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July 26, 2007
Tagged
I have been Tagged by Ms. Post No Bills. So here we go!
1. We have to post these rules before we give you the facts.
2. Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they're tagged, and to read your blog.
Eight things?
1) I am a rule follower. For years I thought I was a foot loose and fancy free person. It's hard to imagine a person being more wrong about themselves. I like having rules and I like people to respect them. That said I also believe in having lots of room for creativity and an open ear to knew ideas. I know, it doesn't make much sense.
2) I have a special love for posted rules on the DC Metro system. Frankly, they make that whole system worth using -- which is why I nearly lost is when I saw a young woman standing on the platform at Dupont yesterday holding a waffle cone. What?! Are you telling me she isn't going to lick that thing during her trip? Lies! No food on the Metro!
3) I have a new secret (well now not so much) obsession. Going to Walt Disney World. I have never been and was totally jipped out of a trip as a little kid (long story). So now I am planning a trip with Flounder for February 2009. It's a long way off I know, but I am using the trip as an incentive to lose weight. I know this isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I am really looking forward it.
4) I love me some Mythbusters! I find Adam, Jamie and the crew to be both entertaining and informative. I even like it when they blow stuff up!
5) I wish I had Ms. Post No Bills willingness to bare all on her blog. I think she's very brave. And I regret that we have grown apart.
6) Despite my new obsession with Walt Disney World, I am determined not to become (forgive me if I offend any of you out there) and 30+ lady who wears Pooh Bear overalls. Not gonna happen. Just like when I started quilting I promised not to wear appliqued sweatshirts. I am looking to improve me wardrobe as I lose weight not dame myself to fashion hell.
7) I have loved all of the Pixar films except Moster Inc. and Cars. Those two were nice, but didn't really do it for me.
8) Since I started trying to battle the bulge a few years ago I have been worried about ending up trim and health, but saggy. You know what I mean. Let's face it a woman on the verge of 30 isn't going to have skin that snaps back like that of a 20 year olf gymnast after she's lost 150 lbs! But with time an a little maturaty I have decided I don't care. I would rather be saggy than fat. After all what is shapewear for anyway?
Done! Now ms. PNB has tagged most of the people I no that have blogs so I am going to reach out a little further to a few people I don't actually know. Bold! I tag:
Mr. A Prize in Every Box
Ms. Jords
Mr. Der Flounder
Now for the Strangers!
Ms. Shauny
Mr. El Guapo (Yes, I am just that BOLD!)
Ms. Hey Peaches
Ms. CreamPuff Revolution
Ms. Quilt While You're Ahead
July 25, 2007
No Spoilers Here
There is an upside to the suffering that accompanies the sinus infection and bronchial inflamation that JUST WON'T DIE! I have finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I am eager to discuss it, but won't do that here -- I would hate to add to all the spoilers already ruling the internet (ahem, wikipedia!). I will vent my feelings and opinions Saturday night with a group of friends who have also finished the book. I can't wait.
As I mentioned a few days ago, our kitchen cabinets are coming down. The process is starting today and Beau is working against a deadline to get the cabinets down. The new cabinets will be delivered next Tuesday. The clock is ticking! I will net be pleased if our home is taken over by boxes of cabinets for more than a few days.I was pretty amazed how much out kitchen cabinets contained. I have weeded out 2 bags of stuff to give away and I am sure there will be much more to come. I did take "before" photos so I will have to share those along with the "after" photos in the coming weeks.
Also it is time to get the paint brushes out. In addition to needing to paint both of the bathrooms as well as the kitchen when it's done, we will also need to stain the new bannister that Beau has installed. Anyone have a deft painting wrist and some spare time?
Quote of the Day:
Well done is better than well said.
-Benjamin Franklin
July 20, 2007
Kicking Off Kitchen Chaos
Let the madness begin!
Beau has been working on both top floor bathrooms and various other projects including installing new entry doors and a new banister over the last 6 weeks. Now that the bathrooms are complete except for the painting (which Flounder and I will do) it's time to start the kitchen!
We are replacing the cabinets, counters, stove, rearranging the kitchen layout and installing a new over-stove microwave and painting the whole space. It's very exciting and going to be a Big Mess for probably about a month. The demolition will start on Monday, which means Flounder and I will be emptying the kitchen this weekend. I am not really looking forward to storing my kitchen ware and what not in the basement! I know that Signe and anyone else who has undertaken kitchen improvements can feel my pain. But really I am not complaining, just trying to wrap my head around what to expect in the coming weeks. I am just beyond excited about the new, better organized, functional kitchen that we will have once it's done.
The timing couldn't be more perfect since Mi Mama had officially handed me the reins of cooking our family Thanksgiving mean. *sigh* I can't wait to use the new stove!
Speaking of cooking...I am loath to even bring it up here but I feel I must. I am joining Weight Watchers again this weekend. My road to weight loss has been a very rocky one, as you probably know. I have tended to share more of my successes then my set backs in this space, but I can say today that it is painful to me to know how much time I have spent striving toward losing weight and how much time I have wasted backsliding. It's embarrassing. But I have to move forward, so there you go. Weight Watchers worked well for me last time (as long as I stayed focused) until I decided the process was taking too long and upped the ante with a more drastic program. So I am back to this old standby that allows the client to eat real food and hopfully learn the skills needed to keep it off. Please cross your fingers, I will need the good luck!
And with that I will wrap up the last of three blog entries for today. When it rains it pours I guess.
Posted by La at 11:41 AM | Comments (1)Not A Good Way To Start
I have worked in downtown DC for 9 years and counting. I have learned to head the little warning signs that tip me off that my day may not go as smoothly as I would like. Little things like a low iPod battery, a missing shoe or traffic backup can really throw off my morning. Once in the office I dread seeing the blinking voice mail light on my phone. That's rarely a good sign.
Lately though it's been the Metro trains that have been giving me pause. Several days in a row now that Silver Spring train on the Red line has been speeding through the Medical Center station without stopping. The lights are on. The train is in service and passangers are riding but apparently it just isn't going to stop. Why, oh why? This disruption means that the regular trains are more crowded and frankly unpleasent. It may not be a bad omen for the day, but it is an irritation in the middle of my commute.
I have scoured the WMATA website to no avail. I can't find any reason for this new train pattern, but I really hope this is a short term change. If this station-skipping practice continues into the fall the Metro authorities will be feeling my wrath.
Posted by La at 10:46 AM | Comments (0)July 19, 2007
Country Road, Green Pastures
Last Friday we got the sad news that Flounder's Paw Paw passed away. I never had the chance to meet Flounder's maternal patriarch, but I did speak to him a few times on the phone. By the time I entered the picture he was already settled into his Nineties. Paw Paw passed in the best possible circumstances in my opinion, he was 97, not in pain and surrounded by his family.
Flounder and I got on the road Saturday morning for the 10 hour drive it would take to deliver us to Louisville, Kentucky where Paw Paw was laid to rest. The whole clan was gathered together to honor the patriarch's life and draw support from one another. I was actually surprised how up-beat much of the family managed to remain. This was my first chance to meet several of the cousins, aunts and uncles of Flounder and I would certainly say that the viewing and funeral were more a celebration of Paw Paw's life then a ceremony of last rites -- at least in my experience. He has lived a good, long life and most felt it was sad to lose him, but good to see him at rest. I was sad to miss the opportunity to really know the man, but the stories I heard about his life shed new light on the family history for me. I guess it was about as good as a funeral can get.
As you can imagine the whole event was draining for everyone involved. It basically took a full day to get there and a full day to get back. Amazingly Flounder and I managed to remain positive through the day long drives and arrived home very glad to be there. West Virginia with it's rolling mountains and wooded hills were particularly trying. The long haul truckers got a lot of sympathy from me this trip.
The Ups? Meeting new family, the giant tub in our hotel room, feeling included in the celebration and Sonic Fresh Fruit Slush (which is not really "fresh" by any standard, but is delish!)
The Downs? Saying goodbye to someone I never new, the mountains of WV, spending so much time with so many new people and regretfully eating nary a green veggie in 4 days.
Quote of the Day:
A sense of duty is useful in work, but offensive in personal relations. People wish to be liked, not be endured with patient resignation.
-Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970)
July 11, 2007
R&R
We are back from vacation and we had a smashing time. I can't remember the last time I slept so much. 8-10 hours of sleep each night. Heaven! But our trip was far from all sleeping -- though it was mostly restful.
Since Flounder had never before visited the Delaware/Maryland shore, so the first day I gave him the Grand Tour. We drove north and started the tour in Lewes, DE.
It's a darling little town and we especially enjoyed learning about the local history at the Zwaanendael Museum. The museum building is modeled after the City Hall in Hoorn, the Netherlands.
We checked out the beach town of Bethany, then continued down the costal highway to Fenwick Island, DE. I have spent many a long weekend in Fenwick Island with Ms. PNB so I knew well that there was one thing I needed to introduce to Flounder -- Fisher's Caramel Popcorn. Along side the popcorn stand loomed Viking Mini-Golf. Flounder was intrigued, so we played a round. I have driven by this mini-golf course many time, but never stopped to play. It was hokie and the theme was not all together complete, but it was an easy course and we enjoyed ourselves.
Check out the size of tree stump shaped troll hovel. It makes Flounder look like a bug.
Also impressive is the two headed smoke spewing dragon guarding it's eggs by a water fall.
Before we left the course Flounder had to take a email break using his new iPhone. Doesn't he look happy?
We ended up enjoying dinner at Tequila Mockingbird and driving through Ocean City before returning to the condo. This is the best documented day of our trip.
Later in the week we picked up a delightful kite a the Kite Loft. I am not sure which Flounder enjoyed more, the new iPhone or the new kite. Let's call it a draw.
Quote of the Day:
"Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country."
-Anais Nin
