to his mother (me). Poor boy is going to have to learn how to doggy paddle from his cousins Kayla (my sister's golden) and Colby (my parents' black lab). Considering Tucker needs to lose a few lbs, he will also need to buy Colby's flotation vest. Kayla and Colby are intense water dogs especially when we take them swimming in OCM in the bay.
A tired pup!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Weeds or Flowers?
I love to garden. Rather, I love to enjoy the results from gardening...who doesn't? Beautiful and fragrant flowers...wonderful!
The only thing is, we don't have much room to work with for our garden. Our HOA is super strict and we are only *allowed* to plant in our gated courtyard. So you could say I have gone overboard and it looks like we have some kind of tropical oasis in our tiny courtyard. Yes, one fall Mark and I planted about 300 bulbs. Too bad the chipmunks found them and only a few flowers bloomed in the spring. That was three+ years ago and since then I have planted more bulbs, flowers, and plants. Perennials, annuals...I'll take either (though I prefer perennials obviously since it's the gift that keeps on giving!).
That takes me to my predicament: what plants are flowers...are they actually weeds? Aside from digging them up to look for a bulb I don't know. Leaving the little identifier that comes with the already growing plants doesn't help since the lawn people go crazy with the mulch and well we had a few blizzards this year!
But in closing, here are some flowers!
The only thing is, we don't have much room to work with for our garden. Our HOA is super strict and we are only *allowed* to plant in our gated courtyard. So you could say I have gone overboard and it looks like we have some kind of tropical oasis in our tiny courtyard. Yes, one fall Mark and I planted about 300 bulbs. Too bad the chipmunks found them and only a few flowers bloomed in the spring. That was three+ years ago and since then I have planted more bulbs, flowers, and plants. Perennials, annuals...I'll take either (though I prefer perennials obviously since it's the gift that keeps on giving!).
That takes me to my predicament: what plants are flowers...are they actually weeds? Aside from digging them up to look for a bulb I don't know. Leaving the little identifier that comes with the already growing plants doesn't help since the lawn people go crazy with the mulch and well we had a few blizzards this year!
First case study...weed or flower? I think it's a flower of some type...guess we'll wait to see!
Second case study...weed or flower?
Third case study...weed or flower? I'm 90% sure this will bloom...I think it's a peonia?!?!
But in closing, here are some flowers!
Carnations! Sorry, it looks a little bright...photos taken with my BlackBerry.
My lovely hydrangeas! These are my favorite. Three years ago I bought a branch of a hydrangea and planted it...nothing happened that spring/summer. Next year, nothing. Now this year, it has just flourished and is blooming up a storm! They are turning pink.
These flowers expanded by 10 fold from last year!
I have many lilies that are getting ready to bloom! They are going to be gorgeous!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Pilates DVD Review #1 - The Mari Winsor Pilates for Pink Core Challenge
In the next few posts you'll notice a pattern: that I'm trying to get back in to doing Pilates and Yoga. My old work building was directly across the street from this amazing gym and I would take Pilates and Yoga, respectively, once a week (included in membership yay!). That's not possible now, so I checked out about 10 DVDs from my library.
My disclaimer: I have been doing Pilates off and on for about 10 years...mostly through an old Denise Austin VHS (yes, the actual video tape) but more recently through mat classes. So I guess my level is intermediate at best. I have been doing Yoga for about a year and I'm beginner-intermediate.
The first DVD I tried was The Mari Winsor Pilates for Pink Core Challenge.
It is divided up in to four "10 minute express routines" that target your arms, shoulders, abs, posture, hips, thighs, and butt. Lest we not forget there is no such thing as spot toning...but you can target areas to strengthen the muscles.
In all honesty, this DVD sucked. I'm not a fan of dividing up sections of Pilates...I believe in full body Pilates while going through transitions. Yes, it's fine to focus on your butt, but give me more than that. That all said, the only good segment of this DVD was the segment that targets your hips, thighs, and butt. Even then, not the best I have seen. The DVD as a whole does not show the right techniques in many instances re: how to even do Pilates. I give this DVD a 3/10.
My disclaimer: I have been doing Pilates off and on for about 10 years...mostly through an old Denise Austin VHS (yes, the actual video tape) but more recently through mat classes. So I guess my level is intermediate at best. I have been doing Yoga for about a year and I'm beginner-intermediate.
The first DVD I tried was The Mari Winsor Pilates for Pink Core Challenge.
In all honesty, this DVD sucked. I'm not a fan of dividing up sections of Pilates...I believe in full body Pilates while going through transitions. Yes, it's fine to focus on your butt, but give me more than that. That all said, the only good segment of this DVD was the segment that targets your hips, thighs, and butt. Even then, not the best I have seen. The DVD as a whole does not show the right techniques in many instances re: how to even do Pilates. I give this DVD a 3/10.
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