THE WEATHER
under

True or false???

The other night we went to my nephew's freshman basketball game in Canby, OR. My niece and I entered the gym and some ya-hoo commented on our hair and told us that redheads are going to be extinct by 2050 (give or take 50 years, right?!).

What do you think??? You can vote over there on the right!

Travelling...

...it's not as fun as it used to be. Paying $15 to check a bag. Everyone yapping on cell phones everywhere. Having to take a tram to catch a flight in the next terminal. No meals on flights (and I refused to pay $9.49 in the Minneapolis airport for a half sandwich and half salad). The person in front of me putting their seat back during the entire flight (I know it's their right but I'm 5'2" and cramped). Long lines. Take off your shoes. Don't forget the ziploc bag for toiletries. Get there an hour early. A guy behind me coughing once every minute for over two hours. Totally full flights. Adjusting to the time change(s). I'M GLAD TO BE HOME!














On the upside, it was great to see my parents, my brother, my sister-in-law, my niece, and my nephew even though Oregon is a LONG WAY AWAY! It was nice to shop at Deseret Book (no such store here). We ate at Hubers in downtown Portland. I found two quilt shops and went to one antique shop (scored another red handled kitchen utensil). And, SONIC! Now I know what all the fuss is about. I went 5 times in 6 days. I LOVE LOVE LOVE cherry limeade. I brought home See's candy and King's Hawaiian bread.

My next trip is going to be close by. Maybe a day trip to Sonic in New Jersey!

Happy Birfday!

Today is my brother John's birthday. I think this picture was taken on his birthday when he was 4. And, no comments about his thumb-sucking big sister, OK?!

Happy Birthday, John!!

The folks

Regular Oregon

I took this photo a few years ago in Oregon. I asked permission to take the photo and the guy was shocked that I'd want to photograph the old gas pump. This is one of my favorite photos.

Patton kids

3 days in Portland...

...3 trips to Sonic!

Portland Pattons

BOS -> PDX

The Pranksters

I was reading a friend's blog this week and she told about going TP-ing (as an adult, like this week!). It reminded me of a funny story. A guy in our ward, Danny Hirschi, was getting ready to go on his mission and we (my brother John and I and a few other friends in the ward) decided to TP his house the night before he left for the MTC. We must have used 40 rolls. We thought we were being so sneaky. We went after midnight, parked our cars down the street, and tiptoed around as we tossed roll after roll after roll around. The only light on was their porch light so we figured they were sound asleep and we wouldn't get caught. Toilet paper covered their house and yard and cars. Danny's mother was my dear friend who taught me how to make bretzelis. Imagine my surprise when she walked up to me on Sunday and said, "I can't believe you toilet papered our house." I was stunned that she knew it was us (and she didn't seem to think it was as funny as we thought it was--adults never do). I couldn't figure out how in the world she knew it was us and when I asked she said, "My neighbor said 'two redheaded kids TP'd your house'."

19 days...

...without cherry coke, coke, pepsi, or any other of Satan's elixirs and I'm doing just fine.

[Note: this picture was taken in Utah--these double-wide fountains don't exist in New England!]

HAPPY meal

I had a few errands to do after work: I returned something at Home Depot, I bought something at Michael's, I exchanged something at Staples, I picked up something from a friend and I dropped something off for a woman I type for. My intention was to do all these things, go home and fix/eat dinner and then visit my friend's mother who is in town from Oregon so there was a bit of a time crunch. I was glad to get all my errands done but I was hungry and running out of time and couldn't imagine what I would possible throw together for dinner (I know, pathetic). And then I saw them. The golden arches (well, sort of--it was a strip mall). I went in and ordered me up a hamburger HAPPY meal. And it made me HAPPY.

Who wants the toy?

Inauguration Day

Photo from www.boston.com

Late showing of Last Chance Harvey

My friend and I ended up seeing the movie at 10:10pm tonight. Funny thing-----we were the only ones in the theater. I really enjoyed it. You can't go wrong with Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman. Two superstars.


















Brush With Fame: One day, back in the 80's when I worked at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute, I was waiting for the elevator. The doors opened and Dustin Hoffman walked out! [He's short.] He was there researching autism for "Rain Man".

Disappointed

My friend and I decided we were going to see "Last Chance Harvey" today. We confirmed plans, I quickly cleared off enough snow so I could see to drive, put the car in reverse and raced out of a very snow packed parking place, picked my friend up and got to the theater in plenty of time. There was one line and one worker. I waited and waited and when I got to the front of the line and told the guy which movie I wanted to see he said,"that sold out one minute ago." Talk about disappointed. But, as you can tell from this picture, it sure wasn't the first time.

The things people do for five bucks!

Tonight my friend Alicia told my friend Leah she'd give her five bucks if she ran barefoot to the edge of the deck and back. There was at least a foot of powdery snow but Leah did it!!

My collection

For years I've collected red handled antique kitchen gadgets and I finally have a way to display them on my kitchen wall.

Home Teacher of the Year

I'd like to nominate my Home Teacher as Home Teacher of the Year. This morning he helped me put plastic on my window. Let me back up. (1) My last electric bill was $210! Granted everything in my condo is electric but still, that's a lot of money. And, (2) I've mentioned this before but I have one window and it's about 5 feet wide and I don't know, about 16 feet tall. So this was no small task. It involved getting a tall ladder into my condo, taping big pieces of plastic together, putting double sided tape all around the window, covering the window with plastic (attaching it to the tape), trimming the plastic at the top of the window, and using a heat gun to get out the wrinkles in the plastic and seal the window.

I've got a great Home Teacher.

And, here's hoping for many more electric bills under $210.

My travels

My day at work was spent finalizing (someone else's) travel arrangements and it reminded me of a few trips I have taken. When I first moved to Boston I got a job at a high-tech start-up. The company was sponsored by 9 big computer/software companies and had lots of money. Each year they had a Member Meeting and I would run the office which meant spending three days in the basement of a Boston hotel making copies, phone calls, power point presentations and whatever else needed to be done. So imagine my surprise when they approached me and said they were planning a Member Meeting in Munich and would I like to go and run the office. Uh, yeah! It was my first trip to Europe and was very memorable. I worked 3-4 days and then traveled with friends and then on my own for the rest of my two week trip (in May of 1992). I spent time in Germany and Austria eating delicious food, going on the Sound of Music tour, eating at the Hofbrau House (no beer for me), seeing the olympic village in Innsbruck, enjoying beautiful scenery, driving on the autobahn, riding trains, visiting Rothenburg (and an amazing Christmas shop), and more! This was before I was as into photography as I am now but I took enough pictures to fill a photo album. Here are a few of my favorites.

Numbers

Tonight I went to drop something off in a neighboring town and I couldn't see any of the house numbers on one side of the street. OK. It was dark. But still! Do they have numbers? Are they hidden? I drove away mumbling about it. Stupid numbers.
















This is the house I grew up in. It's a horrible picture (California isn't really that dark and grey) but see the numbers on the curb! Some college kid walked the streets of The Valley asking people if they wanted their house number painted on their curb. And we did. For all to see!

I'm not Complaining. Just Comparing and Contrasting.

Octogenarian seeks young love

An 89 year-old man looked at my friend's profile on one of the LDS sites (not www.hotsaints.com).  She is 29.  [I couldn't make this up if I tried!]

That means he was probably born in 1920:  a postage stamp cost two cents, dial telephones were introduced, and Woodrow Wilson was the President of the United States. 

Shouldn't this man be spending time with his great-great-grandchildren?  I imagine someone that age watching old re-runs of Lawrence Welk, shuffling around in their slippers, or doing lots of napping.

I bet his idea of the perfect date is the early bird special with a twist of metamucil.

Today's Boston Globe

Front page/top: 'Mom, Dad?  Can I have my old room back?'

Page 10: The boomerang kids: Struggling to make ends meet, adults are moving back in with their folks

Funny story:  I was walking to the subway a few years ago with a coworker.  I asked where he lived.  He sheepishly said he lived with his parents but that he usually answered that question by saying, "I live with people I knew from before."

H.C.

My friend "Sister" and I meet occasionally during the winter for H.C. (hot chocolate). Tonight we met at Starbucks before she ran off to the Celtics game and I ran off to run some errands. It was fun to catch up with her to swap stories and have a few laughs.

Note: Now that I think of it, I had H.C. and she had S.M. (steamed milk).

New project on old chair

My friend Julie was here yesterday and helped me pick out some fabric for my next quilt. She has a great eye for color/fabric. I had decided I wanted red/blue/brown and had picked out a few things from my stash and Julie helped me add to the stack. My next quilt is going to be for me to use in my living room. I hope to get working on it soon.

Cooking up a resolution

I have "early bird church" this year (8:30am) so I decided that I'm going to try a new recipe every Sunday afternoon. I bake like a mad woman but don't cook anything fancy (fancy = something besides, soup, macaroni & cheese, a microwave burrito, etc.) too often so am going to try some new recipes and enhance my repertoire. Today I'm making either garlic ciabatta bread or a country french omelet (both from the Barefoot Contessa back to basics recipe book).

Baby Shower

My friend Jenn is expecting a baby boy in February. She was in the hospital Thursday and Friday thinking she may be induced but wasn't. We went full-speed-ahead with her shower today (about 45 women attended!). I took a few photos of her before the crowd arrived. It was a full house this afternoon with good food, friends visiting, and lots of adorable baby gifts for Adler. He's going to be the best dressed kid in town. Everyone is excited about this baby's arrival!!

Nifty gifts

Some of my blogging friends and I had to postpone our holiday party due to an ice storm in December so we got together tonight for food, fun, and a gift exchange. I scored the cool bowl and yummy cinnamon rolls. Not to brag but I think the apron I made seemed to be what everyone wanted. It was great to see my friends and share funny stories and of course talk about blogging.

Never seen before

My brother John (Tarzan on the right) posted this photo on his blog last week and I was so surprised because it's a photo I'd never seen before (I love seeing old photos for the first time!). Behind us are Roy and Zina, relatives that lived in a charming house in Bakersfield.  Uncle Roy played the saw!  I remember they had lots of metal trucks and trains and toys for us to play with.

Note: If you look between Roy and Zina, that is where the kumquat tree was in the Zakin's back yard!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Name that fruit

What's that orange fruit in the middle?  It's a kumquat, silly.  How do I know? Not because I've ever eaten one but because my next-door-neighbors in California, the Zakins, had a kumquat tree in their backyard that dropped fruit onto our driveway (and it got smooshed since that was a basketball court!) so they look familiar.  Oh, and my brothers and I would throw them at each other.  

We had our holiday lunch at work today I grabbed a few kumquats but haven't eaten them yet.  Word is that you just pop the whole thing in your mouth and eat it that way.  Hmmm...

[Photo courtesy of co-worker Gingerale--thanks!]

I call it fabric art

I got this idea from a friend and decided it would be fun and easy to make fabric art (or fab-art, or fart) for the wall above my living room by my loft/bedroom. I plan to use my favorite fabrics (not all red...I'm starting to like brown!) and 40% off coupons (this 24x30 canvas was $9 at Michaels) and I think I can fit 8 or 9 of them. I'll provide more photos as the wall of fabric art expands.  [I bought this fabric at PurlSoHo in December.]

More ice is on the way

Giving it up

I'm done with soda. It's bad for my teeth, skin and body and makes me feel like crap when I drink too much of it. My new year starts tomorrow (Monday morning) but tonight I dumped the Coke that was in my fridge. I've got a detox headache but it can't last that long, can it?

Introducing

My old chair I found antiquing and my new doll a friend made me for Christmas.

Miss Portland Diner

I read this article six weeks ago and since then have been wanting to eat at the Miss Portland Diner! My friends Jenn and Alicia and I went today. We enjoyed a nice lunch (I got a hot turkey open faced sandwich with onion rings) and the place was hopping. The owner was there and I really wanted to talk to him but didn't (when did I turn shy?). It was a fun adventure. After lunch we went to see the Portland Head Light. I only got out of the car long enough to take a few photos (when did I turn wimpy?). After a stop at Arby's for drinks we ventured south to Ogunquit and went to one of my very favorite antique shops. I've been wanting an old chair to put old books on. Alicia found a black one for me that was 50% off and only cost me $13. The chair is over 150 years old! It was a great day with great friends in the great state of Maine.

Harvard Square

One of my errands today was to pick something up at the Harvard Square Crate&Barrel (which sadly is closing this month). I decided to be all hip and city-girl-ish and take public transportation. I parked my car on Mass. Ave. in Arlington, hopped on the bus to Alewife, took the subway to Harvard Square and then took the trusty #77 bus back to my car. The bus. What is it with all the crazies on the bus? This woman kept yelling how people weren't saying "excuse me" when they almost bumped into her and supposedly stepped on her toe trying to get off the bus. And she was yelling on her cellphone. She had some serious attitude. I kept reminding myself that bus travel was cheaper and easier than driving in (though I say sometimes a parking ticket is cheaper than parking...) but it is never without drama! After that I ran errands in the suburbs. In the privacy of my quiet Bluebell.













Word on the street is that OUT OF TOWN NEWS (a Harvard Square landmark) is also closing in January. I guess too many people are reading magazines and newspapers on-line. Harvard Square won't be the same without Crate&Barrel and Out of Town News (which I sometimes call In-n-Out News).

Winner and Dinner

Winner: Dawn at Smilin' Sunshine won the random drawing for the photocards.

Dinner: My friend and I just got back from another late night at Bill&Bob's. That crazy late night ritual will probably stop when I have to go back to work.

I'm making the best of my vacation: 9 days down, 3 to go!

Got detangler?

THERE'S A GIVE-AWAY!!!

Scroll down. Deadline is midnight tonight. Maybe some lurkers will comment. I'm just sayin'.

...and an ICY new year!

The. ice. is. on. the. INSIDE. of. the. windows! [And hopefully the tree will be dismantled tomorrow/later today.]

Lots of food, lots of Bourne

I invited a few friends over tonight for a New Year's Eve celebration which included a table full of food and a few movies. We enjoyed shrimp, cheeses, chips, dips, mint brownies, other brownies, candy, cookies, meatballs, Ding Dongs, calzones, coke, eggnog, and toasts of sparkling cider at midnight. The Bourne Identity, Bourne Supremacy, and Bourne Ultimatum were fun to watch all in a row. And, it's always great to ring in a new year with good friends (and Jason Bourne of course).