As always, Pretty Bird and I had a great time. We danced, we sang, we swayed, and we enjoyed the beer garden.
These are the good times.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Indigo Girls - Zoo Tunes
Last night Pretty Bird and I went to see the Indigo Girls at the Woodland Park Zoo, part of their Zoo Tunes series. This was my first Zoo Tunes experience and boy was it awesome. Of course it helped that the weather in Seattle was absolutely amazing yesterday. 90 degrees, light breeze, not a cloud in sight. The Indigo Girls put on a great show as usual and they pulled Brandi Carlile on stage with them for a few songs. Here is a picture of the 3 of them on stage:
As always, Pretty Bird and I had a great time. We danced, we sang, we swayed, and we enjoyed the beer garden.
These are the good times.
As always, Pretty Bird and I had a great time. We danced, we sang, we swayed, and we enjoyed the beer garden.
These are the good times.
Spotlight on Ares
I usually blog a lot about Percy because he's fat and it is easy to get funny photos of him. Poor little Ares gets left out. So, to offset the Percy favoritism, this post is dedicated to Ares.
As I'm sure you're aware, it was extremely hot here in Seattle this past weekend. Apparently if you are a kitty the best way to stay cool is to make yourself as long as possible.
It also helps if you spread your paws as wide as possible.
Perhaps if he moved off the wool rug it wouldn't be so hot. But I didn't mention that to him. Poor sad hot kitty.
As I'm sure you're aware, it was extremely hot here in Seattle this past weekend. Apparently if you are a kitty the best way to stay cool is to make yourself as long as possible.
It also helps if you spread your paws as wide as possible.
Perhaps if he moved off the wool rug it wouldn't be so hot. But I didn't mention that to him. Poor sad hot kitty.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Masked Bandits
We returned home late last night after attending the taping of Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me, the NPR News Quiz at The Paramount (really, really fun and totally worth it). I was getting ready for bed and I heard a weird noise.
I went into the dinning room and Ares was leaping over and over at the sliding glass door. I looked and saw two raccoons! I turned on the lights and one scattered but the other just sat there, looking at us. Percy joined the crowd and gave it some guttural meows and finally Chris came to see what was going on.
The whole time the raccoon just sat there, looking at us. Then we realized he was the decoy. The second raccoon had snuck around and was eating the strawberries! Chris became livid and began knocking on the glass door and yelling. Finally they both scattered.
Or so we thought.
They actually just moved to the front porch and began to eat out of the bird feeder. Yelling and knocking began again and finally they scattered.
Or so we thought.
When I left for work this morning there were little holes dug all over in our new front beds. I didn't have the heart to go look at the strawberries. Hopefully the bird netting we put over them kept the raccoons out. I'm sure I'll hear all about it tonight.
I went into the dinning room and Ares was leaping over and over at the sliding glass door. I looked and saw two raccoons! I turned on the lights and one scattered but the other just sat there, looking at us. Percy joined the crowd and gave it some guttural meows and finally Chris came to see what was going on.
The whole time the raccoon just sat there, looking at us. Then we realized he was the decoy. The second raccoon had snuck around and was eating the strawberries! Chris became livid and began knocking on the glass door and yelling. Finally they both scattered.
Or so we thought.
They actually just moved to the front porch and began to eat out of the bird feeder. Yelling and knocking began again and finally they scattered.
Or so we thought.
When I left for work this morning there were little holes dug all over in our new front beds. I didn't have the heart to go look at the strawberries. Hopefully the bird netting we put over them kept the raccoons out. I'm sure I'll hear all about it tonight.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
He's Got The Look
I caught Percy napping on the bed this morning and got a couple pictures of him. His daily routine is to get up, have 3 to 4 bites of food, meow until you turn on the water in the tub for him, and then return to bed for a few hours. He repeats the above routine throughout the day. And if you try and wake him during his napping time, this is the look you get:
Fresh Fruit!
So at the beginning of the summer Chris decided to plant strawberries in one of our backyard beds. He went online and ordered 24 plants. Or so he thought......
About two weeks later they arrived in the mail. When we opened the package we found 240 strawberry plants. Apparently Chris had added an extra zero to the order and didn't notice it until the shipment arrived.
We could have sent them back, but instead he planted as many as possible in our back yard beds. Just this past week they began to ripen and now we'll have fresh strawberries every day, for a very, very long time.
About two weeks later they arrived in the mail. When we opened the package we found 240 strawberry plants. Apparently Chris had added an extra zero to the order and didn't notice it until the shipment arrived.
We could have sent them back, but instead he planted as many as possible in our back yard beds. Just this past week they began to ripen and now we'll have fresh strawberries every day, for a very, very long time.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Wii Fit - First Impressions
Yesterday when I arrived home there on the front stoop was what I'd been waiting for. Wii Fit. Of course I had numerous opportunities to pre-order it before it was released and never did. But once it was released I realized that I HAD TO HAVE IT!
By then all of the stores were sold out of them, and when I asked when they were going to get them in again they all said "I have no idea, but probably not for a while". So I signed up for an online Wii Fit stock tracker and after about 10 tries was able to order one from Circuit City. It finally arrived yesterday!
Right away I unpacked it and set it up. I played it for about 30 minutes until I had to leave for my yogalates class. It told me that my Wii Fit Age was 28, so now I'm hooked. Anything that tells me I'm 4 (almost 5) years younger than I actually am is a'ok with me.
The yoga poses were great and pretty much just like the ones we do in class, although slower. I chose the male trainer for motivation.
Of the aerobic games I did the running, hula hoop, and basic step. My favorite was the basic step, especially the part where I did well and the other Mii's (this time it was Snoopy and my dad) were giving me props.
Finally of the balance games I did the ball rolling, which took some time to get used to, ski jumping (really fun!) and the slalom skiing. After a couple tries at skiing I got the hang of it and really began to enjoy it. Not as good as the real thing, but definitely fun.
So, after the first session I must say that Wii Fit is pretty darn fun. I don't think it is a substitute for actual exercise but it really does get you to focus on all aspects of your posture, balance, strength and stamina rather than just one! And, you can do it in the comfort of your own home.
By then all of the stores were sold out of them, and when I asked when they were going to get them in again they all said "I have no idea, but probably not for a while". So I signed up for an online Wii Fit stock tracker and after about 10 tries was able to order one from Circuit City. It finally arrived yesterday!
Right away I unpacked it and set it up. I played it for about 30 minutes until I had to leave for my yogalates class. It told me that my Wii Fit Age was 28, so now I'm hooked. Anything that tells me I'm 4 (almost 5) years younger than I actually am is a'ok with me.
The yoga poses were great and pretty much just like the ones we do in class, although slower. I chose the male trainer for motivation.
Of the aerobic games I did the running, hula hoop, and basic step. My favorite was the basic step, especially the part where I did well and the other Mii's (this time it was Snoopy and my dad) were giving me props.
Finally of the balance games I did the ball rolling, which took some time to get used to, ski jumping (really fun!) and the slalom skiing. After a couple tries at skiing I got the hang of it and really began to enjoy it. Not as good as the real thing, but definitely fun.
So, after the first session I must say that Wii Fit is pretty darn fun. I don't think it is a substitute for actual exercise but it really does get you to focus on all aspects of your posture, balance, strength and stamina rather than just one! And, you can do it in the comfort of your own home.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Driving in the Slow Lane - A Story of Commute Anger
Until recently it had been 5 years since I commuted by car. But due to my new work situation I make the trek from West Seattle to Bellevue, across the West Seattle Bridge and over 1-90, most weekdays. Great thing to start just when gas prices went over $4 a gallon.
At first I was doing ok. I enjoyed listening to NPR, I figured out the best route, and Chris agreed I should take the GTI most of the time rather than the Subaru. But then it started.
I began to notice all of the idiots on the road. How they drove too fast. Didn't use blinkers. Followed too close. Threw things out their windows. I slowly grew angry. Mad, upset and angry.
The mornings weren't so bad, but boy, once 5 o'clock hit and people headed home the crazies came out of the woodwork. By the time I'd arrive home I'd be in a complete tizzy. And who did I have to take it out on but the kitties and Chris. I was getting close to the tipping point and I needed to make a change.
Chris sat me down and made a few suggestions. Most of which were valid, but not useful.
It was his last idea that got me thinking.
He was on to something. I was always trying to compete with everyone on the road. If they tailgated me I had to tap my breaks, if they tried to zoom around me I felt like I had to block them, if they forgot to signal or cut me off I felt like it was my duty to give them honkers!
Was it as easy as that?
Well, two weeks later I think it is starting to work. I have begun to try and not care. I drive in the slow lane, flowing lazily with the traffic. I listen to soothing music, or tune out the world with the stories on NPR. If someone tailgates me, I move over. If someone cuts me off, I slow down to make room for them. If someone is all zoomy in the fast lane, I just ignore them and mosey along in the slow lane.
I still think they are idiots, mind you, but my anger is much better.
At first I was doing ok. I enjoyed listening to NPR, I figured out the best route, and Chris agreed I should take the GTI most of the time rather than the Subaru. But then it started.
I began to notice all of the idiots on the road. How they drove too fast. Didn't use blinkers. Followed too close. Threw things out their windows. I slowly grew angry. Mad, upset and angry.
The mornings weren't so bad, but boy, once 5 o'clock hit and people headed home the crazies came out of the woodwork. By the time I'd arrive home I'd be in a complete tizzy. And who did I have to take it out on but the kitties and Chris. I was getting close to the tipping point and I needed to make a change.
Chris sat me down and made a few suggestions. Most of which were valid, but not useful.
- Go back to taking the bus - too bad I waste an extra 2 hours a day doing that. I can't read on the bus, I get carsick, so I mostly just sit there.
- Take the water-taxi to downtown and take the bus - see above.
- Work from home full-time - concept is good, but it really gets lonely. And there is something about co-worker camaraderie that is key. I try to work from home 1 to 2 days a week, but that doesn't solve the anger.
It was his last idea that got me thinking.
- Drive in the slow lane and forget about the traffic.
He was on to something. I was always trying to compete with everyone on the road. If they tailgated me I had to tap my breaks, if they tried to zoom around me I felt like I had to block them, if they forgot to signal or cut me off I felt like it was my duty to give them honkers!
Was it as easy as that?
Well, two weeks later I think it is starting to work. I have begun to try and not care. I drive in the slow lane, flowing lazily with the traffic. I listen to soothing music, or tune out the world with the stories on NPR. If someone tailgates me, I move over. If someone cuts me off, I slow down to make room for them. If someone is all zoomy in the fast lane, I just ignore them and mosey along in the slow lane.
I still think they are idiots, mind you, but my anger is much better.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Front Yard Remodel
This past weekend we dug up the lawn in the front yard in order to build another path and two more flower beds. The lawn was filled with weeds and for the past two summers would turn brown in June and remain so until October so we decided to get rid of it and put in something nice!
I almost forgot to take before pictures, but I remembered after I had dug for an hour or two. Here is what we started with:
After a day of digging and lugging sod to the giant pile of weed filled sod we have in the back yard this is what we were left with (if anyone is interested in hauling the giant pile away for us, please let me know):
You're probably saying to yourself, don't they know you can rent a sod cutter to do that? Well, yes we do know that, but did you know how huge they are, and how much they cost to rent? It just wasn't worth it for us.
Once the land was cleared we began to build the beds and outline the path. By late yesterday this is where we were at:
Next we'll order a load of top soil, compost, and gravel to finish it off. Then we'll get the fun job of planting the beds!
I never did post pictures my last front yard project. I forgot to take before pictures but just imagine another ugly strip of weed filled grass. That's what it was before I took the shovel to it:
I almost forgot to take before pictures, but I remembered after I had dug for an hour or two. Here is what we started with:
After a day of digging and lugging sod to the giant pile of weed filled sod we have in the back yard this is what we were left with (if anyone is interested in hauling the giant pile away for us, please let me know):
You're probably saying to yourself, don't they know you can rent a sod cutter to do that? Well, yes we do know that, but did you know how huge they are, and how much they cost to rent? It just wasn't worth it for us.
Once the land was cleared we began to build the beds and outline the path. By late yesterday this is where we were at:
Next we'll order a load of top soil, compost, and gravel to finish it off. Then we'll get the fun job of planting the beds!
I never did post pictures my last front yard project. I forgot to take before pictures but just imagine another ugly strip of weed filled grass. That's what it was before I took the shovel to it:
2008 Seattle Race for the Cure
Saturday was the 2008 Seattle Race for the Cure. We started at Qwest Field and walked up onto the viaduct going North in the Southbound lanes Until we reached the on ramp just before the tunnel. There we exited off the on ramp, wound around, and entered the off ramp to head back South in the Northbound lanes to the finish line at Qwest Field.
We had many of our Warming Hut Hotties team attend:
Chris even joined us! (This made me VERY happy):
This was my view most of the time:
Walking on the viaduct was pretty neat:
Like Brother:
Like Sister:
12,000 Walkers!
We had many of our Warming Hut Hotties team attend:
Chris even joined us! (This made me VERY happy):
This was my view most of the time:
Walking on the viaduct was pretty neat:
Like Brother:
Like Sister:
12,000 Walkers!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
The World Is His Garbage Can
Yesterday I witnesses something so sad. I was sitting at a stop light and looked over into a parking lot. There was a white van sitting there that said "Butler Painting Services". There was a guy sitting in the drivers seat and he had his window rolled down. What caught my eye was his next move. He reached his arm out the window and dropped a handful of garbage onto the ground. Just like that. He didn't even hesitate. And then he drove off.
I mean really, who does that?!?!
I mean really, who does that?!?!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Mmmmm Bacon
OMG - have you seen this?? Archie McPhee's is selling Bacon Floss. From the site:
Genius!
Bacon Floss
Dentists recommend flossing and we recommend bacon! Now you can improve your dental hygiene while enjoying the amazing flavor of crispy fried bacon. Is there anything bacon can’t improve? Each 2-1/2" tall plastic dispenser contains 27.3 yards of waxed floss.
Bacon Floss
item 11847
$4.95 ea.
Genius!
Morning Jacket
Mornings I've left for work this year with my jacket on - 122
Mornings I've left for work this year without my jacket on - 1
Yesterday morning, for the first time this year, I was able to leave my house in the morning without a jacket on. It was sunny and warm (over 70 degrees!) the entire day. Of course when I went to leave this morning I had to run back in and grab my jacket since it was windy, cloudy, and about 50 degrees out.
*sigh*
Mornings I've left for work this year without my jacket on - 1
Yesterday morning, for the first time this year, I was able to leave my house in the morning without a jacket on. It was sunny and warm (over 70 degrees!) the entire day. Of course when I went to leave this morning I had to run back in and grab my jacket since it was windy, cloudy, and about 50 degrees out.
*sigh*
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Locked Out!
Yesterday morning I had to get up early and head to Ingram HS in North Seattle for the 3day Expo. The Warming Hut Hotties had a booth and I was in charge of it! Chris was planning a trip south to Olympia so we decided he should take the GTI (parked in the driveway - tandem) and I would take the Subaru (parked in the garage).
Chris moved the GTI out of the way as I took off in the Subaru. Off I went, headed to I-5 north. Right before I reached the freeway my phone rang. Usually I wouldn't answer it in the car, and especially if it said "Private Number" but for some reason I did. On the line I heard a recording say "You have a collect call from" and then Chris's voice saying "Chris". I thought, OH NO! Next I heard "Your phone company does not allow collect calls, goodbye" and click it was gone.
Needless to say I freaked out. Immediately I new I had to get back home and then it hit me....I had locked him out. I'm a real stickler for always locking our doors and yesterday was no exception. I had exited the house after Chris and locked the door. He had not taken his house keys, and was still in his pajamas. He had no idea that I had received his attempt at the collect call and by the time I got home he was sitting on the back porch staring off into space trying to figure out what he was going to do for the next 6 hours with no wallet and in his pajamas.
Oops!
Chris moved the GTI out of the way as I took off in the Subaru. Off I went, headed to I-5 north. Right before I reached the freeway my phone rang. Usually I wouldn't answer it in the car, and especially if it said "Private Number" but for some reason I did. On the line I heard a recording say "You have a collect call from" and then Chris's voice saying "Chris". I thought, OH NO! Next I heard "Your phone company does not allow collect calls, goodbye" and click it was gone.
Needless to say I freaked out. Immediately I new I had to get back home and then it hit me....I had locked him out. I'm a real stickler for always locking our doors and yesterday was no exception. I had exited the house after Chris and locked the door. He had not taken his house keys, and was still in his pajamas. He had no idea that I had received his attempt at the collect call and by the time I got home he was sitting on the back porch staring off into space trying to figure out what he was going to do for the next 6 hours with no wallet and in his pajamas.
Oops!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Percy on a Diet
Percy is on a kitty diet. He now only gets 1 cup of dry food a day (weight management version) and a small spoonful of wet foods. Ares still gets to free feed and we've place his food on a chair out of Percy's reach. Percy is angry on his diet. Very angry. Can you tell?
This is his harbor seal impression:
This is his harbor seal impression:
Thursday, June 12, 2008
GraphJam
Have you seen this site GraphJam (pop culture for people in cubicles), put on by the folks at ICanHasCheezburger? OMG, it is hilarous. I'm loving this one:
Oh, and this one of course:
Oh, and this one of course:
Sell Your Ex's Jewelry
Another gem today in my gmail inbox. I'm not sure what sort of emails I've been exchanging that led them to target me for this ad but it is pretty entertaining....there is a business case for most everything!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
ZipSkinny
I'm doing some research on zip codes and I stumbled across a pretty cool site called Zip Skinny. You can find out all kinds of great statistics about the zip code you live in. Below is a widget of the zip code I currently live in, then one for the zip code I grew up in, and finally for the zip code I lived in down in California.......pretty interesting! I love you Internet.
Seattle, WA 98126
Wenatchee, WA 98801
La Jolla, CA 92037
Seattle, WA 98126
Wenatchee, WA 98801
La Jolla, CA 92037
Monday, June 09, 2008
Boobie-Que Success!
Saturday we held the Boobie-Que, a fund raiser for the 2008 Breast Cancer 3day walk, at our house. And it was a huge success! With online donations tallied I am now over my $2,200 minimum to participate in the walk and we raised an extra $380 in our donation jar! I'll be donating this money to the other members of my team who have not yet reached their minimum.
I have the best friends and family around! A hearty THANKS! must go out to all of the attendees:
- My parents came over on Friday and helped us clean up the house and get the yard ready for the event.
- Cousin Stacey and her boyfriend Tyler showed up early to help us prepare the food and decorate.
- Teammates Dennis, Melissa and Angie (with Brandon in tow!) also came to show their support.
- Former coworkers Christy w/ Jeremy, James w/Chad (even though James was apprehensive), Ed, and Greg w/ Jennifer Anna and Aidan all made the trek to West Seattle in the iffy weather to support the cause.
- Lisa and Joe (whom we unanimously approve of!) drove all the way from Portland to attend!
- Lynn & Buddy also came & brought a bag of Chocolate! Yum!
- Cousin Cam (sadly Cheri was out of town)
- Argosy folks Gary & Rischelle (enjoying a kid-free day), Kat (who celebrated her birthday with us!) and James (who had to work all day but still came!) were also there.
- Wenatchee buddies Matty and Kara (both of whom I know I can always count on for support) both arrived just in time for the Wii tournament.
Kat's Birthday Boob Cake:
Blongo Ball - Lisa & Joe:
Balloons!
Buddy!
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
It Was Your Cat!
Yesterday I came home to a fantastic surprise. One of the cats had decided to puke in my Mariner's baseball cap. I mean, really who can blame them, the Mariner's can't even buy a win this year. Still, talk about disgusting when you go to put that on.
Of course, after the discovery, came our game of "It was your cat". When Chris and I joined forces we each brought with us a cat. Me a giant angry Siamese, and he a slight Polydactyl tabby. Every time we come home to find puke, or a knocked over vase, or ash colored paw prints leading from the fireplace to our bed, we begin the game of "It was your cat". We both feel that our respective cats could never have performed such an act. I'll say things like "Your cat puked in my hat" and he'll say "Your cat puked in your hat". Of course, we both know that it was my cat that puked in my hat, he's the one that always pukes.
Oh, and as an added bonus, he not only puked in my hat he also puked on the comforter of the guest bed that the hat was laying on. The comforter that I had just washed, not a week ago, in anticipation of my parents visit this weekend. Think they'll notice the puke stain? (JUST KIDDING MOM, I ALREADY WASHED IT AGAIN)
Fun times.
Of course, after the discovery, came our game of "It was your cat". When Chris and I joined forces we each brought with us a cat. Me a giant angry Siamese, and he a slight Polydactyl tabby. Every time we come home to find puke, or a knocked over vase, or ash colored paw prints leading from the fireplace to our bed, we begin the game of "It was your cat". We both feel that our respective cats could never have performed such an act. I'll say things like "Your cat puked in my hat" and he'll say "Your cat puked in your hat". Of course, we both know that it was my cat that puked in my hat, he's the one that always pukes.
Oh, and as an added bonus, he not only puked in my hat he also puked on the comforter of the guest bed that the hat was laying on. The comforter that I had just washed, not a week ago, in anticipation of my parents visit this weekend. Think they'll notice the puke stain? (JUST KIDDING MOM, I ALREADY WASHED IT AGAIN)
Fun times.
Monday, June 02, 2008
I Wish I Was Making This Up
Hairdresser: Boy you have a lot of gray hair for such a young person.
Me: Umm......thanks?
Me: Umm......thanks?
Gray Hair Why Can't You Behave?
I'm ok with getting older.
I've come to grips with the changes our bodies go through after 30.
I'm ok with not getting carded anymore.
And ultimately I wouldn't mind a head full of gray hair.
But the gray hairs will not cooperate!
My dad has been fully gray as long as I can remember and I love the color of his hair. It has a nice soft texture and lays on his head just so. I don't ever remember him having little tiny wiry gray hairs that stick up everywhere. So why on the top of my head do I have about 1,000 of them right now going every which way. And why did they just start doing this over past month?
I was going to grow my hair out to the natural dirty sink water brown that it is, and then let the gray slowly take over, instead of the blondish highlights that I usually spend way too much money on. It has been about 8 months since my last highlight and things were going along well.......until the little short monsters showed up.
Well gray hairs, you win. I shall visit the salon in an attempt to hide you once again.
Why can't you be soft and manageable like your blondish, dirty brownish cousins?
I've come to grips with the changes our bodies go through after 30.
I'm ok with not getting carded anymore.
And ultimately I wouldn't mind a head full of gray hair.
But the gray hairs will not cooperate!
My dad has been fully gray as long as I can remember and I love the color of his hair. It has a nice soft texture and lays on his head just so. I don't ever remember him having little tiny wiry gray hairs that stick up everywhere. So why on the top of my head do I have about 1,000 of them right now going every which way. And why did they just start doing this over past month?
I was going to grow my hair out to the natural dirty sink water brown that it is, and then let the gray slowly take over, instead of the blondish highlights that I usually spend way too much money on. It has been about 8 months since my last highlight and things were going along well.......until the little short monsters showed up.
Well gray hairs, you win. I shall visit the salon in an attempt to hide you once again.
Why can't you be soft and manageable like your blondish, dirty brownish cousins?
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