No, not new China or a nice vase. My Christmas present this year is looking to be a new toilet. After seeing a spot on our ceiling under the bathroom, we called in a plumber to investigate. Turns out our master bathroom toilet has probably had a small leak for years. We're having to get a new toilet now and new dry wall in the living room.
We had the fun and excitement of looking at toilets last night. I wasn't looking forward to it, but I will have to admit that the adventure was much more exciting than I anticipated. There is a showroom that had the toilets that our plumber recommended (Toto). Not only did they have toilets on display, but they had huge whirlpool type bathtubs, cool lavatories, sleek water faucets and the like. I was ready to take a bath right then and there.
There are a variety of toilets...who knew! Some flush with a little water, some with a lot...some with elongated seats, others with regular. So many choices.
We're still finalizing our choice. I hope it'll be decided soon so that by the time I'm back from Christmas I have my Christmas present in place!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Finally - a piano!
I finally purchased my long awaited piano keyboard yesterday. Yes, I faced the Black Friday crowds and ventured out. I didn't go until last night and it was pretty easy to get in and out of both Best Buy and Target. I'm embarrassed and horrified that there are people that eager to get into a Wal-Mart that they knocked someone down and killed him. Seriously...no wonder people hate Americans!
Anyway, back to my keyboard. I like spending time on the piano - I've had just a few months of lessons in my lifetime, but still like to play. I've missed not having a piano and so about 9 months ago or so we happened to be in a Best Buy and I saw the keyboards. I played the keyboard for about 10 minutes while Steve looked around. It hit me that maybe I don't have to buy a full blown piano, but could get a decent keyboard for my entertainment. I decided to wait (and save) to get the keyboard. This would also prove to me (and Steve) that I was serious.
I got the keyboard last night. I played for 2 hours straight - letting my Caribou Latte get cold in the process! Today I'm going to go searching for some sheet music. My collection includes the book given with the keyboard, a Christian songbook from the 70's, and a Methodist Hymnal. While I've enjoyed playing Amazing Grace and In the Garden, I think I could use a bit of variety (or maybe Steve would appreciate variety).
If my parents still read this blog...get out the piano music for when I'm there next month! :)
Anyway, back to my keyboard. I like spending time on the piano - I've had just a few months of lessons in my lifetime, but still like to play. I've missed not having a piano and so about 9 months ago or so we happened to be in a Best Buy and I saw the keyboards. I played the keyboard for about 10 minutes while Steve looked around. It hit me that maybe I don't have to buy a full blown piano, but could get a decent keyboard for my entertainment. I decided to wait (and save) to get the keyboard. This would also prove to me (and Steve) that I was serious.
I got the keyboard last night. I played for 2 hours straight - letting my Caribou Latte get cold in the process! Today I'm going to go searching for some sheet music. My collection includes the book given with the keyboard, a Christian songbook from the 70's, and a Methodist Hymnal. While I've enjoyed playing Amazing Grace and In the Garden, I think I could use a bit of variety (or maybe Steve would appreciate variety).
If my parents still read this blog...get out the piano music for when I'm there next month! :)
Sunday, November 2, 2008
November Update
Let's hope this isn't the only post I do in November. I can't believe October slipped by with only 1 post. Fall at work is my busiest time. I've been putting in pretty long hours. That coupled with taking classes has left me little time to do anything else!
I love going to movies and I can't even think of the last movie I saw in the theater. I started a new class this past Wednesday. The class is "Organizational Behavior" and we watched 12 Angry Men as an example of group formation and interaction. It was a great movie - from 1957. I told the instructor after class that I was so glad to actually see a movie this fall. If you haven't seen the movie, I would highly recommend it. Peter Fonda stars in it.
In other news, I recently had a craving for Fruity Pebbles cereal. Steve and I were at the store and so I decided to go with the competitor's cereal and feed the craving. Steve found the Malt-o-Meal knock off and talked me into buying it. He also tried to buy one of their knock offs of my company's cereal. I wouldn't allow that! Anyway, a few days later he was having a bowl of the Fruity Pebbles knock-off - the Malt-o-Meal cereal is called "Fruity Dyno-Bites". All of the sudden, in his best Jimmie Walker impersonation, he says "this cereal is Dy-no-bite!" Struck me as extremely funny at the time. And yes, the knock-off was just fine.
By the way...70 degrees today and tomorrow up north. By the end of the week, we'll only be in the 40's. It is November after all....
I love going to movies and I can't even think of the last movie I saw in the theater. I started a new class this past Wednesday. The class is "Organizational Behavior" and we watched 12 Angry Men as an example of group formation and interaction. It was a great movie - from 1957. I told the instructor after class that I was so glad to actually see a movie this fall. If you haven't seen the movie, I would highly recommend it. Peter Fonda stars in it.
In other news, I recently had a craving for Fruity Pebbles cereal. Steve and I were at the store and so I decided to go with the competitor's cereal and feed the craving. Steve found the Malt-o-Meal knock off and talked me into buying it. He also tried to buy one of their knock offs of my company's cereal. I wouldn't allow that! Anyway, a few days later he was having a bowl of the Fruity Pebbles knock-off - the Malt-o-Meal cereal is called "Fruity Dyno-Bites". All of the sudden, in his best Jimmie Walker impersonation, he says "this cereal is Dy-no-bite!" Struck me as extremely funny at the time. And yes, the knock-off was just fine.
By the way...70 degrees today and tomorrow up north. By the end of the week, we'll only be in the 40's. It is November after all....
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Fall Bike Ride - 27 miles
This past Saturday Steve and I headed south and checked out a very cool bike path along the Root River. We took a route that was 27 miles round trip. Beautiful ride with the fall colors! Sadly that was our first bike ride of the year and probably one of the last before winter.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Saturday Snippets
Enjoying a nice fall day up north. It's overcast, but the reds and yellows of the leaves are brightening up the landscape.
This morning I took advantage of an empty Saturday schedule and went for a 3.5 mile walk at a nearby lake/park. It was a great walk all in all - although I did get drizzled on a bit. The fresh air was great after being in an office or classroom much of the week.
I did have a situation that left me feeling a bit disheartened. I decided to use the restroom before I started walking. There is a nice building at the park, so the restrooms aren't scary or anything. However, half way around the trail I would only have an outhouse available. Anyway, back to the restroom. I went in and found myself having to wait. There are 2 stalls and both were occupied with females carrying on a conversation. One finished first and came out, looked at me, and then went to wash her hands. I went into the stall and minded my own business. Next thing I know, they are leaving the bathroom and the lights go out. I said something, but they had already left. I was getting ready to leave the stall anyway, but still. I had to find my way in complete darkness to the lightswitch and then back to the sink. Hello....did the one lady totally space that I was in there. When she looked at me was she really just looking through me? I'm guessing the one who didn't see me was the one who was trying to save energy by turning out the light, but still. Needless to say I had the feeling of being invisible to those around me. Not the best feeling in the world. Thankfully the walk around the lake was great and the people I encountered all said "hello" or "good morning". So, I am not invisible after all, just encountered a couple of self-absorbed women first thing.
I then headed to the grocery store. Had a great time there - didn't feel rushed, just enjoyed walking up and down the aisles and seeing what I might want to get. Went through the checkout lane just fine. At this particular store they have young workers (first job types) that walk the groceries out to your car for you. Today a young guy helped me with the groceries. Once we got to the car I had to tell him trunk or backseat. I said, " let's go with the back seat today, I've got too much junk in my trunk." I was super embarrassed at what I had just said. In "his generation's" language, "too much junk in my trunk" is slang for a well-endowed back-side. I thought about saying something to laugh it off, but in the end I let it go. I at least gave him conversation fodder with his buddies.
So, that is my Saturday thus far.
This morning I took advantage of an empty Saturday schedule and went for a 3.5 mile walk at a nearby lake/park. It was a great walk all in all - although I did get drizzled on a bit. The fresh air was great after being in an office or classroom much of the week.
I did have a situation that left me feeling a bit disheartened. I decided to use the restroom before I started walking. There is a nice building at the park, so the restrooms aren't scary or anything. However, half way around the trail I would only have an outhouse available. Anyway, back to the restroom. I went in and found myself having to wait. There are 2 stalls and both were occupied with females carrying on a conversation. One finished first and came out, looked at me, and then went to wash her hands. I went into the stall and minded my own business. Next thing I know, they are leaving the bathroom and the lights go out. I said something, but they had already left. I was getting ready to leave the stall anyway, but still. I had to find my way in complete darkness to the lightswitch and then back to the sink. Hello....did the one lady totally space that I was in there. When she looked at me was she really just looking through me? I'm guessing the one who didn't see me was the one who was trying to save energy by turning out the light, but still. Needless to say I had the feeling of being invisible to those around me. Not the best feeling in the world. Thankfully the walk around the lake was great and the people I encountered all said "hello" or "good morning". So, I am not invisible after all, just encountered a couple of self-absorbed women first thing.
I then headed to the grocery store. Had a great time there - didn't feel rushed, just enjoyed walking up and down the aisles and seeing what I might want to get. Went through the checkout lane just fine. At this particular store they have young workers (first job types) that walk the groceries out to your car for you. Today a young guy helped me with the groceries. Once we got to the car I had to tell him trunk or backseat. I said, " let's go with the back seat today, I've got too much junk in my trunk." I was super embarrassed at what I had just said. In "his generation's" language, "too much junk in my trunk" is slang for a well-endowed back-side. I thought about saying something to laugh it off, but in the end I let it go. I at least gave him conversation fodder with his buddies.
So, that is my Saturday thus far.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Only 3 to Go!
I've updated my map. The red indicates the states I've been to, the light gray are the ones I haven't.
I'm in Washington, DC this week for a conference for work. I stayed through the weekend to both experience DC and also take a side trip to Delaware and New Jersey to check those two states off my list.
DC is great - love the history and the cool old buildings. Today I started at the Library of Congress, walked by the Capitol, down the mall to the Washington Monument, toward the Lincoln Memorial and then over to the White House. The saddest part of the day was when I went and visited the White House. I just gathered where you could in front of the house. There were a number of protesters out there and it just didn't have a good vibe. Guess we'll see what happens in November!
By the way, I heard a Capitol policeman telling someone that the Capitol and the lawn in front of it is closing soon to tourists. They always close it 4 months before the inauguration to get it ready. Wow!
Well, it was a great trip to DC. We had a great conference - met some good candidates. I enjoyed hanging out with some of my colleagues and then spending a bit of time on my own. Tomorrow I head home and it's back to work and school!
By the way, I think 2009 will be the year to check off New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine!
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