The whole flu thing...
First, let me just say - we had bacon last night. So we're doing our part in eradicating the source. Don't worry people - I will eat as much bacon is necessary for the good of the human race.
But this whole pandemic fright has also gotten me to thinking of mortality of course.
Ya know... whats really important, how short life is and all that.
Almost makes me want to stop dieting, live life like its my last day.
But that's not gonna happen - there's no way I am leaving this earth in anything over a size 10.
O the horror...
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Friday
tip-o-day
Do you have pets?
Do your pets shed?
If so ... the next time you have the vacuum out...which is you have a pet like our FREE dog...is most days -- open your lower cabinets and give them a quick vacuum.
If you do this regularly - it won't build up into piles of pet hair mingling with your Pyrex.
Do you have pets?
Do your pets shed?
If so ... the next time you have the vacuum out...which is you have a pet like our FREE dog...is most days -- open your lower cabinets and give them a quick vacuum.
If you do this regularly - it won't build up into piles of pet hair mingling with your Pyrex.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
ubiquitous
I love that I will never get a speeding ticket in my new car.
Imagine the speed trap...the officer waiting quietly, patiently pointing his radar gun at each passing vehicle whizzing by.
Finally, he finds his mark - a late model compact car speeds by, clearly over the limit.
He tosses his gun onto the passenger seat and drops the tranny into D, pedal to the medal he screeches out of his hidy spot and onto the highway.
Hmm, he scratches his head as he races down the road looking to spy his mark.
Which one, which one....there are just sooo damned many of them.... they're all the same...
Imagine the speed trap...the officer waiting quietly, patiently pointing his radar gun at each passing vehicle whizzing by.
Finally, he finds his mark - a late model compact car speeds by, clearly over the limit.
He tosses his gun onto the passenger seat and drops the tranny into D, pedal to the medal he screeches out of his hidy spot and onto the highway.
Hmm, he scratches his head as he races down the road looking to spy his mark.
Which one, which one....there are just sooo damned many of them.... they're all the same...
Friday, April 17, 2009
Friday
tip-o-day
Here's another re-use tip - don't toss out your old toothbrushes - just give 'em a swish in a mild bleach solution and they make great cleaning tools.
You can use them to scrub the seams around your faucets (what? you didn't notice the grime that collects around faucets... go look). Use them to clean jewelry, scrub little vases or bottles, around the sink drain and drain baskets... the list goes on and on.
I keep one in my tool box too!
Here's another re-use tip - don't toss out your old toothbrushes - just give 'em a swish in a mild bleach solution and they make great cleaning tools.You can use them to scrub the seams around your faucets (what? you didn't notice the grime that collects around faucets... go look). Use them to clean jewelry, scrub little vases or bottles, around the sink drain and drain baskets... the list goes on and on.
I keep one in my tool box too!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
This is Easter....
First you grab a baby.
Not to worry - I got one too...
Then you settle into a comfy chair
Then you put on The Masters.
And you know how riveting The Masters can be...
Not to worry - I got one too...
Then you settle into a comfy chair
Then you put on The Masters.
And you know how riveting The Masters can be...
Friday, April 10, 2009
Friday
tip-o-day
Here's an unusual tip from me that doesn't have to do with cleaning and/or home maintenance -- because really we are all swamped right now with spring chores.
Since starting the new job after having been at my last job for 8 years - I have had to dust off my brain and start using it again. Its a little rusty, but I can just feel the synapses springing to life.
Being the 'new person' in a technical position where all the technology is new to me - I, of course, find myself with lots of questions to ask.
Rather than jumping out of my chair to find someone every time I become confused (remembering of course that actually speaking with someone is often the best way to learn) I have been instead taking time out to compose an email with my question(s).
This gives me an opportunity to carefully think out what it is that I want to ask and to step through it in such a way as to make it clear to someone else. Which I believe is the key part of the process - explaining things to someone else... someone who has not been sitting in your confused head for the last hour.
I have found that often times the shear act of this type of thought process helps me to figure out many of the answers on my own!
So, while you may not be the new person on the job - you can apply this learning process to fixing a sink or installing a new window or even bathing your cat.
Here's an unusual tip from me that doesn't have to do with cleaning and/or home maintenance -- because really we are all swamped right now with spring chores.
Since starting the new job after having been at my last job for 8 years - I have had to dust off my brain and start using it again. Its a little rusty, but I can just feel the synapses springing to life.
Being the 'new person' in a technical position where all the technology is new to me - I, of course, find myself with lots of questions to ask.
Rather than jumping out of my chair to find someone every time I become confused (remembering of course that actually speaking with someone is often the best way to learn) I have been instead taking time out to compose an email with my question(s).
This gives me an opportunity to carefully think out what it is that I want to ask and to step through it in such a way as to make it clear to someone else. Which I believe is the key part of the process - explaining things to someone else... someone who has not been sitting in your confused head for the last hour.
I have found that often times the shear act of this type of thought process helps me to figure out many of the answers on my own!
So, while you may not be the new person on the job - you can apply this learning process to fixing a sink or installing a new window or even bathing your cat.
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Foiled
Or should I say... foamed.
In an effort to save money without sacrificing the essentials, I ordered wine online.
I was pleased. I was saving money and someone was dropping it off on my porch. (and while I realize the consequences of the fossil fuel wasted to do this - the guy is driving right past my house every day regardless... so why not stop and bring us some wine while your out).
BUT -- what I was not prepared for, was the styrofoam.
They ship in styrofoam! I am sure this is a cost effective way for the company to safely transport its product -- but I simply cannot have this coming into the house on a regular basis.
Do you know how I feel about styrofoam??
This clearly isn't going to work out. And now we have even MORE styrofoam that I have no idea what to do with.
OO the horror!
Luckily, I have some wine to ease my suffering.
In an effort to save money without sacrificing the essentials, I ordered wine online.
I was pleased. I was saving money and someone was dropping it off on my porch. (and while I realize the consequences of the fossil fuel wasted to do this - the guy is driving right past my house every day regardless... so why not stop and bring us some wine while your out).
BUT -- what I was not prepared for, was the styrofoam.
They ship in styrofoam! I am sure this is a cost effective way for the company to safely transport its product -- but I simply cannot have this coming into the house on a regular basis.
Do you know how I feel about styrofoam??
This clearly isn't going to work out. And now we have even MORE styrofoam that I have no idea what to do with.
OO the horror!
Luckily, I have some wine to ease my suffering.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
O dear
Do you remember the FREE cat?
Well, she has been happily sitting on our covered porch all winter – basically waiting for me to feed her – which I did… A LOT – this of course completely negated the entire reason for getting her in the first place.
Remember, we were seeking help controlling rodents. The theory was that feral cats eat rodents… because they are hungry.
Clearly our feral cat was NEVER hungry. O well.
See this is what happens when a feral cat lives with two Italian lesbian moms. They get fat and lazy…and the rodents play.
(tho my observant wife will tell you that she has actually seen a dramatic reduction in the out-of-control chipmunk population so far this spring).
Just over a week ago – we noticed two things. FREE cat was missing, and there were signs in the gardens surrounding the porch that something was digging to try and get underneath. This concerned us – because we knew FREE cat went under there for naps and/or hiding.
All last week...every morning and every evening I looked for her on the porch. I’d flip on the light and check for her just before bed. Every time I pulled into the driveway I expected to see her sitting there…waiting for food, waiting to hiss at me as I put down her bowl.
She never appeared.
I wondered… of course I worried a little. But she was feral. I had to trust that she could manage.
This morning on my way to work … on a very busy street not too far from home… I came upon a cat that had been hit – seemingly recently. I turned around and came back to look. I called home – to tell my supportive wife that I found our cat.
She suggested I call the animal control folks to come get her. She cautioned me not take care of her myself … after all… she was a wild animal, and we couldn’t know what sort of animals she may have encountered over this last week. That wife of mine…she is wise.
Tho … if the town staff fails us today… and I find our little Sorsha still lying on the side of the road on my way home from work, we’ll find a way to give her a proper burial.
peace Sorsha
Well, she has been happily sitting on our covered porch all winter – basically waiting for me to feed her – which I did… A LOT – this of course completely negated the entire reason for getting her in the first place.
Remember, we were seeking help controlling rodents. The theory was that feral cats eat rodents… because they are hungry.
Clearly our feral cat was NEVER hungry. O well.
See this is what happens when a feral cat lives with two Italian lesbian moms. They get fat and lazy…and the rodents play.
(tho my observant wife will tell you that she has actually seen a dramatic reduction in the out-of-control chipmunk population so far this spring).
Just over a week ago – we noticed two things. FREE cat was missing, and there were signs in the gardens surrounding the porch that something was digging to try and get underneath. This concerned us – because we knew FREE cat went under there for naps and/or hiding.
All last week...every morning and every evening I looked for her on the porch. I’d flip on the light and check for her just before bed. Every time I pulled into the driveway I expected to see her sitting there…waiting for food, waiting to hiss at me as I put down her bowl.
She never appeared.
I wondered… of course I worried a little. But she was feral. I had to trust that she could manage.
This morning on my way to work … on a very busy street not too far from home… I came upon a cat that had been hit – seemingly recently. I turned around and came back to look. I called home – to tell my supportive wife that I found our cat.
She suggested I call the animal control folks to come get her. She cautioned me not take care of her myself … after all… she was a wild animal, and we couldn’t know what sort of animals she may have encountered over this last week. That wife of mine…she is wise.
Tho … if the town staff fails us today… and I find our little Sorsha still lying on the side of the road on my way home from work, we’ll find a way to give her a proper burial.
peace Sorsha
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Friday
tip-o-day
Even if you don't have pets or kids you'll want to take a walk around with damp cloth and check out your doors and door moldings. You may be surprised at what you find.
Here, the FREE dog likes to nose her way into rooms where the doors are not quite shut --so we find all sorts of slobbers and smears on things at her height.
I also recommend a very good trim paint. Since trim needs to be wiped down so often a high quality paint is a must. We love Benjamin Moore's Impervo. It's a bit pricey - but it's beautiful white luster,self leveling application, and easy washability make it well worth it.
Keeping all the trim in the house this luxurious white also makes it easy to do touch ups as needed.
Even if you don't have pets or kids you'll want to take a walk around with damp cloth and check out your doors and door moldings. You may be surprised at what you find.
Here, the FREE dog likes to nose her way into rooms where the doors are not quite shut --so we find all sorts of slobbers and smears on things at her height.
I also recommend a very good trim paint. Since trim needs to be wiped down so often a high quality paint is a must. We love Benjamin Moore's Impervo. It's a bit pricey - but it's beautiful white luster,self leveling application, and easy washability make it well worth it.
Keeping all the trim in the house this luxurious white also makes it easy to do touch ups as needed.
open communication with my wardrobe
I had a conversation with my jeans this morning.
They are unhappy.
They are not comfortable.
My jeans expressed to me that they did not want to be simply set aside and forgotten about. We discussed our feelings openly and with no fear of judgment.
My jeans and I came to a place of peace...
That is of course after I agreed to do something about this situation that we find ourselves in.
I am heading downstairs now to have some lettuce. Maybe a carrot.
They are unhappy.
They are not comfortable.
My jeans expressed to me that they did not want to be simply set aside and forgotten about. We discussed our feelings openly and with no fear of judgment.
My jeans and I came to a place of peace...
That is of course after I agreed to do something about this situation that we find ourselves in.
I am heading downstairs now to have some lettuce. Maybe a carrot.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Off Spring
Do you have children?
They just melt your hearts ...don't they.
Like when they are toddlers and all damp and clean right from the tub and cuddly.
Or when they are concentrating as hard as they can to do something their very best, and they get that determined look on their little faces.
How about when they come flying at you from across the playground and leap into your arms.
And then there is that phone call from the dorm laundry room
"I just bought some new Tshirts, how do I get them all soft and silky and smelling good like when you wash them?"
See... it never ends.
They just melt your hearts ...don't they.
Like when they are toddlers and all damp and clean right from the tub and cuddly.
Or when they are concentrating as hard as they can to do something their very best, and they get that determined look on their little faces.
How about when they come flying at you from across the playground and leap into your arms.
And then there is that phone call from the dorm laundry room
"I just bought some new Tshirts, how do I get them all soft and silky and smelling good like when you wash them?"
See... it never ends.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Seven 50's
These gorgeous women are some of my very best friends in the world.
A most amazing thing about these seven women is that each year for the next seven years one of us will turn 50.
We have spent many an evening... over cocktails and snacks... dreaming about what each of us may want on our special day. There are trips to Paris and Italy... my adventurous wife wants to safari, the sky is the limit.
This woman - this adorable, funny, incredibly creative (and single ...yes gals, she's available) beautiful woman - is jumping the half century mark today.
We kicked off our seven year adventure in style.
You'll notice the birthday girl is not in that picture.
That's because she had NO idea.
Until we went to pick her up.
We have Veuve.. of course.
The limo whisked us to Broadway for a matinee.
And as if that wasn't enough - once we got back home there was a colossal surprise party waiting. I have no pictures of that ...because please... people - we started drinking Veuve at 11.
Luckily all the excitement didn't kill the ole broad.
Happy Birthday Sue!!
A most amazing thing about these seven women is that each year for the next seven years one of us will turn 50.
We have spent many an evening... over cocktails and snacks... dreaming about what each of us may want on our special day. There are trips to Paris and Italy... my adventurous wife wants to safari, the sky is the limit.
This woman - this adorable, funny, incredibly creative (and single ...yes gals, she's available) beautiful woman - is jumping the half century mark today.
We kicked off our seven year adventure in style.
You'll notice the birthday girl is not in that picture.
That's because she had NO idea.
Until we went to pick her up.
We have Veuve.. of course.
The limo whisked us to Broadway for a matinee.
And as if that wasn't enough - once we got back home there was a colossal surprise party waiting. I have no pictures of that ...because please... people - we started drinking Veuve at 11.
Luckily all the excitement didn't kill the ole broad.
Happy Birthday Sue!!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Friday
tip-o-day
Welp, its close to 70° here in CT today. So of course my mind is wandering to....
yup - you guessed it Spring Cleaning! (ok ok... I will admit to some wandering lustful day dreaming to bikinied, taut women on sun bathed Provincetown beaches, playing in the water or running gracefully.... oops )
Right...then...anyway.. yes.
Spring Cleaning.
Don't feel overwhelmed by the thoughts of spring cleaning. Remember not to think of it as a meaningless chore. It's about clearing the stuffy, stagnant winter energy out of your home and making room for freshly smelling, good energy.
Granted it can be a big task - so instead of trying to block out an entire weekend to get it done - try doing one or two rooms a week. You will feel a grand sense of accomplishment without spending an entire day with the vacuum and mop.
So select your room and give a good top to bottom. Remember to dust the picture frames (and clean the glass), dust all the moldings, including around the baseboards, move each peice of furniture and clean underneath - and don't forget to give the walls a quick wipe down.
One thing I don't advise is doing the windows yet... so save some energy for your favorite cocktail and enjoy a tourney game.
Welp, its close to 70° here in CT today. So of course my mind is wandering to....
yup - you guessed it Spring Cleaning! (ok ok... I will admit to some wandering lustful day dreaming to bikinied, taut women on sun bathed Provincetown beaches, playing in the water or running gracefully.... oops )
Right...then...anyway.. yes.
Spring Cleaning.
Don't feel overwhelmed by the thoughts of spring cleaning. Remember not to think of it as a meaningless chore. It's about clearing the stuffy, stagnant winter energy out of your home and making room for freshly smelling, good energy.
Granted it can be a big task - so instead of trying to block out an entire weekend to get it done - try doing one or two rooms a week. You will feel a grand sense of accomplishment without spending an entire day with the vacuum and mop.
So select your room and give a good top to bottom. Remember to dust the picture frames (and clean the glass), dust all the moldings, including around the baseboards, move each peice of furniture and clean underneath - and don't forget to give the walls a quick wipe down.
One thing I don't advise is doing the windows yet... so save some energy for your favorite cocktail and enjoy a tourney game.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
It's in the driveway
I originally planned to make you all read my long and drawn out requirements process and it's eventual conclusion before revealing my final selection.
But I am feeling generous today.
I went with the Civic.This car handily met my requirements by having the highest MPG (save the hybrid genre... but we'll get to that later), being affordable, easily holding the best resale value, with winning reliability.
As a bonus I also have an Ipod connection in my center console and a handy cup holder.
I did forgo the heated seats and remote start. This was in the best interest of meeting my second most important requirement, affordability.
I am ok with this because I know my svelte wife's seat will be toasty, as she is going to start driving the Cabrio. Heated seats are oh so important when taking the top down a little too early in the season.
Several of you suggested Hybrids.
Thank you.
But no.
The increased cost of a hybrid amortized out over several years still well exceeds any savings seen by using less gas.
Not to mention - you may have missed the subtleties of my first point which implied much highway driving. This means that a hybrid would be running mostly on gas anyway. The other problem I have with them is all those batteries overflowing landfills in 5 years. So as far as an environmentally sound mode of transportation - I am going to hold out until they think of something better.
I also notice that many models suggested well exceeded the price of the Civic. I could have gotten the Nav/Bluetooth system as well as leather for less than some of the cars suggested.
Plus... its cute. At least on my cuteness scale. Which of course the only scale I go by.
My ride into work this morning was sublime.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
The Requirements
Since you all have advice on my new car selection - perhaps reviewing this list of requirements will help you make a choice.
Other nice-to-haves:
aw hell ...while I am at it:
Time to shop.
- great mileage
this is a top priority as my work commute has increased from 8 miles one way to 48. - affordable
this is definetly the second most important as we are still financing the education of our second and final child - great resale value
why throw money away - nimble driving experience
(see the first bullet) - medium to dark interior color
FREE dog is black - need I say more - sedan
yes, I want 4 doors - and it must be cute
this is of course my cuteness scale - which may differ from yours
Other nice-to-haves:
- MP3 connectivity
- interior seating designed to fit shorter, ever-so-slightly round people
- easy care exterior color
- well placed drivers side cup holder
aw hell ...while I am at it:
- heated seats (I have them now and love them)
- remote start
Time to shop.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
It's that time again
I bought my last car on my lunch hour... this was not a normal weese-like behaviour. I am pretty sure it was some sort of mid-life crisis. Actually, now that I think of it - buying a 'used' car as a mid-life crisis is rather weese-y. It's all that crazyness tempered by a resonable price point.
This time however, I am considering a 'more recently assembled' car. And so it's taking longer. When I say longer I sorta mean l.o..n...g....e.....r.
I am not one to make spur of the moment decisions, I generally leave that to my spontaneous wife. At times, it seems, I am not one to be able to decide anything at all. I wonder if this has to do with sticker price... sounds like I may need to do some further research on my personal price breaking point. That dollar limit where I everything becomes fuzzy and I can't think.
And so I have been researching and driving and researching and downloading spreadsheets and making up my mind and changing my mind and then driving more cars often more than once and then coming home exhausted and downloading more spreadsheets.
Frankly, even I am getting sick of myself (this is where I mention again what a saint my patient wife is... and where she implores me to get someone to prescribe me some paxil).
I feel a decision coming on people...
Beware.
This time however, I am considering a 'more recently assembled' car. And so it's taking longer. When I say longer I sorta mean l.o..n...g....e.....r.
I am not one to make spur of the moment decisions, I generally leave that to my spontaneous wife. At times, it seems, I am not one to be able to decide anything at all. I wonder if this has to do with sticker price... sounds like I may need to do some further research on my personal price breaking point. That dollar limit where I everything becomes fuzzy and I can't think.
And so I have been researching and driving and researching and downloading spreadsheets and making up my mind and changing my mind and then driving more cars often more than once and then coming home exhausted and downloading more spreadsheets.
Frankly, even I am getting sick of myself (this is where I mention again what a saint my patient wife is... and where she implores me to get someone to prescribe me some paxil).
I feel a decision coming on people...
Beware.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Friday
tip-o-day
Safety first. Even before blogging.
Ok... so I just ran out of available outlets in my new 'home office'. It seems I have way too much equipment stuffed into this little space - and all of it requiring power.
So I am going to spend some time rewiring things before I burn the house down.
But while you are plugging stuff in... remember to plug sensitive equipment into surge protected power strips. I recently picked up one of those power squids.
What I like about the squid is they don't expose open outlets to dust accumulation or other items falling into them -- which can be the case when you have a flat power strip tucked behind a desk.
In cases where I do use the flat power strips I try to mount them vertically on a wall or side of a desk.
or even...
Safety first. Even before blogging.
Ok... so I just ran out of available outlets in my new 'home office'. It seems I have way too much equipment stuffed into this little space - and all of it requiring power.
So I am going to spend some time rewiring things before I burn the house down.
But while you are plugging stuff in... remember to plug sensitive equipment into surge protected power strips. I recently picked up one of those power squids.
What I like about the squid is they don't expose open outlets to dust accumulation or other items falling into them -- which can be the case when you have a flat power strip tucked behind a desk.
In cases where I do use the flat power strips I try to mount them vertically on a wall or side of a desk.
or even...
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
techy-ness
So... now that I no longer work for a software company - here I am in a hotel room surfin' with my highly secure 'snow' controlled laptop hooked up to the world wide web wirelessly... with a little help from our international 24 hour internal helpdesk whom I called with my bluetooth headset beaming to my Black ber ry Curve.
(and yes... I am watching the Uconn/Lousville game too)
Ain't technology grand.
(and yes... I am watching the Uconn/Lousville game too)
Ain't technology grand.
Monday, March 09, 2009
That finale
We watched the LWord finale last night with friends.
We had wine and chocolate... it was sublime.
But I am sure going to miss all the hot lesbian sex.
My chocolate-loving wife made her infamous flourless chocolate cake.
She wrote the names of most of the cast (the hot ones anyway) on the cake.
That way we could pick who we wanted to eat.
(run with it Syd)
We had wine and chocolate... it was sublime.
But I am sure going to miss all the hot lesbian sex.
My chocolate-loving wife made her infamous flourless chocolate cake.
She wrote the names of most of the cast (the hot ones anyway) on the cake.
That way we could pick who we wanted to eat.
(run with it Syd)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)