Glutton For Massages

It wasn't torturous enough that my wake up call was scheduled for 4am to catch my plane to Ixtapa so, Continental threw in a 3am bonus ringy dingy just to let me know my flight was on time. Needless to say, I am pooped. Here, but pooped.

After a week of P90Xhaustion, and the très early morning, I couldn't hustle down the beach to massage "tent city" fast enough upon my arrival. My father is horrified at the thought of how unsanitary these sand spa conditions are and tried in vain to talk me out of going...

In one ear and out the other. I have never turned my nose up at a massage of any kind. For $25 an hour, ummm I'll take a shower afterwards...

Kindness of Babe for working so hard to allow me trips to Ixtapa and unsanitary beach massages til my lil heart and sore body's content. Good thing he's not here though. I'd have TWO germaphobes trying to rain on my massage parade...XXOO

A Houseguest Cometh

Town & Country published a piece on houseguest etiquette just in time for me to descend upon my parents again in Mexico...

Arrive and leave on the days and at the times that you initially promised.

Barring anymore airport closing blizzards this time around I plan to leave Ixtapa on the date and at the exact time that my itinerary shows. I also plan to pack closed toe shoes just in case of knee deep drifts upon my return to the states...

Try to fit in with the host's schedule, or let him or her know beforehand what your plans are.

A little bit of this...

And, a whooole lotta that.

Bring your host a nice gift. (Alternatively, may I add, you can send a gift afterward, once you have seen the house and have gotten a sense of the host's taste.)

My personal assistant made sure to stock me up with some good Belgian chocolates for gifting and I also plan on smuggling a few cheeses and some much sought after Viva paper towels in my checked baggage.

If you have special dietary requirements, bring your own food or politely let your host know what they are prior to your visit.

Arriving prepared. Although, haven't quite ironed out the weight logistics of traveling with a weeks worth of Diet Coke. I just know that Mexican Coke Light has hidden calories....

If you are staying for a few days, take your host out for lunch or dinner.

Breakfast at Soliedos on my P90Xhaustion cheat day for more pancakes dripping in pecan laden maple syrup and Emilios for tequila and shrimp brick oven pizza?

Either share the cost of or pay for events that you (the visitor) suggested.

Hmmm, how to convince my Mom the beach massages are her idea???

Write a nice, personal thank-you note when you return home (not a quick email from the office).

Well, I spent 20 minutes climbing over the mountain of stuff in our storage unit this past weekend in a vain attempt to unearth my Crane stationary wardrobe. I may have to spell out my "thank you" on the counter top in Belgian truffles...

I have not, however, figured out how I'm gonna splain my stowaway...

Kindness of my Mom and Dad who I'm sure are getting a little weary after three months of a revolving guest door. Don't fret, I'll just be taking my tan quietly and leaving...XXOO

Celeb And Pseudo Celeb Playlists

I get desperate for new tunes to distract me during long runs and am forever on the lookout for celeb playlists to lift from...

This week I struck gold with Tory Burch's playlist from her Bryant Park runway show...

And, Kelly Ripa's workout favs...

Sinnerman - Nina Simone (Felix Da Housecat remix)
Morning After Dark - Timbaland (featuring Nelly Furtado)
Diva - Beyonce (Karmatronic Club remix)
The One - Mary J. Blige (featuring Drake)
Naturally - Selina Gomez
Imma Be - Black Eyed Peas
Jump - Flo Rida (featuring Nelly Furtado)
Jump - Madonna (Extended remix)
Celebration - Madonna (Oakenfold remix)
Brokeback Mountain Theme - Gustavo Santaolalla & Gabriel & Dresden (The Wings remix)

Then, just when my inbox started to overflow with iTunes receipts, looky what arrived in the mail for me...

My own personal playlist kindness of a most thoughtful Meg Carter!

Perf for the South of the Border runs I have planned for next week (she purred)...

I feel just like a psuedo celeb. Now if I could only figure out how to work this stinkin Garmin running watch I'd be set...

Kindness of Meg Carter who may now add spinmaster extraordinaire to her bio...XXOO

Pig-adillos Don't Discriminate

Last week, while I was still riding my Westminster Dog Show high (give it up for the terrier group!), Meg from Pigtown Design blog debuted her handmade Martha Stewart Pig-adillo doggie toy...


Her spokes terrier Pinky giving Billie Mays a run for his money...

And, a more sedate Connor called in for the glamour shots and closeups...

I'm dying cuz I don't have a doggie anymore giving me an excuse for my own Pig-adillo...

Buuut, there is a famous face, that I may or may not stalk, and I happen to know he likes a lil sumptin sumptin for snuggling....

But, no cause for feline discrimination here. Equality and Pig-adillos for all!

Kindness of Meg Fairfax Fielding at Pigtown Design who is being très bashful about marketing her lovely designs made from her extraordinary fabric collection. Maybe an overwhelming response will be a push in the strong arm direction. Also, to the blog where I lifted the doggie cartoon; excuse my forgetfulness and expose yourself for some much deserved credit...XXOO

Extra kindness of Tricia at Luminosity blog for revealing herrself as the source of the cartoon and graciously overlooking my lifting of it...XXOO

Gossip Tag

The "gossip tag" Housewife Bliss in London bestowed on me this morning couldn't have come at a more perfect time. This was day one of P90Xhaustion and me and my weary arms need to retire très early tonight. Merci Housewife Bliss, merci...

Where were you five years ago?

Five years ago this month, a newly engaged Babe and I were having a sunset cocktail at Sandy Lane in Barbados. He was halfway through his first year of UVA School of Medicine and I was living the Nanny Diaries...

What is on your to-do list today?

5 times infinity of pull ups and push ups...

Followed by The Bachelor Tells All tonight and this...

What five snacks do you enjoy?

I'm an all or nothing kind of girl so I don't really differentiate between snacks and meals. It's either pretzels and Diet Coke or as much of the foods listed below that make me go absolutely nuts...

• Fish Filet (I refuuuse to call it the Filet O Fish)
• oysters
• tuna fish
• chocolate anything
• salmon/lobster/crabs

What 5 places have you lived?

• Cottage at Littlefield the Farmington in C'ville, VA
• Talbot YMCA in Easton, MD (spent more than enough time in THAT pool to qualify)
• Georgetown in Washington, DC and now the Fairfax in DC
• Ocean City, MD, Fenwick Island, DE, Ocean City, MD, Fenwick Island, DE....
• Salisbury, MD but dangerously close to the Hebron zip code

A peeksie in our Cottage at Littlefield window...

What 5 things would you do if a billionaire? ya mean when???

• Take care of everyone in our immediate families
• Get our Templeton a kidney transplant
• Establish a foundation to help pay off Medical School loans
• Donate tons to help billionaire Gary Michelson with his Found Animals organization
• Annnd....

Get that lil Gin Lane cottage...

Kindness of Housewife Bliss for thinking of me thus freeing up plenty of time for relaxation and recuperation. Now if I could just lift my arms to wash my face and brush my teeth...XXOO

Can Ya Spare A Kidney Mister?

Can't a guy in kidney failure lay on a heat grate for warmth without being hassled?

There is a downside to having such a witty Mummy and Daddy...

Good thing I'm such a good sport. The best of the best actually...

Kindness of our most beloved Tatsie Boots who deals with needles, pills and bad tasting liquid meds being forced down his throat daily with nary a complaint. Yup, they broke the brave mold after then fashioned our special boy...XXOO

Sinchy English Monarchy

Babe has a team in India that assists him with documents, I have my sister Genevieve. So as part of my due diligence, prior to seeing The Young Victoria, I was boning up on the history of English Monarchs. Being the good assistant that she is, Genny unearthed this Royal crutch to help me keep them straight forever more...



Sung to the tune of Good King Wenceslaus...

Willie Willie Harry Stee

Harry Dick John Harry three;

One two three Neds, Richard two

Harrys four five six....then who?

Edwards four five, Dick the bad,

Harrys (twain), Ned six (the lad);

Mary, Bessie, James you ken,

Then Charlie, Charlie, James again...

Will and Mary, Anna Gloria,

Georges four, Will four Victoria;

Edward seven next, and then

Came George the fifth in nineteen ten;

Ned the eighth soon abdicated

Then George six was coronated;

After which Elizabeth

And that's all folks until her death.

Kindness of Genevieve who will be receiving a "very strong" this coming review cycle. This makes up for her inability to put my tea bags and honey back on the proper shelf after each use...XXOO