Chinese New Year was a few days ago and some friends from school and I got together at the HoT to celebrate new years yet again. It was an intimate gathering with food, drink, movies and fortune cookies. We all had a nice time. BFFA brough the chinese horoscopes for the year. I have to say that there were only 2 people out of the whole group that are walking into a good year. RMB - well all I can say is sorry, it's not looking good.
Needless to say we ended up with way too much food. How does that keep happening? But, everyone took some home, and I am left with minimal extra. It worked out perfectly.
I would just like to say at this point that I suck at using chop sticks. I am one of those people that when something goes flying across the room everyone knows where it comes from. To try to pick up a piece of rice with 2 sticks is an absolutely rediculous notion. This is when chinese food becomes finger food. One would think that I would get the hang of this after so much time spent studying chinese culture.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Organization is my nemesis
This morning I was thinking that if I had an arch nemesis, it would be the evil clutter clown. I know for a fact that this jokester runs around my house pulling out papers, mail, clothes from my closet, dishes from the cabinets, and books off the shelves. He leaves them lying around in areas that look just like where you would have used them. This is his secret, he makes you think you did it yourself, but no one ever remembers leaving anything out… Did I mention that he is invisible?
I had a run in with him last week sometime and it was a doosey. He attacked my closet. I spent about 3 hours yesterday going through and putting everything back in its rightful place. Clowns are evil, especially this one.
I had a run in with him last week sometime and it was a doosey. He attacked my closet. I spent about 3 hours yesterday going through and putting everything back in its rightful place. Clowns are evil, especially this one.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Drat the technology
My little UMPC won't pick up an internet signal. Great... I just got it back and it doesn't work again. Not sure, but this one may be user error.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Resolute to make no resolutions for the most part
I am not a big fan of new years resolutions, but there is something about the month of January that makes you take a look at the last year and do some self evaluation. I read a lot of things and came across a question that struck me.
"What difference did I make?"
Yes, I am in a bit of a contemplative mood as I jot out my notes here. But, truly, what difference did I make? Today, this week, this month, this year. Did I even make a difference? It's an eye opener.
I think this is a question that I will need to be asking myself every day. So often I go about my day and then it is over and there was nothing accomplished, I didn't make a difference in anything. I think this will help to keep me more focused and productive. There are so many things to do and it seems that time just gets away from me.
"What difference did I make?"
Yes, I am in a bit of a contemplative mood as I jot out my notes here. But, truly, what difference did I make? Today, this week, this month, this year. Did I even make a difference? It's an eye opener.
I think this is a question that I will need to be asking myself every day. So often I go about my day and then it is over and there was nothing accomplished, I didn't make a difference in anything. I think this will help to keep me more focused and productive. There are so many things to do and it seems that time just gets away from me.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
More technology - because that's what I need
I am so excited I got my UMPC back up and running! Well I didn't, BFFideas did it for me. But it works now!!! I just need to figure out how to use it.
I feel technologically complete.
I feel technologically complete.
Moving + snow
It has been a busy weekend. BFFperfection was in town, so I got to hang out with him for a while. I got a call from him on Thursday night from London. He asks “do you have time to get together this weekend?” All I could think was… Don’t tease me like that. Turns out he booked a flight and was here on Saturday. So, we got together on Sunday to pack up his condo. This makes it official… he no longer lives here. After packing we headed out to Michigan to store some things in a friends barn. The 3 of us loaded up a trailer and headed out.
Woo hoo!! I love road trips. The home/barn in Michigan was beautiful. I am considering looking in that area for my farm, anyway, I digress. About half way over there it started to snow big beautiful snow flakes. This is a truly gorgeous sight. Let me clarify… It is visually beautiful. We, however, were moving. It had been snowing on and off for the past week or two, and when we got there I would say that there was a good 2 feet of snow on the ground. There was good news; the driveway had been plowed. There was bad news; the road to the barn had not been. All items needed to be stored in the barn. Hum. Dilemma. So, we did what any car with 2 men and 1 woman would do… We tried to drive through the 2 feet of snow with a full trailer attached. Can any one guess what happened? Anyone?
Yes, about a half of a car length in we were totally stuck. We spent a good 45 minutes digging the car out and trying to get it to move. Detached the trailer, used boards under the tires, shoveled… you name it. We finally got unstuck, but now the trailer is in the middle of the driveway and we can’t get around it. It must be moved. Hooked up the trailer again and were about to make another go of it. Wait, wait, wait! Maybe it would be a good idea to not try to go to the barn… today. Let’s get the trailer out of the way (on the plowed area) and come back and take care of it after the road to the barn has been cleared. It was an ah ha moment that wouldn’t have worked before we tried the previous route given the testosterone available.
Truth be told, I can not take credit for doing the manual labor involved in getting the car unstuck. I was in charge of the flashlights.
Once we got the hard work done I got a tour of the house. There was so much work that had been done to it. It was incredible, and makes me want to jump in on more projects at my own home to make it look half as good as this place. I was obviously in the company of 2 perfectionists. Really, it looked like it should be on a magazine cover.
The ride home was uneventful for the most part. We stopped off for and enchanting dinner at Popeye’s chicken and we were home from my most recent adventure by 11. I know most people don’t consider moving fun, but I had a great time, even given our less than optimal circumstances. I guess it just goes to show that when you get around friends it doesn’t matter what you are doing, it is the company that you are with that makes it enjoyable.
Woo hoo!! I love road trips. The home/barn in Michigan was beautiful. I am considering looking in that area for my farm, anyway, I digress. About half way over there it started to snow big beautiful snow flakes. This is a truly gorgeous sight. Let me clarify… It is visually beautiful. We, however, were moving. It had been snowing on and off for the past week or two, and when we got there I would say that there was a good 2 feet of snow on the ground. There was good news; the driveway had been plowed. There was bad news; the road to the barn had not been. All items needed to be stored in the barn. Hum. Dilemma. So, we did what any car with 2 men and 1 woman would do… We tried to drive through the 2 feet of snow with a full trailer attached. Can any one guess what happened? Anyone?
Yes, about a half of a car length in we were totally stuck. We spent a good 45 minutes digging the car out and trying to get it to move. Detached the trailer, used boards under the tires, shoveled… you name it. We finally got unstuck, but now the trailer is in the middle of the driveway and we can’t get around it. It must be moved. Hooked up the trailer again and were about to make another go of it. Wait, wait, wait! Maybe it would be a good idea to not try to go to the barn… today. Let’s get the trailer out of the way (on the plowed area) and come back and take care of it after the road to the barn has been cleared. It was an ah ha moment that wouldn’t have worked before we tried the previous route given the testosterone available.
Truth be told, I can not take credit for doing the manual labor involved in getting the car unstuck. I was in charge of the flashlights.
Once we got the hard work done I got a tour of the house. There was so much work that had been done to it. It was incredible, and makes me want to jump in on more projects at my own home to make it look half as good as this place. I was obviously in the company of 2 perfectionists. Really, it looked like it should be on a magazine cover.
The ride home was uneventful for the most part. We stopped off for and enchanting dinner at Popeye’s chicken and we were home from my most recent adventure by 11. I know most people don’t consider moving fun, but I had a great time, even given our less than optimal circumstances. I guess it just goes to show that when you get around friends it doesn’t matter what you are doing, it is the company that you are with that makes it enjoyable.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
stitch 'n' bitch
Ok, this is why I wanted to learn how to knit. So I could have a stitch 'n' bitch. Doesn't that sound like fun?? Some wine, some yarn, some good gossip. What could be better?
Well, let me tell you... knitting is not as easy to pick up as one might think. I went out, got the book, the needles, the yarn and some other misc. supplies. The book is teach yourself to knit in 1 day. I wasn't sure how well that would work, so I also picked up knitting is easy in 3 simple steps (or something to that effect). I was super excited about this and I had a day when I didn't have much planned, so I jumped right in.
As I sat there mumbling explitives under my breath at the yarn and needles I could hear RMD in the other room chuckling. This did not help the situation. Who would have thought that tying knots in yarn would be so difficult? About 5 hours later I had a perfect rectangle dog toy. That's right. Bosley was there as part of my cozy perfect knitting day. I think he may be a little confused (dog?cat?dog?cat? it's complicated). I will give you that we dressed him up as a cat when he was a pup, but I had no idea that it would have caused permanent doggie brain damage. It was halloween and he went as the cowardly lion but, I digress. Bosley decided that his favorite toy that day was my skane of yarn. Every time I got up to grab water or food he would grab it, run around the house and bat it around. By the time I was done with my sample rectangle, it was so full of slobber that I just gave it to him.
So, the book was right. 1 day, learn to knit. I have not gotten any further than my sample piece, but now I know how to knit. As for the stitch 'n' bitch... Who has time for that??? It took me 5 hours to make a 5 inch square!
Well, let me tell you... knitting is not as easy to pick up as one might think. I went out, got the book, the needles, the yarn and some other misc. supplies. The book is teach yourself to knit in 1 day. I wasn't sure how well that would work, so I also picked up knitting is easy in 3 simple steps (or something to that effect). I was super excited about this and I had a day when I didn't have much planned, so I jumped right in.
As I sat there mumbling explitives under my breath at the yarn and needles I could hear RMD in the other room chuckling. This did not help the situation. Who would have thought that tying knots in yarn would be so difficult? About 5 hours later I had a perfect rectangle dog toy. That's right. Bosley was there as part of my cozy perfect knitting day. I think he may be a little confused (dog?cat?dog?cat? it's complicated). I will give you that we dressed him up as a cat when he was a pup, but I had no idea that it would have caused permanent doggie brain damage. It was halloween and he went as the cowardly lion but, I digress. Bosley decided that his favorite toy that day was my skane of yarn. Every time I got up to grab water or food he would grab it, run around the house and bat it around. By the time I was done with my sample rectangle, it was so full of slobber that I just gave it to him.
So, the book was right. 1 day, learn to knit. I have not gotten any further than my sample piece, but now I know how to knit. As for the stitch 'n' bitch... Who has time for that??? It took me 5 hours to make a 5 inch square!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Hey, let's start a project
The HoT is getting yet another new look. The back stairs. The work has begun, the dust has started to collect and the smell of paint is in the air. What started out as a couple of day project has already stretched into a couple of weeks, and there is drywall dust everywhere. The walls were in desperate need of repair. I know we will all miss the 2 foot hole in the wall, but alas we must persevere.
Our project started with minimal planning but we had to do something. There plainly were not enough construction projects going on. We were going to paint, then we had to fix the walls, then talk started of ripping out a wall, of course the stairs needed to be painted, and so it goes. Elfa is on sale, that is good. There is still no insulation. Should we just rip out the drywall, insulate and then replace all of the walls? It would look better and cover the electrical conduit. So, what started out as a gallon of paint project is now 2 weeks out. No decisions have been made, some of the drywall has been repaired, and there are splotches of primer all over the walls. So much for getting things done over the Christmas break. Updates to come, and maybe even photos when it’s done.
No, I have not finished the caulking of the trim in bathroom. The joys...
Our project started with minimal planning but we had to do something. There plainly were not enough construction projects going on. We were going to paint, then we had to fix the walls, then talk started of ripping out a wall, of course the stairs needed to be painted, and so it goes. Elfa is on sale, that is good. There is still no insulation. Should we just rip out the drywall, insulate and then replace all of the walls? It would look better and cover the electrical conduit. So, what started out as a gallon of paint project is now 2 weeks out. No decisions have been made, some of the drywall has been repaired, and there are splotches of primer all over the walls. So much for getting things done over the Christmas break. Updates to come, and maybe even photos when it’s done.
No, I have not finished the caulking of the trim in bathroom. The joys...
Dreadful little box
There is a dreadful little box that sits next to my bed. I am quite sure that the only reason it is there is to irritate me in the morning. I never did anything to the box, but yet when I am lying there peacefully a rancid sound emits. It comes screeching forth to jolt me into the only action thinkable at that point. I hit it. It recovers it bearings after about 9 minutes and starts screeching again. What started out as blissful slumber has now become an anxiety filled nightmare. When will this aggravation end? The only thing that makes it happy is when I get myself up and stagger from my warm cocoon to turn on the light. Ugh... Good morning.
Note: I don't normally feel this way about waking up, just today for some reason.
Note: I don't normally feel this way about waking up, just today for some reason.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Holiday season continued
This is pretty cool. I love love love food and getting together with friends. I had been thinking that after new years, the social season would settle down and leave me to my knitting. Fortunately for me, that has not been the case. I am pretty sure that just about everyone I know has been in touch to get together for either lunch, dinner or drinks. I have an entirely full calendar! I may put on a few pounds, but it will be so worth it. This week alone I am having Joe's Seafood (crab), Fogo de Chao, burgers at O'Donovan's, MacNamara's and one yet to be determined. I am in heaven.
It's perty
I will admit that I am a little freaked out about the cold that is supposed to be coming our way. Apparently we are supposed to be reaching temperatures of -5 in the next few days here. Interesting side note... I don't think my house has insulation.
Ok, all of that aside, I was walking to the train yesterday while it was snowing and it was truly beautiful. There was almost no one on the street. Everything was white and pristine. The sounds of the city seemed to stop all but the poor schlep trying to get out of parking spot on the street. It was almost like time was standing still.
Ok, all of that aside, I was walking to the train yesterday while it was snowing and it was truly beautiful. There was almost no one on the street. Everything was white and pristine. The sounds of the city seemed to stop all but the poor schlep trying to get out of parking spot on the street. It was almost like time was standing still.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Starting the new year right
Yes, yes, I know. I have been gone for quite a while, and I even missed the holiday season. Yes, I know my witty commentaries about the goings on at the House of Temptation have been sorely missed. But I am back, and I am going to try to update you on a more regular basis. A quick recap on what has happened since we last connected which was… wow, before Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving dinner, I think, is one of my favorite holidays. Everyone brings food, BIL grills one turkey, and has taken to deep frying one turkey. We have every variety of potato, green beans, basically all of the traditional stuff. BFFhost makes the most incredible warm cranberry port beverage every. We keep it in the crock pot throughout the day. Well, until it lasts anyway. It is normally gone well before dinner is served. This year was great, Mom and Dad were there and the whole household. BFFmusic was there this year too. Surprisingly, Turkey day is one of the most relaxing holidays, even with all of the hubbub of cooking.
Fast forward to Christmas. Bro and family came home from being in Hawaii for the past year. We were very happy to have them home for the holidays, and spent a great Christmas eve and day with them. It was great to see the boys (4 nephews). I have to thank BFFmom for shopping with me. My inner little boy just wasn’t working this shopping season.
New Years Eve was great. BFFmusic and I went to BFFphonegirl’s for a party. Neither one of us knew anyone there but the host, and we ended up having a great time! There is nothing like starting out a conversation with someone you don’t know with them asking you to define making out.
New Years Day Brunch at the house has become an annual event. Again, a great holiday. Way too much food but we did cut down on the sweets this year. I haven’t been doing as much baking.
I think we are caught up. I will start getting into the swing of things from here out… I hope. Feel free to give me a little push now and then if you don’t hear from me.
Thanksgiving dinner, I think, is one of my favorite holidays. Everyone brings food, BIL grills one turkey, and has taken to deep frying one turkey. We have every variety of potato, green beans, basically all of the traditional stuff. BFFhost makes the most incredible warm cranberry port beverage every. We keep it in the crock pot throughout the day. Well, until it lasts anyway. It is normally gone well before dinner is served. This year was great, Mom and Dad were there and the whole household. BFFmusic was there this year too. Surprisingly, Turkey day is one of the most relaxing holidays, even with all of the hubbub of cooking.
Fast forward to Christmas. Bro and family came home from being in Hawaii for the past year. We were very happy to have them home for the holidays, and spent a great Christmas eve and day with them. It was great to see the boys (4 nephews). I have to thank BFFmom for shopping with me. My inner little boy just wasn’t working this shopping season.
New Years Eve was great. BFFmusic and I went to BFFphonegirl’s for a party. Neither one of us knew anyone there but the host, and we ended up having a great time! There is nothing like starting out a conversation with someone you don’t know with them asking you to define making out.
New Years Day Brunch at the house has become an annual event. Again, a great holiday. Way too much food but we did cut down on the sweets this year. I haven’t been doing as much baking.
I think we are caught up. I will start getting into the swing of things from here out… I hope. Feel free to give me a little push now and then if you don’t hear from me.
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