Feeling good

So I just came home from hanging out with friends. And woooooo, I am feeling good. And I don't have to work tomorrow!!!!!!!
Friday night was leisurely and I started a baby blanket for someone very special. Actually this is her second blanket. I I kinda screwed up the pattern and didn't realize until I was half way done. Anyway, I am almost half way done with the second one and it is looking just great. So I knitted and watched some Arrested Development.
Then Saturday I had my spin class and then abs/core class. Afterward I came home and got cleaned up and then went to the eye doctor. Good news! That fish oil is actually (I just got interrupted by Curt to view Ralphie the buffalo for the Colorado team--I have to say that is a sight. It was quite exciting when we saw her at the Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix many years ago) working. The film is pretty much non-existent on my contacts. My doc checked for my glasses prescription. With my new contacts my eyes have slightly improved. No more slight astigmatism in my right eye and the left has improved slightly. The glasses that I currently have are very close to my new prescription. So I am gonna decide whether or not I really need to buy new glasses. And Dr. Yokoi told me that was entirely up to me. Many months of visiting the eye doc and I am finally OK with my contacts. Woo-hoo!
After my eye appt. I came home and Curt and I headed to Ben & Nick's for a late lunch.
Soon after that he headed to the city to watch Mizzou football at a bar. I stayed home and knitted and watched Prime on Lifetime Movie Network and then later Stop-Loss, which was OK. Don't even get me started on the whole emotional part of sending soldiers to Iraq more than once. Or the fact that many are over there believing they are fighting for 9/11. Or the things they see and witness and do over there.
Today was Malcolm's birthday party at the park. We had munchies, beer, pizza (delivered!!!) and soccer. I did NOT play soccer. I watched and took pics.
At one point Monica and I ventured to find a bathroom. We found what we thought was a bathroom and we started to walk in and there was a huge pile of ... yup, you guessed it, poo with flies. And the actual bathroom was equally as disgusting. We decided we didn't have to go to the bathroom that badly.
Eventually we all packed up and a group of us headed to Triple Rock to have some more drinks. Our server couldn't remember if I ordered pear or apple cider so I got both and one was free. Sweet! Hanging out with some old friends and new ones was a great time. I had a blast.
I feel like I need a nap and some water.

Send a condom to the GOP convention

I received an e-mail from Planned Parenthood this morning. They are sending condoms to the GOP convention because "(Republicans) don't get that young people need comprehensive, accurate sex education. They don't get that their politics do not belong in the exam room with a woman and her doctor. And they don't get that preventing sexually transmitted diseases starts with one simple item: a condom."
"Send a condom to the convention — it's a message that they can't ignore. Each condom we send urges Republican delegates to support vital issues like real sex education and increased access to affordable preventive medical care."
Every dollar raised through this action will help elect a president who does get it. And this will help fight to secure laws and policies that protect reproductive health care. No politician (man or woman, Republican or Democrat or other party) should be telling women what they can and can't do with our bodies! It should be your own choice--whatever choice you choose is yours and shouldn't be delegated by anyone but you!
Click here to contribute to this cause if you so desire.

More about military beanies

Last night I went online and ordered Moda Dea 100% superwash wool in dark muted colors for my beanies for the troops. I stopped at Michaels armed with my 40% off coupon to buy some yarn. Their selection of wool yarn sucks! One I couldn't figure out how it could be washed and the other was for felting. And I really don't want to figure out how big I have to make the thing for it to shrink. So I just ordered what I knew would definitely work online. And I should be getting my yarn next week. Which is perfect since I gotta make a baby blanket first (a baby blanket that I have already knit but am not happy with the results so I am knitting a second one).
Penny is doing some research into whether or not we can send acrylic beanies. But we both agree that we would feel safer sending them wool caps that will keep warm even when wet and won't harm them should they encounter heat/fire.
We seem to be finding information that varies. Some I have read that the troops can't wear synthetic fibers "outside the wire." So maybe troops on ships can wear the acyrlic and the ground troops can't? I dunno. Also dark, muted colors are recommended for ground toops but troops on ships can wear any colors. My brain is getting flooded with information.
I am sticking with the pattern I have and the Moda Dea 100% superwash wool for the troops.
And just in case you need the pattern, click here.

Total bummer

So you all know how I have been talking about making beanies for the troops? Getting anyone I can to donate a handknit beanie? Well, I was reading Penny's crafty blog and she had a post about the military beanies. She talked about how great it is to work on an easy project--I agree. And knowing that it is for a good cause is even better. But what hadn't even occurred to me is we shouldn't be using yarn with acrylic because it melts. I am bummed that I had all this extra yarn I was gonna use and ready to knit like a mad woman and that the donated beanies I have already are probably acrylic. Gail said I should still donate the ones already made and the next beanie I start make sure I use 100% wool.
I am still toying with that idea. I want to send a big box of beanies at the end of October. The next beanie I start will be from 100% wool that isn't for felting.
And what I have decided is definitely future acrylic beanies will go to shelters. Because I do have a lot of extra yarn that otherwise would just go to waste.
But I am still bumming ...

OK, I've got my fleece and my sunscreen

Curt got tickets to the Giants/Padres game for Saturday afternoon through work. (Nice Club Level seats--and actually even better ones than I am used to sitting in.) We had possible plans with Dad and Hilda--so we invited them to the game. They happily accepted.
It was sunny and in the 70s in the East Bay when we were getting ready to leave for the game. But that doesn't mean it will be nice in the city.
So I made sure I had my fleece, my sunscreen and a hat. Well, I did NOT need the fleece. Man, we were roasting out there. I couldn't believe how hot it was.
But we still had fun. And the Giants won--not that it matters to me one way or another. And it was a short game. Only 2 hours and 20 minutes. My kind of baseball!

Zachary's

Sunday my second cousin Joe came over to our side of the Bay for lunch. I found out recently that he lives in San Francisco. So we finally got together. We had lunch at Zachary's and hung out. It was a lot of fun. It was the first time Curt and Joe had met. After lunch we headed to McNally's for a beer. We all had two. After we got home I had to take a nap. Two beers in the afternoon just wipes me out. So I took a nap and then was awake and chipper the rest of the day.

$3.99

On the way home from my company picnic I passed by the gas station closest to our house and we have finally gone below $4. Wow! I can't even remember the last time we paid less than 4 bucks.

The company picnic was a really good time. I worked from home in the morning and then headed to the picnic a little after 11. The park was nice. We had great catered food, soda, water, wine and beer. There were lots of games and a jumping castle. We were told no adults in the jumping castle. But we found out later adults were OK. So we had adult jumping castle (like adult swim--I remember how much I hated that at the pool). It was a blast. I only took pics when we were all jumping around. So many people were taking pics I decided to not take too many.
There was also a clown who did face painting and balloon animals. There was a henna tattoo artist--I got a cool tat on my upper arm.
I have to say I am pretty good with that hula hoop. I think the hips help. (And now I don't have to go to the gym between the hula hooping and the jumping castle I got my cardio in.)
It was a really great time. And it was fun to see people's kids and spouses. My spouse was at work.
Now I am home relaxing, gonna see what is on LMN and do some knitting. I should through a load of laundry in, too.

It's a sad day

I finished watching the last episode of The Wire this morning. Yes, I was dozing last night and finished it up this morning.
The first season of The Wire didn't grab me like I thought it would. But so many people told me how great it was that I kept watching--plus it was summer and there was nothing else to watch.
I liked Seasons 4 & 5 the best. Season 4 was about the kids and Season 5 the newspaper business. Season 5 was way too short.
I am still not sold on the fact that The Wire is better than the Sopranos or that The Wire changed my life. I mean, I do know how to be a drug dealer now. The Wire was gritty and real and told so well. To quote what I IM'd Cyrus: It definitely was gritty and showed us stuff that maybe we choose to ignore and don't want to see. I realize the Sopranos life would likely never affect my life. But The Wire life could.
On that note, if you haven't watched The Wire I highly recommend it. You really have to pay attention in the first season.

$4.05

I had to fill up yesterday and the gas per gallon near our house has dropped to a low of $4.05. Dang! But, dang, that is still expensive.

Oh my back!

A new teacher has taken over the 1 p.m. yoga class on Tuesdays at my gym. I really like his style. It is a tough practice. But I fell like I have had a great workout afterward. We focused on our backs yesterday. And man, my back is sore! So for all of you who wonder if yoga is a "real" workout ... why, yes it is.

Cake Wrecks

I came upon this blog today, Cake Wrecks. There are some really weird cake requests. And there is some hilarious writing on cakes. I am crying at some of them they are so funny.

It's Monday

It was so hard to get up this morning. And it isn't like I had a tough weekend. It was quite fun and relaxing.
But I got up and went to yoga before work. As I was hurrying up the stairs to my yoga class at the gym I tripped on my flip flop and fell. And it was a weird fall--like I kept scrambling and falling, though I didn't go anywhere. And, of course, there was someone there to witness it. He asked if I was OK. I said, yea, thank you and scurried away. What a great way to start the week!
But at least my yoga class was good. I am glad I went--because when that alarm went off this morning I so didn't want to get up!

Have you noticed that gas prices have been going down? The station near our house is at $4.07. About six weeks ago I paid about $4.57. Do you think this is a ploy to vote McCain? When you get a chance check out Things Younger Than John McCain blog--hilarious!!! Oh, about two months ago I saw my first (and still only) John McCain bumper sticker.

Oh, and yesterday I started and finished a beanie for the troops. I have made four so far. I switched to making a baby blanket. This is No. 3 of four I am making this year. (That is unless, of course, I find out another friend is having a baby this year.)

Sleepover

So my little friend Lexi, who is 10, had a sleepover with me last night.
Mia dropped her off about 1:30 yesterday. We lounged around the house a bit and then ventured around the neighborhood. Lexi really perked up when I mentioned we could hit Bittersweet, a place that has a lot of chocolate. We first went to Bittersweet. I ordered White Chocolate Dream (I have no idea what it was but it was good and sweet) and an apple brie danish and Lexi ordered chocolate milk and 2 little snickerdoodles. Her chocolate milk was like a melted chocolate bar that was stuck in a milkshake. That was the thickest chocolate milk I had ever tasted. It was good tho. I told her she didn't have to finish the whole thing. So we had our treats and then hit a bookstore. Lexi found a book she wanted so she bought it. After that we hit the market for some strawberries and then soda and then headed home.
Once home we watched Disney Channel Games. Stars from Disney shows compete. It was pretty entertaining. We watched some other Disney shows, too. I finally know who Ashley Tisdale is. About 5:30 us girls headed to Sushiya for dinner. (We got Curt food to go.) We had yummy sushi and then back home for more Disney channel. Eventually we got in our jammies and got our snacks made: popcorn, root beer float for me, sundae for Lexi. We watched the newer version of Hairspray and pigged out. I was entertained by the fact that John Waters and Ricki Lake had cameos in the movie. The movie was fun to watch.
After the movie we watched some Olympics. There were huge women lifting huge weights. Crazy!
This morning Lexi and I headed to Rockridge Cafe for breakfast. Then home for a bit before Mia came to pick her up.
I had a ton of fun with Lexi. She is such a good kid and so great to have around. I look forward to our next sleepover.

I forgot to mention that she totally spoiled Joey while she was around. One of Joey's most favorite things is to be brushed. That kitty was soft and smooth after Lexi left.

Do you want to see the cutest thing ever?

Doubled up?

Again?

I love these tutus so much that I had to take the picture twice. These are going to two very special little babies. I can't wait to give them.

And some more cute stuff below. Holli painted some mugs for me for our two moms and two grandmas for Mother's Day. See their cool belated gifts below. All the mugs have a cupcake theme and something about each woman. Marilyn is a gardener; Grandma Phyllis loves her dog, Katie; my grandma, Teresa, is an artist; and my mom, Sylvia, is a great mom with her cute dog, Cookie.
Thanks Holli. They came out so great! And everyone loves their mugs.

I'm still here

So there hasn't been much to write about lately. That is why no recent posts.
But what I will chat about a little ...

Tuesday Night Social Club

We hadn't had a gathering in some time. Cyrus picked The Trappist, which didn't used to be open on Tuesdays. I like The Trappist. The only negatives are it is pretty small and no food. But the beer is good. We had a good time hanging out with friends. We need to host our social club more often. It is always a good time.

September 13

What is the deal with this date? Our German friends Stefan and Sandra come into town that day. Curt flies back from a business trip that day. Macworld UK friend Andy will be in town that weekend. Kate's baby shower is that day. And Cooper's 6th birthday party is that day. NUTS! So unfortunately I can't go to the shower. Bummer! Stefan and Sandra are staying with us and we have fun plans while they are in town. Hopefully we can see Andy--maybe for a meal. And depending on what time Stefan and Sandra arrive I may be able to sneak to Cooper's party. I mean, I can't miss Magical Nathaniel!

The Wire

I started watching Season 5 (final season) of The Wire last night. I am excited for this season, but a little sad, too--since it is the final. I have learned from The Wire that if you are a drug dealer you should never have the money and drugs together. I wouldn't survive one day as a Corner Kid.
Anyway, Season 5 is focusing on the newspaper. I haven't watched much. But I have to say they do a good job of portraying a legit newsroom. They use the proper lingo. The budget meetings seem right on. Their desks look like real desks in a newsroom. And there was a whole conversation about how you can't evacuate people, which made me laugh. Some of the crazy conversations we had on the copy desk about the proper use of a word ... Also an editor woke up in a sweat thinking he had transposed some numbers in a story. He called the copy desk to check. Wow, I sure remember times like that. And being in a complete panic.
Anyway, I just realized this is probably boring for you.
Thanks goodness the work week is almost over.

Lazy bum

That is pretty much how I spent my weekend ... being a bum.
Friday after work I hit yoga. A perfect way to end a stressful week. Then headed home for some relaxation. Curt did boy things with some friends Friday night. So I had the house to myself.
I enjoyed an unhealthy dinner and a beer and watched movies. I also started (and finished Sunday) a beanie for the troops. Anyone else interested in making beanies? I will send them off to the troops at the end of October. Click here for the pattern.
Saturday morning I had every intention of going to spin class. I got up on time. But I just felt exhausted. So I decided to veg and watch a movie instead. Then about 10:30 or so I took a 2-hour nap. I bummed around some more. Then about 2:30 I decided to attack my closet. This is something I have been meaning to do for some time--clean and organize my closet. It was a total mess. At one point Curt poked his head in and was impressed to see how much stuff I actually cram in there. Now it is organized and things are easier to get to. Let's see how long that lasts.
Sunday morning I had an 80 minute massage at the Claremont. It was so wonderful. My massage therapist had to work hard on my knots on my upper back. It actually hurt a little. But I wanted those knots out. (I am gonna have to go back soon because the knots aren't all out.) Most people carry their stress in their neck, shoulders and upper back. But I really do! My back is sore today and it was last night, too.
After my massage I was like a noddle. I was super greasy. And I was just gonna go home. But I thought I might as well take a shower there. OK, that was the BEST shower I have ever had. There were 11 shower heads! YES! 11! Three lower, three middle, three upper, one dome and one wand.
I bummed around most of Sunday. Finished my first beanie and started another one, which is more than half way done.
About 6 p.m. Curt and I headed to the city to Dad and Hilda's . They were having issues with their wifi and Curt checked it out. Afterward we headed home. On the way home I called in an order to Sushiya and we picked sushi up to take home. We ate sushi and watched gymnastics.
And that was my weekend. Hope you all had a good weekend. (Or maybe you haven't had your weekend yet since you don't work "normal" hours. Either way, whenever your weekend is or was, have a great one.)

If I were a cat ...

this would be my horoscope today:
All you really want to do is roll around in luxury, and you ought to be able to do that, no matter what your situation is like. Enjoy the decadence of your toys and pillows and deal with real life later.

Today I discovered Catster thanks to sfgate.com. Dogster is also available for you dog owners. I think Joey needs to get crackin' and set up a page for himself on Catster.


08/08/08

Curt just reminded me that today is 08/08/08. I pretty much had forgotten.

43 days and 16 hours

That is how long it would take to walk from San Francisco to New York City, according to Google Maps.
Google Maps now gives directions by car, by walking and by public transit.
How cool is that??!!

My second attempt at a simple task ...

was much easier than last time but still requires a story. I get to the storage place right when they open. I check in and head to our unit. There was a step ladder right near our unit. Perfect. I just had to maneuver it around a corner. With your foot you have to hold down the release and then push the ladder. I just couldn't get it around the corner. I was huffing and puffing (and wearing heels, yes, smart, I know). I gave up on that stupid ladder. I went to another one that was a straight push to the unit--it was just farther away. That one was much easier to maneuver. But when I pushed it up to the unit I realized the barrier up top was blocking the side I needed to get into.
So I decided to wise up and go ask for help. Al was very nice and helpful and got the ladder in place and just moved the barrier from one side to the other. Hmmm, didn't realize I could do that.
I climbed up (just sunk into the steps a time or two with my heels), grabbed the backpack Curt needs and headed out.
Whew!
And also now the paperwork is on file that I can have locks cut off or whatever I want from now on.

Simple tasks are not ...

always so simple.
Curt and I have an off-site storage unit. When you live in the Bay Area you got some small spaces and very little if any storage. Anyway, Curt needs something out of our unit by Friday. During the week they are open 9-6 so there is no way he can get there on time since he works in the city.
Yesterday was a long day for me at work. So I decided to sleep in and get to the storage place right when they opened. I get there, check in and head to our unit. We have to go up a ladder thingie to get to our unit--and I was smart enough to wear a pencil-like skirt and heels today.
I get up to the lock and stick the key in--or I try to stick the key in. It doesn't fit. Crap! So I head back down to tell the manager it didn't fit and do they keep extra keys. Nope. He tells me it should fit after he checks my key. Nope! Our stuff has been moved around a few times so we have a few sets of keys and I obviously grabbed the wrong ones.
So I ask him if they can just cut the lock off and I will buy a new lock. They can't without written permission from Curt because he is the primary on the account.
So I call Curt at work and ask him to send an e-mail. He does. Tho. Eddie never gets it. I call Curt once more and he isn't at his desk. So I tell Eddie I have to get to work and tell him I will be back either with the written permission or the correct keys. (I am hoping I find the keys otherwise we have to pay for them to cut the lock and for a new lock and yet another set of keys.)
Before I leave Eddie gives me a sheet Curt can fill out and give me all the same rights to the unit as he has.
Yes, don't ask me why Curt has more rights than I do. When we first got the unit more than three years ago they told us only one person could be the primary and I had written Curt's name first. Little did I know the problems it would create.
Today feels like a Monday. I will be glad when today is over. I did go to my afternoon yoga class, which made me feel more relaxed and calm. But I am back at work ... so who knows what the rest of the day will bring.

I've got a little breather

So I will update you on our weekend in Reno. We got to our hotel, the Sands, about 11:30 p.m. Got our room keys and headed to our room.
OK, file this in the that's never happened to me before: Curt used his key to open the door and there was a guy already in our room. We all just kinda stared at each other not sure what to do. (And thankfully he was clothed.) We headed back downstairs and the hotel upgraded us to a nicer room. Sweet! We were on the top floor--17.
Saturday morning we headed to Will Call to get our tickets. They weren't there quite yet when Curt asked for them. The lady asked who was leaving them. Curt told her Tag Ridings, one of the players. She offered him two VIP passes to the Legends Tent (or whatever it was called) if he promised Tag would visit. Dang it! Curt wouldn't do it.
We got to the first hole about 10 minutes before Tag teed off. Tag's father-in-law was also following him. We found Bill, I think, at Hole 3. It was a warm day--but I kinda liked it. That was a hard course for me to walk. (My butt is still sore! But at least it was a good workout since I didn't workout over the weekend.)
After Tag was finished we headed back to our hotel to get cleaned up. We met later for dinner with Tag, Bill and some friends of theirs. Good food and fun time.
I was exhausted after dinner. Curt walked around a bit and I pretty much zonked out watching Lifetime in the room. Not too often does a hotel room have Lifetime.
Sunday morning I had a mani/pedi at the hotel salon. The salon was kinda a dump. The woman who gave me my mani/pedi did a great job. But it still was overpriced. And they didn't even have a real pedicure chair. It was ridiculous what Nicky had to set up to give me a pedicure.
Curt and I headed out soon after that. We hit Cabela's on the way home. There is one right outside of Reno. I had never actually been the one of their stores. It was huge. So much stuff. We had lunch at Cabela's, looked at some guns and other stuff and then headed out.
It took us about 4 1/2 hours to get home (traffic). About an hour longer than normal. Oh, and we saw some guy's truck on fire on the side of the road. Earlier a cop had gone barreling down the freeway. Well, that is where he was headed.
So last night I just lounged, watched the last 2 episodes of Season 4 of The Wire, did some laundry, and then started watching Arrested Development.

Back from Reno

Well, we got back yesterday around 5:30 p.m. But I was kinda tired and lazy to do any updating. And today at work I am on deadline. So details later. But we had fun. It was great to see Tag.

Kate, you mentioned the fish oil comes in liquid form. I looked for it and can't find it. Maybe I need to go to a health food store. I know the flax seed oil comes in liquid.

Later dudes.

It all makes sense now

I wore soft contacts many years ago (for about 2 years in 1999 through 2000). I could never wear them for very long because after a while it was hard to see. I thought a lot of it had to do with my allergies, which I am sure some of it did. But I had to have had my dry-eye syndrome then. I used to get what I lovingly called Devil Eye in my left eye. One day one of my co-workers looked at me and said, what is wrong with your eye Ann? I was like, I dunno. I can't see it.
The contact eye doc I had then I saw twice. Once for the contact eye exam and the second time to get the contacts and put them in my eye. I realized I was never really given a thorough explanation on how to put them in and take them out. The first time I put them in myself it took a half an hour.
My current eye doc, Dr. Yokoi, sees me about every 3 weeks. Until he is sure these contacts work for me he is gonna keep seeing me. I still haven't gotten a new eye glass prescription until he is 100% sure these contacts are the ones I am going to wear for some time.
For the past three days I have been documenting when I put my contacts in, when I use my special drops, what time I have to take out to clean, etc. I want to see if there is anything else contributing to the film on my contact(s) besides the dry-eye syndrome. I haven't worn eye make-up for the past three days either. I will wear it next week and see what happens.
I have been taking my fish oil supplements since Monday. And those things are huge capsules. Anyone who knows me fairly well knows I pretty much can't swallow any pill larger than an Advil. So I have to puncture the stupid capsule and squeeze the oil into a spoon and then I mix with a little yogurt and swallow. Bleh. The oil isn't too bad--slightly fishy.
Yum, huh?

Reno this weekend

Curt and I are heading to Reno tonight. Poff family friend Tag Ridings is a professional golfer and is playing in Reno this weekend. At the end of yesterday Tag was tied for 6th place. So we are gonna get to see him play some golf this weekend.

Congrats to friend and co-worker ...

Graciela. My friend Graciela delivered a beautiful baby girl this morning. Victoria was 6.7 lbs and 19 inches long. She was born at 6:34 a.m. Graciela has been on bedrest for some time. And I am so happy to hear her bundle of joy is here. Victoria joins the family with her parents and big brother, Josue.
I guess our visit last weekend was perfetly planned with the delivery of all the gifts.