Arranging Flowers

I decided to go light on the coursework this term, so I'm taking "Flower Arranging for Beginners," and you know, I'm not sure if there's an advanced class, but I'd sure like to take it. Every class I take at UD is "my new favorite class," so this is my new favorite class. :) I made a topiary at the first class, last week, and successfully defended it from the lioness at my house, who thought it was a groovy new cat toy.

Yesterday, I made two arrangements that would go nicely on a tabletop for an event, were the flowers not from the supermarket (he was making a point about quality). One is symmetrical, and one is asymmetrical.

At any rate, The Poppy Communications Brand has now officially expanded. Poppy Cakes, the catering arm, is booked for two events in February, and Poppy Design is available for all of your garden, floral, and even graphic (note: incredibly limited skill set) design needs. Plus, we work for free! Heehee.

Happy New Year

I'm supposed to be participating in a daily January blog-off with my friend Dulcy Gregory, but so far, it's day 9, and I've done nothing.

Here I am to redeem myself to myself. December saw a silver medal on the part of Dazzle, my synchronized figure skating team, pictured above. The same day, Fairfax earned his jacket from Guiding Eyes, and now has service dog privileges most places. He's learning to greet people more calmly and get through a shopping trip without incident. Occasional slips are made; I had to buy a "Barnyard Buddy" at Concord Pet last weekend after he helped himself to the treat bar as I was paying for his dog food and handsome new red collar.

Christmas was spent in Maine, snowshoeing and enjoying my first White Christmas with Superman's family. SuperCute Cousin did a phenomenal job handling Fairfax; she, like her cousin, is a Dog Whisperer, and her cat, Sweetpea, taught Fairfax to lie down when he interacts with cats, which he now does at home.

New Year's was spent, once again, at Longwood Gardens, this time with Superman's brother Dave and a few of our friends. We headed to D.C. on New Year's Day for what was probably only the second day of the year (Christmas being the first) without traffic in the city. We went to the Udvar-Hazy annex to the Air and Space Museum first, then drove into town to see the Natural History and American Indian museums. We attempted to get dinner at our favorite place in Woodley Park, the Lebanese Taverna, but they were closed for New Year's Day, so we headed home through Chevy Chase and Bethesda to have a home-cooked meal.

January has started off well; plenty of work, a flower-arranging class, more ice skating and more puppy classes, and achievable New Year's Resolutions. I am kickboxing at the UD gym twice a week, swimming four days a week, strength training three times a week, ice skating, and walking the dog. I hope to be Bionic by February. :)

Happy 2008!