I had a real brainiac moment yesterday. Kind of embarrassing to share, but it's good for a chuckle.
My husband and I were at Safeway, and I grabbed a container of sour cream from the refrigerator section. I looked at the bottom to check the expiration date. It read "OCT 06."
Genius that I am, I blurted out, "October 2006? What kind of sour cream is this???" I looked at my husband all confused. He's got the single arched eyebrow thing going. He glances at the container in my hand and says, "Uh, I think it means October the 6th." Oops! Hee hee...
I think my brain had a 'DUH... ' moment. Can't believe I did that. And seriously, for that second, I really didn't understand how sour cream could last for over a year!!! Yes, it's time for me and my poor brain to go on vacation.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Visitors
My hubby's aunts are coming over the see our new place today. Just for a few minutes before we head out to his parent's place for dinner together. It's been a frantic 'where can we shove everything' morning. Actually, I was up until 3am last night cleaning up. Well, I did some cleanup - then I found out how much fun those free demo online games are. I was up until 3am playing something called Luxor. Anyway...
The living room is clean - looks nice, except for the dining table which is currently the temporary home to my husband's work papers. We got the second layer of curtains we wanted for the living room - we have cranberry red ones that will stay open on the sides, and then sheerish white ones covering the entire window. It looks really nice. The window is really wide, so we wanted to put a small screw in the ceiling and then use some fishwire to pull up the drooping part of the rods in the middle. Yeah, took us a minute to realize that the ceiling is all concrete. Hubby has to get a new 'drill bit' for his electric drill that is specifically for concrete. So, that brilliant idea is on hold for now - and we have a small little hole in our beautiful yellow walls. Every time I glance up there, I think there's a small bug.
I gave up on the study. It's a mess. At least it's an organized piled mess. Big mistake giving up that one chest of drawers. Lost three shelves and three drawers worth of storage. Now it's all in ugly packing boxes and little piles of stuff around my desk. Good thing is that, for now, I still can use the excuse, "We just moved in."
Here's something nice. Our upstairs neighbors just came by. Meeting them for the first time. They invited us to their housewarming party next weekend. Finally meeting some people here. It's amazing. Dozens of units on my floor, and over 500 units in the two combined complexes - we've met about three people. It's not like we're anti-social or anything. You go out into the halls, there is never anyone around. Odd. We met our direct next door neighbor once on the elevator - and have never seen him since. I'm thinking it would be nice to attend this party and meet some more neighbors. Odd that this is coming from me - I'm usually very shy about meeting new people. I'm not shy around my friends - but if you're new to me, it takes me a while to open up.
Lot's of different news today. I received an email from an uncle today. He is trying to collect donations to help with my uncle and cousins out in the New Orleans area. He mentioned that some people in the family already donated $4000 and $5000. I can't give anything even in that ballpark unfortunately, but I'll try my best. I think my uncle and cousins in New Orleans will be comforted to know that the family is here for them. My uncle wasn't able to make the reunion last month because of his health - but we had made him a special video and sent him our love. I'm sure even that video is gone now. In a way, I'm glad we had the reunion so recently - it brings our large family closer in our hearts.
The living room is clean - looks nice, except for the dining table which is currently the temporary home to my husband's work papers. We got the second layer of curtains we wanted for the living room - we have cranberry red ones that will stay open on the sides, and then sheerish white ones covering the entire window. It looks really nice. The window is really wide, so we wanted to put a small screw in the ceiling and then use some fishwire to pull up the drooping part of the rods in the middle. Yeah, took us a minute to realize that the ceiling is all concrete. Hubby has to get a new 'drill bit' for his electric drill that is specifically for concrete. So, that brilliant idea is on hold for now - and we have a small little hole in our beautiful yellow walls. Every time I glance up there, I think there's a small bug.
I gave up on the study. It's a mess. At least it's an organized piled mess. Big mistake giving up that one chest of drawers. Lost three shelves and three drawers worth of storage. Now it's all in ugly packing boxes and little piles of stuff around my desk. Good thing is that, for now, I still can use the excuse, "We just moved in."
Here's something nice. Our upstairs neighbors just came by. Meeting them for the first time. They invited us to their housewarming party next weekend. Finally meeting some people here. It's amazing. Dozens of units on my floor, and over 500 units in the two combined complexes - we've met about three people. It's not like we're anti-social or anything. You go out into the halls, there is never anyone around. Odd. We met our direct next door neighbor once on the elevator - and have never seen him since. I'm thinking it would be nice to attend this party and meet some more neighbors. Odd that this is coming from me - I'm usually very shy about meeting new people. I'm not shy around my friends - but if you're new to me, it takes me a while to open up.
Lot's of different news today. I received an email from an uncle today. He is trying to collect donations to help with my uncle and cousins out in the New Orleans area. He mentioned that some people in the family already donated $4000 and $5000. I can't give anything even in that ballpark unfortunately, but I'll try my best. I think my uncle and cousins in New Orleans will be comforted to know that the family is here for them. My uncle wasn't able to make the reunion last month because of his health - but we had made him a special video and sent him our love. I'm sure even that video is gone now. In a way, I'm glad we had the reunion so recently - it brings our large family closer in our hearts.
Saturday, September 03, 2005
A great idea
I just read an article today that put a smile on my face. The government has chartered three of the Carnivale Cruise Lines' ships to provide temporary housing for about 7000 people in the Gulf Coast disaster. How wonderful! I never even thought of that! I was thinking about how the many hotels in neighboring states should provide housing - which they probably are. But so many folks out there wouldn't be able to afford it. Carnivale will get a big publicity boost - but at this point, who cares? It's a great idea - and though it will only help a small percentage - every little bit helps, right? 7000 is 7000. Vacation cruises on those three ships have been canceled and refunded. The important thing is the find a place for people to feel like people again. To give them a chance to start thinking about piecing their lives together again.
Even though there is mass criticism of how slow the response was (especially when we knew the hurricane was going to hit days beforehand - and no one stepped up to help evacuate the area in the first place) troops have landed and are helping evacuate the remaining people and to provide food and water to those unfortunate souls. Help was late - and it's not a 'better late than never' situation. It should have been there. But at least it is there now.
Even though there is mass criticism of how slow the response was (especially when we knew the hurricane was going to hit days beforehand - and no one stepped up to help evacuate the area in the first place) troops have landed and are helping evacuate the remaining people and to provide food and water to those unfortunate souls. Help was late - and it's not a 'better late than never' situation. It should have been there. But at least it is there now.
Friday, September 02, 2005
I don't understand
The devastation of New Orleans is just incredible. I had no idea how much damage could result from a hurricane and its aftermath. I've never seen anything like the images that are constantly on the news and frontpages of newspapers.
I have family in New Orleans and the surrounding area. Luckily, they were all evacuated to safety. Their homes and life as they knew it has been destroyed. It's just terrible - but at least they're safe and sound, and most of them are together.
What I don't understand is, in addition to the devastation, every day there are the reports of looting (which, sadly, isn't surprising), gangs of teens with guns raping women, and snipers shooting at rescue workers trying to evacuate a hospital? What is going on? Why do people do this? It's just sickening how people are.
It's just awful to hear the stories of the survivors, what they went through. What they're going through. And there are those who are actually out there trying to help. But then you have to deal with stupid idiots with guns or just poor sense of humanity? I don't even know what to say. It's just sickening.
I just pray that disaster of this magnitude never strikes SF (thinking earthquakes) - because I know that while there will be many angels out there who will risk their own lives to help others, there will always been the black hearted individuals out there who will cause additional chaos and destruction. They really shouldn't qualify as 'people'. And I wouldn't want to insult our furry (and non-furry) friends of the world by categorizing 'them' as animals either.
Sorry to vent. Every time I visit the CNN site or watch the news, I just get so disgusted by everything.
I have family in New Orleans and the surrounding area. Luckily, they were all evacuated to safety. Their homes and life as they knew it has been destroyed. It's just terrible - but at least they're safe and sound, and most of them are together.
What I don't understand is, in addition to the devastation, every day there are the reports of looting (which, sadly, isn't surprising), gangs of teens with guns raping women, and snipers shooting at rescue workers trying to evacuate a hospital? What is going on? Why do people do this? It's just sickening how people are.
It's just awful to hear the stories of the survivors, what they went through. What they're going through. And there are those who are actually out there trying to help. But then you have to deal with stupid idiots with guns or just poor sense of humanity? I don't even know what to say. It's just sickening.
I just pray that disaster of this magnitude never strikes SF (thinking earthquakes) - because I know that while there will be many angels out there who will risk their own lives to help others, there will always been the black hearted individuals out there who will cause additional chaos and destruction. They really shouldn't qualify as 'people'. And I wouldn't want to insult our furry (and non-furry) friends of the world by categorizing 'them' as animals either.
Sorry to vent. Every time I visit the CNN site or watch the news, I just get so disgusted by everything.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Anxious
Two dear friends of mine are pregnant. Both of them are due either this week or next week. This will be the first child for both, so it could be any day now! I'm so excited. I'm just anxious to hear the great news that the babies have arrived.
I'm no where near wanting children of my own yet - I think my 'clock' may need new batteries or something - but I'm always very excited to see my friends start this new journey in life. There's just something about watching your friend holding their newborn baby in their arms - and the look of peace and love on their faces... that's priceless.
I'm no where near wanting children of my own yet - I think my 'clock' may need new batteries or something - but I'm always very excited to see my friends start this new journey in life. There's just something about watching your friend holding their newborn baby in their arms - and the look of peace and love on their faces... that's priceless.
Monday, August 29, 2005
Birthday weekend
Love birthdays, hate getting older. But, what can ya do?
Lots of love from my dearest friends and family. Makes one feel all warm and fuzzy inside - it's a great feeling.
Had dinner with my parents and grandma on Friday. We went to one of my favorite Chinese restaurants, Koi Palace. They had a wonderful seafood selection, which is apparent when you enter the restaurant. There is a special display area of live seafood - various fish, crab, lobster, clams, shrimp, from all over the globe. There is nothing more delicious that fresh seafood. It was a wonderful evening with my family, and lots of leftovers to enjoy later.
On Saturday, my hubby took me to my FAVORITE Indian restaurant for lunch. Indian Clay Oven on Clement St, between 25th and 26th Avenues. The Buffet lunch is what it's all about. There's something for everyone. All you can eat buffet for $7.95. Yes, I pigged out big time. We worked off some of the meal by stopping by my parent's place and washed and waxed our car.
Interesting story. Some guy on a bike rode by at one point, yelling something about gas. We didn't even realize he was yelling at us until he commented on our SUV and that he couldn't wait to see us suffer when we use up all the gas in the world. OK... Someone was a little bitter, huh? He stopped at the red light at the end of the block, and every once in a while he would turn back to us and yell, "I can't wait!"
After running some errands and resting up at home for a few hours, we headed out to another favorite restaurant of ours, Bursa Kebob, to meet up with some friends for dinner. Bursa serves up fabulous Mediterranean cuisine. Seriously! Try their appetizer platter, and their lamb kebobs! You won't regret it! And for dessert - they have a fried cheese that is out of this world. My husband always gets this sliced beef dish. All I know is, it's the first one listed on the right column of the menu. As you can tell, I don't know the names of these dishes, but the menu has descriptions, so you'll be able to find them without any problem. I know, I sound like I'm advertising these restaurants, but they're really so good! I want to tell everyone to try them!
After dinner, we headed over to The Beach Chalet to hear my friend's band play. They're Porkchop Express. They're kind of a country/rock band. I don't know how else to describe them. They do some cover songs, but most are their own. If you go check them out, don't leave until you hear their 'pancake' song. They usually sing it for their finale. It's hilarious - and catchy. It will be a cult favorite someday, I'm sure of it. They sang me a special birthday song - very cool!
The evening ended at my friend June's house. I have proclaimed their puppy, Mochi, as my God-puppy, so we had to go visit with him. He is just so adorable. I'll have to post some photos of the little darling. He's about five months old now. My friend got him for her birthday - he was only 8 weeks old then. Just a puff ball of cotton with little legs. Cute just does not describe him.
So, 3am - we all decided, yeah, it's time to call it a night.
Sunday, my hubby and I got up late, lazed around some more, and then finally went to the downtown shopping area around 4pm. We just walked around - I had to return a couple of things. We then had dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. It was 5:30p, and we still had to wait over an hour for a table! Unbelievable that so many people eat that early! Anyway, during dinner I realized, HEY! I never got a cake for my birthday. I'm not a big sweets person, so I was just joking about it. I thought of it while some folks were singing 'Happy Birthday' at a nearby table. So, we got a slice of my favorite Strawberry Cheesecake to go, and he sang me a personal 'Happy Birthday' at home. No candle, but the cheesecake was damn good!
So, that was my birthday weekend. Now, I have three months left to lose the new weight I've gained.
Lots of love from my dearest friends and family. Makes one feel all warm and fuzzy inside - it's a great feeling.
Had dinner with my parents and grandma on Friday. We went to one of my favorite Chinese restaurants, Koi Palace. They had a wonderful seafood selection, which is apparent when you enter the restaurant. There is a special display area of live seafood - various fish, crab, lobster, clams, shrimp, from all over the globe. There is nothing more delicious that fresh seafood. It was a wonderful evening with my family, and lots of leftovers to enjoy later.
On Saturday, my hubby took me to my FAVORITE Indian restaurant for lunch. Indian Clay Oven on Clement St, between 25th and 26th Avenues. The Buffet lunch is what it's all about. There's something for everyone. All you can eat buffet for $7.95. Yes, I pigged out big time. We worked off some of the meal by stopping by my parent's place and washed and waxed our car.
Interesting story. Some guy on a bike rode by at one point, yelling something about gas. We didn't even realize he was yelling at us until he commented on our SUV and that he couldn't wait to see us suffer when we use up all the gas in the world. OK... Someone was a little bitter, huh? He stopped at the red light at the end of the block, and every once in a while he would turn back to us and yell, "I can't wait!"
After running some errands and resting up at home for a few hours, we headed out to another favorite restaurant of ours, Bursa Kebob, to meet up with some friends for dinner. Bursa serves up fabulous Mediterranean cuisine. Seriously! Try their appetizer platter, and their lamb kebobs! You won't regret it! And for dessert - they have a fried cheese that is out of this world. My husband always gets this sliced beef dish. All I know is, it's the first one listed on the right column of the menu. As you can tell, I don't know the names of these dishes, but the menu has descriptions, so you'll be able to find them without any problem. I know, I sound like I'm advertising these restaurants, but they're really so good! I want to tell everyone to try them!
After dinner, we headed over to The Beach Chalet to hear my friend's band play. They're Porkchop Express. They're kind of a country/rock band. I don't know how else to describe them. They do some cover songs, but most are their own. If you go check them out, don't leave until you hear their 'pancake' song. They usually sing it for their finale. It's hilarious - and catchy. It will be a cult favorite someday, I'm sure of it. They sang me a special birthday song - very cool!
The evening ended at my friend June's house. I have proclaimed their puppy, Mochi, as my God-puppy, so we had to go visit with him. He is just so adorable. I'll have to post some photos of the little darling. He's about five months old now. My friend got him for her birthday - he was only 8 weeks old then. Just a puff ball of cotton with little legs. Cute just does not describe him.
So, 3am - we all decided, yeah, it's time to call it a night.
Sunday, my hubby and I got up late, lazed around some more, and then finally went to the downtown shopping area around 4pm. We just walked around - I had to return a couple of things. We then had dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. It was 5:30p, and we still had to wait over an hour for a table! Unbelievable that so many people eat that early! Anyway, during dinner I realized, HEY! I never got a cake for my birthday. I'm not a big sweets person, so I was just joking about it. I thought of it while some folks were singing 'Happy Birthday' at a nearby table. So, we got a slice of my favorite Strawberry Cheesecake to go, and he sang me a personal 'Happy Birthday' at home. No candle, but the cheesecake was damn good!
So, that was my birthday weekend. Now, I have three months left to lose the new weight I've gained.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Feeling better
Stayed home one more day. Got a lot of work done without the usual interruptions I get at the office. Too bad I can't just work from home. Someday, when I have my own business...
It's been a weird week. I've never napped so much in my life! But I'm definitely feeling better - and thanks to my friends who make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside by sending me their 'get well' wishes.
Wow, this is going to be a hella short week. I worked half a day on Monday, will actually go back to work tomorrow (Thurs), and then I'm off on Friday for my birthday. Hee hee. I love it.
On another note, my favorite college roomie is getting married! The wedding is set for November - so that gives me just three months to lose all this fat and look fabulous. I'm going to be a bridesmaid. I love this girl, and this is the event that I've been waiting to celebrate with her since forever. She met her hubby-to-be in high school, and nearly 15 years later (15 years!) they're finally tying the knot - and all of us couldn't be happier.
Unfortunately, I can't make the bridal shower, but I am going to the bachelorette party. Wouldn't miss it for the world. Got my plane ticket already. Where will it be? Fabulous Las Vegas, of course!!! I'm helping the matron of honor plan out the evening's festivities. Yes, there will be some embarassment - but that is tradition, right? It's like a rite of passage - you gotta do it. I'm just thrilled to be able to spend some time with her. We rarely see each other (maybe once a year?), but we have one of those relationships where we'll call each other and just pick up right where we left off. She's a very special person, and my heart just bursts with happiness for her and her hubby-to-be.
It's been a weird week. I've never napped so much in my life! But I'm definitely feeling better - and thanks to my friends who make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside by sending me their 'get well' wishes.
Wow, this is going to be a hella short week. I worked half a day on Monday, will actually go back to work tomorrow (Thurs), and then I'm off on Friday for my birthday. Hee hee. I love it.
On another note, my favorite college roomie is getting married! The wedding is set for November - so that gives me just three months to lose all this fat and look fabulous. I'm going to be a bridesmaid. I love this girl, and this is the event that I've been waiting to celebrate with her since forever. She met her hubby-to-be in high school, and nearly 15 years later (15 years!) they're finally tying the knot - and all of us couldn't be happier.
Unfortunately, I can't make the bridal shower, but I am going to the bachelorette party. Wouldn't miss it for the world. Got my plane ticket already. Where will it be? Fabulous Las Vegas, of course!!! I'm helping the matron of honor plan out the evening's festivities. Yes, there will be some embarassment - but that is tradition, right? It's like a rite of passage - you gotta do it. I'm just thrilled to be able to spend some time with her. We rarely see each other (maybe once a year?), but we have one of those relationships where we'll call each other and just pick up right where we left off. She's a very special person, and my heart just bursts with happiness for her and her hubby-to-be.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Sick again!
I'm home sick again. I was coughing more and more last night, so I decided it would be best to take today off and really just not talk and rest up. I want to be 100% by the weekend. At least I didn't lose my voice this time. I haven't coughed much this morning. GOOD! I'm blowing my nose a lot, so it's all raw now. NOT GOOD!
So, I'm just working a little from home today. Trying to update a website for work. Monte, for the first time that I've seen, has settled onto the blanket area we set up for him on the window seat next to me. He's keeping me company.
So, I'm just working a little from home today. Trying to update a website for work. Monte, for the first time that I've seen, has settled onto the blanket area we set up for him on the window seat next to me. He's keeping me company.
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Early birthday present
Lookie what my mom-in-law got me for me as an early birthday gift!
Aren't they wonderful? She gave these to me while we were still in NY. I'm going to knit them together - I did a test patch of it while in NY, and it looked so cute. I wanted to try with bigger needles, so I took apart the little I started with. Can't wait to use these up! The colors are fabulous - almost like candy.
Aren't they wonderful? She gave these to me while we were still in NY. I'm going to knit them together - I did a test patch of it while in NY, and it looked so cute. I wanted to try with bigger needles, so I took apart the little I started with. Can't wait to use these up! The colors are fabulous - almost like candy.
Great news
A few posts ago, I mentioned that my friend's cat might have to be put to sleep because of kidney failure. Well, the great news is, after further testing, Max is OK!!! He does not have kidney failure. There is nothing wrong with him at all! What they suspect is that he must have eaten something, maybe a dropped pill, that shot his toxic levels way off the charts - leading to the signs of kidney failure.
Good thing they did more tests. Max is alive and well - and healthy. Yea for the kitty!
In not so great news, I'm sick again. It hit me suddenly Friday night. My throat was sore, but I thought that was just from the allergies I was suffering. I had been sneezing all day. Well, I woke up Saturday morning and I was just miserable. My throat was on fire every time I swallowed, and my sinuses are completely swollen. I'm doing that thing where you lay on one side for only a few minutes before that nostril gets completely plugged up, and then you have to flip to the other side.
My birthday is on Friday - I'm just praying that I don't end up losing my voice like I did the last time I had a cold. It takes several days just for my voice to recover, even when I'm not feeling sick anymore. I don't know what to do to prevent it. I just wake up in the morning, and it's gone.
Good thing they did more tests. Max is alive and well - and healthy. Yea for the kitty!
In not so great news, I'm sick again. It hit me suddenly Friday night. My throat was sore, but I thought that was just from the allergies I was suffering. I had been sneezing all day. Well, I woke up Saturday morning and I was just miserable. My throat was on fire every time I swallowed, and my sinuses are completely swollen. I'm doing that thing where you lay on one side for only a few minutes before that nostril gets completely plugged up, and then you have to flip to the other side.
My birthday is on Friday - I'm just praying that I don't end up losing my voice like I did the last time I had a cold. It takes several days just for my voice to recover, even when I'm not feeling sick anymore. I don't know what to do to prevent it. I just wake up in the morning, and it's gone.
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Finished Harry Potter!
Forgot to mention that, while I had received my new book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the day it was released, I had been saving it for my NY trip. I even reread the previous book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, just to get back into the story. And it's a good thing I did - they mentioned a lot of characters and events from that book.
So, on my trip, I started and finished the book. Couldn't help myself. Didn't have anything to read on the plane ride back. I loved it - and now I have to wait another year for the final story.
I'm not going to spoil it for anyone and talk about it further, but it's definitely a much darker story and a little disturbing with what happens to some of the characters. Harry, Ron, and Hermione are growing up - and it will be sad to know their story will be ending too soon.
The next movie, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, is coming out in November! I haven't seen the trailers yet, but I saw a poster for the movie in the theater a while ago.
So, on my trip, I started and finished the book. Couldn't help myself. Didn't have anything to read on the plane ride back. I loved it - and now I have to wait another year for the final story.
I'm not going to spoil it for anyone and talk about it further, but it's definitely a much darker story and a little disturbing with what happens to some of the characters. Harry, Ron, and Hermione are growing up - and it will be sad to know their story will be ending too soon.
The next movie, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, is coming out in November! I haven't seen the trailers yet, but I saw a poster for the movie in the theater a while ago.
Friday, August 19, 2005
Reunion week/Cedar Point
What better way to begin than going back to the beginning? This was a trip to NY to meet family that is on my mother-in-law's side. Aside from an aunt and uncle, my hubby and had never met any of the other family members. So, to clarify references in my following entry, I consider all these people my family as well. They are the kindest, most generous, loving people one could ever hope to meet in life. And even though it's only through marriage, they are fully my uncle, aunts and cousins as well. If you can learn to love people within a week - then I declare to everyone, I love my new family!
8/11 - flew from SF to Philadelphia. Quick stop - just enough time to enjoy a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich. OK - it may not be the 'real' thing that is out there in the city, but with only an hour, we had to make due. Important thing? It was delicious.
Then from Philly we flew into Syracuse, New York. It was already 10pm, so the entire day was gone. My in-laws picked us up from the airport and we called it a night at the hotel.
8/12 - Syracuse to Sacket's Harbor to meet up with family and have lunch. We ate at this wonderful place called Tin Pan Galley. If you happen to go there, try the BBQ pork with sweet corn pancakes. Delicious! After lunch, we walked around a little bit to take in the town, and then we headed to the 1000 Islands.
Most of the family live in the major cities, but they have these wonderful lake front cottages they stay at on the weekends/summer - so we spent most of our days at the cottages. We stayed at this bed and breakfast called The Chateau. It's a very old building, and while the proprietor there was very nice - all I can say about it is that there were spiders everywhere! Anyone who knows me, knows that I am terrified, TERRIFIED, of spiders. First night we were there, my hubby killed 10 spiders in our room. I am not exaggerating. I counted. And these things were the size of nickels. It was quite ridiculous. I didn't sleep all night.
8/13 - Went over to cousin Jim and Sue's cottage for the day. They have a boat, and as more family members arrived, a couple of us went out on Jim's boat for some tubing. I have never done this before. Let me tell you, I only lasted a few minutes, and my arms were so tired, I'm lucky I didn't get flung off the tube. For the next 5 days, I couldn't lift my arms, they were so sore. Anyway, back to the cottage for a casual reunion celebration - complete with cake for all the August birthdays (including me)! Everyone was having a fabulous time - getting to know each other, reliving old family memories. It was a very special day.
Later that afternoon, we went out on another boat to do some fishing. I like fishing - I can do the bait and everything, but I just can't get the fish off the hook. Jim says he hadn't taken that boat out for a few weeks - and I believed him. At one point, I was hopping onto a bench screaming while three people were trying to maneuver on this little boat to kill a 1/2 dollar sized spider for me. Disgusting. Funny sight, but disgusting.
Anyway, all I can say is, to all you fisherman out there, don't underestimate the power of the worm. Jim and Doug, both fishermen, used their special bait - and I used the icky, squirmy worms. I caught 10 fish! They were small Perch, so they were thrown back, but I caught them. They were biting before the hook touched the bottom. It was awesome. Poor Jim, never really got a chance to fish, because almost every time I let my hook down, I was already reeling it in before he even had a chance to pick up his own fishing rod.
Back at the cottage, we had a casual dinner of sandwiches. Said goodbye to some cousins and ended our evening back at our B&B killing more spiders.
8/14 - Happy Birthday to my father-in-law! Dropped the parents off with our uncle and aunt for Bridge day. The rest of us went sightseeing around the 1000 Islands area. First stop was a barn/garage sale. Would you believe what I found? This cup! I had this exact same cup back when I was a toddler. I totally remember it. I couldn't believe someone was selling my cup on the other side of the states. It was very surreal. I didn't buy it, but it sure brought back lot of memories.
Next stop, Alexandria Bay. It's a cute little waterfront tourist area. Very much like SF's Fisherman's Wharf, only much cleaner and not fishy smelling. It definitely had its share of tourist shops. From the dock of Alex Bay, you can see Heart Island - and sitting regally in the middle of it, Boldt Castle. A very brief history of the castle goes like this... George Boldt was building this castle for his wife Louise. She died when it was about 90% finished. The day she died was the day the construction was halted. George never returned to the island. It's very sad. There are heart motifs everywhere. I don't know if he was the one who name the island, Heart Island.
We then headed over to Clayton. Beautiful little town. Brick facade buildings, cobblestone streets - it's very cute. Most stores were closed by the time we got there though - so we headed back to Jim and Sue's cottage. Jim took us out on his boat for a mini tour of the islands. It saw many restored Victorian homes, quaint little cottages, and others that can only be described as mansions. The sunset was coming soon, and the sky was on fire with the most beautiful colors of orange imaginable.
As the night progressed, the sky went from orange to bright pink. Words cannot describe it, so I'll just let the picture speak for itself.
8/15 - Left the 1000 Islands, headed to Buffalo and to the Niagara Falls. If you have been there, you know that the Falls are amazing. The power of the water as it plunges down, creating a mist so thick that you can't even see the back end of, what they call, the Horseshoe. We rode the Maid of the Mist to get as close as possible to the Falls. What an incredible feeling.
8/16 - Said good-bye to my in-laws as they headed back to SF. My hubby and I got a rental car and headed towards Cleveland, Ohio. The first quest was to find a White Castle. I have heard about these little burgers for so long, and darn it - there aren't any on the West Coast. Finally we found one in Cleveland. We were so happy. They were delicious!
While we were in Cleveland, we also stopped by The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Wow - if you love rock & roll history, then this place needs to be on your places to see list. It's incredible how much memorabilia they have. From Jimmy Hendrix's childhood drawings to Britney Spears' latest tour costumes - they've got it. You're not allowed to take pictures beyond the main floor, so all I could really get were the cars - which I don't recognize from anywhere - and I couldn't find a description plaque.
After that - we headed to our final destination - Sandusky. Home to the Cedar Point Amusement Park. The park was our agenda for the next day, so we drove around and found this store called Meijer's.
Let me tell you - Meijer's is an incredible store. Just picture Target, Home Depot, Michael's Arts & Crafts, Petco, Sportsmart, Safeway, and a mini Blockbuster - all under one roof. I kid you not. This store was amazing. I never take pictures like this - but I couldn't resist.
8/17 - Cedar Point! This was the best park I have ever been to, if only for two rides there - Top Thrill Dragster and the Millenium Force coasters.
Both are incredible. Top Thrill Dragster blasts you 120 mph straight up a 420 feet tower, and you come back straight down. The ride is about 17 seconds. The line for the ride was over an hour and half. See in the picture, the train is actually on it's way down on the left side of the tower.
Millenium Force has a 310 ft drop. Also has a line of about 90 minutes, but was worth it.
After 11 hours of waiting in line and screaming at the top of our lungs, my hubby and I said our farewells to Cedar Point.
8/18 - The journey home. We drove back to Cleveland and from there flew to Denver and then SF. Somewhere over Denver, I happened to look out the plane window and the noticed how the fields were shaped. It was very unusual - the squares and circles. The different colors. It was almost like a work of art laid out below.
So, that, in a nutshell, was my week.
8/11 - flew from SF to Philadelphia. Quick stop - just enough time to enjoy a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich. OK - it may not be the 'real' thing that is out there in the city, but with only an hour, we had to make due. Important thing? It was delicious.
Then from Philly we flew into Syracuse, New York. It was already 10pm, so the entire day was gone. My in-laws picked us up from the airport and we called it a night at the hotel.
8/12 - Syracuse to Sacket's Harbor to meet up with family and have lunch. We ate at this wonderful place called Tin Pan Galley. If you happen to go there, try the BBQ pork with sweet corn pancakes. Delicious! After lunch, we walked around a little bit to take in the town, and then we headed to the 1000 Islands.
Most of the family live in the major cities, but they have these wonderful lake front cottages they stay at on the weekends/summer - so we spent most of our days at the cottages. We stayed at this bed and breakfast called The Chateau. It's a very old building, and while the proprietor there was very nice - all I can say about it is that there were spiders everywhere! Anyone who knows me, knows that I am terrified, TERRIFIED, of spiders. First night we were there, my hubby killed 10 spiders in our room. I am not exaggerating. I counted. And these things were the size of nickels. It was quite ridiculous. I didn't sleep all night.
8/13 - Went over to cousin Jim and Sue's cottage for the day. They have a boat, and as more family members arrived, a couple of us went out on Jim's boat for some tubing. I have never done this before. Let me tell you, I only lasted a few minutes, and my arms were so tired, I'm lucky I didn't get flung off the tube. For the next 5 days, I couldn't lift my arms, they were so sore. Anyway, back to the cottage for a casual reunion celebration - complete with cake for all the August birthdays (including me)! Everyone was having a fabulous time - getting to know each other, reliving old family memories. It was a very special day.
Later that afternoon, we went out on another boat to do some fishing. I like fishing - I can do the bait and everything, but I just can't get the fish off the hook. Jim says he hadn't taken that boat out for a few weeks - and I believed him. At one point, I was hopping onto a bench screaming while three people were trying to maneuver on this little boat to kill a 1/2 dollar sized spider for me. Disgusting. Funny sight, but disgusting.
Anyway, all I can say is, to all you fisherman out there, don't underestimate the power of the worm. Jim and Doug, both fishermen, used their special bait - and I used the icky, squirmy worms. I caught 10 fish! They were small Perch, so they were thrown back, but I caught them. They were biting before the hook touched the bottom. It was awesome. Poor Jim, never really got a chance to fish, because almost every time I let my hook down, I was already reeling it in before he even had a chance to pick up his own fishing rod.
Back at the cottage, we had a casual dinner of sandwiches. Said goodbye to some cousins and ended our evening back at our B&B killing more spiders.
8/14 - Happy Birthday to my father-in-law! Dropped the parents off with our uncle and aunt for Bridge day. The rest of us went sightseeing around the 1000 Islands area. First stop was a barn/garage sale. Would you believe what I found? This cup! I had this exact same cup back when I was a toddler. I totally remember it. I couldn't believe someone was selling my cup on the other side of the states. It was very surreal. I didn't buy it, but it sure brought back lot of memories.
Next stop, Alexandria Bay. It's a cute little waterfront tourist area. Very much like SF's Fisherman's Wharf, only much cleaner and not fishy smelling. It definitely had its share of tourist shops. From the dock of Alex Bay, you can see Heart Island - and sitting regally in the middle of it, Boldt Castle. A very brief history of the castle goes like this... George Boldt was building this castle for his wife Louise. She died when it was about 90% finished. The day she died was the day the construction was halted. George never returned to the island. It's very sad. There are heart motifs everywhere. I don't know if he was the one who name the island, Heart Island.
We then headed over to Clayton. Beautiful little town. Brick facade buildings, cobblestone streets - it's very cute. Most stores were closed by the time we got there though - so we headed back to Jim and Sue's cottage. Jim took us out on his boat for a mini tour of the islands. It saw many restored Victorian homes, quaint little cottages, and others that can only be described as mansions. The sunset was coming soon, and the sky was on fire with the most beautiful colors of orange imaginable.
As the night progressed, the sky went from orange to bright pink. Words cannot describe it, so I'll just let the picture speak for itself.
8/15 - Left the 1000 Islands, headed to Buffalo and to the Niagara Falls. If you have been there, you know that the Falls are amazing. The power of the water as it plunges down, creating a mist so thick that you can't even see the back end of, what they call, the Horseshoe. We rode the Maid of the Mist to get as close as possible to the Falls. What an incredible feeling.
8/16 - Said good-bye to my in-laws as they headed back to SF. My hubby and I got a rental car and headed towards Cleveland, Ohio. The first quest was to find a White Castle. I have heard about these little burgers for so long, and darn it - there aren't any on the West Coast. Finally we found one in Cleveland. We were so happy. They were delicious!
While we were in Cleveland, we also stopped by The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Wow - if you love rock & roll history, then this place needs to be on your places to see list. It's incredible how much memorabilia they have. From Jimmy Hendrix's childhood drawings to Britney Spears' latest tour costumes - they've got it. You're not allowed to take pictures beyond the main floor, so all I could really get were the cars - which I don't recognize from anywhere - and I couldn't find a description plaque.
After that - we headed to our final destination - Sandusky. Home to the Cedar Point Amusement Park. The park was our agenda for the next day, so we drove around and found this store called Meijer's.
Let me tell you - Meijer's is an incredible store. Just picture Target, Home Depot, Michael's Arts & Crafts, Petco, Sportsmart, Safeway, and a mini Blockbuster - all under one roof. I kid you not. This store was amazing. I never take pictures like this - but I couldn't resist.
8/17 - Cedar Point! This was the best park I have ever been to, if only for two rides there - Top Thrill Dragster and the Millenium Force coasters.
Both are incredible. Top Thrill Dragster blasts you 120 mph straight up a 420 feet tower, and you come back straight down. The ride is about 17 seconds. The line for the ride was over an hour and half. See in the picture, the train is actually on it's way down on the left side of the tower.
Millenium Force has a 310 ft drop. Also has a line of about 90 minutes, but was worth it.
After 11 hours of waiting in line and screaming at the top of our lungs, my hubby and I said our farewells to Cedar Point.
8/18 - The journey home. We drove back to Cleveland and from there flew to Denver and then SF. Somewhere over Denver, I happened to look out the plane window and the noticed how the fields were shaped. It was very unusual - the squares and circles. The different colors. It was almost like a work of art laid out below.
So, that, in a nutshell, was my week.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
I'm back!
Just got back tonight from fabulous week in Syracuse, NY and Sandusky, OH. Right now, I'm exhausted, so I'll have to do my update later. It's been a blast, but it's soooooo good to be home. Monte is ecstatic. He's been head bonking me all night and purring his little heart out. We missed the little guy so much. Thanks to my mom who came to check in on him this whole week and give him a little loving while we were gone!
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Miserable week!
It's only Wednesday, and this week has been a complete nightmare so far. Monday started out OK, until a coworker told me something that would effect my job directly. Nothing I can do, but it was the kick in the butt I needed to get me to start looking to my future and start brushing up my resume. My supervisor hasn't mentioned anything to me yet - but I know she was in the meeting where my coworker heard this information.
When I got home that night, I started looking for the cable I needed to connect my MP3 player to my computer. It is nowhere to be found. Seriously. I went through every box and bag there is in the house. It's gone. I started my search after dinner around 8p - and stopped around 1am.
On Tuesday, still not happy about my work situation, but nothing I can do until someone actually says something to me. Went to the GAP at lunch, hoping to get some cheap tank tops or t-shirts for my trip this week. Nothing. It was all Fall stuff. What happened to the end of summer sales??? It's not even mid-August yet! So, I'm walking back to work. Stopped by Taco Bell to get some lunch. When I look down at my beloved purse to get my wallet out, there were wet, brown blotches on it. BIRD SHIT!!! I couldn't believe it. It must have happened right as I walked into Taco Bell. The street outside the entrance is a mess of doody.
You have to understand. I have a pink Dior bag. It is the pride and joy of my life. I am not materialistic, but when I first saw this purse in Vegas I just had to have it. Mind you, I don't normally go buy expensive purses for myself like this. During my search, I discovered that this purse was sold out for months. Went and ordered it - and three penny pinching months later, I had the beautiful pink and white purse in my hands. I've been using it ever since - only changing purses when it rains, or when I go out of town. I love this purse. And now some #$(@*&! bird decides to let loose right as I walked by? So, no, I didn't have lunch yesterday. I was too upset. I spent the next half hour in the bathroom cleaning my purse. All I can say is Shout Wipes, love 'em. Thank God for them.
After work, I went home to search for that stupid cable again. This time I actually emptied out all the boxes - just in case I missed it the night before. Nothing! Where is it??? It is a complete mystery. Went through the entire closet too. Nothing!
My hubby didn't get home until almost 9pm last night. He was in a foul mood. So, I let him vent to me for 15 minutes until he calmed down a little. Apparently, work was miserable - and when he got to the car that night - what was all over it? BIRD SHIT! What is up with the pigeons yesterday?? He said this bird must have had diareah or something, because it was all over the car. So, he had to clean it up before he drove home. Why? Because we have no hose in our garage anymore.
Anyway, he spent the rest of the evening watching TV, while I gave third attempt in finding my missing cable. What is the point of having an MP3 player when you can't put your songs on it from the computer? 11:30pm - I gave up.
This morning, hubby was still grumbling about his work, and I made some comments in support of him and he snapped at me. Well, not snapped, but he was snippy - totally uncalled for. So, that was a great way to start the day. Got to work and around 9am, my friend Sue emails me that she just found out one of her kittens has kidney failure. She was going to leave work to meet up with her boyfriend. They're going to have to put poor little Max to sleep. He's not even a year old yet - how can a kitten have kidney failure? I felt so bad. Tears came to my eyes the second I read the email. I went over to Sue and we just hugged each other (she and I work together). I know Sue loves those kittens so much. Sam, Max's brother, is going to be so lonely.
So, like I said, it's only Wednesday, and it's been miserable so far. It really can't get any worse at this point.
When I got home that night, I started looking for the cable I needed to connect my MP3 player to my computer. It is nowhere to be found. Seriously. I went through every box and bag there is in the house. It's gone. I started my search after dinner around 8p - and stopped around 1am.
On Tuesday, still not happy about my work situation, but nothing I can do until someone actually says something to me. Went to the GAP at lunch, hoping to get some cheap tank tops or t-shirts for my trip this week. Nothing. It was all Fall stuff. What happened to the end of summer sales??? It's not even mid-August yet! So, I'm walking back to work. Stopped by Taco Bell to get some lunch. When I look down at my beloved purse to get my wallet out, there were wet, brown blotches on it. BIRD SHIT!!! I couldn't believe it. It must have happened right as I walked into Taco Bell. The street outside the entrance is a mess of doody.
You have to understand. I have a pink Dior bag. It is the pride and joy of my life. I am not materialistic, but when I first saw this purse in Vegas I just had to have it. Mind you, I don't normally go buy expensive purses for myself like this. During my search, I discovered that this purse was sold out for months. Went and ordered it - and three penny pinching months later, I had the beautiful pink and white purse in my hands. I've been using it ever since - only changing purses when it rains, or when I go out of town. I love this purse. And now some #$(@*&! bird decides to let loose right as I walked by? So, no, I didn't have lunch yesterday. I was too upset. I spent the next half hour in the bathroom cleaning my purse. All I can say is Shout Wipes, love 'em. Thank God for them.
After work, I went home to search for that stupid cable again. This time I actually emptied out all the boxes - just in case I missed it the night before. Nothing! Where is it??? It is a complete mystery. Went through the entire closet too. Nothing!
My hubby didn't get home until almost 9pm last night. He was in a foul mood. So, I let him vent to me for 15 minutes until he calmed down a little. Apparently, work was miserable - and when he got to the car that night - what was all over it? BIRD SHIT! What is up with the pigeons yesterday?? He said this bird must have had diareah or something, because it was all over the car. So, he had to clean it up before he drove home. Why? Because we have no hose in our garage anymore.
Anyway, he spent the rest of the evening watching TV, while I gave third attempt in finding my missing cable. What is the point of having an MP3 player when you can't put your songs on it from the computer? 11:30pm - I gave up.
This morning, hubby was still grumbling about his work, and I made some comments in support of him and he snapped at me. Well, not snapped, but he was snippy - totally uncalled for. So, that was a great way to start the day. Got to work and around 9am, my friend Sue emails me that she just found out one of her kittens has kidney failure. She was going to leave work to meet up with her boyfriend. They're going to have to put poor little Max to sleep. He's not even a year old yet - how can a kitten have kidney failure? I felt so bad. Tears came to my eyes the second I read the email. I went over to Sue and we just hugged each other (she and I work together). I know Sue loves those kittens so much. Sam, Max's brother, is going to be so lonely.
So, like I said, it's only Wednesday, and it's been miserable so far. It really can't get any worse at this point.
Monday, August 08, 2005
Farewell
The weekend has come and gone. After three nights of eating, reminicing, and more eating, the reunion weekend has come to an end. We had our Farewell Dinner at Yet Wah Restuarant, and as it was arranged by my dad, the eternal host, everyone had a blast. Aside from a wonderful dinner, we had a singer come for the entertainment. All the children went up on stage with her to sing "Getting to know you" from The King and I. It was so cute. We also did a few rounds of family karaoke. Since my own family is so small, we went up with another family group to sing "American Pie." Mind you, I really don't know this song except for Madonna's version from a few years ago. My goodness, can there be a song that is more depressing? And LONG? The
Anyway, the evening rounded off with individual fruit/custard tarts for everyone (which they all loved) - and a special birthday one for my cousin Eddie, Jr. Happy Birthday Eddie!
I'm wishing everyone a safe trip home - and hope that we don't have to wait another five years to see each other again.
Anyway, the evening rounded off with individual fruit/custard tarts for everyone (which they all loved) - and a special birthday one for my cousin Eddie, Jr. Happy Birthday Eddie!
I'm wishing everyone a safe trip home - and hope that we don't have to wait another five years to see each other again.
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Summer night with family
Playing around with the title bar a little bit. I found this cute 'Summer' theme - so I thought I'd change the look for the next month or two. Can't always be 'Spring' right?
The Reunion Banquet went very well last night. We arrived at Ghirardelli Square around 3:45pm, and for the next hour and a half it was just hectic. Can you imagine trying to gather 11 sets of family groups, then 1st generation, 2nd generation, 3rd generation, 4th generation, and finally a huge 100 member group for pictures? Not easy.
Lots of yelling, directional pointing, running up and down stairs, maneuvering between the billions of tourists, calling around to find out that those single people who are missing, who are preventing specific group shots, have been driving around the Square area for the last 20 minutes looking for non-existent parking. Yeah, my feel were hurting pretty badly by the time I could sit down and have something to drink. Something funny, when we were all gathering for the big group shot, and the photographer was checking out the group - making sure all faces were visible - a pair of tourists who were standing by, whipped out their camera and took some shots too. It was hilarious. I guess they're going to go home and tell their friends, "Look what they do in America!"
In the end, we got all our pictures done - in record time! We were all able to enjoy a lovely cocktail hour before dinner. Each 5 year reunion is headed by a set of cousins, currently from my generation (the 2nd). We go down by the order of uncle or aunt children. I figure, by the number of cousins left in the my generation, me being the youngest, I'll probably head up the reunion in 2015. Quite an intimidating thought to know there will be this big, three night party every five years - and that we'll most definitely be over 100 people by then. Delegation is the key. And I plan to do a lot of it. After me, the torch will be passed down to the 3rd generation to continue. I hope it never ends.
Tonight, we have one more big meal for those who are still in the city. It's the Farewell Dinner sponsored by the Bay Area family for the out-of-town folk. It's been a LONG weekend, and while I'm relieved that the big feasts will be over, I will miss my family. We're just so big that most of us really don't see each other except during these events. It's funny how spread out everyone is, but it's cool to think that I have family EVERYWHERE! Hong Kong, NY, California, Chicago, Michigan, New Orleans, Atlanta, Colorado, Florida, Vancouver, just to name a few places. We did a contest for the kids last night to see how many states are represented. I think we were at 15 or 17. WOW! And as the 3rd generation kids are growing up - most will be in college or working by the time the next reunion comes up, I'm sure more states will be represented.
I wonder if Grandpa and Grandma were smiling down on us last night? To think that they started it all with having my first uncle over 90 years ago.
The Reunion Banquet went very well last night. We arrived at Ghirardelli Square around 3:45pm, and for the next hour and a half it was just hectic. Can you imagine trying to gather 11 sets of family groups, then 1st generation, 2nd generation, 3rd generation, 4th generation, and finally a huge 100 member group for pictures? Not easy.
Lots of yelling, directional pointing, running up and down stairs, maneuvering between the billions of tourists, calling around to find out that those single people who are missing, who are preventing specific group shots, have been driving around the Square area for the last 20 minutes looking for non-existent parking. Yeah, my feel were hurting pretty badly by the time I could sit down and have something to drink. Something funny, when we were all gathering for the big group shot, and the photographer was checking out the group - making sure all faces were visible - a pair of tourists who were standing by, whipped out their camera and took some shots too. It was hilarious. I guess they're going to go home and tell their friends, "Look what they do in America!"
In the end, we got all our pictures done - in record time! We were all able to enjoy a lovely cocktail hour before dinner. Each 5 year reunion is headed by a set of cousins, currently from my generation (the 2nd). We go down by the order of uncle or aunt children. I figure, by the number of cousins left in the my generation, me being the youngest, I'll probably head up the reunion in 2015. Quite an intimidating thought to know there will be this big, three night party every five years - and that we'll most definitely be over 100 people by then. Delegation is the key. And I plan to do a lot of it. After me, the torch will be passed down to the 3rd generation to continue. I hope it never ends.
Tonight, we have one more big meal for those who are still in the city. It's the Farewell Dinner sponsored by the Bay Area family for the out-of-town folk. It's been a LONG weekend, and while I'm relieved that the big feasts will be over, I will miss my family. We're just so big that most of us really don't see each other except during these events. It's funny how spread out everyone is, but it's cool to think that I have family EVERYWHERE! Hong Kong, NY, California, Chicago, Michigan, New Orleans, Atlanta, Colorado, Florida, Vancouver, just to name a few places. We did a contest for the kids last night to see how many states are represented. I think we were at 15 or 17. WOW! And as the 3rd generation kids are growing up - most will be in college or working by the time the next reunion comes up, I'm sure more states will be represented.
I wonder if Grandpa and Grandma were smiling down on us last night? To think that they started it all with having my first uncle over 90 years ago.
Saturday, August 06, 2005
A little more tweaking / Family time
I figured out a little more stuff from messing with the template. I couldn't find a nice light green to go on my sidebar, but I did manage to find a pretty light creamy color. It's better than the awful yellow from before. I also changed the Monte Kitty title to pink instead of green.
I found some other templates that I like - so I may have to mix it up a little in the future. Maybe not so pastel - and I can change the title bar occasionally.
So, last night was the first of three nights of our family reunion weekend. This is on my dad's side. He is from a HUGE family. Just from Grandpa and Grandma - our numbers have grown to four generations, and almost 100 family members. Last night was considered a 'Welcome dinner' hosted by the first generation of brothers and sisters. Tonight, we have the big family reunion banquet. Tomorrow night is the farewell dinner for those family members who are still in the bay area. It's really quite amazing. Amazing that we have three huge meals in three nights too.
Next week, we are flying to upstate NY for my husband's mom's family reunion. We'll be at a cousin's house by a lake for a few days, then the four of us (me, hubby, and his parents) will drive over to Niagara Falls for a day. After that, my husband and I will be heading out to Ohio. Why? We're going to the Cedar Point Amusement Park, home to some of the countries top roller coasters. We figured it wouldn't be likely that we would ever fly out to Ohio just for the park, so since were would only be several hours away from there, why not?
Check this out! How can any true roller coaster lover NOT want to experience this? See that tall yellow thing? Yeah, we're going to be on it. 420 feet at the peak. Everyone in the country is going to hear me scream. Whoo hoo!
Friday, August 05, 2005
Another stupid movie review
Before I plunked myself in front of the computer for four hours last night, my hubby and I watched Boogeyman. STUPID, STUPID MOVIE! What the heck was going on? Why did things happen? We have no idea. So, before I begin my rant, just to warn you, there are some spoilers - so if you still intend to watch this movie, don't read the following...
The movie starts out with a little boy in bed. The room is dark and creepy, of course. Things that shouldn't be moving, do. Clothes on a chair seem to come alive. Things shake and break. Boy is freaked out. Daddy finally comes to the rescue, and when he checks out the closet to show that there really isn't anything to be afraid of, he's suddenly sucked in by an unseen force. In fact, he's thrown around in the doorway of the closet and finally gets sucked in. That's the end of that happy family.
Fifteen years later, the boy is all grown up, and still terrified of the dark. The story told is that his father left him and his mother that fateful night, and since then mom wasn't doing well. In fact, she dies. So, the son goes back to his childhood house to go through her belongings - and that's when the creepy things start to happen.
Throughout the rest of the movie, we're left wondering why this Boogeyman is following this guy around. Where did it come from? Why is it there? At the end, there is the obligatory mental battle between good and evil - and who wins? Who knows. I just want to know how that Boogeyman came about and why was it targeting a grown man? And throughout the WHOLE movie, there were way too many moments of 'quiet' and then something suddenly running by the screen. A couple of times in a movie - that's expected. But when it's every other scene - come on!
Anyway, it was a waste of time. Why do I bother with these 'horror' movies anymore? The only one that has successfully creeped me out so far was the original Japanese version of The Grudge. You want some goosebumps? Watch that.
The movie starts out with a little boy in bed. The room is dark and creepy, of course. Things that shouldn't be moving, do. Clothes on a chair seem to come alive. Things shake and break. Boy is freaked out. Daddy finally comes to the rescue, and when he checks out the closet to show that there really isn't anything to be afraid of, he's suddenly sucked in by an unseen force. In fact, he's thrown around in the doorway of the closet and finally gets sucked in. That's the end of that happy family.
Fifteen years later, the boy is all grown up, and still terrified of the dark. The story told is that his father left him and his mother that fateful night, and since then mom wasn't doing well. In fact, she dies. So, the son goes back to his childhood house to go through her belongings - and that's when the creepy things start to happen.
Throughout the rest of the movie, we're left wondering why this Boogeyman is following this guy around. Where did it come from? Why is it there? At the end, there is the obligatory mental battle between good and evil - and who wins? Who knows. I just want to know how that Boogeyman came about and why was it targeting a grown man? And throughout the WHOLE movie, there were way too many moments of 'quiet' and then something suddenly running by the screen. A couple of times in a movie - that's expected. But when it's every other scene - come on!
Anyway, it was a waste of time. Why do I bother with these 'horror' movies anymore? The only one that has successfully creeped me out so far was the original Japanese version of The Grudge. You want some goosebumps? Watch that.
I fixed it!
I didn't have a link to the site where I had originally downloaded my blog template while I was at work, but luckly I had saved the link as a Favorite at home. The site had moved! And there was a notice that the template was no longer going to be hosted from that site anymore. Bummer! But lucky me, the person who put the site together actually took the time to make it so that, if you could find another spot to host the images, the files are yours to use. THANK YOU!!!
After almost four hours of copying, pasting, testing, starting over again and again, I finally got all the files and images I needed in just the right spots. The biggest difference is my sidebar. Instead of the lighter shade of green that normally complimented top bar of darker green, it's now a yellowish color. I don't like it at all, but it will have to do for now. At least I have all my pretty little flowers back on the title bar and the pink is mainly in the background again. I'll have to find a nice light green shade and figure out how to get it into the template.
It's amazing I figured out any of this stuff. It was all trial and error.
So to celebrate the return of Monte Kitty in all its pastel glory, here is another special Monte Moment to enjoy...
Thursday, August 04, 2005
You've got to be kidding me
Well, as you can see from my blog, it looks like the site where I got my template from is gone. Hence, all the cute little flowers and pictures that used to be the background for my blog are no more. ARGH!!! I was wondering where the pictures went for the past two days and why my text background is all pink now. I love pink, but this is a bit much, don't you think?
So, now I have to find a new template to use. I'd like to design my own, but three problems...
So, now I have to find a new template to use. I'd like to design my own, but three problems...
- I am not artistic.
- I have have no earthy idea on how to even begin to design a template. HTML is not my thing.
- I have no time to do it anyway.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
No more alarms, please!
Around 2:15am this morning, my hubby and I were rudely, and very shockingly awakened by the fire alarm system in our building. Not only do we have the standard little fire alarms on our ceilings, and the lovely little sprinkler system nozzels sticking out of our walls, we have a PA system on both sides of our unit.
So, there we are, hearts pounding, thanks to the loud siren going on in our room. And it's not just a siren. It's a LOUD, VERY LOUD annoying bleeping alarm. I can't even describe how loud it is. This alarm went on one time in the middle of the afternoon a few weeks ago, and we couldn't even be in the same room with it.
Anyway, the recording comes on explaining that the fire alarm has been activated in our building and to not use the elevators. It also tells us to stay where we are, so no need for us to get out the kitty carrier. In the meantime, my hubby is trying to find towels and duct tape to cover the darn PA speaker, and I'm trying to calm Monte down - who is one step from hiding under the bed again. The towel helps muffle it 'a little', but at least we're not going deaf anymore. It takes 11 minutes before we hear a fire engine siren in the distance. Hello? I KNOW there is a fire station exactly two blocks away. It took them 11 minutes? They could have literally walked over.
Finally, after twenty minutes of continuous bleeping and the same recorded message, the strobe lights in the complex and the alarm shuts off. All is suddenly peaceful again. I fall back asleep fairly quickly, just from exhaustion. A little less than three hours later, my radio alarm goes off. I want to throw it out the window. What a way to start the day!
So, there we are, hearts pounding, thanks to the loud siren going on in our room. And it's not just a siren. It's a LOUD, VERY LOUD annoying bleeping alarm. I can't even describe how loud it is. This alarm went on one time in the middle of the afternoon a few weeks ago, and we couldn't even be in the same room with it.
Anyway, the recording comes on explaining that the fire alarm has been activated in our building and to not use the elevators. It also tells us to stay where we are, so no need for us to get out the kitty carrier. In the meantime, my hubby is trying to find towels and duct tape to cover the darn PA speaker, and I'm trying to calm Monte down - who is one step from hiding under the bed again. The towel helps muffle it 'a little', but at least we're not going deaf anymore. It takes 11 minutes before we hear a fire engine siren in the distance. Hello? I KNOW there is a fire station exactly two blocks away. It took them 11 minutes? They could have literally walked over.
Finally, after twenty minutes of continuous bleeping and the same recorded message, the strobe lights in the complex and the alarm shuts off. All is suddenly peaceful again. I fall back asleep fairly quickly, just from exhaustion. A little less than three hours later, my radio alarm goes off. I want to throw it out the window. What a way to start the day!
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Productive Sunday
Today has been a very productive day. We laid out padding for all the area rugs we bought yesterday at Target. Can you believe it? We looked in every rug store in the SF vicinity and couldn't find anything we liked. Went to Target and found three of the four we were looking for. One for the living room, one for the kitchen sink area, one for the entry hall, and one for the dining area. The one for the dining area, we ordered from Home Depot - so it should be here in about two weeks.
So, today was 'fix up the condo' day. For the first time, we drilled holes in our immaculate walls. Oh, the pain of hearing that drill! I love our beautiful walls - and I know it's silly - but it's kind of like getting that first little scratch on your brand new car. You know it's enevitable, but it still hurts. We put up a little shelf for the speaker that goes behind the TV. Then, we worked on laying out all the padding and the area rugs.
Right now, my hubby is in the living room putting up the curtains. So, I'm hearing more drilling. It's all coming along. I'm in the study going through the pyramid of boxes. I've cleared out two so far, still dumping stuff along the way. It's slowly coming together - hopefully, once the hectic month of August is over, we'll be able to sit back and enjoy our home together. Our clean home.
So, today was 'fix up the condo' day. For the first time, we drilled holes in our immaculate walls. Oh, the pain of hearing that drill! I love our beautiful walls - and I know it's silly - but it's kind of like getting that first little scratch on your brand new car. You know it's enevitable, but it still hurts. We put up a little shelf for the speaker that goes behind the TV. Then, we worked on laying out all the padding and the area rugs.
Right now, my hubby is in the living room putting up the curtains. So, I'm hearing more drilling. It's all coming along. I'm in the study going through the pyramid of boxes. I've cleared out two so far, still dumping stuff along the way. It's slowly coming together - hopefully, once the hectic month of August is over, we'll be able to sit back and enjoy our home together. Our clean home.
We also bought a Swiffer vac yesterday. I L-O-V-E it! I just wanted something simple that could vaccum up all the hair in our bathroom and the border areas of our living room. There is so much cat hair! And to think I used to lie on the carpet all the time in our old apartment. No wonder my allergies were terrible! The little Swiffer vac just sucked it all up. The pad protected our bamboo floors. It's perfect! Can't use it on carpet at all though, but that's OK. As long as our bathroom and living room floors are hairless, I'm happy. It's kind of gross to see clumps of hair everywhere, you know?
Speaking of cat, here are today's Monte Moments...
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Let's go to the movies
Over the last month, and I don't know where we've found the time, my hubby and I have been able to watch several of the movies we saved from the last year. We finally watched Taking Lives, Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, I Heart Huckabees, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Confidence, and a special preview of The Island.
Except for I Heart Huckabee's, I loved every single movie and would recommend them all. I'm not a huge Jim Carrey fan, but every movie I've seen him in, I've really enjoyed. He was very good in the Lemony Snicket movie - but he was excellent in Eternal Sunshine (Kate Winslet was fabulous also). Ewan McGregor is very good in The Island, and Scarlett Johansson, you just can't believe the girl is only 21 years old. She's a wonderful actress.
I've felt very guilty that I've been working almost every night for the past four weeks. My poor husband, though he finally gets some quiet baseball time, would rather have me nag him to change the channel than him sit there by himself all night, while I'm on the computer. So, I've been trying to make time and we, at the least, watch a movie together over dinner before I head back to the keyboard.
It's been a rough month of July. Hopefully August will be better. Still very hectic, but hopefully better.
Except for I Heart Huckabee's, I loved every single movie and would recommend them all. I'm not a huge Jim Carrey fan, but every movie I've seen him in, I've really enjoyed. He was very good in the Lemony Snicket movie - but he was excellent in Eternal Sunshine (Kate Winslet was fabulous also). Ewan McGregor is very good in The Island, and Scarlett Johansson, you just can't believe the girl is only 21 years old. She's a wonderful actress.
I've felt very guilty that I've been working almost every night for the past four weeks. My poor husband, though he finally gets some quiet baseball time, would rather have me nag him to change the channel than him sit there by himself all night, while I'm on the computer. So, I've been trying to make time and we, at the least, watch a movie together over dinner before I head back to the keyboard.
It's been a rough month of July. Hopefully August will be better. Still very hectic, but hopefully better.
Why?
Why is it that cats just love burrow? If I open any drawer, suddenly, I'll have a black and white cat next to me peaking in. Eventually, if I leave the drawer open, its contents will be shoved out, and Monte has found himself a new place to hang out. Any open boxes or bags? He's in it.
Kind of slows the unpacking process a bit, ya know? Yes, we're STILL unpacking - and far from being finished. July and August are our busiest months, so we really don't get any good weekend time to ourselves. We have a big trip to upstate New York in a few weeks - so once that's over and done with, we will be able to actually have more than one weekend in a row to try and finally make our new place look like a livable home.
Here's one more Monte moment for the road...
Friday, July 29, 2005
Missed it...
I can't believe I missed it.
Les Miserables - my most favorite musical in the world, has come and gone. It was only in SF for about two months. I believe it's on its way to Bejing for its debut there. Aside from our budget being much tighter now, because we only moved on July 2nd, I've already seen it six times in the past several years. So, I just couldn't justify $180 for two tickets. But then again, it's not like a DVD you can pop in any old time to see it - when it's here, that's the only opportunity to enjoy it. The CD just doesn't bring you that thrill of that first note of the music hitting your ears, and the audience comes to a complete silence.
I hope it comes back in a few years. I'm more upset about missing this production because when I first saw it in 1989, it was at the Curran Theater and it was a full scale production that stayed for about 2 years, I believe. I saw it three times then. The other touring shows I've seen in later years were much smaller scale tour companies, and just simply were not that good. This latest visit was back in it's original home at the Curran. I heard that this was, again, a full production, not the skimpy travel show. I'm bummed.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Slow sweater progress
Well, every night since I started this project over the weekend, I've been trying to do a couple of rows on my 'Under the Hoodie' sweater. I've only made scarves before, so this one, having 95 stitches per row - gets me to a point where it feels almost like one row takes forever to finish.
So, here's my
progress so far...
I've never used circular needles before, and I must say I do enjoy being able to put down my work and not worrying about it falling off the needle. I like being able to roll it up and neatly put it away. My mother-in-law thought it was kind of funny that I was knitting a sweater while we were sitting in 80+ degree weather in Tahoe. At the rate I'm going, I'll be lucky if I actually finish it by December. It's also funny that, even though my favorite color is pink, I've only made one pink scarf. Everything else has been blue. What's up with that???
Monday, July 25, 2005
A bit overwhelmed
We just came back from a very relaxing weekend in Lake Tahoe. My husband's parents rent the same condo up there year after year during the summer - so, it's become our annual family weekend getaway. We usually head up there on a Friday, spend a gloriously hot day by the pool all day Saturday, get in a little more pool time on Sunday before heading back to the city. Ah... it was some much needed relaxation, vegetation time.
So, it's Monday again. It's only 12:50p, and I'm SO overwhelmed. There had been a lot of changes, some good and some bad. Bad is that my work has piled up 5x the usual load, and I'm completely backlogged. We're getting no help, and it just looks like it's going to get worse and worse. I complain to my buddies in my neighboring team every day, and I hate doing that. All I do is complain now. That's all my husband hears when I get home too - WAH, WAH, WAH! I try to do all my griping before I get on the computer and work again until 11pm. At least, since the move, my commute has been shorter now - so I get a little more home time, rather than bus time. Working from home, I can have dinner with my hubby and then get sympathy hugs every half hour or so while I'm working. It's just too much.
I did manage to start a new knitting project this weekend though. It's the 'Under the Hoodie' sweater from the Stitch 'N Bitch book. It's one pink picture on the right. My sweater is going to be two shades of blue with beige.
Did you know Debbie Stoller is coming out with a Crochet book soon? It's called Stitch 'N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker. I can't wait to get it. I like the way she writes and I understand her instructions. Maybe I'll have better luck with the ski cap I'm trying to crochet for my friend for Christmas.
I wish I could bring my knitting to work - it would be so relaxing. Unfortunately, we're not allowed to, because when client's come around, we don't look professional. Whatever.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Happy Happy Joy Joy!
As I wrote in my last entry, what more could you want out of life than good friends? Well, tonight, a very special group of people who are near and dear to my heart, really out did themselves. Nearly made me cry.
My husband and I went over to my friend Sue's place this afternoon for the BBQ taste test. As we all sat around chatting and snacking, Sue suddenly announces that there was an ulterior motive to this party. Out comes this big gift wrapped box with a sparkely yellow bow on it. It was a housewarming gift for us! Just reading the card was enough to get me teary - to see how happy our friends were that we were finally home owners.
What did they give us? A Kitchenaid mixer! Ah, but not just any Kitchenaid mixer. It's the PINK one!!! And not just the pink one, the SHINY pink one! Oh JOY! I have been wanting this mixer since forever! I never bought it because we never had room in our kitchen at the old apartment, and the current models of the mixer now come in a matte finish, which I don't like. Somehow, my friends found the exact one I wanted. I couldn't believe it. I get a big lump in my throat just thinking about what a wonderful group of people my friends are.
The first thing I did when we came home tonight was to make a special place of honor on the counter for my prized mixer. Oh, what a thing of beauty it is. First culinary masterpiece that will be made from my beloved mixer? Cherry topped, cheesecake cupcakes for my friends. Now, if I could just find my recipe book in our pyramid of boxes...
Saturday, July 16, 2005
Friends and BBQ - what more could you want?
Check it out! Blogger now has the option to download images directly without having to go through Picasa or Hello anymore. What a convenience! So, first things first. Here are some pictures from our rafting trip last weekend. I took the two bigger shots of our friend's boat. The two smaller shots are of our boat - taken by the professional photographer they have there for that specific rapid. This rapid is called the Tunnel Chute. I love how you can barely see our boat. Yes, we were drenched.
It's been a very stressful week at work. Office politics, coworkers, company transformation... it's all a big mess right now. At 9am, I sent an email to several friends calling for an Urgent Night Out. Yes, it's been that bad of a week. I needed something fun to look forward to. We all met up at the View Lounge at the top of the Hyatt. It was a very fun evening. After having a 'Toasted Almond' and a 'Pistachio Martini', work no longer bothered me. Hmmm, actually, nothing bothered me anymore. Hee hee... A couple of us walked back to our condo and we had a light dinner. It was a fun and relaxing evening with good friends.
This Sunday, my friend Sue is having a BBQ tasting party at her place. She's getting BBQ ribs and brisket from two places (I believe Big Nate's and Brothers???) and we're going to see which one has the best BBQ recipe. In all honesty, I don't care. The fact that it's BBQ ribs is enough for me. Wondering if I should eat today, so I can chow down more tomorrow. :)
Monday, July 11, 2005
White water fun
The weekend has come and gone. Twelve of us went white water rafting at the American River this weekend. We left on Friday afternoon and set up camp at the EarthTrek Expeditions site. Had the mandatory night around a large campfire, catching up with old friends, watching friends make new friends. The only thing missing was a guitar and smores.
The next morning, we had breakfast and were on the bus by 8:45am. By 9:30a we were geared up in helmuts and lifevests and putting our feet into the ice cold water of the Middle Fork river. I'll tell you, not even the strongest coffee in the world has the same wakeup punch as that ice water.
The day was AWESOME! I almost fell out twice, but my record has not been broken yet. At one point, my butt was off the raft and in the water, but I managed to grab on to a line in the boat and haul myself back in. WHEW!!! It's not that I'm scared of falling in or anything. It's just that the water is so cold - I really didn't want a full body dunk if I could help it. It was an exhausting day, but well worth it. Everyone had a blast. That night, the firepit was occupied by another group, so we sat around our little citronella candle and told ghost stories all night. Kind of a funny sight. Twelve of us huddled around a little yellow candle.
The next morning, we packed up and headed our separate ways. It was a wonderful weekend. I already can't wait until our next white water adventure next year.
Now, I get to actually go home each night and clean up our mess of a home. Our friend who stayed with us left this morning, so the study will once again become a disaster area as I spread out and sort all my little goodies and try to find the perfect place for everything.
Still haven't set up my computer at home yet, so pictures will have to wait. But I'll try to get them up soon.
The next morning, we had breakfast and were on the bus by 8:45am. By 9:30a we were geared up in helmuts and lifevests and putting our feet into the ice cold water of the Middle Fork river. I'll tell you, not even the strongest coffee in the world has the same wakeup punch as that ice water.
The day was AWESOME! I almost fell out twice, but my record has not been broken yet. At one point, my butt was off the raft and in the water, but I managed to grab on to a line in the boat and haul myself back in. WHEW!!! It's not that I'm scared of falling in or anything. It's just that the water is so cold - I really didn't want a full body dunk if I could help it. It was an exhausting day, but well worth it. Everyone had a blast. That night, the firepit was occupied by another group, so we sat around our little citronella candle and told ghost stories all night. Kind of a funny sight. Twelve of us huddled around a little yellow candle.
The next morning, we packed up and headed our separate ways. It was a wonderful weekend. I already can't wait until our next white water adventure next year.
Now, I get to actually go home each night and clean up our mess of a home. Our friend who stayed with us left this morning, so the study will once again become a disaster area as I spread out and sort all my little goodies and try to find the perfect place for everything.
Still haven't set up my computer at home yet, so pictures will have to wait. But I'll try to get them up soon.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Self-cleaning, a good thing
So, I think I've made my last trip to the old apartment. Everything is vacuumed, scrubbed, and sparkling clean now. All that is left is a huge pile of stuff to be donated, and my husband is going to get the van and take care of that.
As I mentioned before, I started the self-cleaning oven the other night. I've never done that before. The last time I cleaned the oven I used Easy-Off. I love the stuff! Well, being a little more tired lately, I just didn't feel like breaking out the bucket and sponges this time, so I tried the self-cleaning option. WOW - it must have been hell hot in there because it was spotless - just a pile of ash on the bottom. I just vacuumed it up and was done! Love it.
We're going white water rafting this weekend! We leave tomorrow afternoon. I'm so excited. I love white water rafting. We've made this an annual trip for the past five years. There's nothing more exhilarating than plunging down a waterfall (class 5 rapid) and the cold water just envelopes you for a few seconds. BRRRRR! It feels so good to look back and think "My God, did we just come down that!?!"
It's going to be so much fun because this time, more of my friends from work are going and we always have a blast together. I still hate camping (I'm 100% city girl), but one weekend a year with friends on the river, I'll sacrifice my hairdryer and computer for a day or two.
As I mentioned before, I started the self-cleaning oven the other night. I've never done that before. The last time I cleaned the oven I used Easy-Off. I love the stuff! Well, being a little more tired lately, I just didn't feel like breaking out the bucket and sponges this time, so I tried the self-cleaning option. WOW - it must have been hell hot in there because it was spotless - just a pile of ash on the bottom. I just vacuumed it up and was done! Love it.
We're going white water rafting this weekend! We leave tomorrow afternoon. I'm so excited. I love white water rafting. We've made this an annual trip for the past five years. There's nothing more exhilarating than plunging down a waterfall (class 5 rapid) and the cold water just envelopes you for a few seconds. BRRRRR! It feels so good to look back and think "My God, did we just come down that!?!"
It's going to be so much fun because this time, more of my friends from work are going and we always have a blast together. I still hate camping (I'm 100% city girl), but one weekend a year with friends on the river, I'll sacrifice my hairdryer and computer for a day or two.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Exhausted
I am utterly exhausted. Sitting here at my desk, I just have no energy and my eyes feel like they're on fire. On Sunday, we went back and forth from the old apt to the condo, moving more stuff. On Monday, we loaded with car with 'almost' the last of our stuff (my goodness!) and then I vacuumed the entire apartment, cleaned all the counters and appliances in the kitchen, and then started the 'self-cleaning' oven. My hubby is redoing the caulking around the bathtub.
To explain a little on why we're doing all this... The apartment belongs to my parents. We've been renting from them for the last nine years. So, even though they keep saying, "Just leave it. We'll have someone come in to clean it," I just can't leave it in a mess. I just can't do it. In all honest, I did the same for all three apartments I had in an Diego. I just don't like leaving things in a mess like that.
So, sometime this week, we're going back so my husband can finish the bathtub, and I will vacuum out the ashes from the oven. The last few items to bring back are the vacuum cleaner, various cleaning products, a couple of large, framed pictures, and my beloved Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera posters (yet to be framed).
All in all, this was an incredibly busy, non-stop weekend. I think this is the most calm I've been in the past four days. I'm drained.
To explain a little on why we're doing all this... The apartment belongs to my parents. We've been renting from them for the last nine years. So, even though they keep saying, "Just leave it. We'll have someone come in to clean it," I just can't leave it in a mess. I just can't do it. In all honest, I did the same for all three apartments I had in an Diego. I just don't like leaving things in a mess like that.
So, sometime this week, we're going back so my husband can finish the bathtub, and I will vacuum out the ashes from the oven. The last few items to bring back are the vacuum cleaner, various cleaning products, a couple of large, framed pictures, and my beloved Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera posters (yet to be framed).
All in all, this was an incredibly busy, non-stop weekend. I think this is the most calm I've been in the past four days. I'm drained.
Sunday, July 03, 2005
New home
It's been a few days, but my lag in blogging is excused by a very good reason. We've moved! Yes, Friday was a hectic day to get everything ready - so that was pretty much a blur of sweat, stress, and panic.
Saturday, we woke up early and packed some more. As I had mentioned before, thanks to a friend's suggestion, we hired Delancey Street Movers to help us. I will tell you this in all honesty. If you are moving in San Francisco (I don't know if they do other cities/states) and in the process of researching movers, look no further. Delancey Street is EXCELLENT. My husband and I can't say enough about them. For our move, they sent four movers. Within 4 hours, they moved our boxes and furniture, and even helped pack up our closets for us (we had planned to move our hanging clothes ourselves). They were extremly courteous and polite. They were very careful with all our belongings and even just the buildings in general. No scrapes or dents in the walls. Everything is perfect. Thank you Cristian, Justin, Richard, and David! You guys are awesome! Go ahead and look for other people's reviews on Delancey's services.
In other news, I'm back to Dial-up Service for my internet. WAH!!! It is so difficult to go back! I've had Earthlink DSL for about three months, and it is just so difficult having to sit and wait five minutes before I can look a blog, or even something simple as checking my email. It's pure hell.
Why am I back with Dial-up? Because my service provider, Earthlink, for some stupid reason, declined to provide DSL service in my building. The only thing I can do in my area now, if I want to keep my current provider, is to switch to their Satellite service - for $69.99 a month. Uh, not going to happen. If I cancel my DSL service and switch to one of the other companies, I will have to pay Earthlink a penalty fee of $149.99 for early termination of service - because I haven't fulfilled my one year subscription. Unbelievable!
I'm checking with Earthlink now to see if they'll be smart enough to change their decision on this totally lack of judgement. I don't want to cancel my service, and then suddenly find out that they changed their minds and are offering service to my building. I'm in a new complex, with several hundred units. There is another complex on the next block that is being built right now. That project looks huge, and I'm sure will also be selling several hundred units. Is Earthlink going to miss out and make all of us go with Comcast or SBC?
No bonus check for the person who signed off on that agreement this year.
Anyway, on less frustrating matters, today we made two big trips back to our old apartment to move MORE things! Yes, we have that much stuff. Would you believe I found some outfits from my college days today? They were moved yesterday, but when organizing the closets this morning, I found clothes that I haven't worn in over 15 years! Amazing. Those went straight to the donation pile. We're not done yet. One more load to go at the old apartment. We haven't cleared out the freezer yet either. We're going to have to borrow a van from my husband's work and move a huge load of stuff we're donating. Can't complain. That means none of that stuff had to be moved. We actually have to bring back an old chair and a futon from here to be donated too. After that, we are goingt o vacuum up the nine years of dust bunnies that had accumulated under our furniture and is now out in the open in our empty apartment. It's pretty disgusting actually.
This move has really opened my eyes and soul to embrace the wonderful world of simplicity. I have way too much stuff. You'd think that since I love shows like Clean Sweep or Clean House, I would have learned that I don't need to keep all this stuff. Clutter is bad. Clothes you haven't seen in 15 years is bad.
Most important part of this move, little Monte has finally come out from under the bed, where he has been hiding for most of last night and today, and is sleeping comfortably next to me on his favorite blanket. It was a tough day for the little guy. We brought him over to my grandma's around noon, and then picked him up after the main moving was over and we had a chance to organize a little bit. He was so freaked that it took him a few minutes to come out of his travel box - and he HATES that thing. Once he saw the bed, under it he went. I'm so glad that I've been able to walk in and out of the bedroom tonight and he stayed on his blanket. He's actually up and wandering about right now. I think Monte is going to be just fine.
Home sweet home. What a wonderful feeling!
Saturday, we woke up early and packed some more. As I had mentioned before, thanks to a friend's suggestion, we hired Delancey Street Movers to help us. I will tell you this in all honesty. If you are moving in San Francisco (I don't know if they do other cities/states) and in the process of researching movers, look no further. Delancey Street is EXCELLENT. My husband and I can't say enough about them. For our move, they sent four movers. Within 4 hours, they moved our boxes and furniture, and even helped pack up our closets for us (we had planned to move our hanging clothes ourselves). They were extremly courteous and polite. They were very careful with all our belongings and even just the buildings in general. No scrapes or dents in the walls. Everything is perfect. Thank you Cristian, Justin, Richard, and David! You guys are awesome! Go ahead and look for other people's reviews on Delancey's services.
In other news, I'm back to Dial-up Service for my internet. WAH!!! It is so difficult to go back! I've had Earthlink DSL for about three months, and it is just so difficult having to sit and wait five minutes before I can look a blog, or even something simple as checking my email. It's pure hell.
Why am I back with Dial-up? Because my service provider, Earthlink, for some stupid reason, declined to provide DSL service in my building. The only thing I can do in my area now, if I want to keep my current provider, is to switch to their Satellite service - for $69.99 a month. Uh, not going to happen. If I cancel my DSL service and switch to one of the other companies, I will have to pay Earthlink a penalty fee of $149.99 for early termination of service - because I haven't fulfilled my one year subscription. Unbelievable!
I'm checking with Earthlink now to see if they'll be smart enough to change their decision on this totally lack of judgement. I don't want to cancel my service, and then suddenly find out that they changed their minds and are offering service to my building. I'm in a new complex, with several hundred units. There is another complex on the next block that is being built right now. That project looks huge, and I'm sure will also be selling several hundred units. Is Earthlink going to miss out and make all of us go with Comcast or SBC?
No bonus check for the person who signed off on that agreement this year.
Anyway, on less frustrating matters, today we made two big trips back to our old apartment to move MORE things! Yes, we have that much stuff. Would you believe I found some outfits from my college days today? They were moved yesterday, but when organizing the closets this morning, I found clothes that I haven't worn in over 15 years! Amazing. Those went straight to the donation pile. We're not done yet. One more load to go at the old apartment. We haven't cleared out the freezer yet either. We're going to have to borrow a van from my husband's work and move a huge load of stuff we're donating. Can't complain. That means none of that stuff had to be moved. We actually have to bring back an old chair and a futon from here to be donated too. After that, we are goingt o vacuum up the nine years of dust bunnies that had accumulated under our furniture and is now out in the open in our empty apartment. It's pretty disgusting actually.
This move has really opened my eyes and soul to embrace the wonderful world of simplicity. I have way too much stuff. You'd think that since I love shows like Clean Sweep or Clean House, I would have learned that I don't need to keep all this stuff. Clutter is bad. Clothes you haven't seen in 15 years is bad.
Most important part of this move, little Monte has finally come out from under the bed, where he has been hiding for most of last night and today, and is sleeping comfortably next to me on his favorite blanket. It was a tough day for the little guy. We brought him over to my grandma's around noon, and then picked him up after the main moving was over and we had a chance to organize a little bit. He was so freaked that it took him a few minutes to come out of his travel box - and he HATES that thing. Once he saw the bed, under it he went. I'm so glad that I've been able to walk in and out of the bedroom tonight and he stayed on his blanket. He's actually up and wandering about right now. I think Monte is going to be just fine.
Home sweet home. What a wonderful feeling!
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