Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Garage Sale

If I didn't know it, feel it, and think it already...I am officially old.

 I had a garage sale. 

It's that time when you have been "out in the world" long enough to get rid of your old stuff because you have upgraded in some way.

 For example - 
coffee pot upgraded to a Keurig
 dishes upgraded to new dishes (after 10 years)
 silverware was rusted and upgraded to new stuff 
painted rooms required new artwork, so looking for an outlet for the old 
changed light fixture in the dining room because it's now a fish room
 weed whacker was corded and now is cordless 
Purses...changed 
And the list goes on... 

I actually didn't have that much "stuff" - but I took my 2 tables over to my neighbor's house last Friday and Saturday and combined, we had a whole bunch! She made out WAY better than I did, but I'm not too unhappy that I sold some of my stuff. 

Our neighborhood is also planning to have a big sale in the fall, so I will just put out the rest of it then. 

Also, my momma visited! And what better way to celebrate getting rid of your junk and making room in your house...than bringing NEW stuff in! Well, new to us anyway. 

We spent a long time at a high-end furniture consignment store, considering chairs, dining sets, headboards, artwork, curtains...you name it. We came home with quite a bit of stuff, but all at probably 30-50% of the cost of when it was new. Gotta love that!! 

We also spent a ton of time just relaxing together. Those are my favorite times when family comes to visit! So thanks for the (somewhat) laid-back time, Mom!

Sunday, August 18, 2013

London!

Whew. I have NOT flown internationally for a loooong time.  Last week I left Atlanta for London, departing on Sunday and returning on Friday afternoon.

Ok.  Let's be clear.  Travel "sounds" glamorous.  And it is fun to see new things.  But here is what I saw for the MAJORITY of the time while I was there:

1. the airport
2. the hotel lobby
3. my hotel room
4. the conference room we met in
5. the airport kitchen
6. the airport

And of course...HELLO JET LAG!

We have some great enhancements on board coming up VERY SOON but were severely behind in making some key decisions so we were super busy working every day.

There were 2 fun things I did make some time for -

Maze by Gordon Ramsay

Our working group was taken out to dinner by a supplier to one of Gordon Ramsay's restaurants, and sat in the private dining room.  It was one of the most special food experiences I've had.  Here was the "Chef's menu" (you don't choose anything, they have paired all the courses for you):

Chef’s menu
Chilled watercress soup, lemon yoghurt
~
Marinated yellow fin tuna, compressed apple,
coriander, horseradish, ponzu
~
Foie gras and smoked duck, 
cherries, wet almonds, Sauternes gel
~
Dumpling of lobster, tiger prawn and salmon,
aromatic lemongrass broth
~
Lamb cannon, Jersey royal potato, broad beans, mint sauce
~
Murcia al Vino, quince jelly, crystalised walnuts
or
Peach Melba
~
Cold bitter chocolate fondant, mango and lime jam,
lemon grass ice cream

Right?  I know.  This part was very lucky for me.  And special.

The other fun thing was my colleague and friend Joanne took me on the Tube from the airport to downtown after work one day, and we spent 2 hours at Harrods, lunching and browsing and people watching.  It was super fun, and the weather was FABULOUS!  Like low 70's, sunny, no humidity.


I was so ready to come home on Friday though - I missed my bed, my time zone, and most of all my honey bear.  Home sweet home!

Friday, August 16, 2013

Robins Nest!

Jeff and I feed the birds in our backyard (a lot).  We normally (when we are not battling a RACCOON BASTARD) have the following options for our birdies to enjoy:

1. Squirrel proof tube feeder with a classic mix of sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, millet, peanuts

2. Blue perch-style feeder, also squirrel proof, with a variety of nuts and dried fruits

3. Hummingbird feeder with lots of nectar OR a thistle feeder (depending on the season) 

4. Two small tray feeders with pepper coated, shelled sunflower seeds

5. A birdbath

All of this is on our backyard deck, so all day long the birdies sing in the trees and come down to have a bite to eat.

Well, the other day we were sitting in the office,   which looks into the front porch and yard - and saw this:

Ok, ok - I konw it's probably impossible to see but we have ROBINS that built their baby bird nest in our FRONT TREE!!!

Yes, the front tree - where we have no feed, no water, nothing...but a window to look out of and watch the mama feed them.  

We actually heard chirp-chirp-chirp before we saw them.  Jeff finally spotted what all the ruckus was about.  We have SO been enjoying watching the little guys eat and grow up!

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Top 5 things a TV serial killer taught me

Jeff and I have been watching Dexter, and just finished up Season 2 (Ice Truck Killer season) and started Season 3 (Trinity Killer season).


I know it's kind of the premise of the show...but I more-than-relate to this serial killer at times...and I think it's ok (?).

Top 5 ways relating to a murderous member of society might be ok

1.  He takes no shit. Well, he might in the short term, possibly to keep the peace or perhaps for political or personal gain...that stare and lack of response / reacton is something I could definitely work on adapting to my own style. Also while knowing "it will work out in the end" but not in knifing kind of way.

2.  Normal social responses to absurdities are foreign to him...but that same shit being said during the internal monologues might also go through my head.

3.  Realizing you never know someone's whole story is a powerful self-discovery tool.   Harry was flawed. We all are. Sometimes it is ok to realize that and begin the acceptance process.  For them and for yourself. 

4.  Hobbies can sometimes border on obsession but you have to remember to still keep your house in order.  In my crochet heyday, I could skip meals, not sleep, wear dirty clothes...but eventually someone will notice. Balance, people.

5.  No one is normal.  Duh.

Friday, August 2, 2013

Homebodies.

Jeff and I haven't done ANYTHING fun lately. We have been total homebodies. Because

1.  We are trying to save money. And doing cool stuff costs MOOLA. Even if its just extra gas.

2.  It's been raining ALL. THE. TIME.  Or like, 50% chance of rain which takes the fun right out of hiking.

3.  If it's not raining, it's like 80% humidity and 90 degrees.  Also not fun to be outside.

4.  All the movies I want to see are at the Carmike, which I hate. And I have a gift certificate to Regal but nothing good is playing there.

5.  We discovered Dexter. Seriously, how can two uber TV nerds have missed that one!?   No matter, we're catching up now.

At least we have True Blood to look forward to.  And the dog days of summer will be over soon...then its time for FALL CAMPING!