mom's visit

Well, my mom just left to drive back home, which means I'm alone for Valentine's Day. What else is new, right? It's only February, and I've already been given the "let's just be friends line" twice this year. With the one guy, it was actually a huge relief because I didn't like him but didn't know how to tell him. But the guy I went out with last week I actually really liked. I think I need a break- I'm sick of first dates.

But back to my mom's visit. We had a great time. She came up on Tuesday and finally got to come see me at work. I let her do all the cool stuff. Then she took me out for a belated birthday dinner to this awesome cuban restaurant in the city called Mixto. Had a vegetarian platter with amazing black rice, beans, mixed veggies, yuca, arepa, and both sweet and savory plantains. On Wednesday we worked out in the gym at my condo. Tried repeatedly to call my dad in Uganda to wish him a happy birthday, but couldn't get through. He's 68- how crazy is that. Went to The Set Table for lunch since I've really been wanting to try it. It's a cute and tiny little place here in East Falls. The kind of place where the owner's live above it. Had some really good coffee (they roast their own beans) and a sandwich. They're really big on vegan stuff (like vegan pancakes and tofu scramble), so I want to go back for brunch sometime. I took her to see the model condos at the Hilltop, right across from where I live. I've been there 3 times now, and each time it makes me want to move right in because they are so GORGEOUS. And NEW. And not in need of everything being fixed like my place. Then we went to see the movie Juno which was quirky and funny and very unusual. I would definitely recommend it. Thursday woke up and then once again hit the gym while waiting for the Sears repair technician to show up (hot water in the new washer not running- why can't anything ever go right?). She came and easily solved the problem. We went to Lowe's where I got some new drawer pulls and drooled over the kitchen remodeling stuff. Drove to King of Prussia and had lunch at Corner Bakery. Went to Pottery Barn and used my birthday money to buy a stump. Haha, it's a piece of a tree trunk that I thought I'd use as a small table between my chairs. Came home and carried my stump, which had to weigh at least 50 pounds, up the 3 flights of stairs. Got it in place and realized the wood has a very reddish tinge to it. So now I have to haul the damn thing all the way back.

A very nice weekend. Now I need to get caught up on the usual weekend chores.