I totally feel like a grown up now. I have curtains. And they look good. I'm surprised at how different it makes the room feel. But they're up and now I just have to decide on a paint color. Mrs. Landlord was over tonight and veto'd the color I wanted, so now I have to settle for something else. Which is fine. I don't own this place, so I guess it seems fair.
In other news, can someone tell me what cats INSIST on putting their toys in their water dish? Its been going on since the kittens moved in. For some reason this week it's happening more and more. Almost hourly I can walk into the kitchen and there will be two or more dead toys floating hopelessly in the water dish.
I, of course, searched the interwebs for answers.
One site suggests that cats do this as a claim of territory. By placing a toy in their water, the cat is claiming it as their possession because it is within their territory.
Another suggests its security. "Some cats have the urge to secure their toys in an area they consider safe, which relates to the desire of wild cats to secure their prey from other predators. Because they see their water dish as their territory, they consider it a safe location for storing important items, such as their toys." Huh. Who knew?
Yet another site suggested they were seeking attention. Um, I'm pretty sure my two cats are not seeking attention. They get more than enough and if they say otherwise, they're lying.
None of the sites offered any suggestions to stop this behavior. It really doesn't bother me they do it. Its just that the toys are so gross after spending hours drowning...oh hey maybe they're drowning their prey.
Right. I'm off to bed, and likely off to rescue another toy mouse from the waterbowl.
Thursday, November 07, 2013
Wednesday, November 06, 2013
A List by any other name is still a list
I think I've mentioned before, but I'm a list maker. Sometimes I have lists for my lists.
Along with being a list maker, I'm also a prolific note taker - especially at work. I carry a notebook around with me that I jot things down in and may or may not go back to it. But it's there should I need to "remember" someday. Especially as I get older I've noticed I tend to write more down then before. Writing stuff down helps me remember - its a win win.
BeagleBabe recently sent me this link for the Bullet Journal. Given my type A personality, my prolific not taking, and my love for lists, I fell in love with this idea. Go ahead. Go take a look. I'll wait.
You may not have been as awestruck as I was, but let me fill you in on what I've now done with this bullet journal idea.
The idea in general, I love. Unfortunately, I'm not as busy of a person as one might need to be for this process to be useful - at least in my personal life. AND I'm a big fan of Microsoft OneNote for work and didn't want to carry around a notebook with notes, but use OneNote instead.
So I modified OneNote and it's tagging to be kinda like the bullet journal idea. OneNote already has predefined tags for things like a check list (check box), a question (question mark) and something important (red exclamation mark). A little poking around in OneNote and I found that you can modify these tags, and add tags they already have. So I went to work.
I took the Bullet Journal's basic ideas of bullets for events, information, tasks. That was the easy part. The part that was more difficult was the "moving a task forward" tag. But alas, OneNote has a ton of tags and I found an arrow pointing right that would suffice. Here's what I ultimately ended up with as my top 9 tags.
I also changed my monthly project list / sync with the boss layout. Previously I had a table in OneNote that listed all my projects down the left side. Then in a column to the right of each project I would write notes based on my sync with the boss. I've discovered that having dates associated with notes were needed. My boss would frequently ask when we chatted about something and without any date indicators I had no idea. I have a list for each month, so I could tell her a month, but not a specific date.
So I modified my table slightly. I now have the dates of our syncs down the left side. Across the top I have a column for each project/task/discussion point. During each sync I make sure I write out what our conversation was, my actions based on that and any other details I may need. Let's say, for example when discussing the budget today she says, "I'd like you to review the budget with me on X date." I can now go to the cell that is the budget and the date and put myself a note that says to prep to speak to the boss about the budget.
Here's a small example.
I've used this for a month now and it has gone a long ways with keeping me focused, on task, and efficient.
I know that organization is extremely personal. What works for me won't work for everyone, but I thought I'd share my new process in case it can/does help someone.
Now, I can scratch writing today's blog off my list.
Along with being a list maker, I'm also a prolific note taker - especially at work. I carry a notebook around with me that I jot things down in and may or may not go back to it. But it's there should I need to "remember" someday. Especially as I get older I've noticed I tend to write more down then before. Writing stuff down helps me remember - its a win win.
BeagleBabe recently sent me this link for the Bullet Journal. Given my type A personality, my prolific not taking, and my love for lists, I fell in love with this idea. Go ahead. Go take a look. I'll wait.
You may not have been as awestruck as I was, but let me fill you in on what I've now done with this bullet journal idea.
The idea in general, I love. Unfortunately, I'm not as busy of a person as one might need to be for this process to be useful - at least in my personal life. AND I'm a big fan of Microsoft OneNote for work and didn't want to carry around a notebook with notes, but use OneNote instead.
So I modified OneNote and it's tagging to be kinda like the bullet journal idea. OneNote already has predefined tags for things like a check list (check box), a question (question mark) and something important (red exclamation mark). A little poking around in OneNote and I found that you can modify these tags, and add tags they already have. So I went to work.
I took the Bullet Journal's basic ideas of bullets for events, information, tasks. That was the easy part. The part that was more difficult was the "moving a task forward" tag. But alas, OneNote has a ton of tags and I found an arrow pointing right that would suffice. Here's what I ultimately ended up with as my top 9 tags.
I also changed my monthly project list / sync with the boss layout. Previously I had a table in OneNote that listed all my projects down the left side. Then in a column to the right of each project I would write notes based on my sync with the boss. I've discovered that having dates associated with notes were needed. My boss would frequently ask when we chatted about something and without any date indicators I had no idea. I have a list for each month, so I could tell her a month, but not a specific date.
So I modified my table slightly. I now have the dates of our syncs down the left side. Across the top I have a column for each project/task/discussion point. During each sync I make sure I write out what our conversation was, my actions based on that and any other details I may need. Let's say, for example when discussing the budget today she says, "I'd like you to review the budget with me on X date." I can now go to the cell that is the budget and the date and put myself a note that says to prep to speak to the boss about the budget.
Here's a small example.
I've used this for a month now and it has gone a long ways with keeping me focused, on task, and efficient.
I know that organization is extremely personal. What works for me won't work for everyone, but I thought I'd share my new process in case it can/does help someone.
Now, I can scratch writing today's blog off my list.
Tuesday, November 05, 2013
Happy Birthday Mom
That's mom and me. Aren't we cute?
Today's Mom's birthday. I won't tell you how old she is, but suffice it to say she's still quite young.
This is Mom and her mom when her mom brought my mom home. That was a few years ago. She's grown a bit since then. Grown into a great mom. A caring mom. A loving mom. The best mom.
If only we were that skinny now! And wow...do we look alike?
I've discovered through the years that my friendship with my mother is something I should be very thankful for. I have so many friends that don't have relationships with their moms. And never really talk to their moms. I couldn't imaging not talking to my mom every day or every other day. We're best friends. She's who I turn to when I need advice and I'm who she turns to when she needs the same. The older I get the more our advice has sounded the same.
So here's to you mom. Happy Birthday! Here's to another 66 years. (oops)
Monday, November 04, 2013
Daily Blogging...oy vei
So this blogging every day for the month of November is difficult and it's only the 4th day! I have (quickly doing the math) 26 more days to write. I'd better get cracking on ideas.
Blogging, originally, started because I lost a bet. I had anticipated I would write this blog thing for a couple of months and be done with it. It's been just over 8 years. EIGHT years. How on earth have I found anything remotely interesting to write about for 8 years?
I'm a reader of blogs too. I read many, many blogs. And of all types of topics. Most of the blogs I read are focused on a topic. Some, like mine, are just general writing about what's what in the life of a blogger. (nd I use the term "blogger" loosely. I have an interest in the blogs that are a specific focus and I marvel that these bloggers can write daily about one topic. I tend to have too much ADD and can't focus on one topic...oh look a butterfly.
I have documents upon documents started with blogging ideas. Most are my rantings and ravings aren't really worth a blog, but writing them out does make me feel well. There are some that I'd like someday to bring forth into this blog, but today's not that day.
I like that blogging also helps me remember when I do what. On more than one occasions I've had to search the blog for a date for something I've done. Thankfully the important stuff is usually written about.
The other thing I used this blog for is to reminisce. I sometimes like to go back and read what I was doing several years ago at a specific time. For example, what was I doing in 2006 on Nov 4th? Curious aren't you?
Well look at that, I've written another blog about blogging about nothing. I'm so good at this. I should keep it up.
Blogging, originally, started because I lost a bet. I had anticipated I would write this blog thing for a couple of months and be done with it. It's been just over 8 years. EIGHT years. How on earth have I found anything remotely interesting to write about for 8 years?
I'm a reader of blogs too. I read many, many blogs. And of all types of topics. Most of the blogs I read are focused on a topic. Some, like mine, are just general writing about what's what in the life of a blogger. (nd I use the term "blogger" loosely. I have an interest in the blogs that are a specific focus and I marvel that these bloggers can write daily about one topic. I tend to have too much ADD and can't focus on one topic...oh look a butterfly.
I have documents upon documents started with blogging ideas. Most are my rantings and ravings aren't really worth a blog, but writing them out does make me feel well. There are some that I'd like someday to bring forth into this blog, but today's not that day.
I like that blogging also helps me remember when I do what. On more than one occasions I've had to search the blog for a date for something I've done. Thankfully the important stuff is usually written about.
The other thing I used this blog for is to reminisce. I sometimes like to go back and read what I was doing several years ago at a specific time. For example, what was I doing in 2006 on Nov 4th? Curious aren't you?
Well look at that, I've written another blog about blogging about nothing. I'm so good at this. I should keep it up.
Sunday, November 03, 2013
Picking Paint is hard
I am not an Interior Designer. Far from it. I can match scrapbook paper and embellishments with the best of them, but beyond that - its the reason I wear black pants every day. Easy to match.
The Interior Designer gave me two options for paint. One a cool and one a warm neutral brown. Both look so different in the different lights the living room gets. During full sunshine I like the cool brown better. During the over cast I like the warm.
Blueberry was over yesterday and thought that neither would look good on the full wall nor would it make the fire place pop like it should. So she looked at the color swatches and talked me into going to get a sample of the next darker shade of the warm colors. Its called Portebello. Which is good cuz I like me some portebellos.
We put it on the wall and both determined we thought it was the best shade. I think I'm sold.
This isn't my room, but it's basically the color. I really like it and can't wait to paint. I plan on painting next Saturday - then Sunday is Sunday dinner. The great unveiling of the new rearranged living room and the newly painted wall. Maybe, if I'm lucky, the curtains will be here too.
In other news, I've started searching for hotels in Rome for our cruise next April. OMG...there are so many. I think it's still a better idea for me to go through a travel agent to find a hotel and airfare for me - hopefully they'll know more than me.
The Interior Designer gave me two options for paint. One a cool and one a warm neutral brown. Both look so different in the different lights the living room gets. During full sunshine I like the cool brown better. During the over cast I like the warm.
Blueberry was over yesterday and thought that neither would look good on the full wall nor would it make the fire place pop like it should. So she looked at the color swatches and talked me into going to get a sample of the next darker shade of the warm colors. Its called Portebello. Which is good cuz I like me some portebellos.
We put it on the wall and both determined we thought it was the best shade. I think I'm sold.
 |
| Photo taken from the Internet |
In other news, I've started searching for hotels in Rome for our cruise next April. OMG...there are so many. I think it's still a better idea for me to go through a travel agent to find a hotel and airfare for me - hopefully they'll know more than me.
Saturday, November 02, 2013
A Curtain Tale
I'm not sure if I mentioned, but I've hired an Interior Designer. She's a young gal just starting out and is inexpensive. Anyhow, she and I have chatted a couple of times and she's provided me with some color ideas for painting the living room.
When she first came to my place she was amused immediately by the kittens. It took us an hour to just get to my wants. My big problem is my living room is designed to be a living room and formal dining room. The thing is, I have too much living room furniture to have two separate rooms...AND I don't need a formal dining room. So, I've opted to make it one big, long living room.
To add difficulty to the long room, one wall sorta juts out a bit. So its not a straight line, which makes rearranging difficult. I've rearranged it a couple of different ways but never really felt comfortable.
The ID made some great suggestions and I took her up on it. Last Monday Mrs. Landlord helped me rearrange and I love it. It feels a bit more homey and connected.
So 1 for the ID.
The second thing she suggested is to paint the wall my fireplace is on a darker color. I've chosen neutrals because I'm not quite that bold when it comes to color. She gave me two options and I loved them both. Then Blueberry came over and when looking at the color card she liked a shade darker than the one I already have a sample of on my wall. So off we went to Home Depot today for a sample...and I love it. The ID may not approve, but I like it.
The third thing she suggested was curtains. I'm not a fan of curtains generally speaking, but I'm also not a fan of blinds - which is what I have now. You can't clean them no matter how hard you try. So curtains it is.
I didn't want the old ugly curtains that have a pull string to them. I like the newer looking ones that have huge grommets that slide through a pole. So Mrs Landlord, Blueberry and I went to Jacque Pennies today (JC Penny's in case you missed that) and we found some great curtains. AND they were on sale. They're on their way now.
Now all I've got to do is paint and then hang curtains and finally, I hope anyhow, this place will feel a bit more cozy. Photos of before and after, of course, to follow. Though I forgot to take photos of how this place was arranged before I rearranged it. Too bad...
Don't forget to fall back tonight. One extra hour of sleep. Woo Hoo.
When she first came to my place she was amused immediately by the kittens. It took us an hour to just get to my wants. My big problem is my living room is designed to be a living room and formal dining room. The thing is, I have too much living room furniture to have two separate rooms...AND I don't need a formal dining room. So, I've opted to make it one big, long living room.
To add difficulty to the long room, one wall sorta juts out a bit. So its not a straight line, which makes rearranging difficult. I've rearranged it a couple of different ways but never really felt comfortable.
The ID made some great suggestions and I took her up on it. Last Monday Mrs. Landlord helped me rearrange and I love it. It feels a bit more homey and connected.
So 1 for the ID.
The second thing she suggested is to paint the wall my fireplace is on a darker color. I've chosen neutrals because I'm not quite that bold when it comes to color. She gave me two options and I loved them both. Then Blueberry came over and when looking at the color card she liked a shade darker than the one I already have a sample of on my wall. So off we went to Home Depot today for a sample...and I love it. The ID may not approve, but I like it.
The third thing she suggested was curtains. I'm not a fan of curtains generally speaking, but I'm also not a fan of blinds - which is what I have now. You can't clean them no matter how hard you try. So curtains it is.
I didn't want the old ugly curtains that have a pull string to them. I like the newer looking ones that have huge grommets that slide through a pole. So Mrs Landlord, Blueberry and I went to Jacque Pennies today (JC Penny's in case you missed that) and we found some great curtains. AND they were on sale. They're on their way now.
Now all I've got to do is paint and then hang curtains and finally, I hope anyhow, this place will feel a bit more cozy. Photos of before and after, of course, to follow. Though I forgot to take photos of how this place was arranged before I rearranged it. Too bad...
Don't forget to fall back tonight. One extra hour of sleep. Woo Hoo.
Friday, November 01, 2013
Day 1 of blogging every day in November
Stop laughing. I'm going to give it a try and see if I can (as the Patron Saint said) "stretch my blogging muscle" and see if I can get back into the swing of it.
It can't possibly be a lack of interesting things happening in my life. THAT is for sure.
I can tell you what I have no new updates about:
1. Relationship status
2. Cats
3. cooking stuff
What I do have to tell you, ain't all that happy.
The MomUnit called last night to let me know my brother-in-law is in the hospital after having a seizure at the doctor's office. After a CAT scan they found a mass in his brain. As of the conversation last night, that was all we knew.
Today we know its an arteriovenous malformation. Yah I had to look it up too. Its basically something he was born with - and one never knows until something happens (again I say, I think I need to go get a full body scan). Anyhow, it's basically a tangle of arteries and veins. It affects how much blood and oxygen the brain gets. It sounds serious, but not life threatening to me. They'll do surgery to remove it and THAT is serious. To me anytime you start messing with the brain and a sharp knife ... it's serious.
BigBro seems to be getting by. He's now finished 4 chemo treatments and it seems to be getting worse before it gets better. Seattle SIL said that apparently that's how it goes when cancer is in the lungs. Great. Last time I saw him his spirits were just ok. He's not his normal self (who would be) but I'm hoping he fights this with every fiber of his being.
In exciting news, I selected my excursions (and paid for them) for our cruise in April. I can't WAIT for this cruise. It's definitely a once in a life time type of cruise and I'm planning on taking full advantage of it.
Don't be jealous...
I need to start doing some research on our stops and really decide if these are what I want to do. According to Norwegian I can change these on the boat if I feel I want to. I doubt I will, but one never knows.
Okay...I'm outty for now. Gonna head home and finish out the work day with the kittens and a big cup of coffee.
Happy Dia de los Muertos everyone!!
It can't possibly be a lack of interesting things happening in my life. THAT is for sure.
I can tell you what I have no new updates about:
1. Relationship status
2. Cats
3. cooking stuff
What I do have to tell you, ain't all that happy.
The MomUnit called last night to let me know my brother-in-law is in the hospital after having a seizure at the doctor's office. After a CAT scan they found a mass in his brain. As of the conversation last night, that was all we knew.
Today we know its an arteriovenous malformation. Yah I had to look it up too. Its basically something he was born with - and one never knows until something happens (again I say, I think I need to go get a full body scan). Anyhow, it's basically a tangle of arteries and veins. It affects how much blood and oxygen the brain gets. It sounds serious, but not life threatening to me. They'll do surgery to remove it and THAT is serious. To me anytime you start messing with the brain and a sharp knife ... it's serious.
BigBro seems to be getting by. He's now finished 4 chemo treatments and it seems to be getting worse before it gets better. Seattle SIL said that apparently that's how it goes when cancer is in the lungs. Great. Last time I saw him his spirits were just ok. He's not his normal self (who would be) but I'm hoping he fights this with every fiber of his being.
In exciting news, I selected my excursions (and paid for them) for our cruise in April. I can't WAIT for this cruise. It's definitely a once in a life time type of cruise and I'm planning on taking full advantage of it.
Don't be jealous...
Okay...I'm outty for now. Gonna head home and finish out the work day with the kittens and a big cup of coffee.
Happy Dia de los Muertos everyone!!
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Happy Halloween!
I think the scariest thing I could do today is actually blog. I start blogs on a regular basis then I get distracted (ooo a butterfly) and I never go back. Today though, I'm committed. I'm going to finish this blog.
Presently I'm sitting in a lounge in bldg 121 at Hotel Californiasoft waiting for a meeting to start. This lounge has some interesting things going on with it. For starters the room is lined with chairs and couches. A couple of round tables are placed here and there. But the best part is in the middle of the floor (the middle of the lounge) is where the plug in is. So right now it kinda looks like a big spider with about 6 plugs coming out of it. Appropriate I think.
Since we last spoke, I've done a few things...at least I think I have. Last Saturday, for example, Sparky and I headed north to Bellingham for my friend P's Harvest Dinner. He has them every year and every year I seem to be doing something else. Finally I put it on the calendar and the fates got me there. Boy am I glad I did too.
Meet Mr. Prime Rib.
P drives all the way to Twisp (at least a 5 hour trip for him one way) to get the meat for this meal. And let me tell you, probably the best prime rib I've every had. Sooo good.
I met a ton of his "friends" and found them all amusing and entertaining. I'm going to have to make this an annual pilgrimage to this dinner.
Let's see what else...oh yah, the Pumpkin Carving Sunday Dinner.
Oddly enough most of us did the traditional pumpkin face this year. In years past we've had a little bit of everything. This year I think we were all too tired.
The Landlords brought their two little puppies and so the kitties wanted to play and/or eat them - I'm still not sure. Linus was all shades of interested in them and what they were. In fact, if you look close you can read his mind. He's asking, "can we keep them mom?".
So that's about it for me. I'll do my very best to be more updated on this blog. It's just that I don't seem to have the motivation I used to. I need to find it again. I miss you guys.
Presently I'm sitting in a lounge in bldg 121 at Hotel Californiasoft waiting for a meeting to start. This lounge has some interesting things going on with it. For starters the room is lined with chairs and couches. A couple of round tables are placed here and there. But the best part is in the middle of the floor (the middle of the lounge) is where the plug in is. So right now it kinda looks like a big spider with about 6 plugs coming out of it. Appropriate I think.
Since we last spoke, I've done a few things...at least I think I have. Last Saturday, for example, Sparky and I headed north to Bellingham for my friend P's Harvest Dinner. He has them every year and every year I seem to be doing something else. Finally I put it on the calendar and the fates got me there. Boy am I glad I did too.
Meet Mr. Prime Rib.
I met a ton of his "friends" and found them all amusing and entertaining. I'm going to have to make this an annual pilgrimage to this dinner.
Let's see what else...oh yah, the Pumpkin Carving Sunday Dinner.
The Landlords brought their two little puppies and so the kitties wanted to play and/or eat them - I'm still not sure. Linus was all shades of interested in them and what they were. In fact, if you look close you can read his mind. He's asking, "can we keep them mom?".
So that's about it for me. I'll do my very best to be more updated on this blog. It's just that I don't seem to have the motivation I used to. I need to find it again. I miss you guys.
Friday, October 18, 2013
Working from Home
When I first started working I used to think traveling for work would be awesome. Then I realized when you travel for work you don't really get to see the places you travel to. It's usually fly in and fly out.
As I got older, and technology got to be what it is, working from home became all the rage. Back in the day when I was at CM I used to wish I could work from home. The days I did get to work from home, I found I got quite a bit done. I would work longer duration of hours, but still get in my 8 hours - and get laundry done and what not.
Now I have a dream job and I get to work from home. I'm discovering it isn't nearly as glamorous as I once thought. Oh yes, it's definitely fun and cool to roll out of bed and basically start working with minimal effort - simply brushing my teeth, brushing my hair and washing my face. Not the entire effort to "get ready" for work and then commute.
Here's what I've discovered about working from home that never crossed my mind before.
1. My heating bill is higher. I used to set my thermostat at 65 and let it stay there all day. The heat would turn up by the time I was home. Now I turn the heat up upon getting up in the morning. The heating bill with therefore be higher.
2. No laundry. I never really have to wear my work clothing - a couple time a week and that's it. I change my clothes every morning into work out clothing - assuming I'm going to go work out - some days I do, most days I don't. So while I still have to do laundry, it's not nearly as much.
3. No socializing. Turns out the cats won't actually talk back to me. I miss having drive by conversations with work peeps. I find I'm eating more lunches out in order to have some type of adult conversations that don't include the phrase, "Don't eat the rug."
4. Sleeping in. Back to the not having to get ready or commute thought, I also get to sleep in for those very reasons. If I want to start work at 7:30, I merely have to get up at 7:15, not the 6:30 time I previously was waking. More sleep means I'm not as cranky.
5. Procrastination. Oh man, when you are working from home and things get slow, it seems it's easier to procrastinate during the day. I figure, sometimes, I can work later in the evening if I need to run an errand during the day. Putting off temporarily the work I need to get done. The work still gets done there's no doubt about that. It just may not get done during the normal working hours.
6. Gas. Working from home means I don't commute much, as I've said. Which means I'm saving $$ by not filling Sparky up as often. Though one could argue that going to lunch more isn't saving $$ or gas.
7. Not feeling well. The other great advantage of working from home is when you don't feel well. I've been fighting a cold this week and it's been nice to not have to go into work and potentially share my germs.
So at the end of the day, I am enjoying working from home. It definitely has it's advantages and disadvantages, but at the end of the day, I'm loving my job and the circumstances around it.
As I got older, and technology got to be what it is, working from home became all the rage. Back in the day when I was at CM I used to wish I could work from home. The days I did get to work from home, I found I got quite a bit done. I would work longer duration of hours, but still get in my 8 hours - and get laundry done and what not.
Now I have a dream job and I get to work from home. I'm discovering it isn't nearly as glamorous as I once thought. Oh yes, it's definitely fun and cool to roll out of bed and basically start working with minimal effort - simply brushing my teeth, brushing my hair and washing my face. Not the entire effort to "get ready" for work and then commute.
Here's what I've discovered about working from home that never crossed my mind before.
1. My heating bill is higher. I used to set my thermostat at 65 and let it stay there all day. The heat would turn up by the time I was home. Now I turn the heat up upon getting up in the morning. The heating bill with therefore be higher.
2. No laundry. I never really have to wear my work clothing - a couple time a week and that's it. I change my clothes every morning into work out clothing - assuming I'm going to go work out - some days I do, most days I don't. So while I still have to do laundry, it's not nearly as much.
3. No socializing. Turns out the cats won't actually talk back to me. I miss having drive by conversations with work peeps. I find I'm eating more lunches out in order to have some type of adult conversations that don't include the phrase, "Don't eat the rug."
4. Sleeping in. Back to the not having to get ready or commute thought, I also get to sleep in for those very reasons. If I want to start work at 7:30, I merely have to get up at 7:15, not the 6:30 time I previously was waking. More sleep means I'm not as cranky.
5. Procrastination. Oh man, when you are working from home and things get slow, it seems it's easier to procrastinate during the day. I figure, sometimes, I can work later in the evening if I need to run an errand during the day. Putting off temporarily the work I need to get done. The work still gets done there's no doubt about that. It just may not get done during the normal working hours.
6. Gas. Working from home means I don't commute much, as I've said. Which means I'm saving $$ by not filling Sparky up as often. Though one could argue that going to lunch more isn't saving $$ or gas.
7. Not feeling well. The other great advantage of working from home is when you don't feel well. I've been fighting a cold this week and it's been nice to not have to go into work and potentially share my germs.
So at the end of the day, I am enjoying working from home. It definitely has it's advantages and disadvantages, but at the end of the day, I'm loving my job and the circumstances around it.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Finally Friday
Wow. hi. Remember me? Again, I come to the blog begging for forgiveness for not writing as much as I'd like. Its funny really because I have a list of blog topics that I'd love to write about, yet every time I sit to write about them my mind goes blank. I do a lot of thinking/writing as I'm falling asleep at night and by morning I forget. Me thinks I should get a recorder to have by my bed so I can chat into it my thoughts. I already have a journal, but that's proved useless.
Anywhoo....
Let's see, what has happened since the 3day...not much but enough to chat about. Stealing a page from The Patron Saint's blog...you get a list.
1. One of the most exciting things I've done is "hired" an interior designer. She's a young gal eager to use her skills and is quite inexpensive. I've always had this inner dream of having someone come in and decorate my place. I can scrapbook and match colors with the best of them, but doing it in my home I just can't do.
She and I met, we discussed what I'd like to accomplish and off she went. We'll be meeting again on Monday to chat about her suggestions for my living room. I can't wait.
2. Working from home has it's ups and downs. The up is, well working from home. The down is I miss all the social interaction with working in an office. The way to fix that is to go to lunch with friends. I seem to now be going to lunch several times a week. I find it somewhat amusing that by working from home -where fixing lunch would be easy - I am instead going out to lunch. Whereas when I was in the office, I ate at my desk more often with food from home.
3. I spent a day wondering around Ballard and the Seattle Public Library with my friend Meg-A-Roonie. She and I met for lunch at this BBQ joint in Ballard called Bitterroot BBQ. Decent food but one helluva spicy bloody Mary. I think my lips are still burning.
It was raining that day, and was one of the last days for the Ballard Farmer's Market. So we strolled the market and finally decided it was too wet. Off we went to the Seattle Public Library. For like the first time ever I won't post photos of the event, but please do go check them out.
4. This months dinner club selection was mine to make. I'm a big fan of the restaurant Purple here and found the owners opened a new restaurant near by called The Commons. Figured it would have the same quality food as Purple. I would not be disappointed. While the service was questionable the food was delicious. I highly recommend checking it out.
5. Crab hats are going to be on the prowl this weekend. We're heading to the Mt. Rainer Scenic Railroad for our next adventure. I'll keep you posted.
So there you have it. A list. I'll try to get to blogging more, but I can't be responsible for myself apparently.
Happy Friday.
PS - actually posting this on Monday since the interweb was giving me fits on Friday.
Anywhoo....
Let's see, what has happened since the 3day...not much but enough to chat about. Stealing a page from The Patron Saint's blog...you get a list.
1. One of the most exciting things I've done is "hired" an interior designer. She's a young gal eager to use her skills and is quite inexpensive. I've always had this inner dream of having someone come in and decorate my place. I can scrapbook and match colors with the best of them, but doing it in my home I just can't do.
She and I met, we discussed what I'd like to accomplish and off she went. We'll be meeting again on Monday to chat about her suggestions for my living room. I can't wait.
2. Working from home has it's ups and downs. The up is, well working from home. The down is I miss all the social interaction with working in an office. The way to fix that is to go to lunch with friends. I seem to now be going to lunch several times a week. I find it somewhat amusing that by working from home -where fixing lunch would be easy - I am instead going out to lunch. Whereas when I was in the office, I ate at my desk more often with food from home.
3. I spent a day wondering around Ballard and the Seattle Public Library with my friend Meg-A-Roonie. She and I met for lunch at this BBQ joint in Ballard called Bitterroot BBQ. Decent food but one helluva spicy bloody Mary. I think my lips are still burning.
It was raining that day, and was one of the last days for the Ballard Farmer's Market. So we strolled the market and finally decided it was too wet. Off we went to the Seattle Public Library. For like the first time ever I won't post photos of the event, but please do go check them out.
4. This months dinner club selection was mine to make. I'm a big fan of the restaurant Purple here and found the owners opened a new restaurant near by called The Commons. Figured it would have the same quality food as Purple. I would not be disappointed. While the service was questionable the food was delicious. I highly recommend checking it out.
5. Crab hats are going to be on the prowl this weekend. We're heading to the Mt. Rainer Scenic Railroad for our next adventure. I'll keep you posted.
So there you have it. A list. I'll try to get to blogging more, but I can't be responsible for myself apparently.
Happy Friday.
PS - actually posting this on Monday since the interweb was giving me fits on Friday.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
2013 Seattle 3Day - Come and Gone
I realized today that September has been a bad month for me where blogging is concerned. This will be my 3rd post this month. There could be a couple of reasons for this. One, I could be super busy and no time to blog (negative). Two, I just don't have anything interesting to say (most likely) Or three, my life isn't as exciting as I'd like right now. (definitely).
Still, if there's one thing I want to be sure to blog about it's the Seattle Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3 day. In years past, I've ranted and raved about how wonderful these three days every year is. And this year is no different. It was a wonderful three days. Yet, there was something about this year that was off.
First the things I know that were off:
1. I couldn't make opening ceremonies. I had some work calls that I couldn't get out of so met the team at lunch.
2. My co-pilot the Niece was walking all three days.
3. My second co-pilot The Niece's wife was walking Saturday
4. And BigBro wasn't feeling great so had limited time with us for three days. (That sucked)
Still, those things together really shouldn't have made the three days feel as off as they did. The weather was decent (until Sunday when it was cold and rainy). So I'm not really sure why I wasn't feeling it this year. I surely hope this goes away and next year I can feel the excitement I've felt in the past for this event.
Day 1 I met the team at Bellevue Park where they were stopping for lunch. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day for stalking. The Niece seemed to be doing OK, but I could tell her lack of training was going to hit her hard. Blueberry (a Flamingo Road team member - but a honorary Wrack Pack team member) joined us for lunch. I think because we had chairs. Mrs. Landlord walked down to join us as well.
Eventually the Wrack Pack found their way into camp. They did it. 22 miles...they don't look tired to me.
Day 2 the weather forecasters said we'd have rain and possibly thunder storms. I love that Seattle weather forecasters can be wrong 90% of the time and still have their jobs. We had beautiful weather. A nice fall day. Warm, but not too warm.
The Niece's Wife walked on Saturday so I had to find another co-pilot. Queen PopUp joined us at lunch and she spent the second half of the day helping me stalk our walkers.
And stalk them we did.
Day 3 was a questionable day in the morning weather wise. The Niece was tired, and her feet hurt. The Sister-In-Law seemed like she hadn't just walked 44 miles. And The BFF seemed to be tired, but fine. These walkers constantly amaze me. Tired and sore, they set out again for another 16 miles.
The Niece's Wife and I found the walkers and stopped to cheer them on at a local park. The wind had come up and we were freezing. We had tossed some blankets in the car and found one of them to be a Superman Snuggy.
The photo of Blueberry getting photo bombed was on this bluff that looks over Puget Sound. As we were up there cheering on the walkers it got colder, windy-er and the rain started. Lady Tata and I headed to closing. As we came off the bluff, crossing this bridge, the wind and rain were horrible. I felt mildly bad for the walkers out there. Yet, the die hards stayed the course. Amazing men and women.
Closing is one of my favorite moments of the 3 day (the Last Walker being my favorite). This year because of the weather there were very few spectators out there cheering on the walkers. It saddened me greatly to see so few people out there cheering across the finish line walkers who really deserve some extreme cheering. I understand it was cold and wet, but these folks had just walked 60 miles to help find an end to breast cancer. The LEAST I could do, or anyone, was to be there and cheer them home.
And so ends another 3 day. Next year those three women, Blueberry and maybe BigBro will hit the trail again. Sparky and I will be there to cheer them on all the way. I'm going to start doing my anti-rain dance now and start paying the piper so we have nice weather next year. That rain stuff sucks!
Still, if there's one thing I want to be sure to blog about it's the Seattle Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3 day. In years past, I've ranted and raved about how wonderful these three days every year is. And this year is no different. It was a wonderful three days. Yet, there was something about this year that was off.
First the things I know that were off:
1. I couldn't make opening ceremonies. I had some work calls that I couldn't get out of so met the team at lunch.
2. My co-pilot the Niece was walking all three days.
3. My second co-pilot The Niece's wife was walking Saturday
4. And BigBro wasn't feeling great so had limited time with us for three days. (That sucked)
Still, those things together really shouldn't have made the three days feel as off as they did. The weather was decent (until Sunday when it was cold and rainy). So I'm not really sure why I wasn't feeling it this year. I surely hope this goes away and next year I can feel the excitement I've felt in the past for this event.
Day 1 I met the team at Bellevue Park where they were stopping for lunch. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day for stalking. The Niece seemed to be doing OK, but I could tell her lack of training was going to hit her hard. Blueberry (a Flamingo Road team member - but a honorary Wrack Pack team member) joined us for lunch. I think because we had chairs. Mrs. Landlord walked down to join us as well.
The Niece's Wife (we'll call her Lady Tata) joined me in Sparky at lunch. We drove, and sang, and honked, and cheered, and maybe broke some street laws for the rest of the afternoon. Occasionally we'd stop, hop out, Lady Tata would write on the sidewalk and we'd wait for the Wrack Pack to come by.
Two of my most favorite 3day walkers were walking together this year. I got a chance to see them often and each time I did they "struck a pose" for me.
Eventually the Wrack Pack found their way into camp. They did it. 22 miles...they don't look tired to me.
Day 2 the weather forecasters said we'd have rain and possibly thunder storms. I love that Seattle weather forecasters can be wrong 90% of the time and still have their jobs. We had beautiful weather. A nice fall day. Warm, but not too warm.
The Niece's Wife walked on Saturday so I had to find another co-pilot. Queen PopUp joined us at lunch and she spent the second half of the day helping me stalk our walkers.
And stalk them we did.
 |
| Nutballs. And I love each and everyone of these women. |
 |
| Zoe is such a sweet girl! |
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| The Princesses helped us cheer our walkers into camp. |
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| Day 2...done. |
 |
| My BFF...Blueberry |
The Niece's Wife and I found the walkers and stopped to cheer them on at a local park. The wind had come up and we were freezing. We had tossed some blankets in the car and found one of them to be a Superman Snuggy.
 |
| I love that Blueberry got photo bombed on this picture. It totally cracks me up |
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| Blueberry coming into the finish. |
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| My friend T walked (left side) this year. It was fun to see her along the route and cheer her and her team mates on. |
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| The crazies coming into the finish. |
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| Naturally they had to strike a pose for me. |
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| Here comes the Wrack Pack!!! |
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| The Wrack Pack (and one Flamingo Road gal) finishes the 3 day |
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| Survivor salute |
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| So proud of these three!!! |
And so ends another 3 day. Next year those three women, Blueberry and maybe BigBro will hit the trail again. Sparky and I will be there to cheer them on all the way. I'm going to start doing my anti-rain dance now and start paying the piper so we have nice weather next year. That rain stuff sucks!
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Seattle 3 Day - T minus 2 days...
This year's 3Day has snuck up on me and I feel unprepared. Then I remembered, I was ubber organized last year and found all my stuff immediately.
The weather is looking like its going to be less than cooperative. Rain is in the forecast...which makes it very difficult to put the top down on Sparky, decorate, and play loud music to help cheer on the walkers.
I put together my play list last night and have 5.9 hours of music. The reality is I'll probably play a lot of the same songs over and over. Some of them never get old and always cheer up the walkers. At least I think they do.
97 songs...that doesn't seem like that would be almost 6 hours, but iTunes would never lie.
The weather is looking like its going to be less than cooperative. Rain is in the forecast...which makes it very difficult to put the top down on Sparky, decorate, and play loud music to help cheer on the walkers.
I put together my play list last night and have 5.9 hours of music. The reality is I'll probably play a lot of the same songs over and over. Some of them never get old and always cheer up the walkers. At least I think they do.
97 songs...that doesn't seem like that would be almost 6 hours, but iTunes would never lie.
- I got a feeling
- I'm a believer
- Blurred lines
- Because we can
- Remix
- Brave
- Roar
- I love it
- Girls just wanna have fun
- Play that funky music
- what makes you beautiful
- brighter than the sun
- good life
- edge of glory
- club can't handle me
- We got the beat
- good time
- raise your glass
- get the party started
- mararena
- greatest American hero
- love shack
- time warp
- beautiful day
- the sound of sunshine
- walking on sunshine
- stronger
- life is a highway
- starships
- party rock anthem
- Oh pretty woman
- we are family
- respect
- walk like an Egyptian
- I get around
- eye of the tiger
- get back
- dreams
- ice ice baby ( I usually skip this song...maybe it should go)
- c'mon get happy
- wonder woman
- we're not gonna take it
- firework
- bone this way
- ladies night
- born this way
- vogue
- these boots are made for walking
- you get what you give
- dynamite
- xanadu
- let's go crazy
- la bomba
- I'm gonna be (500 miles)
- we found love
- the warrior
- I got you babe
- YMCA
- blister in the sun
- when we stand together
- bad romance
- express yourself
- glad you came
- hey soul sister
- hooked on a feeling
- holding out for a hero
- just can't get enough
- feel again
- livin' on a prayer
- tubthumping
- man I feel like a woman
- this is the new year
- feel so close
- working on a dream
- 99 words for boobs
- sisters are doin' it themselves
- on the road again
- here I go again
- wake me up before you go-go
- jump
- brown eyed girl
- mickey
- that's not my name
- once in a lifetime
- I wish
- gimme some loving
- soak up the sun
- up
- back in time
- superman theme
- safety dance
- sexy back
- freeze frame
- hollaback girl
- all shook up
- let's get rocked
- I think I love you
Saturday, September 07, 2013
To Infinity and beyond...
If I could label this summer as anything, I'd label it the Summer of Mt. Rainer. I've lived in the Seattle area since 1991 and I've never made it to Mt. Rainer. Now in one summer, I went three times. I guess when I decide I want to do something I do it.
In July, I took a trip with Mrs. Landlord to Sunrise - one side of Mt. Rainer. Sunrise was spectacular. Its hard to find anything ugly in such beauty. And hard to take a bad photo.
Another friend who's unfortunately moving back to Chi town wanted to see Mt. Rainer before she moved back. We picked a date and we were off. The plan was simple, I'd pick H up in Renton and we'd hit the open road - stopping for breakfast first of course. The plan was to do the Paradise side of the mountain.
After breakfast at a pancake place, from where H, thankfully, took her left over blueberry pancakes with her (it'll become important to the store later). We had a map, and H was to be the navigator. She expressed to me early on that she wasn't the best navigator, but I felt we'd be fine. Having already done the Sunrise side, I figured out the important stuff was marked.
We were off.
Our first stop after entering the park was this "creek" bed of Kautz Creek. We hopped out of Sparky and peered over the side. H determined we needed to "hike" down to the river bed. "Look", she said, "a trail." So over we went. And it was a very nice, rocky trail. The river bed was full of rocks and it was clear that this bed was one that would flood if Mt. Rainer did explode. I hoped that wouldn't happen today.
As we walked, I turned to see what was behind me and was greeted with this.
Wow. Just wow. The sky was blue, the mountain was out and it was a beautiful sight. We walked a bit farther and saw the river that was running through it. There was a little log foot bridge that I chose to not cross, but needed a photo on it all the same.
Then it was back in to Sparky. Next stop, Christine Falls. We found parking right away here, and were amazed at how many people were down by the falls. There didn't seem to be as many cars for all the people. And of the people down there was a family that felt the falls belonged to them. We stood and waited a good 20 minutes for this family to take multiple photos of every single member of their extended family that was there. Multiple combinations ... oy. Finally, we just stepped in to take our photos.
It was a pretty bright day which made it hard with the shadows to get a good shot of the falls. But trust me, they were pretty cool looking.
According to the print out I brought that told us what to see, the next stop was Narada Falls. Again, once out of the car we figured we couldn't not walk down to the bottom to see the falls. That was, after all, what we were there to do. See the sights. And so we began our .1 mile decent to the bottom of the falls.
As we were going down I noted that this was a pretty steep path and that coming back up was going to be hell. I would be proven right with that, but it was well worth it.
The hike up I would later start to call the Narada Fall Death March. Good Lord it was a steep climb. Granted if I was in better shape it wouldn't have bothered me at all. H kept saying since she was a 3 day walker it was considered training.
Driving the loop we stopped, yet again to get a glorious photo of the mountain. It's just so beautiful. I couldn't stop taking pictures.
Oh and the gratuitous photo of Sparky. The mountain is back there, I swear.
Finally we made it to Paradise. Paradise is one of the many locations hikers and climbers start. It's got a couple of trail heads, and a ton of people milling about. As we sat in line to park though, everyone kinda stopped rolling forward and were craning their necks to see something. I had the camera in hand and was wow'd when I noticed about 2 feet from Sparky was a fawn. Just walking along the road.
H got a better photo of this little guy. I didn't see mama, but hoped she wasn't too far.
Once we parked, we wandered around some and finally decided we were both hungry enough to eat. As we sat and ate a VERY expensive roast beef sandwich, I took shot after shot of the mountain. The clouds were rolling in and out as we sat there. It was pretty darn cool to watch.
Finally after seeing enough of the mountain we hopped back in to Sparky and headed out. About 15 miles from Paradise, I decided to turn on the tunes and we'd have a little sing along. "Good Life" was playing when disaster struck.
I hit a rock in the road. A small, but large, pointy rock. Blew out Sparky's tire. H indicated that I should probably pull over, and by the grace of God there was a pull out there on this two lane road.
We both were relatively relaxed and figured we were smart enough girls to change a tire.
Getting out of Sparky to inspect the damage, it was clear the "fix a flat" wasn't going to work.
So I popped the trunk, pulled everything out, flipped open the lid that hid the spare and stood there dumbfounded...I didn't have a spare. No spare. What kind of car doesn't come with a spare?
No worries, I figured I had Ford Roadside assistance. We'd just call them and they'd come to get us. I whipped out my cell...no service.
Gulp!
I asked H if she had service. Nothing. We were stuck. Stranded. Flat tire, no spare and no method of calling anyone. I didn't panic just yet.
We got back in the car and H says, "Well at least we have my blueberry pancakes if we get hungry." She did a quick check of her back pack to see what other vittles we might need. I think she thought we were going to be there for a while. Thank GOD we ate at Paradise though.
After a short bit, I hopped out to start flagging down cars. Finally a truck pulled over and we wanted to check to see if they had service. They didn't. They did say they'd drive to the top of the pass and see if they had service. If they did, they'd call 911. Oh goody.
Back in the car we sat. Trying to decide what we should do. We discussed how one would tell whether a person you pull over would be a serial killer or not. We discussed if it was safer to pull over a man, a woman, or both. We discussed the captain going down with the ship. Which was quickly changed to "leave no man behind."
Finally, we started flagging cars down again. As luck would have it, H managed to flag down a ranger. Relief. They called for a tow truck out of a local town about 20 minutes away. They left - but before they left I asked them to send a ranger back by in an hour in case the tow truck didn't show up.
Back in the car H and started discussing the safety of a tow truck driver from a small town. We speculated he'd be dirty, smelly and unshaven. She then said I got to sit in the middle next to the truck driver.
H also started reading from the newspaper they give you when you enter the park. Specifically she was reading about bear attacks and how to avoid them. Followed by mountain lion attacks and how to avoid them. I was pretty sure we'd die if either decided to walk past us on the road. Though we could have given them the blueberry pancakes I suppose.
We sat. And we waited. And we waited some more. About the time we were starting to think nothing was coming, this BIG RED tow truck pulled up behind us. And out came Jim.
I had never been so glad to see some guy named Jim driving a big red tow truck in all my life.
He hooked Sparky up and we were off. A 30 minute drive to Packwood where Jim "hoped" he had a tire he could put on the car. If not, we'd have to figure out how we'd get home. It meant a call to H's husband who'd be thrilled I'm sure to drive to Packwood to get us.
Turns out Jim did have the tire and so he started the process of putting a new tire on Sparky. I bought two new tires because I've always been told that's what you should do. Never buy just one new tire. H indicated it would be better to give Jim our business than some Ford dealership.
So 2 hours later, Sparky got two new pairs of shoes, I was out almost $600, and we had one heck of a story.
Before we hit the road though, we thought it best to 1) pee and 2) stop to get rations just in case.
The rest of the ride home was rather boring after that little adventure. H was right, she'd have a heck of a story about going to Mt. Rainer in a flashy sports car without a spare.
Did some research when I got home and turns out a lot of new cars do not come with spare tires. Check your car. I now need to buy a spare and a jack. It dawned on me too late that I should have had Jim throw the good tire in the back. Then all I would have needed was a rim. But oh well. We made it alive.
In July, I took a trip with Mrs. Landlord to Sunrise - one side of Mt. Rainer. Sunrise was spectacular. Its hard to find anything ugly in such beauty. And hard to take a bad photo.
Another friend who's unfortunately moving back to Chi town wanted to see Mt. Rainer before she moved back. We picked a date and we were off. The plan was simple, I'd pick H up in Renton and we'd hit the open road - stopping for breakfast first of course. The plan was to do the Paradise side of the mountain.
After breakfast at a pancake place, from where H, thankfully, took her left over blueberry pancakes with her (it'll become important to the store later). We had a map, and H was to be the navigator. She expressed to me early on that she wasn't the best navigator, but I felt we'd be fine. Having already done the Sunrise side, I figured out the important stuff was marked.
We were off.
Our first stop after entering the park was this "creek" bed of Kautz Creek. We hopped out of Sparky and peered over the side. H determined we needed to "hike" down to the river bed. "Look", she said, "a trail." So over we went. And it was a very nice, rocky trail. The river bed was full of rocks and it was clear that this bed was one that would flood if Mt. Rainer did explode. I hoped that wouldn't happen today.
As we walked, I turned to see what was behind me and was greeted with this.
Wow. Just wow. The sky was blue, the mountain was out and it was a beautiful sight. We walked a bit farther and saw the river that was running through it. There was a little log foot bridge that I chose to not cross, but needed a photo on it all the same.
Then it was back in to Sparky. Next stop, Christine Falls. We found parking right away here, and were amazed at how many people were down by the falls. There didn't seem to be as many cars for all the people. And of the people down there was a family that felt the falls belonged to them. We stood and waited a good 20 minutes for this family to take multiple photos of every single member of their extended family that was there. Multiple combinations ... oy. Finally, we just stepped in to take our photos.
It was a pretty bright day which made it hard with the shadows to get a good shot of the falls. But trust me, they were pretty cool looking.
According to the print out I brought that told us what to see, the next stop was Narada Falls. Again, once out of the car we figured we couldn't not walk down to the bottom to see the falls. That was, after all, what we were there to do. See the sights. And so we began our .1 mile decent to the bottom of the falls.
As we were going down I noted that this was a pretty steep path and that coming back up was going to be hell. I would be proven right with that, but it was well worth it.
 |
| See the rainbow? The sign said if you "catch it just right" you can see the rainbow. Apparently we caught it just right. |
The hike up I would later start to call the Narada Fall Death March. Good Lord it was a steep climb. Granted if I was in better shape it wouldn't have bothered me at all. H kept saying since she was a 3 day walker it was considered training.
Driving the loop we stopped, yet again to get a glorious photo of the mountain. It's just so beautiful. I couldn't stop taking pictures.
Oh and the gratuitous photo of Sparky. The mountain is back there, I swear.
Finally we made it to Paradise. Paradise is one of the many locations hikers and climbers start. It's got a couple of trail heads, and a ton of people milling about. As we sat in line to park though, everyone kinda stopped rolling forward and were craning their necks to see something. I had the camera in hand and was wow'd when I noticed about 2 feet from Sparky was a fawn. Just walking along the road.
H got a better photo of this little guy. I didn't see mama, but hoped she wasn't too far.
Once we parked, we wandered around some and finally decided we were both hungry enough to eat. As we sat and ate a VERY expensive roast beef sandwich, I took shot after shot of the mountain. The clouds were rolling in and out as we sat there. It was pretty darn cool to watch.
I hit a rock in the road. A small, but large, pointy rock. Blew out Sparky's tire. H indicated that I should probably pull over, and by the grace of God there was a pull out there on this two lane road.
We both were relatively relaxed and figured we were smart enough girls to change a tire.
Getting out of Sparky to inspect the damage, it was clear the "fix a flat" wasn't going to work.
So I popped the trunk, pulled everything out, flipped open the lid that hid the spare and stood there dumbfounded...I didn't have a spare. No spare. What kind of car doesn't come with a spare?
No worries, I figured I had Ford Roadside assistance. We'd just call them and they'd come to get us. I whipped out my cell...no service.
Gulp!
I asked H if she had service. Nothing. We were stuck. Stranded. Flat tire, no spare and no method of calling anyone. I didn't panic just yet.
We got back in the car and H says, "Well at least we have my blueberry pancakes if we get hungry." She did a quick check of her back pack to see what other vittles we might need. I think she thought we were going to be there for a while. Thank GOD we ate at Paradise though.
After a short bit, I hopped out to start flagging down cars. Finally a truck pulled over and we wanted to check to see if they had service. They didn't. They did say they'd drive to the top of the pass and see if they had service. If they did, they'd call 911. Oh goody.
Back in the car we sat. Trying to decide what we should do. We discussed how one would tell whether a person you pull over would be a serial killer or not. We discussed if it was safer to pull over a man, a woman, or both. We discussed the captain going down with the ship. Which was quickly changed to "leave no man behind."
Finally, we started flagging cars down again. As luck would have it, H managed to flag down a ranger. Relief. They called for a tow truck out of a local town about 20 minutes away. They left - but before they left I asked them to send a ranger back by in an hour in case the tow truck didn't show up.
Back in the car H and started discussing the safety of a tow truck driver from a small town. We speculated he'd be dirty, smelly and unshaven. She then said I got to sit in the middle next to the truck driver.
H also started reading from the newspaper they give you when you enter the park. Specifically she was reading about bear attacks and how to avoid them. Followed by mountain lion attacks and how to avoid them. I was pretty sure we'd die if either decided to walk past us on the road. Though we could have given them the blueberry pancakes I suppose.
We sat. And we waited. And we waited some more. About the time we were starting to think nothing was coming, this BIG RED tow truck pulled up behind us. And out came Jim.
I had never been so glad to see some guy named Jim driving a big red tow truck in all my life.
Turns out Jim did have the tire and so he started the process of putting a new tire on Sparky. I bought two new tires because I've always been told that's what you should do. Never buy just one new tire. H indicated it would be better to give Jim our business than some Ford dealership.
So 2 hours later, Sparky got two new pairs of shoes, I was out almost $600, and we had one heck of a story.
Before we hit the road though, we thought it best to 1) pee and 2) stop to get rations just in case.
The rest of the ride home was rather boring after that little adventure. H was right, she'd have a heck of a story about going to Mt. Rainer in a flashy sports car without a spare.
Did some research when I got home and turns out a lot of new cars do not come with spare tires. Check your car. I now need to buy a spare and a jack. It dawned on me too late that I should have had Jim throw the good tire in the back. Then all I would have needed was a rim. But oh well. We made it alive.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Long, Long, time
Wow. Just wow. I can't believe how long it's been since I last wrote. I really have no excuse other than - well - I've had too much to say I think. And because of that I stop talking. It sounds good doesn't it.
It may also be the new job. There's something about learning new stuff that makes me come home and be tired. The job is going great and I feel like I'm home again. It's 100% project management and it feels in a hole I hadn't realized was vacant.
In other news, frankly I'm not really sure how to say this. I guess the best way is to come out with it. I still may be slightly in denial and so am slowly coming to grips with this. I'm sure you'll be as stunned as I was to get the new. My BigBro has cancer.
It's okay. You can gasp. I did. Of course after I gasped, the gasping was the loss of air that had been knocked out of me. Even just typing it I'm still unsure that it's happening.
BigBro had been experiencing a persistent, and pesky cough for a couple of months. Doctors diagnosed it as pneumonia. He had all the symptoms. It was a fair diagnosis. It wouldn't go away. And being a good patient he pushed his doctor to do some more tests.
More tests and more tests and later we know that BigBro has Stage IV kidney cancer in his right kidney - and unfortunately it's moved to the lungs as well. On top of all that, what BigBro thought was a pulled butt muscle turned out to be a spot on the top of his femoral bone in the hip.
I know. Take a moment and take that in. I've had several moments. And I still can't type it or say it without a small amount of denial.
And yet, I know its real. It serious and it's real.
So what's next? Well, if there can be some silver linings in the cancer story, it appears to be all the same cancer and we've been told that since it started in the kidney and moved from there, there's a better survival rate. This Wednesday, Aug 28th, BigBro will be in surgery to remove his right kidney. Once the doctors can do some pathology they can better determine the chemo/radiation plan.
BigBro is showing all signs of positive attitude. He's in project management mode ... just wants to get 'er done. I wonder if he thinks if he keeps upbeat the rest of us will follow.
As for me, I'm choosing to be very positive about this. Thinking back 10 years when we had to deal with Blueberry and cancer I handled that entirely different. I took the emotional route. I did a lot of "what if's" and what not's. It was a horribly dark route to take. Now 10 years later we know more, we have a bigger support network, and well, we're all more mature. I'm facing this with an attitude of "just the facts mam". I'm doing my best to just listen to the fact, and work from there.
That doesn't mean, by any stretch, that I'm not reeling inside and am a bit heartbroken at the prospect of my BigBro dealing with cancer.
We've created a Caring Bridge that will be used to keep everyone up to date. You can check it or check back here as I'm sure I'll be filling you in.
So what can you do for me? You can live your life and tell the one's you love just how much you love them. Too quickly life can turn on a dime. Oh and never EVER give up an opportunity to pee. I'm just sayin'.
It may also be the new job. There's something about learning new stuff that makes me come home and be tired. The job is going great and I feel like I'm home again. It's 100% project management and it feels in a hole I hadn't realized was vacant.
In other news, frankly I'm not really sure how to say this. I guess the best way is to come out with it. I still may be slightly in denial and so am slowly coming to grips with this. I'm sure you'll be as stunned as I was to get the new. My BigBro has cancer.
It's okay. You can gasp. I did. Of course after I gasped, the gasping was the loss of air that had been knocked out of me. Even just typing it I'm still unsure that it's happening.
BigBro had been experiencing a persistent, and pesky cough for a couple of months. Doctors diagnosed it as pneumonia. He had all the symptoms. It was a fair diagnosis. It wouldn't go away. And being a good patient he pushed his doctor to do some more tests.
More tests and more tests and later we know that BigBro has Stage IV kidney cancer in his right kidney - and unfortunately it's moved to the lungs as well. On top of all that, what BigBro thought was a pulled butt muscle turned out to be a spot on the top of his femoral bone in the hip.
I know. Take a moment and take that in. I've had several moments. And I still can't type it or say it without a small amount of denial.
And yet, I know its real. It serious and it's real.
So what's next? Well, if there can be some silver linings in the cancer story, it appears to be all the same cancer and we've been told that since it started in the kidney and moved from there, there's a better survival rate. This Wednesday, Aug 28th, BigBro will be in surgery to remove his right kidney. Once the doctors can do some pathology they can better determine the chemo/radiation plan.
BigBro is showing all signs of positive attitude. He's in project management mode ... just wants to get 'er done. I wonder if he thinks if he keeps upbeat the rest of us will follow.
As for me, I'm choosing to be very positive about this. Thinking back 10 years when we had to deal with Blueberry and cancer I handled that entirely different. I took the emotional route. I did a lot of "what if's" and what not's. It was a horribly dark route to take. Now 10 years later we know more, we have a bigger support network, and well, we're all more mature. I'm facing this with an attitude of "just the facts mam". I'm doing my best to just listen to the fact, and work from there.
That doesn't mean, by any stretch, that I'm not reeling inside and am a bit heartbroken at the prospect of my BigBro dealing with cancer.
We've created a Caring Bridge that will be used to keep everyone up to date. You can check it or check back here as I'm sure I'll be filling you in.
So what can you do for me? You can live your life and tell the one's you love just how much you love them. Too quickly life can turn on a dime. Oh and never EVER give up an opportunity to pee. I'm just sayin'.
Monday, August 12, 2013
August Sunday Dinner
Wow, I hadn't realized I hadn't posted for so long. Sorry about that. Things have been a bit crazy lately - I'll go into that later.
First let's review the weekend - backwards.
Last night was the 3 year anniversary of Sunday dinners. Its hard to believe that something I thought up while being bored at work has now gone on for 3 years. It's been a blast. Tons of fabulous memories. I love that each month it's almost guaranteed I'm going to see most of my favorite people.
The first invite list went out to 40+ people. My first Sunday dinner was 5 of us. My friend Heidi, her BF at the time, Blueberry, and I think the Pantry Goat was there. We BBQ'd and ate at the table.
Since then it's blossomed into guests from 6-14 at any given Sunday. I've tried a ton of new recipes, and have found a few go-to ones.
Now 3 years later - I have a nice little rhythm.
Last night I did "Make-Your-Own" French bread Pizzas. I got focaccia bread for the "French bread" and oh man was it good. I had WAY too many toppings but I'll use them in salads etc for the next couple of weeks.
Dessert I made 'Smore Dip. OMG...let's just take a moment to take that in. SMORES DIP.
I turned my back for a minute and almost - well did - burn the marshmallows. Still it smelled like a campground and tasted like 'smores. Delicious.
The "Make-Your-Own concept was new to my guests. They're used to me making their meals for them. They didn't complain, well one did but we'll ignore that. They all played along with me and piled their bread high with toppings.
It turns out that I'm a meat lover when it comes to pizzas too. I had three veggies: onions ( a must on any pizza), mushrooms (PhotoGirl asked why you would ruin a good pizza with mushrooms), and bell peppers (not for me, but for the few who like them - weirdos). Oh and olives - are they a veggie? The rest was all meat: pepperoni, Genoa salami, sausage, and Canadian bacon). Delish. And let's not forget the cheese. How best to put it all together was a topic and it was interesting to see most of us pile it about the same way. The sauce, a small bed of cheese, the toppings, and a bit more cheese on top for good measure.
See! Look at those topped pizzas. It was a bit hard to remember who's was who's when they came out of the oven. Luckily they were mostly the same. Except for the odd few who put peppers on their pizzas.
At the end of the night I had well fed, happy campers.
I don't know why I bother taking a normal shot. I almost always only use the "abby" normal shot. Still it's a fun tradition. I forgot the duck again in this photo. The cats can be this month's "duck".
It was decided that Sunday dinners are now going to go mobile. Each month if another guest wants to have Sunday dinner at their house, then so be it. Next month, Sunday dinner at The Yank's and PhotoGirl's house...and they're making carnitas. In fact, their discussion about carnitas is what got this idea off the ground.
This should be fun. I can't wait to see this new version of Sunday Dinners. It'll be Sunday Dinner 2.0.
In other sad, not related to Sunday dinner, news, my Uncle Bob passed away last night. He's The MomUnit's brother. He's the second of her siblings to pass and with each passing it's sadder and sadder to see another generation dying off. As a young person you never really think about your family dying. And as you get older and experience it, it dawns on you that they won't be there forever.
I didn't know Uncle Bob very well. I wish I did. We didn't spend a lot of time with the MomUnit's family. We moved a lot when I was a kid, and then with Dad it was the Wraspir's first almost always. I don't begrudge that, but wish I had a chance to know my mom's family a bit more. I suppose there's nothing stopping me from knowing them now.
First let's review the weekend - backwards.
Last night was the 3 year anniversary of Sunday dinners. Its hard to believe that something I thought up while being bored at work has now gone on for 3 years. It's been a blast. Tons of fabulous memories. I love that each month it's almost guaranteed I'm going to see most of my favorite people.
The first invite list went out to 40+ people. My first Sunday dinner was 5 of us. My friend Heidi, her BF at the time, Blueberry, and I think the Pantry Goat was there. We BBQ'd and ate at the table.
Since then it's blossomed into guests from 6-14 at any given Sunday. I've tried a ton of new recipes, and have found a few go-to ones.
Now 3 years later - I have a nice little rhythm.
Last night I did "Make-Your-Own" French bread Pizzas. I got focaccia bread for the "French bread" and oh man was it good. I had WAY too many toppings but I'll use them in salads etc for the next couple of weeks.
Dessert I made 'Smore Dip. OMG...let's just take a moment to take that in. SMORES DIP.
I turned my back for a minute and almost - well did - burn the marshmallows. Still it smelled like a campground and tasted like 'smores. Delicious.
The "Make-Your-Own concept was new to my guests. They're used to me making their meals for them. They didn't complain, well one did but we'll ignore that. They all played along with me and piled their bread high with toppings.
It turns out that I'm a meat lover when it comes to pizzas too. I had three veggies: onions ( a must on any pizza), mushrooms (PhotoGirl asked why you would ruin a good pizza with mushrooms), and bell peppers (not for me, but for the few who like them - weirdos). Oh and olives - are they a veggie? The rest was all meat: pepperoni, Genoa salami, sausage, and Canadian bacon). Delish. And let's not forget the cheese. How best to put it all together was a topic and it was interesting to see most of us pile it about the same way. The sauce, a small bed of cheese, the toppings, and a bit more cheese on top for good measure.
See! Look at those topped pizzas. It was a bit hard to remember who's was who's when they came out of the oven. Luckily they were mostly the same. Except for the odd few who put peppers on their pizzas.
At the end of the night I had well fed, happy campers.
It was decided that Sunday dinners are now going to go mobile. Each month if another guest wants to have Sunday dinner at their house, then so be it. Next month, Sunday dinner at The Yank's and PhotoGirl's house...and they're making carnitas. In fact, their discussion about carnitas is what got this idea off the ground.
This should be fun. I can't wait to see this new version of Sunday Dinners. It'll be Sunday Dinner 2.0.
In other sad, not related to Sunday dinner, news, my Uncle Bob passed away last night. He's The MomUnit's brother. He's the second of her siblings to pass and with each passing it's sadder and sadder to see another generation dying off. As a young person you never really think about your family dying. And as you get older and experience it, it dawns on you that they won't be there forever.
I didn't know Uncle Bob very well. I wish I did. We didn't spend a lot of time with the MomUnit's family. We moved a lot when I was a kid, and then with Dad it was the Wraspir's first almost always. I don't begrudge that, but wish I had a chance to know my mom's family a bit more. I suppose there's nothing stopping me from knowing them now.