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Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Invented a new drink
The Cowardly Russian
In a blender put in
3 cups ice
1 cup creme de banana
1 cup kahlua
Half cup half-n-half
Blend
Pour
Drink
Repeat as often as needed.
Recommend drinking while suntanning and listening to Reggae
-- Post From My iPhone
In a blender put in
3 cups ice
1 cup creme de banana
1 cup kahlua
Half cup half-n-half
Blend
Pour
Drink
Repeat as often as needed.
Recommend drinking while suntanning and listening to Reggae
-- Post From My iPhone
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
A Photographer's Wife
Being a Photographer's Wife - there are some perks:
1) Free Photography
2) Frequent Modeling opportunities
3) Meeting some unique and amazing people along the way
4) Getting to play the verbal "Editor/Consultant" to everything (newsletter, photos, web design, lighting, etc)
5) Filling in as the "voice activated light-stand" every so often.
6) Suddenly knowing WAY more than you ever really wanted to know about Photography, but appreciating the art anyway.
7) Inadvertantly becoming the Business Manager, Search Engine Optimizing Advisor, Accountant, Office Manager, Sounding board, Assistant, Marketing Director, and Cheerleading Squad for the business.
8) Watching hubby's skill sharpen and "develop" (yes that was a pun) over time.
9) Learning to always "be in makeup" since you never know when he'll need to do a test shot. How often do I hear "Honey, can I borrow you for 5 minutes?"
10) Social/Business Networking everywhere (come on, everybody needs a photographer, and I have the perfect business card right here in my purse).
11) Getting to frame, mat, and bag the finished product(s).
12) Being a part of an amazing team.
13) Living in the presence of Genius.
1) Free Photography
2) Frequent Modeling opportunities
3) Meeting some unique and amazing people along the way
4) Getting to play the verbal "Editor/Consultant" to everything (newsletter, photos, web design, lighting, etc)
5) Filling in as the "voice activated light-stand" every so often.
6) Suddenly knowing WAY more than you ever really wanted to know about Photography, but appreciating the art anyway.
7) Inadvertantly becoming the Business Manager, Search Engine Optimizing Advisor, Accountant, Office Manager, Sounding board, Assistant, Marketing Director, and Cheerleading Squad for the business.
8) Watching hubby's skill sharpen and "develop" (yes that was a pun) over time.
9) Learning to always "be in makeup" since you never know when he'll need to do a test shot. How often do I hear "Honey, can I borrow you for 5 minutes?"
10) Social/Business Networking everywhere (come on, everybody needs a photographer, and I have the perfect business card right here in my purse).
11) Getting to frame, mat, and bag the finished product(s).
12) Being a part of an amazing team.
13) Living in the presence of Genius.
What to do, what to do?
What do you do when the slacker gets their way?
What do you do when what is wrong is rewarded?
What do you do when what is right continues to be argued against?
What do you do when everything that is ethical and logical is turned upside down?
What do you do when the bad one never has to pay for their sins? And the good ones always have to clean up the mess?
What do you do when it takes 1.5 yrs for one right thing to be finally put into place? And then it's done half-*ssed instead of correctly?
What do you do when there should be more than enough evidence of what is wrong, and it should be fixed, but nobody f'n does anything about it?
Just because someone preens for the masses, hogs the limelight, and sweet-talks you with lies, doesn't mean they are the one you should listen to. Yet everybody seems to like it.
Can't they see who is working the hardest and who is finding every way not to work at all?
Can't they see through the smoke and mirrors?
Can't they see what it is costing the rest of us?
Can't they see how fed up we are?
Can't they see how this is poisening us?
I wish I could walk away.
I wish I didn't care so much.
I wish I was not even IN this situation.
but
I have absolutely HAD it.
I'm fed up.
I'm done.
This is the last straw.
What do you do when what is wrong is rewarded?
What do you do when what is right continues to be argued against?
What do you do when everything that is ethical and logical is turned upside down?
What do you do when the bad one never has to pay for their sins? And the good ones always have to clean up the mess?
What do you do when it takes 1.5 yrs for one right thing to be finally put into place? And then it's done half-*ssed instead of correctly?
What do you do when there should be more than enough evidence of what is wrong, and it should be fixed, but nobody f'n does anything about it?
Just because someone preens for the masses, hogs the limelight, and sweet-talks you with lies, doesn't mean they are the one you should listen to. Yet everybody seems to like it.
Can't they see who is working the hardest and who is finding every way not to work at all?
Can't they see through the smoke and mirrors?
Can't they see what it is costing the rest of us?
Can't they see how fed up we are?
Can't they see how this is poisening us?
I wish I could walk away.
I wish I didn't care so much.
I wish I was not even IN this situation.
but
I have absolutely HAD it.
I'm fed up.
I'm done.
This is the last straw.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Easter Weekend and Recipe for Teriyaki Sauce
Saturday Night was a nice reunion with our dear White Russian, who had returned from Vegas for a brief break. We dined on Fried Rice and Teriyaki Chicken. This brings me to my recipe for the day.
-
How to make Teriyaki Sauce with what's in the kitchen:
Ingredients needed: Soy Sauce, Ground Ginger (from the spice rack), Syrup or Sugar or whatever sweetener you usually cook with if you are low-carb dieting, Sesame Oil or Sesame Seeds.
In Skillet, pour some soy sauce (I used about 2 cups), squeeze in 1/3 cup of Syrup (I used Aunt Jemima's Lite), shake a good tablespoon of ground ginger over this mixture, and a dash of Sesame Oil. Heat to a light simmer, stirring frequently to get the ginger to mix in all the way. Voila! You can add more of a specific ingredient to taste (say if you like it more salty then add more soy, etc).
CAUTION: Soy Sauce has wheat gluten in it, so if you are trying to eat gluten free, then you need to buy specifically labled "gluten-free soy sauce" - I know they don't tell you that up front.
-
After dinner, we hung out talking and drinking and just having a good ole time. Matt lit a fire in the fireplace, and it was just a relaxing evening. My sinuses had been acting up that morning, but by the evening time, I was feeling just perfect. I even had a cuban seed cigar. oh yes I would pay for it later, I thought.
But no.
Just before bedtime, I took my generic Zyrtec-D, and drank an "Urban Detox" which is specially formulated to benefit sinus and lung functions.
And guess what?
Function: Urban Detox Drink really works, or the Zyrtec helps it work better, whatever. Anyway I'm sold!
-
Easter Sunday was just gorgeous! Sunny with a light breeze, and highs in the 70s. We did a Goldberg's Bagel run, and hung out on the porch/deck almost all day long. Matt and I had the leftover chinese food for lunch, and then for dinner we grilled out. Burgers/Spicy Sausage and sides of broccoli, corn, and potato-au-gratin puffs.
We wound down the evening with a movie "YES man" - Jim Carey. Hysterical! I highly recommend it. We were laughing so hard, I even woke up laughing about it. Great movie!
-
Monday's weather is a bit odd. It's raining sideways, it's cold (50s), branches/leaves/debris all over the road, some of the traffic lights are out, but I came to work anyway.
-
How to make Teriyaki Sauce with what's in the kitchen:
Ingredients needed: Soy Sauce, Ground Ginger (from the spice rack), Syrup or Sugar or whatever sweetener you usually cook with if you are low-carb dieting, Sesame Oil or Sesame Seeds.
In Skillet, pour some soy sauce (I used about 2 cups), squeeze in 1/3 cup of Syrup (I used Aunt Jemima's Lite), shake a good tablespoon of ground ginger over this mixture, and a dash of Sesame Oil. Heat to a light simmer, stirring frequently to get the ginger to mix in all the way. Voila! You can add more of a specific ingredient to taste (say if you like it more salty then add more soy, etc).
CAUTION: Soy Sauce has wheat gluten in it, so if you are trying to eat gluten free, then you need to buy specifically labled "gluten-free soy sauce" - I know they don't tell you that up front.
-
After dinner, we hung out talking and drinking and just having a good ole time. Matt lit a fire in the fireplace, and it was just a relaxing evening. My sinuses had been acting up that morning, but by the evening time, I was feeling just perfect. I even had a cuban seed cigar. oh yes I would pay for it later, I thought.
But no.
Just before bedtime, I took my generic Zyrtec-D, and drank an "Urban Detox" which is specially formulated to benefit sinus and lung functions.
And guess what?
Function: Urban Detox Drink really works, or the Zyrtec helps it work better, whatever. Anyway I'm sold!
-
Easter Sunday was just gorgeous! Sunny with a light breeze, and highs in the 70s. We did a Goldberg's Bagel run, and hung out on the porch/deck almost all day long. Matt and I had the leftover chinese food for lunch, and then for dinner we grilled out. Burgers/Spicy Sausage and sides of broccoli, corn, and potato-au-gratin puffs.
We wound down the evening with a movie "YES man" - Jim Carey. Hysterical! I highly recommend it. We were laughing so hard, I even woke up laughing about it. Great movie!
-
Monday's weather is a bit odd. It's raining sideways, it's cold (50s), branches/leaves/debris all over the road, some of the traffic lights are out, but I came to work anyway.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Recipe for Tomato Soup
I'm into this new thing where I literally just throw shit from my cupboards into a dish, and make something.
so today is Tomato Soup.
Ingredients:
Dried Nori
Worcestershire Sauce
2 small cans of V8
2 small packets of Veggie Broth Mix
1 canned chicken thing from Trader Joes
Some frozen Mixed Veggies (Kroger brand)
the last bit of Organic Ketchup in the bottle.
basil - from my spice shelf.
Pour V8 into saucepan, add Veggie Broth Packets, squirt out last remains of the ketchup bottle. Add water to the ketchup bottle (1/3 full), put lid back on, shake hard, then empty that into the saucepan too. This does 2 things, lets you get out more ketchup, and cleans out the ketchup bottle so I can recycle it. ha!
Add couple of dashes of Worcestershire sauce.
sprinkle a generous bit of basil on top
Add canned chicken (don't bother draining it, we need the liquid and that liquid in the can is already chicken flavored).
Cut up the Nori into small strips/bits, and sprinkle on top. I only used 1 full sheet from the pack I have in the cupboard.
Add some frozen mixed veggies - no more than 1 cup.
bring to boil.
after it boils for a bit (lets the flavors meld together).
turn off heat and let sit in pan covered, until it cools enough to taste.
I'm debating about adding some cream to this soup for better flavor, but so far I like it as is.
Matt's going to make some panini-cheese sammiches on our George Foreman grill to go with the soup.
Voila! Easy!
*Add the cream, it totally makes the soup PERFECT.
so today is Tomato Soup.
Ingredients:
Dried Nori
Worcestershire Sauce
2 small cans of V8
2 small packets of Veggie Broth Mix
1 canned chicken thing from Trader Joes
Some frozen Mixed Veggies (Kroger brand)
the last bit of Organic Ketchup in the bottle.
basil - from my spice shelf.
Pour V8 into saucepan, add Veggie Broth Packets, squirt out last remains of the ketchup bottle. Add water to the ketchup bottle (1/3 full), put lid back on, shake hard, then empty that into the saucepan too. This does 2 things, lets you get out more ketchup, and cleans out the ketchup bottle so I can recycle it. ha!
Add couple of dashes of Worcestershire sauce.
sprinkle a generous bit of basil on top
Add canned chicken (don't bother draining it, we need the liquid and that liquid in the can is already chicken flavored).
Cut up the Nori into small strips/bits, and sprinkle on top. I only used 1 full sheet from the pack I have in the cupboard.
Add some frozen mixed veggies - no more than 1 cup.
bring to boil.
after it boils for a bit (lets the flavors meld together).
turn off heat and let sit in pan covered, until it cools enough to taste.
I'm debating about adding some cream to this soup for better flavor, but so far I like it as is.
Matt's going to make some panini-cheese sammiches on our George Foreman grill to go with the soup.
Voila! Easy!
*Add the cream, it totally makes the soup PERFECT.
Just another Saturday
Here we are at "Get Coffee", taking in the day over paninis and coffee. I am super excited to see that Durenda is now carrying Bionade, a new organic drink that I discovered at Studio 1 five 0's opening. Matt's trying the Elderberry flavor. Mmmm.
I also found another beverage at Whole Foods called Urban Detox, which supposedly helps u clean your body of toxins and helps your sinuses! Check it out www.functiondrinks.com
My sinuses are going crazy this spring so I will take all the help I can get!
Ttyl!
-- Post From My iPhone
I also found another beverage at Whole Foods called Urban Detox, which supposedly helps u clean your body of toxins and helps your sinuses! Check it out www.functiondrinks.com
My sinuses are going crazy this spring so I will take all the help I can get!
Ttyl!
-- Post From My iPhone
Friday, April 10, 2009
Thank God It's Easter!
Seriously, if it weren't for the lovely admin in our building, who keeps the candy dish full of Dove Dark Chocolate Eggs, I think I would go batty.
-
Quote for the day:
"People think it must be fun to be a super genius , but they don't realize how hard it is to put up with all the idiots in the world" - Calvin, from Calvin and Hobbes.
-
On a lighter note ...
Matt took me to "Trois" for our 3 year anniversary. Wow it is super nice and classy. We arrived early, so we went to the bar for a glass of Malbec and Tempranillo respectively. Guess who had the Malbec? Yes, that was me.
Then we went upstairs for dinner.
We dined on lump crab fritter, olive bread, small complimentary appetizer of beets/goat cheese/vinagraitte (spl?), and then for the main entre I had the Scottish Salmon (how could I not with a name like that?), with bacon wrapped white asparagus, and Matt had the seared Scallops with Vichy Carrots, and a side of whipped potatoes that were to die for. Dessert was some sort of complimentary chocolate brownie thing with "white chocolate foam". They even wrote "Happy Anniversary" in chocolate syrup on the plate. Too funny!
With dessert, we drank some French Press gourmet coffee called "Brazillian Cerrado" - also AMAZING, and then they brought out some complimentary Rose wine and a small flat piece of chocolae. I was just in HEAVEN.
The olive bread was unique to me, I was very very happy with that. Too bad I'm trying to give up wheat gluten now, but I had some anyway. DELISH!
-
So here is the dilemma. On our 1 yr anniversary he took me to "ONE Midtown Kitchen" and then on our 2 yr anniversary he took me to "TWO Urban Licks".
You just read about "TROIS" for the 3 yr. So what will we do for year 4?
Please post your ideas under the comments section if you have any. THANK YOU!
-
Quote for the day:
"People think it must be fun to be a super genius , but they don't realize how hard it is to put up with all the idiots in the world" - Calvin, from Calvin and Hobbes.
-
On a lighter note ...
Matt took me to "Trois" for our 3 year anniversary. Wow it is super nice and classy. We arrived early, so we went to the bar for a glass of Malbec and Tempranillo respectively. Guess who had the Malbec? Yes, that was me.
Then we went upstairs for dinner.
We dined on lump crab fritter, olive bread, small complimentary appetizer of beets/goat cheese/vinagraitte (spl?), and then for the main entre I had the Scottish Salmon (how could I not with a name like that?), with bacon wrapped white asparagus, and Matt had the seared Scallops with Vichy Carrots, and a side of whipped potatoes that were to die for. Dessert was some sort of complimentary chocolate brownie thing with "white chocolate foam". They even wrote "Happy Anniversary" in chocolate syrup on the plate. Too funny!
With dessert, we drank some French Press gourmet coffee called "Brazillian Cerrado" - also AMAZING, and then they brought out some complimentary Rose wine and a small flat piece of chocolae. I was just in HEAVEN.
The olive bread was unique to me, I was very very happy with that. Too bad I'm trying to give up wheat gluten now, but I had some anyway. DELISH!
-
So here is the dilemma. On our 1 yr anniversary he took me to "ONE Midtown Kitchen" and then on our 2 yr anniversary he took me to "TWO Urban Licks".
You just read about "TROIS" for the 3 yr. So what will we do for year 4?
Please post your ideas under the comments section if you have any. THANK YOU!
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
The Hair Lounge
The Hair Lounge has a new website! Check it out!
The photography on the site of the actual salon, is work from Matthew Lane of Zazen Photo.
Website was designed by my dear friend Alex!
Enjoy!
The photography on the site of the actual salon, is work from Matthew Lane of Zazen Photo.
Website was designed by my dear friend Alex!
Enjoy!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Signs that it's going to be a good day
Signs that it's going to be a good day today:
1) Wake up to the alarm in a groggy haze, having no idea what day it is or where I am - that's a dead sleep I tell ya! So I know I slept very well.
2) As I pull out of the garage and start up the driveway to go to the gym - the music on my radio grooves into a new beat. It's like having my own personal life-soundtrack!
3) Putting the iPhone on shuffle and nothing but upbeat/high energy tunes come on to get me through my work out.
4) No sign of tread-climber girl.
5) Remembering today is PAY DAY!
6) Good hair day - well I think so anyway. who cares what you think? hee hee.
7) Big cup of New Mexico Pinon Coffee with cream - to enjoy all morning long as I work.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Weekend Update - put on your fancy shoes and GO!
Not sure what to do this weekend? Check out these 2 amazing options!
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1) Urban Couture Fashion Show/Benefit tonight at Studio 1*Five*0. Friend of ours is a photographer who owns the studio & rents out the space (he also just recently photographed the Indigo Girls. WOW famous client alert!). Another friend is a fashion guru and teacher at local Grady High School. They are the only HS in the nation (that I know of) who has their own Fashion Design classes. Tonight's fashion show features HS students designs from this year. Very cool. In the News: http://projects.ajc.com/gallery/view/living/urbancouture0507/ -I will be covering the event as a journalist on behalf of my friend Dreama's non-profit art magazine - The Voyeur of Fashion Art & Politics.
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2)· Celtic Fling at Get Coffee sponsored in part by Zazen Photo - attending this tomorrow evening. Get Coffee is our local coffee shop in Chamblee, GA. My husband has several framed photos on display there, and he will be their featured artist in May. Get Coffee partnered with the Chamblee Arts Alliance to host a Celtic Fling this Saturday night. They were looking for sponsors, and as part of the sponsor pkg you get a free membership to the alliance. My husband's photography biz "Zazen Photo" is now one of the sponsors for the Celtic Fling. There should be dancers, live music from Keltic Kudzu, an Irish photographer will have her work showing, and of course there will be alcohol. It's a sort of belated-artsy-StPatricksDay-thing-a-ma-jig.
-
Get off your heiney and come over to one of these FAB events! SEE YOU THERE!
-
Oh yeah, and I got an iPhone. that's right. so Pbbbbbt! to "Big Brother." Take THAT you Nazi's!
-
1) Urban Couture Fashion Show/Benefit tonight at Studio 1*Five*0. Friend of ours is a photographer who owns the studio & rents out the space (he also just recently photographed the Indigo Girls. WOW famous client alert!). Another friend is a fashion guru and teacher at local Grady High School. They are the only HS in the nation (that I know of) who has their own Fashion Design classes. Tonight's fashion show features HS students designs from this year. Very cool. In the News: http://projects.ajc.com/gallery/view/living/urbancouture0507/ -I will be covering the event as a journalist on behalf of my friend Dreama's non-profit art magazine - The Voyeur of Fashion Art & Politics.
-
2)· Celtic Fling at Get Coffee sponsored in part by Zazen Photo - attending this tomorrow evening. Get Coffee is our local coffee shop in Chamblee, GA. My husband has several framed photos on display there, and he will be their featured artist in May. Get Coffee partnered with the Chamblee Arts Alliance to host a Celtic Fling this Saturday night. They were looking for sponsors, and as part of the sponsor pkg you get a free membership to the alliance. My husband's photography biz "Zazen Photo" is now one of the sponsors for the Celtic Fling. There should be dancers, live music from Keltic Kudzu, an Irish photographer will have her work showing, and of course there will be alcohol. It's a sort of belated-artsy-StPatricksDay-thing-a-ma-jig.
-
Get off your heiney and come over to one of these FAB events! SEE YOU THERE!
-
Oh yeah, and I got an iPhone. that's right. so Pbbbbbt! to "Big Brother." Take THAT you Nazi's!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
I'm such an Oenophile
Last night at our monthly Ladies Wine Club gathering, we had a sommelier (Stephen Satterfield) giving a presentation. We sampled 5 wines from his non-profit organization. These wines (and more) will be auctioned off at Atlanta History Center -http://isawfoundation.com/blog/ and later at the High Museum this month. I would love to go, but we are already obligated to go to another function both evenings (bummer).
-
If you are a oenophile (wine lover) like me, I thought you might want to know about these AWESOME wines. The wines are supposedly available at Ansley Kroger, and Whole Foods here in Atlanta.
-
One of the most interesting wines we sampled was: Seven Sisters: Bukettraube (Odelia)
I had NEVER had this varietal before, and let me tell you it was amazing!
Seven Sisters Wine info: http://www.africanrootswines.com/
Link to the non-profit Organization: http://www.isawfoundation.org/
That's all for now, gotta run.
-
If you are a oenophile (wine lover) like me, I thought you might want to know about these AWESOME wines. The wines are supposedly available at Ansley Kroger, and Whole Foods here in Atlanta.
-
One of the most interesting wines we sampled was: Seven Sisters: Bukettraube (Odelia)
I had NEVER had this varietal before, and let me tell you it was amazing!
Seven Sisters Wine info: http://www.africanrootswines.com/
Link to the non-profit Organization: http://www.isawfoundation.org/
That's all for now, gotta run.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Stimulating thoughts
Wow it has been a long time.
Well the economy sux, and since they (aka Corporate America) are laying people off (or firing them) right and left, that leaves the REST of us a TON of work to do.
ahem.
And of course employee morale is in the toilet, since everyone is paranoid they may be next.
So, the stimulus plan basically just stimulated my work load at the moment. I'm still hopeful though. Maybe things will get better someday??? PLEASE?
-
Photos from the family vacation here.
Historical family photos here. Betcha didn't know my Grandpa went to OSU? oh yeah. We are Buckeye's by blood.
-
Updates to Treadclimber girl story:
Well, the YMCA removed the Treadclimbers and replaced them with newer treadmill models. Since then, I have seen neither hair nor hide of the Tread Climber Beeotch. Woo hoo!
I know, an anti-climatic ending to the story. Oh well. that's life.
-
Zazen Photo is helping sponsor the Chamblee Arts Alliance Celtic Fling at Get Coffee. Go to their website for details. Tickets are only $5, and the event is on March 28th from 7:30-10 or 11p (I forget how late). WOO HOO! Music by Keltic Kudzu.
Well the economy sux, and since they (aka Corporate America) are laying people off (or firing them) right and left, that leaves the REST of us a TON of work to do.
ahem.
And of course employee morale is in the toilet, since everyone is paranoid they may be next.
So, the stimulus plan basically just stimulated my work load at the moment. I'm still hopeful though. Maybe things will get better someday??? PLEASE?
-
Photos from the family vacation here.
Historical family photos here. Betcha didn't know my Grandpa went to OSU? oh yeah. We are Buckeye's by blood.
-
Updates to Treadclimber girl story:
Well, the YMCA removed the Treadclimbers and replaced them with newer treadmill models. Since then, I have seen neither hair nor hide of the Tread Climber Beeotch. Woo hoo!
I know, an anti-climatic ending to the story. Oh well. that's life.
-
Zazen Photo is helping sponsor the Chamblee Arts Alliance Celtic Fling at Get Coffee. Go to their website for details. Tickets are only $5, and the event is on March 28th from 7:30-10 or 11p (I forget how late). WOO HOO! Music by Keltic Kudzu.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Happy Valentine's Day!
Photo Credit-Matthew Lane of Zazen Photo. Model is Eric Packham.-
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!
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Irony- I haven't been back to the YMCA since my victory over Tread-Climber girl. BUT every day my co-workers are asking me for updates. They said I'm anti-climatic and have "let them down" because they look forward to the stories.
hmm.
well on the upside I HAVE been working out. I was just a little bit hungover from Wine Club so Thursday AM I did Yoga and guzzled a huge bottle of water. Thursday PM I walked my dog for 2.5 miles. Friday AM (today) I did a different Yoga DVD until my legs wobbled, and if I have time tonight I'll do the 2.5 mile walk again. I can work out without having to see Tread-climber girl every day. But maybe it makes for more interesting Blog entries if I DO. LOL.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Victorious!
Today is just a DAMN good day!
1) Yesterday was my beloved Aunt Julie's Birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNTIE JULES! And I get to see her next week!
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2) Zazen Photo's first newsletter went out. If you didn't get the email, click HERE to sign up for the mailing list.
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3) Today's can of Dole Tropical Fruit has more red papaya than anything else, my FAVE!
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4) I'm having a good hair day.
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5) It's Antoinette's Birthday - HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANTOINETTE!!!
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6) Age of Aquarius Party photos - check out Matt on the floor. he was feeling Goo-ood!
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7) Tonight is Wine Club - I'm hosting and we're doing "Organic RED wines with No Sulfites Added" - mmm delish!
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8)And (as my facebook status so aptly puts it) - Abbie is secretly and wickedly pleased about getting to the Arc-Trainer machine at 5:30am BEFORE tread-climber girl tried to hog it. har har har.
Let me explain #8.
This week, I've been to the YMCA every morning without fail. I was a little late on Monday and Tuesday, so Tread-Climber girl was already there hogging her favorite machine BOTH days and for 45mins on Tuesday (beeotch). So, I did weights on Monday, and Bike on Tuesday. BUT TODAY I get there a full 10 mins early. I mean the doors had not even OPENED yet, as I was parking my car. But she was there, in line, at the door, and as I crossed the parking lot to the entrance, they let her in. "NOOOOO!" I thought. "NOOOO she's going to beat me to the machine." I tried to remain calm, and told myself - "so what? let's just get one of the other machines instead. You are stronger than her. Your weakness is not that stupid Tread-Climber thing." and so, I rather apathetically watched her beat me down the stairs, beat me to the Tread-Climber machine (and she fiddled with it for a long time, even crawling on her knees to the front of the machine near the wall. I assumed she was plugging it in?), and I absent-mindedly put my waterbottle into the cup holder on the Arc-Trainer, and then went to put my jacket in the cubby-storage unit. As I walked back to the Arc-Trainer, WHAM I almost ran into her. She had been over near my Arc-Trainer machine but had seen my water bottle (holding my place). I guess the tread-climber wasn't working and she was trying for her 2nd favorite machine now? I wasn't sure, but I just climbed up on there and started doing my 30 mins of cardio. And I thought quietly to myself "30 minutes, and that was the rules. not 45 mins Missie!" There are only 2 Arc Trainer machines at the YMCA with arm-movement. The other 3 have the part where your feet/legs swing but the arm-part is stationary. The machine I was on was the "total body" arc trainer. Hmmm . . . I was on one, and another older lady was on the other one. incidently, there were 2 other available Arc-Trainers (minus the arm movement).
As I started my workout, I couldn't help but notice that Tread-Climber girl was hovering around the area. Even though the Arc-Trainers are in a DIFFERENT ROOM than her Tread-Climber. She wanted my machine BAD. I could taste it.
Why couldn't she use one of the 10 available treadmills, or upright bikes, or encumbent bikes, or stair climber machines, or the other Arc Trainers? There were A LOT of other options. No, she wanted her Tread-climber or the Total Body Arc-Trainer and that was it. Spoiled little thing isn't she? I tried to be gracious, and not smirk to myself, but I was secretly pleased.
Then I watched as she wrote her name on the marker board on the waiting list. Karen. Hmm, so my nemesis has a name now. Damn.
I finished my 30 minutes. The most self-satisfying 30 mins of cardio yet. And then I politely got off the machine, cleaned it, and went home to shower in my new master bathroom.
I AM stronger than she is. I'm versatile. I can work out on ANY cardio machine. I do not restrict myself to just the Tread-Climber or Arc-Trainer. And I'm going to have a more-rounded workout week for it too. har har har.
1) Yesterday was my beloved Aunt Julie's Birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNTIE JULES! And I get to see her next week!
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2) Zazen Photo's first newsletter went out. If you didn't get the email, click HERE to sign up for the mailing list.
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3) Today's can of Dole Tropical Fruit has more red papaya than anything else, my FAVE!
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4) I'm having a good hair day.
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5) It's Antoinette's Birthday - HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANTOINETTE!!!
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6) Age of Aquarius Party photos - check out Matt on the floor. he was feeling Goo-ood!
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7) Tonight is Wine Club - I'm hosting and we're doing "Organic RED wines with No Sulfites Added" - mmm delish!
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8)And (as my facebook status so aptly puts it) - Abbie is secretly and wickedly pleased about getting to the Arc-Trainer machine at 5:30am BEFORE tread-climber girl tried to hog it. har har har.
Let me explain #8.
This week, I've been to the YMCA every morning without fail. I was a little late on Monday and Tuesday, so Tread-Climber girl was already there hogging her favorite machine BOTH days and for 45mins on Tuesday (beeotch). So, I did weights on Monday, and Bike on Tuesday. BUT TODAY I get there a full 10 mins early. I mean the doors had not even OPENED yet, as I was parking my car. But she was there, in line, at the door, and as I crossed the parking lot to the entrance, they let her in. "NOOOOO!" I thought. "NOOOO she's going to beat me to the machine." I tried to remain calm, and told myself - "so what? let's just get one of the other machines instead. You are stronger than her. Your weakness is not that stupid Tread-Climber thing." and so, I rather apathetically watched her beat me down the stairs, beat me to the Tread-Climber machine (and she fiddled with it for a long time, even crawling on her knees to the front of the machine near the wall. I assumed she was plugging it in?), and I absent-mindedly put my waterbottle into the cup holder on the Arc-Trainer, and then went to put my jacket in the cubby-storage unit. As I walked back to the Arc-Trainer, WHAM I almost ran into her. She had been over near my Arc-Trainer machine but had seen my water bottle (holding my place). I guess the tread-climber wasn't working and she was trying for her 2nd favorite machine now? I wasn't sure, but I just climbed up on there and started doing my 30 mins of cardio. And I thought quietly to myself "30 minutes, and that was the rules. not 45 mins Missie!" There are only 2 Arc Trainer machines at the YMCA with arm-movement. The other 3 have the part where your feet/legs swing but the arm-part is stationary. The machine I was on was the "total body" arc trainer. Hmmm . . . I was on one, and another older lady was on the other one. incidently, there were 2 other available Arc-Trainers (minus the arm movement).
As I started my workout, I couldn't help but notice that Tread-Climber girl was hovering around the area. Even though the Arc-Trainers are in a DIFFERENT ROOM than her Tread-Climber. She wanted my machine BAD. I could taste it.
Why couldn't she use one of the 10 available treadmills, or upright bikes, or encumbent bikes, or stair climber machines, or the other Arc Trainers? There were A LOT of other options. No, she wanted her Tread-climber or the Total Body Arc-Trainer and that was it. Spoiled little thing isn't she? I tried to be gracious, and not smirk to myself, but I was secretly pleased.
Then I watched as she wrote her name on the marker board on the waiting list. Karen. Hmm, so my nemesis has a name now. Damn.
I finished my 30 minutes. The most self-satisfying 30 mins of cardio yet. And then I politely got off the machine, cleaned it, and went home to shower in my new master bathroom.
I AM stronger than she is. I'm versatile. I can work out on ANY cardio machine. I do not restrict myself to just the Tread-Climber or Arc-Trainer. And I'm going to have a more-rounded workout week for it too. har har har.
Photo credit goes to Ebay - Cybex Arc Trainer and Bowflex Treadclimber TC6000* btw, the one at my YMCA is NOT a bowflex, but heck if I can remember what it is.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Cry me a shower
Click for Before and After PhotosThe Master Bath is finished. The bill has been paid. I'm now officially broke. Lessons learned? I do better with managing the project if I have time to plan. This "involuntary remodel" was forced upon us due to the leak and impending roommate. So, I did not have the adequate time to plan and figure out how to cut costs. Thus, this project got a little out of my control and I'm not too happy with the final figure. The total cost of the tile alone was 3 times what I had estimated when we first measured. I'm still fuzzy on how that happened, but he had receipts to prove it. However, Tile Guy did a GREAT job, we are happy with the results, and Matt LOVES the new shower door. So, ok we had to fork over some extra cash, the end result is worth it right? right? I'm waiting for this to sink into my disbelieving head.
Things I wish I had done earlier on:
-Measured for the difference in the vanity height.
-price-checked cabinetry for the vanity with Ikea. I did check Home Depot/Lowes, but I forgot about Ikea. damn.
-price-checked the granite versus Corian, etc.
-asked the workers to just un-hinge and remove the door to the bathroom so it wouldn't have been scratched up so damn much.
-perhaps I should have just bought the tile myself up front instead of letting them do it?
-I wish we could have kept the old shower door - just in case, we maybe could have used it instead of spending money for a new one?
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ok enough analyzing. it's all done as my hubby says. I have to just let it go and live with it. I do have a new bathroom to enjoy after all.
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counting down the days to the "Age of Aquarius" party.
Things I wish I had done earlier on:
-Measured for the difference in the vanity height.
-price-checked cabinetry for the vanity with Ikea. I did check Home Depot/Lowes, but I forgot about Ikea. damn.
-price-checked the granite versus Corian, etc.
-asked the workers to just un-hinge and remove the door to the bathroom so it wouldn't have been scratched up so damn much.
-perhaps I should have just bought the tile myself up front instead of letting them do it?
-I wish we could have kept the old shower door - just in case, we maybe could have used it instead of spending money for a new one?
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ok enough analyzing. it's all done as my hubby says. I have to just let it go and live with it. I do have a new bathroom to enjoy after all.
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counting down the days to the "Age of Aquarius" party.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
And the Darwin Award goes to . . .
With all the Shower drama and my sister's hospitalization drama, I forgot to mention a few hilarities that happened over the weekend.
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So you know how we have a roommate now? Well, it had been less than one week since he started parking in the driveway in his RED car, and on Thursday morning last week I was backing out of the garage, humming a tune, and apparently stuck in my own bubble world, because BAM I backed right into the RED car.
I didn't look in the rear-view mirror (or if I did I wasn't really thinking about what I saw) I guess.
What made it even more hilarious, was that the car alarm started going off. Matt ran outside and turned it off, but the whole time this was happening (right below the roommate's bedroom windows), he never woke up. I seriously wonder if he'd ever notice if we hadn't confessed. He sleeps like the dead. Well that's a good thing though. I'm a pretty noisy morning person.
I felt terrible, but on the upside, the scratch already buffs out of my car's bumper when I rub it with my coat sleeve. His car may need some work, but it's only the plastic bumper not the light or the metal frame of the car. We are okay.
After I started driving to work, I started cracking up. I was positively giddy, it was SO funny to me. I mean what an idiot I am, but I kept laughing.
I called roomie later that day to apologize and HE started laughing. He said "just don't do it again ok?" - yeah I will do my best.
after which I promptly made myself a sign in BIG ORANGE LETTERS saying "DON'T HIT HIS CAR" and hung it right infront of my car in the garage.
I haven't hit his car again. Yet.
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Shower updates:
Rather than move the outlet and the mirror, I finally came up with the bright idea to ask Tile Guy if we could just get a 2.5inch granite backsplash INSTEAD of the standard 4 inches. YAY! now no need to repaint (well if you can live with the wall scratches and grout stains). I can deal for a bit.
Oh yeah, the Master Bath is DONE! The sink faucet was installed yesterday finally. I moved my pretty towels and wall hangings back in. BUT we haven't paid the guy yet (he is still compiling receipts). I'm dreading the final total. But on the upside, I could use my own shower, sink, and even TOILET this morning! woo hoo! nothing like christening a pristine new white extended bowl toilet. right?
I'll let you know if I have any money left after I get the bill. HA!
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I watched the Superbowl at an Australian guy's house. His name is Dave Chappell. But no it's pronounced Chapel, like "going to the chapel." He is a right funny dude. We had a good time. He was a friend of the roommate's girlfriend's best friend's boyfriend. Like always, Matt and I showed up ON TIME, but we were the first guests to arrive. So we were like "Are you Dave" and "thanks for inviting us" etc. can you say Awkward? Thankfully I have no fear of such social situations, so we were fast friends in no time. Everyone else showed up after I'd already downed 1 glass of wine. HA! Oh yes, I made an exception that I could drink on weekends and when I was uber-stressed out (ie: during Jamie's debacle), so I guess I sort of lost my resolution to not drink until Saturday. Sigh. At least I stuck to a limit of 1 glass of wine per evening per location?
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In my old age, I've discovered something. I'm a super-beeotch during my PMS week. I'm still a residual super-beeotch the week of, but I'm absolutely happy/giddy and everything is hilarious to me the week after. WTF? hormones are grand aren't they? I'm going to keep an eye on myself next month to see if this holds true. I know the beeotch part does. Matt lets me know. he's super nice about how he lets me know, but he tells me. What a great hubby!
-
So you know how we have a roommate now? Well, it had been less than one week since he started parking in the driveway in his RED car, and on Thursday morning last week I was backing out of the garage, humming a tune, and apparently stuck in my own bubble world, because BAM I backed right into the RED car.
I didn't look in the rear-view mirror (or if I did I wasn't really thinking about what I saw) I guess.
What made it even more hilarious, was that the car alarm started going off. Matt ran outside and turned it off, but the whole time this was happening (right below the roommate's bedroom windows), he never woke up. I seriously wonder if he'd ever notice if we hadn't confessed. He sleeps like the dead. Well that's a good thing though. I'm a pretty noisy morning person.
I felt terrible, but on the upside, the scratch already buffs out of my car's bumper when I rub it with my coat sleeve. His car may need some work, but it's only the plastic bumper not the light or the metal frame of the car. We are okay.
After I started driving to work, I started cracking up. I was positively giddy, it was SO funny to me. I mean what an idiot I am, but I kept laughing.
I called roomie later that day to apologize and HE started laughing. He said "just don't do it again ok?" - yeah I will do my best.
after which I promptly made myself a sign in BIG ORANGE LETTERS saying "DON'T HIT HIS CAR" and hung it right infront of my car in the garage.
I haven't hit his car again. Yet.
-
Shower updates:
Rather than move the outlet and the mirror, I finally came up with the bright idea to ask Tile Guy if we could just get a 2.5inch granite backsplash INSTEAD of the standard 4 inches. YAY! now no need to repaint (well if you can live with the wall scratches and grout stains). I can deal for a bit.
Oh yeah, the Master Bath is DONE! The sink faucet was installed yesterday finally. I moved my pretty towels and wall hangings back in. BUT we haven't paid the guy yet (he is still compiling receipts). I'm dreading the final total. But on the upside, I could use my own shower, sink, and even TOILET this morning! woo hoo! nothing like christening a pristine new white extended bowl toilet. right?
I'll let you know if I have any money left after I get the bill. HA!
-
I watched the Superbowl at an Australian guy's house. His name is Dave Chappell. But no it's pronounced Chapel, like "going to the chapel." He is a right funny dude. We had a good time. He was a friend of the roommate's girlfriend's best friend's boyfriend. Like always, Matt and I showed up ON TIME, but we were the first guests to arrive. So we were like "Are you Dave" and "thanks for inviting us" etc. can you say Awkward? Thankfully I have no fear of such social situations, so we were fast friends in no time. Everyone else showed up after I'd already downed 1 glass of wine. HA! Oh yes, I made an exception that I could drink on weekends and when I was uber-stressed out (ie: during Jamie's debacle), so I guess I sort of lost my resolution to not drink until Saturday. Sigh. At least I stuck to a limit of 1 glass of wine per evening per location?
-
In my old age, I've discovered something. I'm a super-beeotch during my PMS week. I'm still a residual super-beeotch the week of, but I'm absolutely happy/giddy and everything is hilarious to me the week after. WTF? hormones are grand aren't they? I'm going to keep an eye on myself next month to see if this holds true. I know the beeotch part does. Matt lets me know. he's super nice about how he lets me know, but he tells me. What a great hubby!
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