Sugarcoating things

Fall should finally arrive in Virginia this weekend which means it's time to bring out our coats.  I am not a fan of cold weather at all, but I must admit I love coats!  Every woman needs an assortment of fashionable coats in her closet.  From the classic camel hair, to a tailored car coat, to a fun weekend jacket.  You can never have too many coats!  I have my eye on a few of these.

This tweed Barbour coat is perfect for a weekend stroll.

This Mackage coat has a built in sweater collar!

Every lady needs a classic camel hair coat, like this version from Brooks Brothers.

Youc can't go wrong with a traditional pea coat and I especially like the color of this version from Lands' End.

I love the rich color and fold-over collar on this Trina Turk jacket.

The ruching on this RainForest rain jacket adds a femine touch to an otherwise traditional raincoat.

How warm does this Burberry hooded jacket look?!

I don't care for the color or pattern of this kate spade coat but I will buy anything with a bow.  And the bigger, the better!

This Gryphon cape is very Sherlock Holmes.

The multiple layers of ruffles on this Elie Tahari jacket are so pretty.

Hitting the campaign trail

Think Gov. Ehrlich needs a spokesdog?  If so, Spencer will definitely apply!

It's not goodbye, it's see you later

Last week, JDD and I took Dakota to his new forever home.  It was definitely bittersweet.  We knew we weren't ready for another dog right now, but he became such a part of our family it was terrible having to let him go.  But the good news is that his new mommy works at the same foundation as JDD!  C came to speak with JDD about Cavaliers (everyone in his office knows we have a Cavalier) and JDD told C that we were fostering.  A few short weeks later, C and her fiance P were approved to adopt Dakota.

With the work connection JDD and C have, as well as the fact that C and P live only four miles from us, I know we'll see Dakota again.  We're even petsitting him next month when C and P are out of town.  And this weekend we'll see each other at our Cavalier groups monthly gathering, this time at a dog-friendly winery.

Telling Dakota about his new home.

Enjoying a bullystick on his last night.

Dakota couldn't leave without saying goodbye to my cats. :-)

In the car on our way to his new home.  I think he was sad and knew what was going on.

But he perked right up when we got to C's neighborhood.

Dakota and his new mommy, C.  They will be so happy together.

Are you ready for some football?

We are and we've started full force with Redskins games.  Hopefully we'll also be able to make it down to U of R for a couple of Spiders games in the new stadium.  In my opinion, September and October are the best football weather months.  Not too hot, and not too cold.  We've enjoyed two games so far and have two October home games to look forward to before winter coats become mandatory game day attire.

This year we've chartered a bus with a bunch of people and it's been great!  We don't have to worry about white knuckle driving in horrendous stadium traffic or brave the smelly unique crowds on the Metro.  We pick up the bus at Clyde's in Tysons Corner, so we get the added benefit of having a nice lunch (or dinner depending on game time) before we hit the road.

Redskins 13, Cowboys 7

Finishing cocktails before boarding the bus.  Dave is only allowed to wear this shirt once a season so to the back of the closet it goes.  Thank goodness.

Having fun on the bus.

You see all sorts of characters at the stadium.

The Redskins offence, hard at work.

The fog was very thick for the first night game of the season.

Texans 30, Redskins 27

Didn't see too many girls wearing jerseys and pearls.

Setting up for the next play.

A military plane, perhaps on its way back to Andrews Air Force Base.

Most of the fans were bummed after the game because of the tough overtime loss, but I was very cheerful as soon as I saw the Natty Boh Bus. :-)  Mr. Boh always makes me smile.

World Alzheimer's Day

Today marks the finish of the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Ride.  On July 17 in San Francisco, over 50 Alzheimer's researchers began a 4,500 mile bicycle journey.  Today they'll present a petition with over 100,000 signatures asking Congress to make Alzheimer’s disease a national priority. 

I know my family is remembering this lovely lady, my grandmother.  Alzheimer's disease took her life and it's my hope that by the time I'm her age, there will be a cure.

Pups in the park, August edition

Last month, JDD and I accompanied Spencer and Dakota for the second edition of the Nationals Pups in the Park.  I was so pleased with how calm and well behaved Dakota was in the large crowd.  He is such a good dog and he made several new friends.  The boys started off with SO much energy but the high temperatures and bright sun quickly tired them out. 

I made sure to bring plenty of water.

On the way to our seats.  JDD is wearing my least favorite shirt in his closet.  I think he does it just because he knows how angry I get when he puts it on. :-o

The friendly Scottie next to us.

The rowdy dogs in front of us.

And the tired bulldog behind us.

With all his black hair, I made sure to keep Dakota nice and cool by spritzing him with a spray bottle.

Is the game over yet?

The dogs were so hot I think they were trying to figure out how to jump in the fountain.

See you next year, Nationals!

Jewelry conundrum

Big Daddy and Mother gave me diamond studs a long time ago but I don't wear them all that often.  I tend to wear pearl or gold bead earrings.  For a few months I've been toying with the idea of using the studs to change the setting of my engagement ring.  Right now I have bagettes on either side of the stone (like this one but two rows on each side, not one).

I think I'd really like a three-stone ring, using my diamond earrings.  Something similar to this.

I don't think my mother would be upset if I took them out of their earring setting.  Plus it will be very similar to my mother's ring (which she still wears, but on her right hand).  I spoke to our jeweler a few months ago and he said that I have plenty of platinum in my current setting and he'd be able to reuse it all.  And since I have all the stones the cost wouldn't be too high.

How do y'all feel about diamond earrings?  Do you think I'd miss having them?  They are a nice size so they aren't something I'd want 'upgraded' when I get a little older.  I've had my engagement ring for almost seven years, and while I love it, I kinda want a change.  I mean, JDD has traded in a few motorcycles over the same seven years so why can't I 'trade in' my ring. :-)

Canine cruise part II

Spencer, Dakota and I had so much fun with our Cavalier group on the cruise that we took JDD, his brother, BMD, and Maddie (BMD's pug) with us the following week.  We had a bigger boat this time that had air conditioning on the lower level.  Maddie has a hard time breathing in the heat so she and BMD went downstairs why my boys and I hung out in the warm breeze on the upper deck.

We sat next to the tour guide and Dakota quickly made friends with him.

Maddie, before she went and hung out with the bulldogs downstairs.

A pretty sunset reflecting off the river.

Dakota taking in the sights.

D family portrait.  Bet you don't see too many guys with Brooks Brothers golf shirts and Harley-Davidson hats. That's my preppy biker.  :-)

Ah, memories

Following in the preppy footsteps of T from Desperately Seeking Seersucker and Ashley at Sweet Southern Prep, I thought I'd take a walk down memory lane and visit my alma mater.

Photos: Here and Here