Luggage & Assorted Carry-On

I've Moved!

2009-04-08T20:11:00.001-07:00

Hello! I have a new site ~ www.leighhays.com. Please visit me there!

Resolutions or Something Like 'em

2009-01-02T10:13:00.000-08:00

I don't publish resolutions typically. In the past they have been half-hearted or things I thought I should do versus things I was passionate about doing. But every year - I do think about the year going out and the year going in. I make pledges to do a few things differently - or to at least explore the possibilities to see if they work for me. And I guess the word 'resolutions' seems to translate to FAILURE so I prefer to call 'em goals.

In 2008, I set for myself the goal to be a bit greener and to reduce my carbon footprint. I was empowered to do so knowing that just a few small changes DO make a difference. And while I did contemplate adding solar panels to the dogs' backs and figuring away to harness Gus' gas for energy - it seemed too much to take on right away. I started small and set the goal to add 8 things to my routine that I could easily live with that would make a difference. And I went beyond those 8 things quite easily & eagerly. I won't go into detail b/c it's probably boring to the few readers I might have out there. But I am proud to say that the contents of my garbage can have been reduced greatly and the contents of my recycling bin have greatly increased.

In 2009, I am going to read 50 books. For those of you out there - doing math - that would be an average of 1 a week. I love to read and have found myself straying from reading for a lot of lackluster reasons that would just look ridiculous if I typed them onto the page. The only one worth it's weight is the changes of my eye sight. But I have that one taken care of so there is no reason NOT to bring books back into my life. And for a person who in the past easily read 1-2 books a week, 1 week is doable. I have a stack of books on my shelves that I have been meaning to read for the past few years - so I will go through them as well as a few classics I found on Random Houses 100 Best Novels list. If you have any favorites you think I should add to my list - I would love to hear what they are.

Cheers to 2009! A year of possibilities ~ prosperity, peace, love & health.

One month later

2008-08-25T18:03:00.001-07:00

It seems a month has flown by since I last wrote here. I have had good intentions just not delivered.

Dagny turned 10 this month. But those are people years so if you are doing your math - she is 70 years old in canine years. She rang in this happy occassion with a new earthdog collar and matching leash in the Demeter pattern. She looks great in it and not your typical old dog mauve. We'll got a shot for you soon. I see signs of her aging - not just with the occasional hip pain and the incontent meds but her hearing & smelling senses are dulling. I am always amazed at the new toys I bring home for Gus that she LOVES and sends me back to purchase a duplicate. While they share toys and she isn't allowed to steal from Gus (he wouldn't THINK of trying to steal from her) - it is best if on certain toys there are two. Even if somehow Dagny manages to grab them both onto her bed and maintain possession.

Gus was neutered last Tuesday. Two of his litter mates were being neutered/spayed on the same day. Gus had a good 10 lbs on them and tipped the scales at 51 lbs. Per the vet - he had "the largest testicles of the day and he held onto them". Holding onto them will make the men reading this cringe but it translates to more post surgery swelling and bruising and the greater need to be still and heal. He is recovering just fine but has oodles of energy and doesn't seem to get he is supposed to be taking it easy. He learned to jump on my bed 2 days after the surgery which I am pretty sure didn't fit into the vet's instructions to limit his activity. Tomorrow I am going to take him on a short walk to just get him out. He is driving all of us crazy. We have gone through a lot of chews this past week between him and Dags.

Update on The GusDog

2008-07-29T05:50:00.000-07:00

Gus has draped his head over my foot. He is now 47.9 lbs and still growing. He is incredibly affectionate and while he is good about being on his bed - he likes to be near me. I confess that I love it when he snuggles at my feet and am glad that the habit followed him post puppy hood.

We have our last training class tonight - though the training will continue for months - years even. We have been doing some clicker training and it has been so much fun and he really likes it. You can check out the website - here. You can see his mind working while we are training and it is fun to watch him figure out the command. For those of you interested - the training we have been doing is positive/negative reinforcement and based on the principles of shaping. The clicker allows you to click the instant the dog does what you want and then you reward with a treat. It is a great way to communicate with Gus that he he is doing what he is supposed to be doing it the instant he does it. And then the food treat follows. Gus is all about the food so training him is so much easier than dog number 1 who wasn't interested in food.

Have been working hard on getting Gus to leave the cats alone. The biggest issue has been him following Dagny when she decides to have a cat chase - different dynamic with two of them! I am pleased to say that the past week has been great with his lack of interest in Newman. He has minded his own business on several occassions and just walked past Newman with a look in his direction but no movement towards him. Last night after a long walk and play session at the park - Gus remained on his bed while Newman walked around the den even though Dagny decided to follow Newman out of the den. Gus was amply rewarded with treats during this event. Am feeling great that Gus elected beef over feline.

Gus' chop appointment has been set for August 19th. He shouldn't even have to stay at the vet overnight and it should be pretty uneventful. Well - easy for me to say. I am not the one getting my balls chopped off!

Family Outing

2008-07-15T10:16:00.000-07:00

Gus & I met his sister (Little Five, L5) & his mum (Hazel) for a walk in Piedmont Park and our first visit to the dog park there. We hadn't met them in quite some time. Gus & L5 tried to wrestle the entire time we walked. Hazel was just thrilled to not have L5 hanging on her for once! It is amazing at how much L5 & Gus look a like. Their faces/heads are exactly the same except Gus' is much larger. And it also showed me clearly how big Gus is going to be. He was much longer and taller than L5.

I had not been to the dog park in years b/c Dags never cared about playing with the other dogs so there was no point. It is much nicer than before. And it was a huge hit with Gus & L5. There were big dogs, little dogs and other puppies. They ran, they rolled, they played. At one point, Hazel plopped down on the ground to cool down and Gus & L5 snuggled right in next to her like they did it every day. I wish I had taken my camera. But I am sure there will be another time for a photo opp. We are planning on going back. It was one stop shopping for leash training, play time, socialization and puppy exhaustion.

Gus is asleep on my foot right now. And Dagny is lightly snoozing on her bed. She is looking at me and I am pretty sure she is thanking me for bringing home an exhausted puppy who is too tired to bother her.

Emergency Back Up Dog

2008-07-07T05:58:00.000-07:00

Recently a few friends have politely inquired why I adopted a puppy. I know what they really wanted to ask was "What in the Hell were you thinking?!"

Here is the answer. With Sadie's diagnosis in the fall of beginning of kidney disease, I realized all of my animals were elderly. Sadie - 13 yrs; Newman 11-12 yrs; Dagny will be 10 yrs. next month. I also had this realization - like a giant flashing neon sign outside of a bar offering 2 for 1 drinks - that I was a dog person. This doesn't mean I choose dogs over cats. It means that I love having a dog around and always want one in my house. Can't imagine NOT having one in the house. I debated for awhile if Dagny would even tolerate another dog. And having had other dogs around, Dagny seemed to best around boy dogs and mellow boys. I thought long and hard about what dog I would like to have for the next 12-15 years. My friends have this amazing golden, Torrin. I love that dog - he is a good boy and very easy going - and that was the archetype for what I wanted. I also knew that Jody had/has put in an amazing amount of time training Torrin.

Fast forward. In January/February, friends at the office were circulating a picture of a 4 month old lab named Jake that needed a home. One of my friends had already adopted 2 of his litter mates. I called to inquire but Jake was already spoken for - 6 times over. But I knew that I was ready to consider a dog into my life. And all that a new dog requires - training and feeding and vaccinating. A few folks told me the breeders of their dogs had pups available. But all my beasts have been rescues.

In April, an agent told Tacha, my business partner, about a litter of puppies his newly rescued dog, Hazel had just had. I still debated and procrastinated on meeting the pups until they were about 6.5 weeks old. But it seemed like a great opportunity to still rescue a pup (Atlanta Lab Rescue), 1/2 of the pup would be a lab and I was able to meet the mum. She is a sweet chocolate lab.

The long and the short of it was I asked for a mellow male and met with the 3 boys of the litter. There were 2 boys I was interested in - Durant & Harvey. Lucky, the third male, was the male version of Dagny. (I love Dagny but she was really high energy as a pup and never sat still! Training was so difficult. I know that now more than ever dealing with Gus who is easier to train how hyper she was. I wanted something completely the opposite of my Ricochet Rabbit.) There was a couple who had arrived a few minutes before me to interview pups and they picked Durant, the last born & smallest of the pups. I went with Harvey - now known as Gus. I had the name picked out before I ever met him. I figured no Gus did anything in a hurry. And when I first met Gus, he was very interested in me and my tennis shoes but after about 20 minutes of investigating and play, he crawled under a cabinet and went to sleep. Perfect!

What I didn't know was that I would have a dog by 8pm that same night. But how in the hell can you say no to a pup after a cup of Star Bucks full leaded coffee and the cutest little pups crawling on you?

Dagny didn't talk to me for the first few days. She snubbed me and looked at me with daggers in her eyes. I assured her that she was still the Diva in charge and that Gus was merely a back-up reserve dog. She was still the number 1 dog.

I have never once ever regretted or second guessed my decision to add in Gus. And I have been thrilled with my selection of pups. I knew things would be slow with Dagny and the pup. And I never had any expectations they would actually be pals. It surprises me every day how they play and interact. From the beginning Gus has loved Dagny but his adoration was unrequited for a good month. On several occassions, I found Dagny by Gus' crate. And Dagny was actually was the second dog on the bed in the picture below. She actually joined Gus in a side by side chew. And while she does enjoy taking his bones and toys, she has been showing him how to be a good dog. And for that I am eternally grateful.

One Small Step For Mankind

2008-07-06T15:34:00.000-07:00

I never wrote a list of new year's resolutions. I just thought about changes I wanted to make in my life. One of them was my goal to incorporate 8 things to make this planet a better place to live. More than anything - I wanted to be able to make changes that mattered and keep them as a part of my day to day life. One of the things - I have been working on has bringing my own grocery bags to the store. And while I can say - I have done a good job at bringing my own - I have not done a great job. And I was feeling pretty good about re-using the plastic bags for kitty litter and such. But today I have watched this video and I am thinking that I need to step up this goal from good to great. And give up all plastic bags.

Watch this slide show....the first part of it is really depressing but don't fear because the end will give you a surge of power knowing you really can do something!

Thanks to my stepmum, Jage, for sending this to me! Pass it on.

Time Flying

2008-06-29T10:27:00.000-07:00

Here is Gus at about 8 weeks old....

Gus today about 8 weeks later at age 4 months...(same bed)

Taken Today - he looks all lab to me!

First day of Skool!

2008-06-26T18:22:00.001-07:00

Gus no longer fits in his travel crate so we have been getting him acclimated to riding in the back seat. I am lifting him into the car which is a challenge as he is about 35 lbs. But the real problem is getting him out. He is uncertain about the down procedure. This morning he jumped out by himself but it was a slow uncertain maneuver and I sat patiently waiting for him to make the decision.

I took Gus today for his first day of doggy daycare. I was so nervous about leaving him and how he would deal with it all. I knew it would be good for him and a great place to spend the day when I have a long work day. When we pulled into the lot and I opened the door - he walked to the door - put his nose in the air and hopped down without any hesitation - like he'd always been doing it. Once inside, he didn't look back at me at all. He just eagerly went to the back to meet his other canine pals!

He spent about 4 hours there today. The reports from Barking Hound were that he had a great time and did well. He was in with the small dogs even though pound wise he outweighs them, but they are more forgiving than the larger dogs. He is still learning about his canine peers and how to play. But Gus is really easy going guy and great with other dogs and I knew it was going to be a great experience for him. When we got home, he was so exhausted I had to carry him out of the car!

Dagny & Gus

2008-06-22T08:26:00.001-07:00

From a series of

Dagny & Gus 030
Originally uploaded by heighlo

photos of Dagny & Gus playing together at the end of May. Go here for more pictures. At the end of their play, their share a bit of rest.

Watching

2008-06-21T15:25:00.001-07:00

What I see every morning is this picture:

My favorite is when gus and dagny sit there - side by side. Maybe I will catch that one day but it took me a week to get this one! Gus was 15 weeks last Thursday and was 34.6 lbs! I am crazy about him. He is learning to be a great dog but still has fabulous moments of goofiness reminding me how much of a puppy he still is. While at the vet for his last puppy shot last week, the vet was examining him and all of a sudden - he began feverishly chasing his tail. And then stopped like nothing had happened.

It fills my heart to see him and Dagny together and watch them interact with a language I don't understand. I didn't expect Dagny would actually LIKE him. And she does and it makes me adore her all the more.

Ridiculousness

2008-06-21T08:10:00.000-07:00

Virginia man sheds 80 pounds eating at McDonald's
From Associated Press June 20, 2008 1:25 PM EDT

QUINTON, Va. - A Virginia man lost about 80 pounds in six months by eating nearly every meal at McDonald's. Not Big Macs, french fries and chocolate shakes. Mostly salads, wraps and apple dippers without the caramel sauce.
Chris Coleson tipped the scales at 278 pounds in December. The 5-foot-8 Coleson now weighs 199 pounds and his waist size has dropped from 50 to 36.
The 42-year-old businessman from Quinton says he chose McDonald's because it's convenient.
His inspiration came from his two children and from the story of a blind war veteran who rode a tandem bicycle cross-country.
Coleson says his goal is to get back to the 185 pounds he weighed when he married Tricia Summer. Their 10th anniversary is Saturday.

Peace

2008-06-19T19:34:00.000-07:00

As I type, Gus and Dagny are sweetly sharing a dog bed. Dags is snoozing and Gus is busy chewing a rawhide. Gus' tail is covering Dags belly. I would love to capture the moment with a photo but know my moving will disturb the peace.

Camoflage

2008-06-12T17:20:00.000-07:00

Considering sending Gus to military school. Just until he figures out that running at top speed and body checking Dagny while she is in mid-poop is uncool. Seems Reasonable.

Catchup

2008-06-10T18:36:00.000-07:00

I am so behind in posting of late that I am trying to catch up a bit.

Right now I have a moment where I am still awake, not working, I can tap into my neighbor's wireless connection and Gus is snoozing at my feet. This is unusual. Well a few things are not unusual - like me using my neighbor's wireless connection b/c I can't figure out how to get my new router working properly. I do this when I can get a signal.

But Gus sleeping at my feet hasn't happened in weeks - since he was an itty bitty baby. He is usually so bratty when he is tired he just starts chewing and getting into trouble and only can sleep in the crate. Today he is exhausted from his adventures - going to the dog store to get a bath (just for the experience of it), learning to walk on a leash outside, and of course, eating sticks. He is very good at the last thing. I am glad he is figuring out how to sleep while things are going on in the house. I adore having him sleeping at my feet!

Emergency Back-Up Dog

2008-06-10T18:32:00.000-07:00

I told Dagny that Gus is just the emergency back-up dog and that she has not been replaced.

He is just the vice president to her presidency.

Just the understudy.

Because Mary Asked ....

2008-05-27T16:33:00.000-07:00

More pics of Gus - all in this blog post were taken on May 13 - he was 2 days shy of 10 wks old. He is starting to less like a baby and more like a dog!

Sadie had been on his crate...I have found Newman on top of the crate - looking at the window!

Gus LOVES hiding and playing in my overgrown bushes.

Gus and Newman sunning....Gus is in an overgrown planter in the backyard. He loves sitting in there and looking out. It's the puppy version of shoe lifts.

The Boy....

New Old Pics

2008-05-27T16:19:00.000-07:00

Am posting some new photos of Gus though they are old now.....but trying to catch up!

This was taken on 4.28.08 - 7.5 wks old. Oh- and this one is by Stacey...professional photographer - notice the excellent framing!

4.28.08 - Gus Eating Stacey's delicious sweater

5.1.08 - Gus at 8 wks....

Miss You Long Time

2008-05-13T08:43:00.000-07:00

I have been battling technical issues such as a broken modem and broken customer service at Earthlink, my former DSL provider. While I have Internet access again, my router isn't working and not sure how to make it work with the damn VISTA software I am forced to use and ATT, my new DSL provider. I had it working for 2 minutes and now nothing. Maybe it is the router.

And of course raising a puppy and working have also stolen my time. But things with Gus are going well. He is now 9.5 weeks and not quite such a baby which makes playing with him and tiring him out easier. He is playing fetch of sorts and stomping in the bushes/ivy.

On 5.8.08, Gus turned 9 wks. old. He tipped the scales at 16.9 lbs. At 6 wks. he was 10.6 lbs. I have been feeding him steroids, whiskey and cigarettes to beef him up. We celebrated 9 wks with a trip to the vet and a round of shots. He was dazzling as he was so much better behaved than some of his littermates we encountered. He also outweighed them!

Here are some pics of him back when we was still a baby at 6.5 weeks. Notice the paws!

Jessica & Gus

Tasting Cuteness....

Stacey eating cuteness....it's okay he will have his revenge with her soon. the next week in fact!

Crippled

2008-04-24T18:02:00.000-07:00

I haven't been able to post because my feet have been eaten by the Gus.

Four Squared

2008-04-22T17:15:00.000-07:00

Yes - I am completely crazy. I have my four square - 2 dogs. 2 cats. 2 girls. 2 boys.

Dags is really doing remarkably well. I am indebted to MaryK for coming over the past 2 nights to play with Gus and give Dagny some love and attention. Dagny is so in love with her that she will come see Mary even with the Gus in the room. Dagny is totally giving me the cold shoulder and HOW COULD YOU? looks. And the pup is so attached to me that I am sure it does put Dags off some. But she is getting better with me and the pup.

Gus is a goofy puppy. Probably going to be big with his paw and body size. His eyes are kind of gray with a blue tint - the pictures make them look blue. Will be interesting to see where they settle out.

He is amazingly well behaved. It will change as he still such a baby but we had our first house accident and frankly it was my fault for not immediately taking him out after his nap.

Happy Birthday to me!

Introducing Harvey Gustav IV

2008-04-21T06:21:00.000-07:00

~ Gus to his friends ~

Bouncing Back

2008-04-18T17:23:00.000-07:00

Am on couch thinking how great it feels to not have to be anywhere for the evening. Over my right shoulder on the back of the couch is Newman. He is positioned so that he is safe from the chasing of Dagny and so that he purrs right into my ear. He is purring right in my ear because he is such a good boy and knows I love it. And he is reading this blog. I just realized he probably watched me type in the password and will be inviting all his cat friends in for scotch and cigars when I am at work. He would do that. Snuggle and sneak - side by side. That's my boy.

I spent yesterday afternoon and early evening with my friend Rene. We became best friends in junior high and remain friends today. She hasn't changed much either. By that I mean she looks great and hardly her age (our age). We had a great dinner at Wisteria and lovely visit.

I have been seriously thinking of getting a puppy. I am not sure if the feeling has passed or not. I confess that last night when my supposedly sick and elderly cat, Sadie, ran meowing across my sleeping body in the middle of the night - I thought perhaps I should ebay them all and just live free of pet hair. When I questioned Sadie in the am - she told me I had dreamed the entire thing. Full moon.

blah blah blah

2008-04-13T15:28:00.000-07:00

I have not blogged in a while....Nothing has really been going on ...work....pollen. I have a bird's nest up on one of the rafters on my front porch. I fell this is cruel fate upon the baby bird's hatching up there. Maybe Newman built it in hopes of landing a little tweety bird of his own.

Blah Blah Blah

NEWman

2008-03-20T18:23:00.000-07:00

Newman has not had much blog time. I decided to try and capture Newman with my camera. He was not cooperative in the least. He rolled in dirt and moved out of the frame SO many times. He is superstitious and fears the camera is stealing his soul. Or he is a cat and he doesn't want to do what I want him to do.

I did finally get him in a couple of cat poses thanks to 2 dogs walking by with their person. It was short lived and then he was back to rolling in dirt, walking out of the frame, and otherly manly things.

I am sure one night very soon - tonight - he will make me pay for pulling him off his sleeping spot on the porch to be photographed. I will get a paw in the face around 3am telling me to come watch him eat. And about the time I am back asleep I will get a stare down and meow and another paw push on the cheek to let him out.

AND back to the business of being a cat.

Beautiful Horror

2008-03-17T09:31:00.000-07:00

These pictures were forwarded to me. I wish I knew who to credit for the shots but alas I don't. For those of you out of town - the Bank of America building is the tall building in the far left of the pictures. Friday's Storm....

2008-03-12T09:00:00.003-07:00

One of my favorite websites/blog to stop by, Apartment Therapy, had these pics on today's post:

The headline announced that a SF Scavenger Found for $300. I laughed so hard my coffee spit out of my mouth a little bit. This dresser is the exact replica or perhaps the exact one that was in my dorm rooms at Auburn. I believe if they had been left alone they would have been fine - but years of girls trying to decorate them left layers of glue and gunk (dirt sticks to glue - that is one of the many things I learned from my dorm time). The only solution was to add more contact paper and try to make them pretty. I had a the matching desk, too- though luckily it was spared the fate of contact paper.

Yummmy

2008-03-11T16:18:00.000-07:00

I just ate Balela which I had never even heard of until I purchased it at Trader Joe's on Monroe yesterday. It is a delicious middle eastern salad! So good that I may have to experiment with a recipe so I can make vats for the spring & summer months!

Ingredients: chickpeas, black beans, tomatoes, red onions, parsley, mint (dried), lemon juice, cider vinegar, mix of canola oil/extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, garlic, black pepper.

Walk Away

2008-03-10T18:45:00.000-07:00

Dags hates the vacuum. This seems reasonable. What seems crazy is that when I do vacuum and she is in another room she will immediately walk into the room I am vacuuming in. She stands at the doorway and looks at the vacuum and then looks at me with the big brown eyes - much the look when she is begging for food but without the drool. And then she will turn and walk out. She doesn't make a sound and she does this EVER time I vacuum.

Lady Parts

2008-03-08T08:32:00.000-08:00

I am playing tonight with my new improv team - Lady Parts. Really cool girls - Megan Peacock, Katrina Trivers & Jen Caldwell. This is our second show and if you can - you should come see us. 9:30 pm. $7 at Relapse Theatre. Check out the Jackpie site for directions and more information.

Girls ARE funny.

Flurries

2008-03-08T08:28:00.000-08:00

It is snowing! It has been on and off all morning. It is not really sticking but I don't care. I love waking up and looking out the window to white fluff falling. Even now the snow is swirling around. This makes me happy. For the first time in a few years - I am feeling like we had winter. And somehow having a winter makes spring all that much better.

IT'S ALIVE!

2008-03-03T15:53:00.000-08:00

one of the projects i have been working on for about 3+ years opened last week. the web site just went live today. www.marionplaces.com. these are pretty sweet town homes and am excited to have 'em to sell. buy one, won't you?

Footnote - on the website - you will see this killer pic of skyline at night - that is Stacey's shot. she rocks, but you knew that didn't you?

In the Raw

2008-02-29T18:20:00.000-08:00

If I had made a proclamation to the world in the form of new year's resolutions - I would have included: taking more photos, learning more about my camera and how to take better shots - especially with lighting, & learning to use photoshop. The first thing I learned on this quest was the limitations of the flash on the camera and I now have a better flash. I have also begun shooting in the raw. The images are in the raw. Not me. The was a tip from the fabulous Stacey who is a very talented shooter and kind enough to let me steal information from her brain.

Here is one of my first shots shooting in the raw. I didn't get to use the new flash in this shot - though mother nature took care of me. And the only photoshopping I did to the shot was cropping. This is the view from a new project of town homes I am selling. Really cool views. I took this on Tuesday after that freakish storm we had in the am and before the second wave of storms hit.

Bloody Valentine

2008-02-17T15:13:00.000-08:00

My friend Mel turned me onto the site instructables.com. This instructable caught my eye on the site...how to make an anatomocially-correct heart for your loved one. Ain't love grand?

Dog Spot - No. 2

2008-02-12T18:07:00.000-08:00

I walked by my dog's food bowl on Sunday night. It was empty. And then I remembered I was supposed to pick up dog food. Dagny is not high maintenance in the food arena. She will eat just about anything and I don't think she would even hunt me down if I forgot to feed her for a day or two. Don't worry - she has never skipped a meal.

I filled her bowl with some cat food. She looked at me with her big brown eyes - "IS THIS A JOKE? ARE YOU GOING TO YELL FOR ME TO GET OUT OF THE CATS' BOWL?" I squirt the food with her salmon oil - letting her know - "N0 - tonight is a special occassion". I don't add "You get cat food because I am a bad owner and forgot to stop to buy you your food."

She is completely forgiving that one and gulps the food down in one inhale. For her it is like the best day EVER.

Pretty Pink Houses For You & Me

2008-02-11T19:21:00.000-08:00

I totally love looking at houses. Interiors are just a thrill for me. Well the pretty ones. I love look at magazines and pictures of peoples houses. I love to tour peoples houses.

I stumbled upon this website which gives me imense joy as it is loaded with pictures of peoples houses and I can take a tour right with my butt on the couch. And today's house tour is of a house made out of shipping containers that is eco friendly. GO CHECK IT OUT. HERE. WOW.

Presents!

2008-02-02T17:33:00.000-08:00

Santa (aka parents) brought me these really fabulous coasters. I love them & they look fab on the living room coffee table. They seem more like art than furniture protectors.

And it Feels So Nice

2008-02-01T16:01:00.000-08:00

If I had any skill at uploading songs to this here blog - you would be hearing Peaches & Herbs singing "Reunited" their 1979 hit. Stacey can correct me if my late 70's early 80's music facts are off - because she will know and is probably RIGHT now signing Reunited with great lyric accuracy with the perfect pair of shoes on for the song fest. But I KNOW it was Peaches & Herbs' hit even if I am of on the year.

I tangent. What a surprise. In the past 2 weeks - I have been found by several friends from college & high school. 2 found me via facebook (website social network for the parents) and the other kept seeing my name on real estate project in Atlanta and shot me an email. It turns out that Jennifer & I live just a few miles from each other. She moved to Atlanta about 1.5 years ago. Hopefull we will get together for coffee soon. The other two folk found me on facebook via mutual friends. They both live up north - DC and upstate NY. Just in case they are on here - Hi - CeCi & Becky!

Reunited. And it Feels so nice.

Sleeping Drunken Disease or I had a Virus

2008-01-31T18:51:00.000-08:00

OMG! I have been plagued with the sleeping drunken disease for the past few days. Today I am pleased to say that while I slept in late and stayed in bed until about noon, I have been able to stay awake all afternoon and even did a few chores like empty the dishwasher and take out the trash. I suppose I should back up a bit.

Monday - I had noticed that whenever I moved or walked - the room spun around like the tilt-a-whirl rides at Disneyland (I'm old school) or when you are plastered. I had worked the am but hadn't need to drive anywhere - and furthermore - I don't think I could have driven anywhere. The feeling was disconcerting to say the least. So Tuesday when I was still on the tilt-a-whirl ride without buying a ticket, I decided I should go chat with a doc about it. I had to call one of my friends to drive me. (Thanks to Tiff for the ride and the catching up lunch. The cats thank Tiff for the much needed cat food.) Long and the short of it was that the substitute doc (my guy was out) was a semi-retired guy who after several tangents and stories about his house and his stroke, he determined I was suffering from a good old fashion virus affecting the upper respiratory system and my balance. He told me to take my low grade fever home - fix myself a hot toddy with my choice of brandy or whiskey, some hot water and lemon, crawl into the cave and sleep it off. I slept for most of Tuesday afternoon and a good portion of Wed. From time to time, I would drunkenly stumble to the couch for a movie or to the kitchen for some OJ & sudafed. (Thanks, MaryK for the OJ delivery and for letting my dog molest you for a few minutes. She loves you more than cat poo.) I didn't turn on the phone or computer at all on Tuesday. WHAT?! I slept, watched a movie and slept some more.

This afternoon - I am happy to be working on laundry and am going to be putting clean sheets on the bed in about 1/2 hour. I love clean sheets. And having the energy to change my bed - means I am on the road to recovery. And while my to do list for the week has fallen apart, I have gotten some amazing sleep and didn't even need the toddy to do it.

Cute as Buttons!

2008-01-28T18:10:00.000-08:00

Circa 1998 - Duke on the left & Damian on the right. And, yes, Duke has a pocket instead of a hand.

Cold & Windy Winter's Tale

2008-01-27T19:34:00.000-08:00

Last week when the night time temperatures were in the teens, I took to my bed warmed by my electric blanket and snuggled in nice and tight. I am a side sleeper and this night was no different. Dagny having done 3 perfect circles and landing in a perfect ball with just a few wiggles to get perfectly snuggled in the crook of my legs was happy to share the warmth. Butt to butt we were with her head on my ankles. Newman was curled up just below my chest purring very loudly and happy to have the additional warmth of the blanket. Sadie was snuggled up against my back in the perfect position to stay warm and deny there was a dog and Newman in her space.

I don't mind telling you it was a piece of heaven. My version of a 3 dog night. I was warm and happy and ready to drift off to sleep.

Suddenly without warning, I farted. Loudly. In one fluid movement, Dagny flew off the bed and headed out of the room. It was as if the force of the wind had propelled her from her spot. I started laughing. Dags has really silent but lingering gas from time to time. AND this is the dog that would eat cat-poo if I let her. But I had offended. Dazed and confused she wondered down the hall trying to figure out what to do. She returned quickly because my 1920's house is cold in the winter and the floors are bitter cold. Not much of time for a princess to roam the hallways and pout. Dagny quickly gained her wits and returned to the warmth of the bed. She hoped up and did three perfect circles before plopping down into the perfect sleeping ball and snuggled against me. But this time she chose to snuggle her butt to my shins safely blocked from the wind of a cold winter's night.

Green for the Green, No. 2

2008-01-20T07:48:00.000-08:00

I found this site - Catalog Choice. It allows you to opt out of receiving magazines. The service is free and the best part is that you can opt back in on the magazines at any time. You pick which magazines you want and which ones you don't want so you don't have to give them all up! But it is one less thing to recycle! And for me, I feel the need to look through them before I toss them regardless if I need anything in the mag or not.

Update on the bio bags. Go here for a refresher or info on ordering. The trash bags work pretty well though you can't over stuff them like I have done trash bags in the past. And they don't take a lot of weight. Getting rid of the heavy and numerous catalogs should help with the weight though. I still put a lot of things in the bags that probably don't break down - like cans from the cat food but we are working on that one.

Range Hate

2008-01-19T16:01:00.000-08:00

I have now yet another reason to hate my range. Everyone is always impressed at the look of the Jenn-Aire but it has been the most frustrating contraption EVER. Okay maybe not ever - but right now this is my tantrum and my blog so EVER.

I started a pot roast today before heading out to my open house. I have a new All-Clad slow cooker that I received from my parents for Christmas. I LOVE it. It really is useful when you have a crazy job with crazy hours like I do. I can start something and run out for few hours and know I have not burned the house down. I love my dutch oven - also a Christmas gift from my business partner, Tacha - but you have to be home to use that because it is not a good idea to leave the oven on or the stove on when you are not here. The dog would not have the disruption of the fire alarm killing her ear drums.

Back to the pot roast. I stumbled upon a recipe of sorts in The Cook's Best Recipe book for Corned Beef and Cabbage when I got the dutch oven back on the 22nd of December. In my exuberance to cook - I had not properly read the instructions for the Corned Beef that had the beef in a rub for 7 days. HELLO - I wanted corned beef and cabbage that day! So, I decided I would just cook the beef and add the vegetables and it would be like a pot roast. Whole Foods was out of cabbage that day, so I grabbed brussel sprouts and some turnips along with my onions, red potatoes and carrots. I loved the Cook's recipe for Corned Beef and Cabbage because you could use lots of root vegetables and pick which ones. For me it was a great mind opening experiment into how much I love root vegetables in pot roast! I ended up with the best pot roast EVER that day.

So back to today's pot roast. I decided today that I would make a pot roast which for me is now lots of broth and lots of veggies. Today I did find cabbage but no fresh brussel sprouts. I added turnips, onions, red potatoes and carrots. The slow cooker quickly began to be too small when I began adding my veggies. So - I decided to transfer the food into the dutch oven and finish it off. Now the dutch oven - is BIG - about 9.5 quarts I think. And by the time I had made the transfer and added all the vegetables, it was FULL. And now we are really entering into the frustrating part of the tale.

While loading the dutch oven into the oven, the weight of the dutch oven knocked down the rack in the oven off track. The rack is wedged and I can't get it out or back on track. So it is just sitting out blocking the door and I can't close the door. I have tried to nudge it but have done nothing more than scrape scratches in the finish of the oven insides. Now there was no disaster with the dutch oven or the food just the rack forcing the door to the oven to remain open for eternity. I have tried it several times and don't want to risk knocking over the entire range with my force of frustration especially with my pot roast on the open flame above. Hopefully I won't need to get into the cabinet that the door is blocking and hopefully the cats won't wonder in there thinking it is a nice warm spot.

I am thinking this is funny. And if the inside of the oven wasn't so dirty I would shoot a picture. I will work on the door in the am over coffee perhaps.

UPDATE ~~~I did get the oven rack out last night and the door shut. I still have don't like the range and youcan'tmakeme.

A special prayer

2008-01-18T16:11:00.000-08:00

Dear God,

I would very much like to have a snow day this weekend. I know you have a lot to do, but if we could just have some beautiful snow and some roads that should not be driven on - just on Sunday, I would be grateful. I would promise to do some chores around the house as well as catching up on some paperwork/computer work for real estate.

Thank you for your consideration in this manner,

Sincerely - Me & the dog

Good Dog!

2008-01-17T15:42:00.000-08:00

My dog can read! I recently ordered her a new bed for Dagny for the den. I spent $6 extra dollars to have her name monogrammed on the bed. It paid off because she read her name and began using the bed - well the part with her name embroidered on it. The other half of the bed is for me. Yup - I actually snuggle with her on her bed from time to time. Dagny is great with a snuggle as long as she is getting her belly rubbed.

It's SNOWING!

2008-01-16T18:33:00.000-08:00

Magazines

2008-01-09T16:45:00.000-08:00

I love magazines. I start to tremble when I am in the check out lines at Grocery Stores and Drugstores. There I am nose to nose with them and I WANT THEM. I am particularly insane for mags about decor, architecture, kitchens and baths. From time to time I will find myself ridiculously drawn to ones on storage or organizing.

Once I get them home, I read them. And read them. And read them. Well - I look at the pictures over and over because really that is what most of them are PICTURES. Glorious PICTURES with ideas. One of my treats in life is a nice hot bath, some wine or tea and a a stack of magazines. Somehow there is great clarity with my pics in the tub.

I let a stack go over the holidays because it was time. But it was hard to say goodbye. Very hard. But I loved them fully. And, yes, I did put 'em in the recycle bin because that is what I do now. Recycle. But I told myself if I let the old ones go, I could let new ones into my world. The Cycle of Life of Magazines.

Great Cause

2008-01-06T16:20:00.000-08:00

Stillwell's is a local casting agency here in the ATL. Stillwell family lost their dad/husband and then son/brother in less than a year's time - like in about a 6 month time. Both losses were completely unexpected and very devastating for the family. They were a solid family and spent lots of time together in the own house enjoying each other's company. In honor of Bill Stillwell and William Stillwell, a Habitat for Humanity house is being built in their memories. Pretty cool way to celebrate their lives!

Funds are being raised for the house and Clark Howard has kicked in some serious cash (like half of the entire cost) and there is a fund raiser in Atlanta to make up the other half - just eat out on Thursday at select group of restaurants. You can also go onto the Habitat Site and just give some money. I am going to send some cash myself and might just try to hit one of the cool eateries on Thursday as well.

The rest is a repost of Mk's original.....it will give you some details.

In an effort to raise additional funds for the "Two Williams Home", a Habitat for Humanity house built in the memories of Bill and William Stillwell this coming January and February, Clark Howard's website is helping promote a Dine-Out night next Thursday, January 10th to assist in the fundraising effort.

Check out the link below and try to make it to one of these restaurants next Thursday and raise a toast to Bill and "Willy".CLARK HOWARDHighland Tap!Alfredo's!i mean, you could just donate money, but you need to eat on Thursday night!or do both! i mean, shit! (remember this is a copy from Mk's post - so that is HER 'shit' not mine!)

Thanks, MK & Randall for information.

Green for the Green, No. 1

2008-01-05T09:38:00.000-08:00

I have tried about 5 times to post on this here blog my New Year's Resolutions. It just hasn't seemed to materialize into anything interesting to read. It has read more like a 3rd grader's forced assignment. So - I have decided to just write about the things I want to do as they come up in my life.

One of those things I worry about and have worried about for a while is the earth being taken over by landfills. I am not sure why I stress about this so much and truth be told - I have worried about this for YEARS - long before the mainstream green movement about us. Perhaps in some part Mt. Trashmore has contributed to my knowledge of how much trash we produce. Mt. Trashmore is in my home town of Virginia Beach, VA. We went there a lot when I was a kid. I remember it as one of the really cool things I did with my step siblings on our own and that I was included in participating in (I will probably now find out they were PAID to include me in gas money or something!). I am the youngest of the 5 of us - so being included in anything was awesome. I was probably a bratty 12 or 13 years old and the oldest one in high school or college - so you can see how uncool I was. Much like ATL's screen on the green - during the summer there were movies at night on the mountain. I remember watching Don Knott's Mr. Limpet on the mountain. Good times.

Back to trash. As I have mentioned in previous posts, I am trying to go greener. So I would like to try to introduce 12 new green things into my every day life over the course of the year. For those of you sharp in the mathematics - that is only one new thing every month. Certainly doable! I will share with you and hopefully you guys will have something to share back.

My first green thing of the new year is to try these biodegradable trash bags made by Bio Bags. I ordered the pet poop bags, the kitchen bags and the compost kitchen bags from Drugstore.com. They suggest using the compost bags to keep your produce fresher in the refrigerator and then reuse with kitchen debris and compost. I have a composter that I have not been very good about using properly. Will work on that this year too - whoops I just slipped in another resolution without trying!

I will keep you posted on how I like the bags and my return to composting.

Thanksgiving

2007-12-29T18:14:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving was awesome. I went to the mountains - Elljay - about 2 hours outside of the city. I drove up the day of and then drove back that night. The cabin and the setting were really awesome. The food was ridiculously good and plentiful for 5 people. We had a ham and small turkey, sausage stuffing, cornbread stuffing, sweet potato casserole, kugel, green beans, mashed potatoes, spinach salad, and rolls. Ridiculously yummy! I had a really great time cooking and hanging out with all. I took some photos - but since I am so LATE in getting this post up - just going to send you flickr to look at them. Good times. Good people.

Dog Spot - No. 1

2007-12-29T14:17:00.000-08:00

being a dog isn't easy. i spend a lot of my time napping so that i am ready at any moment to do what i do - walk, eat, chase, bark, nap, eat, chase, bark. i am excellent and protecting my bones from Newman and making sure everyone knows when the neighbor's drive up and when Ray, the mail man, is 100' from our door. HE'S ON HIS WAY. HE'S ON HIS WAY.

i am a people dog. i live for people. i live to have people come over.

christmas was nice. except for the vacuum. but my true day of bliss was the 26th. SHE invited people over for brunch. from my perspective - food and people are about the best the world has to offer. and people dropping food is pure bliss and i was certain i would get some petting and some snacks. i wasn't let down at all!

here is me with stacy. poor thing had bacon on her face. here let me help.

here i am with my people...

special thanks to tiff - for snapping these shots...and rubbing my ears. i LOVE that i tell you. LOVE it!

Stream of My Conscious

2007-12-21T16:57:00.001-08:00

It is Friday night. I am at home and I have my soft clothes on. (Soft clothes would be pajamas except my soft closes are flannel and too hot for me to sleep in.) I have been wearing them since 5:45pm when I returned home from my last appointment of the day. It is cold, windy and damp outside. I have been on a construction site a good portion of the day in cute shoes not so much designed for the cold. I am thankful to be home. Thankful to have warm toes. Thankful to not have any real plans for once. I am thankful to be just be quiet for a little while. It will all change. Tomorrow I will hit the ground running with another trip to the vet for Sadie along with some work and chores around the house. The past week has been trying with Sadie as I try to learn her new ways. Ways that change without notice. My patients have been tried and tested and I imagine it might be this way for awhile. One day at a time. I have turned on the television to find Mary Poppins on. Can't think of the last time I watched this movie - but I always loved it. So, I am happily going to work on a little house pick up session with Mary Poppins as my company.

Geography

2007-12-19T15:44:00.000-08:00

My brother sent this to me. Thanks, Jason. It is fun and annoying all at the same time. I did much better the second time. And it makes me realize my eyes are old trying to find things on the screen - just a squint to see the countries. I am disappointed that there weren't any questions on the USSR but there again I am showing my age.

Click here for the fun and the horror.

My Kids

2007-12-19T15:28:00.001-08:00

Pictures from my secret Santa kids - I loved flipping throw all of the pictures and seeing the smiling happy faces. I recognized my kids by the gifts.

Rowan is the girl on the right - she got roller skates/protective gear, Hanna Montana Books, Scrapbook, Barbie drawing thingee with glitter & lots of pink.

My boy is on the left in the yellow/blue shirt with the beaming smile. He got a soccer ball, Mexican Train game(one of my favorites), robot with remote control (this was pretty cool - I must say!) and books including Scooby Doo!

MINE!!!

2007-12-18T17:38:00.000-08:00

Dags doesn't really care about toys. She never has. She loves people, raw hides, cats & squirrels. I purchased dog toys for the gift giving season. I laid the gifts on my coffee table in the living room. Dagny helped herself to one of the toys. So I let her keep him. He is pretty cute. I like him too. She carries him around with her like a blanket.

Here is what happened while I was photographing her baby...

Fashion Rewind

2007-12-17T19:02:00.001-08:00

Last Tuesday I went shopping for the refuge kids I agreed to secret Santa. My friends Dean & Amy were spearheading the movement and it was really exceptionally well organized with information about the kids - what they like to do and their interests. I set aside Tuesday am to get the shopping done. I knocked off my shopping at Target and Barnes & Noble. While I was at Barnes & Noble, I happened to come across the Dick and Jane reading series. You remember it don't you? See Dick run. Run, Dick, Run. Well, it seems that Dick and Jane are wearing the same things they have been wearing since the 1950's. Check it out - here. I would have thought at some point in 5o+ years they would have updated the kids' wardrobes and loosened up Dick's collar. We made fun of them when I was a kid and I can't imagine what kids say about 'em now.

Its the end of th World

2007-12-13T19:20:00.000-08:00

I am not having a good time. I am not at all happy about this unusually hot weather. I am not enjoying it. It is December and I want it to be cold. I want to wear my sweaters. I would even like to have one glimmer in my head that we MIGHT get snow. Right now - there are no glimmers in my head connected to snow. My friend Mary calls it the end of the world weather. And that is how it feels. One day it is 30 degrees and then the next day it is 72 degrees. And I swear one day it was 75 degrees and the sky was covered in an ominous gray sky that was dark with this bright light behind it trying to push past the ugly clouds out of the way. The kind of sky that tells you snow is coming or some bad ass thunder storm at the very least. But we had no snow. No storm. Not even a drop of rain.

I want cold. And I want it NOW.

Minor Miracle

2007-12-09T09:23:00.000-08:00

I bought my house in April of 1998. When I bought the house it came without a City of Atlanta issued trash can and a broken recycle bin. I called to order both - a herbie curbie (trash can) and a recycle bin. Same call. I waited and then I bought a temporary can which the trash guys took and destroyed - it wasn't City of Atlanta issued. Finally after about 12 weeks, my herbie curbie showed up. I never received the recycle bin.

Over the last 9.5 years I have probably called 6 times requesting the replacement recycle bin. You can't go pick them up and you can't buy them either - that would be too easy. I called again about 6 weeks ago not really expecting to see one. I began thinking that I would pen a letter to the Mayor's office to see if they could help me procure one. I was paying for it every year with my trash bill and it was annoying.

Yesterday I walked out to find a new one on my stoop. I was shocked and excited. I now have a recycle bin that isn't broken AND has a lid. I am certain the recycle guys will be thrilled because now when they pick up in the rain the papers won't be all mushy. I should not be as thrilled as I am but now finally I have my recycle bin neatly tucked away on my porch. Oh, so convenient. And my neighbor, James, joyously was able to catch the guy and procure one for himself. We figure our bins will be run over within 6 weeks but for now it is a minor miracle.

You Got Mail!

2007-12-07T12:31:00.000-08:00

Today's mailbox. the real one.

3 Holiday Cards
1 Statement on my IRA/SEP
3 Magazines - Pottery Barn, Front Gate & Allen Brothers
1 Comcast Bill (credit b/c I paid twice by accident)
2 Junkmail pieces

Kitty Kat

2007-12-06T17:11:00.001-08:00

This is Sadie, who was recently diagnosed with beginning stages of kidney disease. She didn't seem to really care about any of that though. This is her annoying me as I tried to change the linens on the bed. She is beside herself with glee.

Daily Coyote

2007-12-03T17:44:00.000-08:00

I love all things cute and furry. dogs, cats. and now coyotes. check out this blog.

Beautiful Shreddings

2007-11-29T17:24:00.000-08:00

I have recently added a new shredder to my arsenal of home appliances. This shredder is amazing - it shreds junk mail IN the envelope! It eats staples and everything. The box says it will destroy credit cards and CD's but I have not yet tested those functions. For now I am deeply satisfied with all of the junk mail it eats. AND I can put the shreddings at the curb for the recyclers to pick up!

Cleaning Volcanoes

2007-11-25T06:38:00.000-08:00

A year ago, I noticed that whenever I ever I cleaned with the commercial products, I would feel like crap the next day. Hung over. And who wants a hang over from cleaning?! One of my staples in the cleaning arsenal now is White Vinegar. It is CHEAP and you can clean so much with the one product. The smell does not linger - so don't be afraid - and mixed with baking soda it is a great cleanser. There are so many recipes on line for the product on line.

There are also a few recipes on the back label of the bottle for cleaning along with some other uses of the product - like how it is good for sunburns and bug bites and how to build a volcano.

FW:FW:FW:FW:FW I don't usually Forward these....

2007-11-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

I must send my thanks to whoever sent me the email about rat poop in the glue on envelopes because I now have to use a wet towel with every envelope that needs sealing. Also, now I have to scrub the top of every can I open for the same reason.

I no longer have any savings because I gave it to a sick girl (Penny Brown) who is about to die in the hospital for the 1,387,258th time . I no longer have any money at all, but that will change once I receive the $15,000.00 that Bill Gates/Microsoft and AOL are sending me for participating in their special email program.

I no longer worry about my soul because I have 363,214 angels looking out for me, and St. Theresa's novena has granted my every wish.

I no longer eat KFC because their chickens are actually horrible mutant freaks with no eyes or feathers.

I no longer use cancer-causing deodorants even though I smell like a water buffalo on a hot day.

Thanks to you, I have learned that my prayers only get answered if I forward an email to seven of my friends and make a wish within five minutes.

Because of your concern I no longer drink Coca Cola because it can remove toilet stains.

I no longer can buy gasoline without taking a man along to watch the car so a serial killer won't crawl in my back seat when I'm pumping gas.

I no longer drink Pepsi or Dr. Pepper since the people who make these products are atheists who refuse to put, "Under God" on their cans.

I no longer use Saran wrap in the microwave because it causes cancer. And thanks for letting me know I can't boil a cup of water in the microwave anymore because it will blow up in my face... Disfiguring me for life.

I no longer check the coin return on pay phones because I could be pricked with a needle infected with AIDS.

I no longer go to shopping malls because someone will drug me with a perfume sample and rob me.

I no longer have any sneakers - but that will change once I receive my free replacement pair from Nike.

I no longer buy expensive cookies from Neiman Marcus since I now have their recipe.

Thanks to you, I can't use any one's toilet but mine because a big brown African spider is lurking under the seat to cause me instant death when it bites my butt.

Thank you too for all the endless advice Andy Rooney has given us. I can live a better life now because he's told us how to fix everything.

And thanks to your great advice, I can't ever pick up $5.00 in the parking lot because it probably was placed there by a sex molester waiting underneath my car to grab my leg.

Oh, and don't forget this one either! I can no longer drive my car because I can't buy gas from certain gas companies!

If you don't send this email to at least 47,000 people in the next 47 minutes, a large dove with diarrhea will land on your head at 5:47 p.m. This afternoon and the fleas from 47 camels will infest your back, causing you to grow a hairy hump. I know this will occur because it actually happened to a friend of my next door neighbor's ex-mother-in-law's second husband's Cousin's beautician.

mini cupcakes & crack dip

2007-11-21T19:20:00.000-08:00

i just finished making mini cupcakes. i love cupcakes. they seem to be the rage. again. every 5 year old KNOWS the joy of a cupcake. it seems we adults have just discovered them though I know i loved them when i was a kid. especially when i could just lick the icing off of the top of them. i liked the top part of the cake and the icing the best.

and that is why mini cupcakes rock. one bite. that's all. heaven. and i don't frost them. oh no - i leave the frosting out for everyone to frost their own. it allows everyone to control their own amount of frosting - thick or thin. i made yellow cupcakes. the frosting will be chocolate. mmm.

dags was right there WAITING patiently for me to drop something on to the floor. she learned at my parents house when she was a puppy to sit sweetly and still in the kitchen and good things would happen. at my parents house, my dad would hand feed her some amazing treat like liver. now she lays in the dining room with her front paws crossing the threshold into the kitchen. but she knows if she sits there - good things happen. like me knocking off a mini-cake and it landing at her feet. it really was an accident. she knows the joy of a mini cupcake.

the other thing i prepped was artichoke dip. it is like crack on a cracker. yummy. garlic, cheese & artichokes. i was mixing it to take with me to dinner tomorrow. i did put a small amount into the oven to heat tonight for my dinner. yummy.

Feed Only When you are hungry

2007-11-21T16:48:00.000-08:00

I know many people have subscribed to feeds on their favorite blogs to notify them when a new post has hit the blog. I tried it a while back. I didn't enjoy it. I hated it. Inevitably I would get an email telling me there was a new post and I would be too swamped to read it or rather read it and ENJOY it. I felt enormous pressure to go and read it as soon as I saw it in my box and then cranky if I didn't have time to read it and really savor it.

So I removed the feeds. I prefer the old fashioned way. I sit with my am coffee or my afternoon tea and visit each of my blog sites which are loaded into my Favorites list. When I find a new post, it is like a present I didn't expect but had hoped would be there. OH, JOY. OH, RAPTURE.

IT'S HERE!

2007-11-18T16:03:00.000-08:00

Finally after Pottery Barn lost the first one...the new couch is here. I don't know how you lose a couch but they did. It rocks. Now my den totally rocks. I'm a rockstar.

The tables I found in a store about a month ago. They are so cool - made from wine barrels complete with stamps on them.

I Stumbled Upon

2007-11-18T06:08:00.001-08:00

This cool website. Designer Notebooks and Cards.

JHill Design. Go there and shop. Great holiday gifts. And of course I LOVE all things connected to writing - pens, paper, cards. Office products rule. And designer notebooks rule out of the stratosphere. Make your wife/girlfriend/mother happy. Order a few of these.

And yes - send me one too. or some note cards.

Green

2007-11-13T13:17:00.000-08:00

I recently took a class for my Eco Broker designation. It was a 3 day class and we learned about green products in the housing arena and the impact it has on people when buying a home. The class has really inspired me to learn more to help my clients as well as to learn more about action I can take in my own life and house.

I am making a concerted effort to change my energy usage and product buying habits to lower my bills and save our resources. I would love to hear what other people are doing on this front too - so let me hear from you.

New Listenings - Ryan Adams

2007-11-04T08:13:00.000-08:00

Kitty & the Pink Medicine

2007-11-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

Bedroom Kitty has to take some meds. Robamox. It is pink. And smells like bubble gum. She does not enjoy it and hates me a for a solid 10 minutes after I force it down her.

I spent yesterday at the vet with an emergency visit and Sadie. She hates the car. That was fun. Did you know that lab work for a cat costs as much as a human? Yup. I also learned that cats age 8 to 10 years for every one of our years. Sadie is 100 to 125 years old by those numbers. I am feeling less sorry for my wallet* and wondering what a senior cat wants out of life. Besides being left alone by the Dog.

*The past 2 weeks have been one of those trying times we all go through and grit our teeth. For me - new washer/dryer, car service - surprise you need 2 new tires and the vet. It happens. We deal with it and move forward. And if you are as lucky as I am, you have tacos and margaritas with your friend MaryK in the afternoon.

Nesting

2007-10-30T09:03:00.000-07:00

Since I was a kid, I have strived to create the perfect sleeping environment. My parents tell tales of me as a kid so snuggled into my self made nest created from blankets they couldn't see me and wasn't sure I was in there at all except for a sighting of a stray arm or leg poking out.

I have no clue why I did this. I do know that I still like to be snuggled into my bed especially in the cold months. My dog has this great bed where it rolls up on the sides so she can snuggle in and the roll of the bed keeps her back warm. If they made these in a queen size - I would have one. But part of the Dog's job is to provide warmth to ME on a cold night. Snuggle in and fill out a side of the nest. A one dog night. The cats are unrealiable as to where they decide to burrow in at any given night. I can't count on them in the nesting process. Dogs reliable. Cats not so much.

The winter months are challenging for the nest. I don't like to sleep in an overly warm room. I prefer the room to be a little chilly so that I can benefit from the layers of blankets. A down comforter is too hot. My house is 1920's so a little drafty comes with the territory. Over the years, I have added curtains and a headboard which help with the window drafts by my head. (picture below of curtains & head board. And unreliable Cat #1.) I don't like it when my nose freezes. It is a fine line to achieve the proper balance of comfort. I have been working towards the perfect environment for years and it is just trial and error to get the balance right.

In need of a blanket and a new mattress cover, I headed to Linens n Things yesterday. I stumbled upon a thickly padded matress cover that promissed me a spa experience. I added a blanket with electric wires to my basket too. I hated these as a kid because they were too hot but I was certain in 2007 they had come a long way. I hate that initial freezing once you crawl into bed and the sheets are cold and suck away body heat to break the frost. Thinking that a giant heating pad was just the way to solve the problem, I headed home to build the nest.

First I layered on the thick mattress pad that won the heart of the bedroom kitty aka unreliable Cat #1 - immediately. Then I added the freshly laundered sheets. The electric blanket was next. The quilt was added and followed by the dog blanket (really a person blanket but used when the dog is up there on the quilt). I tell you immediately I knew I had struck gold. There is a low setting on the blanket that worked like a charm at not only preheating the bed but keeping it just right all night long. I know it is early in the season but I am feeling good about it.

Leslie tells me that an electric blanket will take off 2 years from my life. I have read that a dog adds 7 years. I figure I am still 5 years ahead. And for the perfect nest, I am fine with those numbers.

The Perfect Brown Food

2007-10-28T16:59:00.000-07:00

I have in the oven a baked potato. Technically it is still just a potato baking but soon it will be dinner. I was going to make tortilla soup but I lost my senses and got to the grocery store without looking at the recipe. I plead coma nap. The rotissiere chickens were still cooking. It was then that I heard my name and turned to see a potato from Idaho beckoning me over to his bin.

I love potatoes. I believe potatoes are a perfect food. I am particularly fond of potatoes in the baked form. I like them as a side but often it is just too much food. So from time to time, I indulge in the baked potato as the center piece of my meal. I have lite sour cream, sharp cheddar cheese and scallions (no chives to be found) to top it. And of course - sea salt and fresh ground pepper.

The smell is wafting through the house now. Oh, My Gosh! I had planned on having a little pinot with dinner but I have just discovered that the bottle I thought was in there is not. Sunday. No wine purchasing.

I am off to set the table and get ready from my potato enjoyment.

Cans & Cans

2007-10-26T17:05:00.000-07:00

I am just going to tell you that you should go check out moisten manapkin for a great piece on can crimes - Check out it. Funny stuff.

While you are there - you should also watch some episodes of Simpson & Snatch. When you get to the site - the 'play' on the picture will work. not here though. Just there. play it there. go now. go on. NOW GO!

thanks, mary for letting me steal.

The Cutest Thing I have Seen in a Long, Long Time.

2007-10-25T18:16:00.001-07:00

Monk in space.

thanks, amber, for the quote.

thanks, bill, for the photo.

thanks, duke, for being duke.

Waiting

2007-10-25T07:38:00.000-07:00

I am waiting for Lowe's to call and tell me when they are going to deliver my washer & dryer so that I can wait for them to deliver the machines. Hurry up so I can wait some more. And then do a lot of laundry. It is chilly today. I know because the dog has told me. Suddenly the floor is too cold for her and she is at the end of my bed. Now I need to do laundry more than ever.

So I stumbled upon a blog with some stuff that if fun to read and stuff you probably don't know and you probably don't need to know...but what the hell. It is something fun to read.

The longest word in the English language, according to the Oxford English Dictionary,is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis.The only other word with the same amount of letters ispneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconioses, its plural.

The longest place-name still in use Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwenuakitanatahu, a New Zealand hill.

Tigers have striped skin, not just striped fur.

Alfred Hitchcock didn’t have a belly button.It was eliminated when he was sewn up after surgery.

Donald Duck’s middle name is Fauntleroy.

A pregnant goldfish is called a twit.

The Ramses brand condom is named after the great pharaoh Ramses II who fathered over 160 children.

There are more but you can go to the site yourself and keep reading. I am too busy waiting to just keep cutting and pasting.

More ARGGG!

2007-10-21T13:21:00.000-07:00

I woke up after a restless sleep. I knew that I would be shopping for a washer and possibly a dryer too. I started my coffee maker trying to get my wits about me before the great search for washers/dryers. I don't like shopping for that sort of thing because I know that I get sucked into unnecessary things - luckily the doorway dictates a lot of my choices - so no fluff.

After starting my coffee, I ripped opened my mail from yesterday including my latest water bill. My bill was 4 times the usually amount! Now I will be dealing with the water company on the $170 bill. I have searched and see no evidence of a leak.

I dressed and went to grab my morning coffee to discover that my coffee maker had leaked all over the counter top, down the cabinet and onto the floor. Naturally I had cleaned the floors yesterday! Luckily enough I did get a cup of coffee out of the pot. The coffee pot was 9 years old so I knew it was time to say goodbye.

Today - I purchased a new washer and dryer and a new coffee pot. Tomorrow I will brew some strong coffee and chat with my friends at the water department.

ARGGGGG!

2007-10-20T15:27:00.000-07:00

my washing machine has stopped spinning. I have already had my washer AND my dryer EACH fixed one time already this year (not to mention the previous fixes.) I said the next time one of them broke, I would replace the broken machine.

So, now I am searching. Aside from it being a chore to decide which features I need or don't need - I have the joy of also having to have one that fits through the door.

water water water

2007-10-19T18:32:00.000-07:00

Here in Atlanta, the headline news night after night is about the drought and the water wars. The entire south is facing problems with the water reserves. At this point, Atlanta is in real danger of dry reservoirs in 80-90 days. And this is not a new problem or one that will resolve itself over the next few months. This problem has been around for several years. During the summers, we have cut back on lawn watering and when the fall hits, we find ourselves not worrying so much about the water. But this year the water shortage is going to follow us into 2008. And now we are national news.

Unfortunately, there is no plan for what happens now that we are in the danger zone. The Army Corps of Engineers is in a tough spot and unable to just cut off the water supply that flows to Florida for the power plant and the mussels due to federal law. But it seems that NO ONE has really ever investigated how much the amount of water to the power plant and mussels in Florida can be reduced. I am suprised that no one has taken any efforts for a back up plan before now. In my mind - which might be oversimplifying it all - why can't we ALL cut back some? Not just us humans - but the mussels too?

The courts are now involved. Alabama is mad because they have said for years that Georgia gets too much water. And Georgia is mad because we are sending our water to feed mussels and power plants. I don't mind sharing. I have learned a lot about how I can cut down on my water usage. I don't mind conservation at all and am sure my water usage is forever changed. And again - I am oversimplifying - but why can't we all share and work together on a solution. UNITED states.

The Atlanta Watershed has been a disaster for YEARS. There are so many leaks in the water system in the City of Atlanta that they cannot keep up and repair them. They openly admit it. Furthermore if you have a leak that is on the City side - you are not allowed to have it repaired by anyone but the City of Atlanta. The water system is old and desperate need of repairs. And in spite of all of the construction and growth of the past 15 years, it has only been since Mayor Franklin took over that any action has been taken to actively repair the problems. And with problems that are decades old they are not quick repairs. Changes are happening but we are loosing every day GALLONS of water to leaks.

My friend bought a new house in July of 2006. She has never had a water bill. She has made several phone calls and several trips to the City of Atlanta Watershed. They have told her that until her meter is entered into the system there is nothing they can do. They are in no hurry and have no plan to get that metered entered anytime soon. In addition to this, one of our new construction projects hadn't received a bill for over 2 years. This was a high density project. After investigating for almost a year and with the help of the Mayor's office, it was discovered that the water for the entire project had been hooked up to the fire hydrant lines. No bill or money will ever be collected for those 2 years of usage. Several reports I have read state the water usage in Atlanta has not changed significantly in several years. And my reply to that would be - how does anyone really know? There are not accurate records. And with people continuing to move into the City, how can our water usage stay the same over the past several years? And why with the problems we have had over the past several years with low water levels - why is there no contingency plan?

Face it!

2007-09-26T17:06:00.000-07:00

Here is a fun little blog about faces...faces in places in fact is the title. It is enjoyable place to visit. Now - I wonder where I will see faces....

The Last Lecture

2007-09-22T08:05:00.000-07:00

My good friend, Bill, turned me onto this lecture in his blog, Real Buried Treasure. Bill always has interesting and funny things on his blog - a different perspective from me which I find enjoyable.

I sat down half watching the lecture. I was quickly drawn into listening to Randy Pausch's Last Lecture. It is part of a series of lectures from Carnegie Mellon University. Randy's lecture is particularly poignant because he has terminal cancer and what is probably a few months of good health left due to the return of aggressive pancreatic cancer. It is really beautiful and worth the watch. He focuses on living out your childhood dreams. So grab a cup of coffee and watch!

In the event you don't have the right programs to watch the above link, most of the lecture is on You Tube.

Changes

2007-09-21T10:54:00.000-07:00

I have been making lots of changes lately from the locks on my doors, my real estate company, and even my hair cut. I decided yesterday to change the look of the blog. I have come across so many that looked like my layout, I decided to strike out on my own. Of course when you use the public template your layout is going to be like other people's layout. Let's see how the look of the blog evolves over the next few weeks.

Feel free to make comments - as if any of you are shy!

Netflix - Free Month

2007-09-17T18:36:00.000-07:00

If any of you don't have Netflix, I just received an offer for a free month in my email inbox. Normally they give you a 2 week trial...so this is special. Or they just sold me that it was a great deal.

You can't already be a subscriber....but if you want to try it let me know.

Update

2007-09-16T09:26:00.000-07:00

Thanks for all your sweet messages and calls of love and concern. Rest assured I have changed all locks, cancelled or redirected all financial accounts, and take other measures.

FUNNY FUNNY

2007-09-16T09:01:00.000-07:00

Check out this comedy short. I am sending you over to my friend MK's blog b/c I would just repeat what she wrote and that would be plagiarism. Go right now and watch The Cat's Pajamas. Once you are on MK'S blog, you will also see the world of Simpson & Snatch - the pretty much daily adventures of 2 girls with their wacky friends, some beer, and a houseboat. Go watch those too. You should probably go ahead and ear mark her blog for future visits because she is a funny girl. Moisten Manapkin.

Sunny Days

2007-09-16T08:21:00.001-07:00

Good things continue. Improv shows last night were AWESOME and a packed house. I played with both 485 and Canvas All Stars. Making the business move has lightened my head and it makes playing and having fun so much easier.

I just exchanged messages on myspace with my friend Adam who moved there about 2 weeks ago. It is crazy to think I can sit in my bed with my laptop (haha, thief - you won't stop me!), my cats and some really good strong coffee and talk to Adam! He also posted an entry in his blog about his adventures in China. It is written in vintage Adam so it was like having a conversation with him. He is funny with a great point of view. Pictures of Adam are on my flickr page with the guys for 485 - he is the one without glasses - the tall one.

While I would have had this weekend off ffrom open house duty anyway, I am really looking forward to some weekends of my own. AND the breeze and fabulousness of fall was in the air yesterday making it even more exciting to have some time off from work. I am looking forward to not only spending some leisure time on the weekends reading and visiting with folks but doing some yard work too. I know Dags will be thrilled with the prospects of further yard exploration. She explored the back forty yesterday with great joy and interest. The yard backs up to a dog area at Bass lofts. A mean golden came to the fence and barked at Dags. Frankly, I believe the golden to be completely jealous that Dagny has her own huge backyard. We feel for the apartment dogs without their own squirrels and trees. Then Dags figured out how to get into the neighbor's yard via a secret route through the alleyway and their secret gate. Jake, the neighbor, welcomed her with treats and coos. Jake is who helped out with Dags on Sunday. He walked her and calmed her down after the police arrived. So now they are fast friends.

Farting Rainbows

2007-09-15T16:49:00.000-07:00

Today my world was full of rainbows. I found pictures still on my camera that were lost to the laptop. My back forty in the yard was cleared out and for 1/3 of the price the first guy quoted me AND it really opens up my yard and the neighbors yard! I am having a really good hair day!

Tonight I am off to play some improv and hopefully the farting rainbows will blow our way!

Going Home

2007-09-15T09:02:00.000-07:00

Tuesday I moved my real estate license back to Harry Norman Realtors. It was the greatest feeling being back home.

485 - THIS SATURDAY Night

2007-09-11T07:58:00.000-07:00

Saturday at 9:30 pm at the relapse theatre in midtown - come check out 485. This is our first performance as a trio and we are pumped about playing. We are sharing the night with Free Kittens & Canvas All Stars ( a team I play with too!).

The Show is only $5!!! Check out Jackpie for directions and details - www.jackpie.com.

Classes start at the end of September - check 'em out! Information is on the website. Come play!

Falling Temperatures.

2007-09-10T15:54:00.000-07:00

I woke up after a crappy night of sleep - not due to the break in but due to the headache, red wine, and midnight antics of Sadie. Hungover from the wine, headache and Tylenol PM, I was surprised with the anger still coursing through me. The intensity of my anger reminded me of that from the puberty years. Or PMS - not to freak out my male readers. I was still full of the Mother Fucker venom from the night before and that is how I still regarded my intruder.

I dressed and began the chores at hand before I could really think too much about all that I wanted to get done. I changed my locks on the back door which was loose. It had nothing to do with the robbery but I thought I would funnel some of that anger into a worthwhile task. I called all of my financial institutions and the credit bureau to put out a fraud alert. I called the police with follow up information as well as letting them know about new discoveries on things missing or moved. I called my insurance company and filed a report with them. I washed the almost brand new WHITE comforter in the guest room which the thief so rudely planted his dirty hands onto the comforter after shoveling open the window. I threw out the bread on my kitchen counter that wasn't quite shut - just in case this was something he touched or worse tried to bribe my Dags with to keep her occupied. Just better gone.

I walked outside which I hadn't done with the police and certainly hadn't done on red wine in the dark. I noticed my little Rubbermaid shed tool house was open and my little shovel on the ground with paint from the window sill still on it's lip. Good meal, eh? Naturally a few tools from the shed are gone. There is an indentation on the air conditioning compressor that must have made a dandy step ladder. The exterior of the window does not appear to need any repairs. At this point I am appreciative at how little damage to the house there is to repair. I am grateful that I don't feel violated or worried that someone has gone through my things. Just anger and even that is downgrading a bit.

During the course of the day, I found myself trying to figure out what the hell the thief had used to cart away my precious coins. The change was a substantial amount. Picture about $250 in quarters/nickels/dimes and some pennies. I checked for missing purses - all accounted for in the closet. I even thought that perhaps he just grabbed one of the bags in the laundry room from some previous purchase. Finally, I realized the get away bag was my gym bag. I laughed when I realized they had actually taken things out of the bag leaving me my hairbrush, magic hair towel and tampons. He even overlooked a wool change purse that was ready to be dumped into the change pile. They even took the coin wrappers off of the top of the change piles and left those for me.

While I realized a few other items had been moved - like my digital camera. It had been the coins and laptop they focused on in their exodus. It seems the thief preferred the less traceable no need to sell it factor of the coinage over my more valuable objects. I picture the Coin Star receiving my slush funds. I look around the house and I realize exactly how many things were not taken. Things that are valuable to my heart. For this I am truly thankful. My anger begins to die down. It is still there but now I can sit and eat lunch and do a little bit of real estate work.

My friends and neighbors have all been wonderful. Jody who walked down from his house in the thick of things to make sure I was alright. My fabulous next door neighbors held Dagny and loved her while the police were here and then they plowed me with the most delicious red wine. Everything taken can be replaced. I can start a new coin slush fund with the change purse they left me and the containers they left behind. My pets are fine. The house is fine. I am fine. I feel safe and still love my house.

By end of the afternoon, I had clearly leveled off from an anger level of MoFucker to lil'fucker.

Mother Fuckers

2007-09-09T19:29:00.000-07:00

Yup - that seems like a pretty harsh title. But frankly I don't have anything else to say except mother fucker(s). I came home this afternoon to find my house had been broken into - broad daylight and neighbors home. My laptop is gone. And about $250 in coins. It will be interesting to see what else is amiss.

The only thing I have to say is Mother Fucker.

(yes - i did call the police. and my neighbors helped with some red wine and comfort. Dagny was a little freaked out but seems fine to have the drama done with. I have been changing passwords as precaution and also putting my cards on alert. Tomorrow I will change the locks b/c it makes ME feel better.)

Recycle

2007-09-04T21:48:00.000-07:00

I believe in recycling. I recycle - cans, bottles, plastics, yard debris and even my Christmas tree. I recycle to the Goodwill. I am even making more of an effort to drink filtered water over bottled water. But as I have been purging papers and files I have been astounded at the amount of paper I am tossing out and into the landfills. Thinking there had to be a place to recycle all of this paper....I did a little exploring on the world wide web.

Amazingly, I found on the City Atlanta web site a list of what I can recycle in my little curb side recycle bin. I am mortified to discover I have only minored in recycling. There are so many things I am allowed to put in that bin besides bottles and plastics. I vow to up my recycle efforts 100% effective immediately.

Enjoy Every Sandwich

2007-08-28T07:07:00.000-07:00

My friend and a fellow Girl Fight Clubber - Tommy Housworth - writes. He writes real good. He writes great short stories, dynamic scripts for the corporate world and a blog. You should check out his blog and Enjoy Every Sandwich.

Week in Review

2007-08-27T18:46:00.000-07:00

I had a really good week. At times I wanted to cry or scream. Sometimes I fought the urge to hit a couple of people. But at the end, I have to say it was a really good week.

I was sad to say goodbye to Adam. We 485'ers got together with Coach Dunn to watch our show. We watched it and that was good. Adam leaving that is not good for us but I am excited for him. Bill & I & Adam had a little Figo pasta. I am really grateful to have that dinner with Bill & Adam - laughing. It is hard to be sad when I know Adam is going on a great adventure. He promises to keep in touch.

On Tuesday Atlanta's Step Up Society came and hauled off the old desk and things that were ready to leave my house and find new homes. Man, oh, man. That is the best feeling letting go of all of that stuff! Out with the Old and In with the New.

On Thursday, I had lunch with Rory & his parents. Rory flew in from NYC and his parents drove over to pick him up. His parents are my Alabama family. I have known them since college. They came to see all our plays. They visited when I lived in NYC with Rory. I adore them. It was a great lunch and a nice treat in the middle of the week.

I had two closings this week and a walk thru for an upcoming closing. Closings are good. Real good. especially with all of the craziness of the mortgage world. The rules have changed and adaptation is key. But this past week was a good week for the working girl...except for the few moments I thought about throwing things at people. It was just a fleeting urge.

On Saturday - my new desk pieces arrived from the Pottery Barn. This is part of my trying to make my life more efficient. And of course - I am not one to sacrifice asthetics for order. I love my surroundings to be pleasant and beautiful. I am thankful for Rory and all of his advice on the design side of things. THANKS, RORY, for the color! The order part takes effort for me but as I am working my around the house purging away the clutter and reorganizing it all - it is getting easier. And I must say - I am quite pleased with my new work space. It is going to make me lots of money! All the drawers WORK and there are many drawers to tuck things away. And did I mention that everything matches????! I am pleased to say that I have the desktop and internet working quite nicely. No breaking of anything. AND Sadie has found her way back onto the top of the desk and under the light.

On Sunday - Rory rolled back my way. We ate dinner at Wisteria. It was a great meal and Jason, the chef, hung out with us for a while - telling jokes and buying us drinks. It was great to talk and laugh and eat a great meal. Thanks for the martini's, Jeff. Rory got to see his room for the first time too. Yup, I have named my guest room - Rory's room. He has been designing it for NYC and last night experienced his vision. Soon the curtains will arrive and most will be done in there! Today - we ate breakfast at the Biscuit and then off the airport. I am campaigning for him to move here. Dagny last night kept bringing him all of her toys and bones - trying to impress him. Even Newman hung out with us as we watched SouthPark. Good times.

It was a good week.

Oh Joy, Oh Rapture

2007-08-21T06:59:00.000-07:00

I am a huge Netflix fan. I am one the four at a time subscribers. Most of my TV watching is through Netflix. WELLLL...it just got better. Thanks to Dunn for letting me in on the Instant Watch Feature. You can watch on your computer a movie/tv show (great Discovery Channel/History stuff too) and it is included in your subscription fees. Oh Joy, Oh Rapture.

Tap Star

2007-08-20T18:05:00.001-07:00

My friend MK was cleaning out her old stuff from the attic and she discovered a doll.

From the depths of my own photo album, I unearthed this never before seen picture of me.

Lackvista

2007-08-16T21:05:00.000-07:00

My affection towards Vista was short lived. So now, Bill, there are only 3 people who like it. And even that number could have dropped.

Yup - I am Definitely A Girl

2007-08-16T11:36:00.000-07:00

I just received the call that my desk/office furniture is going to be delivered NEXT Saturday. And I am so excited. I will be on cloud 9 when i get the couch call in October.

Yup. Furniture excites me. Can't wait to find the perfect lamp for Rory's room.

Vista

2007-08-16T11:12:00.001-07:00

I actually like this Windows Vistas. It is nice to me.

Back On Line

2007-08-14T19:22:00.000-07:00

My replacement laptop arrived today. Yup the other one after 4 replaced mother board...died again. Mother F-ing...piece of plastic.

This new guy is enjoyable. Different model than the Mother F-ing one. I like the new one better - not just because it works. The keyboard feels better.

I am sure my blogs will be better with this laptop.