May 31st - Gonna Pump You Up

I'm been lifting these weights twice a day for several weeks now and am slowly beginning to feel my arms grow more firm. Hopefully with my sit-ups and Weight Watchers, I will be on my way to a healthier me this summer.

May 30th - Blessing Cabin

This is the blessing cabin in front of First Congregational Church in Natick. The church is planning to auction it off and give all the proceeds to victims of the earthquake in Chile.

May 29th - Trees

I love these trees in the Natick Mall, um, Collection. It's fun to walk through them in the middle of winter and imagine that spring is just around the corner. Even though it is officially spring, it was still fun to see them today during my trip to the mall.

May 28th - Itsakazu (I love the zoo!)

I drove down to Southwick's Zoo this afternoon. The commercials had become too enticing, so I just had to go experience it. It really is a wonderful zoo, and since it was a weekday during the spring, it was the perfect day to visit. The mild temperature didn't hurt either. This picture of a giraffe was one of my favorites.

May 27th - Cubby Hole

Sammy likes to hang out in my bathroom cabinet. If he stays really quiet, he can surprise me from his hiding place.

May 26th - Hot, Hot, Hot

Take a look at the bottom left-hand corner of this picture. It was Texas hot in Natick today!

P.S. Yes, I forgot to take a picture until 10:30 this evening. Whoops!

May 25th - Dipped Cone (in a Cup)

I ventured out to Dairy Queen this afternoon to have a dipped cone in a cup. It was good, as usual, but I think this may be my last one of the season.

In other news, I bought a bathroom scale today.

May 24th - Michaels

I love Framingham's new Michaels. I could spend all day gazing at the stickers, stacks of paper, and scrapbooks.

May 23rd - Zoom, Zoom

This motorcycle is always parked outside of my apartment. In the winter it has a special cover to protect it from the snow.

May 22nd - :(

I think something is missing from this photo . . .

May 21st - Houston Traffic

Mom and I drove down to Houston today in anticipation of my flight tomorrow. Of course, we ran into Houston traffic while we were there. After meeting Sarah for dinner at Chuy's, we headed on to Paul's apartment. One more night in Texas!

May 20th - Natchitoches, LA

Mom and I drove over to Natchitoches, LA, today since I hadn't been there in several years. We ate at The Landing, stopped at the bookstore, and looked at some of the other shops on Front Street. As we were driving out of town, we noticed this house with a huge tree right in front of its entryway. Mom said the tree probably wasn't that big when the house was first built (or perhaps the owners just wanted to keep people away). After leaving Natchitoches, we braved the thunderstorms to do a little shopping in Shreveport before heading home.

May 19th - Dad's "Soffice"

When I was little, I used to call my dad's law office his "soffice." It was a family joke for years. We stopped by yesterday to pick him up for lunch, so I snapped this picture of the sign in front of his current office.

May 18th - Kilgore Public Library

I've driven past the Kilgore Public Library for years but have never been inside until today. I had the opportunity to visit it this afternoon when Mom and I drove over to Kilgore for my eye doctor appointment. It truly is a unique, beautiful building.

May 17th - Walking Trail

I went on my first walk on Henderson's new walking trail with Mom and Dad this evening. It really is an asset to the community. I would have loved to try the spray park — it looked like a lot of fun.

May 16th - Paul's Law School Graduation

Paul graduated from the University of Houston Law Center yesterday. I'm so proud of him! (Now he just has to study for the bar . . .)

May 15th - Dessert Gallery

I think the cupcakes at Montreal might have finally met their match.

May 14th - Amy's Ice Cream

I flew in to Houston yesterday evening and brought the rain with me. After navigating through Houston traffic, we ate at Chuy's (yum!) and then had dessert at Amy's (yum again!). I'm glad to be back in Texas.

May 13th - Lobstah Traps

I drove out to Brimfield this afternoon. I didn't find anything, but I did enjoy looking around (and picking up some kettle corn).

May 12th - West Natick Station

I realized as I was buying milk at 7-Eleven today that I had never taken a picture of West Natick station, which is crazy because it was such a big part of my life over the last year and a half. Luckily, there were very few people there when I took this picture, but it is usually a busy place with people racing to catch the train in the morning or leaving in the evening. I sometimes miss riding the train every day, even though I don't miss running to catch it in the morning.

May 11th - Stop Light

The stop light in downtown Framingham on the way to Keefe Tech.

May 10th - Furry Neighbor

Look who was parked next to me at CVS!

May 9th - Water Feature

I've discovered that I like to take pictures while I'm waiting at stoplights (only when I know they're long lights, of course). I took this one at the stop light to turn left on to Speen. Paul may notice that the water level is much lower now than when he was visiting me.

May 8th - Happy Birthday, Paul!

Sammy has a present for you . . . himself.

May 7th - At the Car Wash

I washed my car for the first time in a really long time. Since I didn't have to keep my hands on the wheel when I was going through (in fact, the signs said to keep your hands off), I took the opportunity to take a photo.

May 6th - Yoga Cat

Out of all the cats on my Yoga Cat calendar, I think this is my favorite one yet. Look at that stretch, that flexibility. Gymnasts have nothing on Star.

May 5th - Post Office

I think someone is going to receive a package in the mail in the next few days . . .

May 4th - Dark Skies

The weather here has been so crazy the last few days. Yesterday it rained in the morning, became sunny in the afternoon, and then rained again later. Today it rained while the sun was shining — just your average "devil fighting with his wife" type of day. I took this picture of the sky this afternoon even as rain drops were beginning to fall again.

May 3rd - Runaway

Think he's tired of me yet?

May 2nd - Marblehead

I drove over to Marblehead after church this afternoon. Although I had some trouble finding a parking place, I enjoyed visiting the town and looking in all the cute shops. I took this picture in Crocker Park overlooking Marblehead Harbor and really think it captures the spirit of seaside New England.

(This is the other picture I was considering for today. Now I think you can understand why I had trouble driving around the town.)

May 1st - Milk & Cookies

After a late lunch with Neluka in Boston, I spent the evening here in my apartment in Natick. I had seen a recipe in All You that I wanted to try out, so I decided that tonight was as good a time as any to try. I really liked the cookies, but I already knew I would — they're called Cherry-Chocolate Chip Cookies. How could I not like them? Here's the recipe.