Again, guilty as charged.  Quite a lot has happened in the past week, and neither of us have written anything.  We've been occupied with a variety of things, some of which are finally signing for a new apartment in Avondale!, road tripping to Missouri for my dear friend Mary Sue and her new husband's nuptials, and having a few deliciously indulgent days inhaling the The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy.  The latter of which I am in the middle of right now.  Reluctant attempts at productivity have been a lost cause.  It is truly finally summer for me because I am letting myself read pleasure books for hours on end.  Heavenly.

Let me catch you up to speed.  We had a delightful vacation at Sunset Beach, NC.  I am ready to plan next years trip, it's going on the calendar for the week after July 4, 2012 if you want to come!  Here are some more beach pictures.  It just makes me feel good to look at them.

Early twilight walk's are the best. 

Posing for Nick. 

Posing for me. 

On our last day, it was rainy so we went to visit the Caswell light house, one of only a few functioning lighthouses.  It was also on a residential beach that was beautiful, but not even close to Sunset. (Bias recognized)

Seagrass is something special. 

And Nick learned how to fly. 

Actually, these are three different photos.  Check it out, he can fly!  Look at the glee on his face! (And for the record, did NOT twist his ankle).

Well, after all the beauty and hijinks at the beach, Nick, Theresa, Arnie and myself all made it home after a quick Cincinnati sleepover to break up the trip.  

We were just in time to catch up with lovely friends Katie and Emmanuel, who are gearing up for a move to Ireland.   These two are the dearest, most genuine friends I could ever ask for.  

Wish we could live down the street from you!

And I can't get away without filling you in on Arnie.  As I mentioned in a previous post, Nick was feeding him canned salmon to get him to go into his crate willingly.  Here you see Nick feeding the dog a fried egg on top of his dog food.  Yes, that is one of my organic, free range, omega 3..... egg$.  What are we getting ourselves into.  

Of course, who could fault him?  Arnie is the best dog ever. 

In other news, we were stunned (and kind of thrilled) to see a Catholic mass taking place in the street in front of our apartment the other day!  They closed off the street with garbage cans and proceeded to have a full mass.  I am not sure of the occasion, but I loved that the community was coming together for something other than lighting firecrackers off at 11am. 

Things like this make me happy to live in Pilsen (if only for another week). 

And then my friend Mary Sue got married!  

I love weddings, especially after my own.  It feels a little like we're renewing our vows by supporting and being present for a friends wedding.  It reminds me why we got married ( over 1 year ago!), and why I am more in love every day. 

To end this massive post, I'll leave you with Nick's view of me for the past few days.  He sees only the back of my head, and my faithful reading companion, because I cannot get enough of Steig Larsson and his characters.  Lisbeth Salander is the perfect summer distraction.  I am already worried about what I'll do when I finish the last book. 

Seriously, this is what you'd see if you could peek into our apartment: loving reading and my dog.  

Beaching with books: what we're reading this week

I've been meaning to write about a few more things.  Today Nick called me a chameleon based on my amazing ability to freckle.  I've decided to take it as a compliment.  

Also, number of ticks I have found on Arnie on this trip: 2.   The first one was traumatizing, the second one  only alarming.  After a minor meltdown on my part, Nick deftly removed them with tweezers by gripping the head and firmly pulling.  I did some research on the interwebs to find the removal method, and apparently some of the old protocols of burning and alcoholing are being rethought.  Thank goodness we got them out without too much difficulty.    Oh the trials of being a furry dog. 

Additionally, I've been reading some amazing books, and I think I'll start a book list, in case you're interested.  My mom is in 2 book clubs, overachiever that she is, and always has great recommendations for me.  

So far, I've read Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali.  This book is has thoughtful, dignified and beautiful prose and truths.  Read this New York Times article for more information.  

I am just about finished with A Year By the Sea, by Joan Anderson.  This is one of my moms favorite books, and now I know why.  It's about a woman's journey into self perception and realization through the nearness of the raw and untamed ocean.  I identify completely.  

Next up, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larsson.  This book comes with much preconceived knowledge and popular culture raves, and I am always up for an inviting book series to dive into.  Looking forward to it. 

And Incendiary author of Little Bee, a book that I loved, also recommended by mom.  Chris Cleave is the man behind these two books.  

And finally, I will read Knots and Crosses by Ian Rankin.  I heard an NPR interview with Rankin and loved his way of discussing the mysteries of Inspector Rebus in conjunction with the Edinborough ways of life.  

And a quickie on Nick's reading list. 

Knots and Crosses by Ian Rankin

The Lost Dorsai by Gordon R. Dickson

The Discoverers by Daniel J. Boorstin

Next up: Behind the Scenes at the Museum, by Kate Atkinson 

And Theresa's list:

The Shack by William Paul Young

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Barrel Fever by David Sedaris 

And she's also almost done with Knots and Crosses by Ian Rankin

I wish I could read all day, but the ocean is an amazing distraction.  And my puppy is pretty awesome too.