12-hour day

I left my house at 11:00am this morning and just got back at 11:00pm. The event went really well and my room of displays (1999-present) looked good. My favorite parts of the day were meeting some new people, the dinner, and hearing Claudia Bushman and Chase Peterson speak about their years living in Cambridge. Claudia's talk was especially good; I'd love to give a copy to every woman that moves to Boston! I'm exhausted and relieved that this event is over. And, I'm glad I don't have church until 3:30pm tomorrow!

This is what I wanted

On the way back from lunch today I decided to get an ice cream bar. I stood in front of the machine holding my dollar bill. Ice cream sandwich? Strawberry shortcake bar? Fudgesicle? I stared at all the options for at least two minutes and finally settled on a drumstick. I dug around my purse for a quarter (some were $1.00 and some were $1.25) and then put my money in the vending machine. I pushed the buttons for A-3 and then watched the ice cream bar fall. I ended up with some cookies and cream bar with crushed cookies covering it.

After all that, I must have pushed the wrong buttons.

Feliz Cumpleanos!

Today is my nephew's birthday! This picture was taken the first time we met when I went to Florida for Christmas in 1987 and he was 3 months old. He's 20 now, 6' 3", and is a missionary in Argentina having lots of great experiences and adventures.

I'm a winner!

I will be getting a package in the mail! Read about it here.

Mirror, mirror on the wall...

...you know you are the fairest of them all (pasty white) when your dermatologist tells you that you are "fair as ever". I had an appointment on Friday to get my skin checked. The doctor sprayed my face 7 times with liquid nitrogen (ouch--it stings!). I never wear sunscreen but today decided that I'd buy some that will fit in my purse (my co-worker recommended Aveeno) and I'll start using it. Baby steps...

N-O spells NO

I volunteered to help with a BIG church event this coming weekend. I'm responsible for a display of the church in this area from 1999-present which basically means the Boston Temple era. I dug out some pictures I took the day the steeple and Angel Moroni were put on (almost a year after the dedication). I can't find all the negatives (no surprise -- "organize photos/negatives" is on one of my lists of projects) so I scanned some pictures in. They don't look as good but they'll do. I'm going to put a notebook together of newspaper articles about the temple and an album of photos. I'm hoping to find some good quotes and I have a few other ideas. My friend is helping me with the project--hooray!

It's a busy time of year. I've got lots of projects on my plate(s) and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by this assignment.

One of these days I'll learn to say NO.

Cafeteria style

When we were kids and visited our Long Beach grandparents we often ate at the Queen Cafeteria. There was a girl that worked there who always asked (loudly, I might add), "Would you like a roll, muffeeeeem, or bread?" We'd tell her what we wanted, put it on our tray and slide on to the dessert.

Today I wanted a muffeeeeem (muffin). Blueberry and corn meal. I googled "blueberry cornmeal muffins" and this is what I found. I made them today and they were everything I wanted and more! I've enjoyed 3 so far and plan to deliver a few tonight to a friend who is under the weather and the remainder...well, we'll see how long they last and who ends up with them (my next door neighbor is a frequent recipient of my baking).

And, speaking of rolls. I made my own lobster roll last night for the first time ever! I just added some miracle whip and had some crazy New England hot doll rolls on hand and the lobster roll was delicious!

Clambake '07

Surprise -- you're 40!

Tonight was a surprise 40th birthday party for my friend Jana. Her husband went all out. Great food, great games, great fun. Some family and friends shared stories about Jana and they were funny. If I had had a chance I would have told this story:

One night when I was visiting Jana she asked if I wanted to go to Wal*Mart with her. I don't live close to a Wal*Mart so jumped at the chance to go. We started out in the women's clothes section and I heard Jana say, "I see our future" and I looked over to see two old ladies shopping together. I hope we are still going shopping together in thirty years!

I met Jana nearly 17 years ago when they moved here for her husband to attend graduate school. Fortunately they have stayed in the area (except for a two year stint in England) and we still see other on a regular basis. It's been fun to watch her 5 kids grow up (she has 2 redheads!). Jana is one of my dearest friends and I am so happy that our paths crossed many years ago and for all the great memories we have!

What is photographed in Vegas...

My brother Chuck recently took this picture in Las Vegas (for me? BIG E?). I haven't been to Vegas in 20 years (since before it became family- and convention-friendly...). We always drove through Vegas on the way to visiting relatives in Utah. We'd stop for gas and try to get back on the highway without going down the Strip and it was impossible! They tricked you into going down the Strip and then you'd want to gamble or have lunch (Vegas is the land of the cheap buffet). The Greyhound bus always made a pit stop in Sin City. Vegas is not my favorite place but I like this picture!

Handing out the Handbook

I helped one of my neighbors put together a Handbook for our condo association and tonight we went door-to-door and delivered all of them (70 to be exact). The Handbook includes information about trash/recycling, building maintenance, fire alarms, snow removal, noise and odors, pets, roof access, voting, water and much much more! It will be a good resource for me and my condo comrades.

My dinner

Bruschetta with fresh tomatoes and basil. Tonight was the 3rd time I've eaten it in 4 days! Easy...yummy...photo worthy.

Missing ingredient(s)

We had a Community Picnic today at work. What a great idea! Lots of people, walking around outside, enjoying a free lunch (sandwiches, drinks, fruit, chips and dessert). Hmmm. The "dessert". I picked up a rice krispy treat. Or what I thought was a rice krispy treat. It was cardboard disguised as a rice krispy treat. Clearly the butter and marshmallow had been left out (how did they get them to stick together?). I couldn't finish it which is good because I wanted to photograph it for my blog before I recycled it.

Happy Fall?

It was chilly today; very Fall-ish. My friend gave me this squash from her garden. Until I figure out what to do with it, it makes for a nice Fall centerpiece!

Happy Birthday, Jamel!

Here are 17 pictures because you are 17. Love you, Aunt ellen

Today's treat

When they mentioned "occasional parking" at the orientation for my current job my ears perked up. You pay $30/year for a sticker that goes on your car window and you can park up to 8 times a month for $3.50/day (and $10/day after the 8th time). Did I hear that correctly?! If you are familiar with the greater Boston area you know that parking is ridiculously expensive. I have been heard saying "sometimes a parking ticket is cheaper than parking!" (It's true.) I signed up for occasional parking that very day. It has been handy if I have plans after work, a doctor's appointment, or I'm bringing a cake to the office.

Driving to work was a treat during the end of the summer. I made notes in my calendar when I drove so I wouldn't go over 8 times. There was construction in a neighboring town which was a bottleneck but other than that, it was a fairly easy drive in and out of Cambridge. The end of August I drove quite a bit and it was a breeze. I could get to work -- door-to-door -- in about 50 minutes! (Note: that is a breeze!)

I decided to treat myself today by driving in to work. As I pulled out of my parking lot onto the street into traffic I noticed my fellow bus buddies waiting on the bus stop and thought I should have just taken the bus. Too late. I was already in my car and ready for the ride. It took me 10 minutes to get out of my town and I soon realized that driving to work during one of the busiest weeks was a bad idea. Everyone is back from vacation. Everyone is back at school. Almost everyone was in their car driving. My treat turned into wrestling with traffic and at a very slow pace. That is no treat! So I turned around, backtracked to the neighboring town, parked in front of a friend's house and walked 10 minutes to the subway station.

I love the subway. I like the bus (and love the bus when it's on time...). Boston has great public transportation. Just this week I mailed my subway passes in so I can get 10% off my car insurance because I take public transportation to work. When I get the reimbursement check from my car insurance company I might treat myself to a new book or some fancy fabric!

People remember you (see 09/05/07 entry)

This is one of my favorite pictures of my brother John taken in the 70's. The Earth Wind & Fire poster and phone on the bed kind of give the era away. My brothers had a beard contest once and maybe this picture is proof of a hair growing contest. I'll have to ask John.

When Grandmother Pitchforth would introduce John and me to people, she would always say, loudly, "It's natural!", referring to our beautiful red hair.

It's natural all right (with some credit to his afro comb)!!

Redheads

I recently read a book review about "Not a Happy Camper" and it sounded like a good book so I checked it out from the library. It's a memoir about a girl's experience at sleepaway camp in Maine. I started it on the bus this morning. I smiled when I read this:

"The other campers' parents had sprung for airfare and the girls hadn't yet arrived from the airport. I was the first one in Bunk Three, just me and my counselor, the very redheaded Gita Isak. I wished I had red hair. People remember you."

Back to school

The L.A. City Schools always started school the day after Labor Day -- today! So in memory of my wonderful years at Gault Street, Mulholland Jr. High, and Birmingham High, here is a picture of my elementary school lunch box. The other lunch box was my Grandma Pitchforth's. She probably started kindergarten in Nephi, Utah 104 years ago this week!

Vacation is over

I'll be setting my alarm clock tonight...bummer!

Babies and brownies

I went to visit my friends' new baby today and took this platter of brownies with me. John Henry's older siblings were pretty excited to see the treat and they all knew what it spelled!

Family Reunion

I was hired to be the Family Reunion photographer this morning. It's not easy getting 21 people to smile at the same time! I got some good shots and it was fun to be with one of my favorite families. They have a fun weekend planned. One of the events is "telling stories"; that sounds really fun!!

Cool photo

David L. Ryan of the Boston Globe took this photo. I think it's really cool. Can you tell what it is?



YEP -- SCHOOL BUSES!

Flower Power

Last year I wrote about going to Small Farm in Stow, where you can cut wild flowers and fill a quart sized yogurt container for $5. I read about it in the Boston Globe.

I went back today with 3 friends and their collective 7 kids and then saw another friend there with her 2 kids. We had a great time. The kids loved running through the gardens and cutting flowers and the people that own the farm were so kind. It was a perfect summer day activity.

Who won the hat?

The Raymonds said...

Scott and I used to live two streets from Fenway Park. I always had to leave work early on home games because otherwise I couldn't get any parking. The gas stations around there even sell their tiny lots as parking. They make more money with parking than they do pumping gas! Our friend's car got flipped after one of the World Series games. Ah, fond memories.

The Raymonds live close by so I'll hand deliver the hat. Congratulations!

I really enjoyed reading all your Red Sox stories. What a treat; thanks!