Hey to all my bookies out there... this is awesome.
It's a book trading website. You trade books with people all over the US and all you pay is shipping. No more paying for books or late fees at the library. Reduce, REUSE, Recycle.
Check it out.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
New York Pics
It's really hard for me to post these "amateur" pics, because I know they can't compete with my incredibly talented friends and family.... but oh well, here they are.
I actually made an EFFORT to take pictures too.... and I still only came out with about 20. I know, I need to work on it.
New York, New York
This last weekend James and I went to New York City for a wedding. It was soooo much fun. Most of James' good high school friends were in attendance, making the weekend unforgettable. James and I both agreed it's been way too long since we have laughed as much or as hard as we did this weekend.
We arrived late on Thursday, just in time for some bar food and a couple of night caps. On Friday morning we ventured into China Town with a couple of friends for some authentic Dim Sum. And when I say authentic, I mean no one spoke English. It was yummy and scary all wrapped up in an egg roll, but also incredibly cheap. We spent the day strolling the streets, sipping beer and coffee, and making dinner plans. Traveling with a foodie, who's friends are also foodies means that most days traveling are spent finding the best meal for the evening. Mission accomplished. We dined at Cafe Boulud. It was amazing. Our friend Olly made a few calls to some friends and we ended up with a great table and a ton of comps. After 3 hours (dinner ended at midnight) we had consumed some of the best wines, faux grois and chocolates in New York City. Most crowds would call it a night and go home with full bellies and clouded thoughts. Nope, not us... the party pushed on until around 3:30 when we hailed a cab home. Saturday morning we regrouped (which is not an easy thing with these folks) and headed out to Princeton, NJ. Needless to say, we were running late and had 20 minutes to dress and get to the wedding from the hotel. We rushed to the site to find a "pre-wedding cocktail hour". At 4 pm none of us had eaten yet, so the cocktail hour proved dangerous. Once the ceremony ended (a very non-traditional Jewish affair) we were finally granted food, which we consumed to no end. After dancing, food and drinks we headed back to the hotel for more dancing, food and drinks. At 1:30 am I found James asleep in his suit and tie, which finalized the decision to call it a night. Sunday morning lead us to a greasy diner that made us the happiest group of kids on the planet. Way too much bacon, milkshakes and grits were ordered, but at least the headaches were gone. By noon we started heading out for the airports, two to Miami, one to San Fransisco and three to Dallas. The first three made their flights. But a minor traffic accident to our rented mini-van caused us to miss our flight home to D-town. Sooo, we rode the wave (James' term for me to not freak-out) and landed on a flight Monday morning at 7 am. Mind you, we decided to still go out for dinner and drinks on Sunday night, granting us 3 hours of sleep on a dirty sleeping bag, before our ride to the airport came at 5 am.
I actually made it into work by noon, but I'm sure I looked like hell. With all the flight drama it was still an amazing trip. Our wallets are empty and our eyes have bags.... but our memories are full to the brim.
We arrived late on Thursday, just in time for some bar food and a couple of night caps. On Friday morning we ventured into China Town with a couple of friends for some authentic Dim Sum. And when I say authentic, I mean no one spoke English. It was yummy and scary all wrapped up in an egg roll, but also incredibly cheap. We spent the day strolling the streets, sipping beer and coffee, and making dinner plans. Traveling with a foodie, who's friends are also foodies means that most days traveling are spent finding the best meal for the evening. Mission accomplished. We dined at Cafe Boulud. It was amazing. Our friend Olly made a few calls to some friends and we ended up with a great table and a ton of comps. After 3 hours (dinner ended at midnight) we had consumed some of the best wines, faux grois and chocolates in New York City. Most crowds would call it a night and go home with full bellies and clouded thoughts. Nope, not us... the party pushed on until around 3:30 when we hailed a cab home. Saturday morning we regrouped (which is not an easy thing with these folks) and headed out to Princeton, NJ. Needless to say, we were running late and had 20 minutes to dress and get to the wedding from the hotel. We rushed to the site to find a "pre-wedding cocktail hour". At 4 pm none of us had eaten yet, so the cocktail hour proved dangerous. Once the ceremony ended (a very non-traditional Jewish affair) we were finally granted food, which we consumed to no end. After dancing, food and drinks we headed back to the hotel for more dancing, food and drinks. At 1:30 am I found James asleep in his suit and tie, which finalized the decision to call it a night. Sunday morning lead us to a greasy diner that made us the happiest group of kids on the planet. Way too much bacon, milkshakes and grits were ordered, but at least the headaches were gone. By noon we started heading out for the airports, two to Miami, one to San Fransisco and three to Dallas. The first three made their flights. But a minor traffic accident to our rented mini-van caused us to miss our flight home to D-town. Sooo, we rode the wave (James' term for me to not freak-out) and landed on a flight Monday morning at 7 am. Mind you, we decided to still go out for dinner and drinks on Sunday night, granting us 3 hours of sleep on a dirty sleeping bag, before our ride to the airport came at 5 am.
I actually made it into work by noon, but I'm sure I looked like hell. With all the flight drama it was still an amazing trip. Our wallets are empty and our eyes have bags.... but our memories are full to the brim.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
I don't know.
Since becoming an adult, I've noticed I've become one of those people that "weird" things always happen to. I'm not talking traumatic, life changing events; just weird little happenings. I asked James why he thought this was and we both came to the conclusion that we have NO IDEA. They just happen.
Here's an example: On Wednesday we had another kickball game. (We won, thanks to my MVP huband.) I had packed a Nalgene with water, but had forgotten it, so I ran by a convenience store on the way to pick up a bottle of water. While waiting for our game to begin, we all sat in the bleachers, everyone drinking their beverage of choice; beer, gatorade, water... When a girl/woman (she was probably younger than me, but not a child) came and sat next to me. She had skinned her knee in the game and for some reason decided sitting in the bleachers was a better idea than sitting with her team in the dug out. She tapped my shoulder and asked if I had a 'ton' of water, I commented, "Uhh, no, just this bottle."
"Well, could I have some."
"Of course." Thinking she wanted to splash some on her knee or wash off her dusty hands. NOPE. She drank my entire bottle of water, leisurely, while sitting next to me. Not once thanking me, or offering to get me another bottle. And whats even worse, she left the empty bottle in the bleachers instead of throwing it away! It was incredibly awkward sitting there, wanting my water back while she quinched her thirst over and over again. All the while James and Levi watching in awe, laughing the entire time.
Needless to say, since I didn't have any water left, I had to drink beer.
Here's an example: On Wednesday we had another kickball game. (We won, thanks to my MVP huband.) I had packed a Nalgene with water, but had forgotten it, so I ran by a convenience store on the way to pick up a bottle of water. While waiting for our game to begin, we all sat in the bleachers, everyone drinking their beverage of choice; beer, gatorade, water... When a girl/woman (she was probably younger than me, but not a child) came and sat next to me. She had skinned her knee in the game and for some reason decided sitting in the bleachers was a better idea than sitting with her team in the dug out. She tapped my shoulder and asked if I had a 'ton' of water, I commented, "Uhh, no, just this bottle."
"Well, could I have some."
"Of course." Thinking she wanted to splash some on her knee or wash off her dusty hands. NOPE. She drank my entire bottle of water, leisurely, while sitting next to me. Not once thanking me, or offering to get me another bottle. And whats even worse, she left the empty bottle in the bleachers instead of throwing it away! It was incredibly awkward sitting there, wanting my water back while she quinched her thirst over and over again. All the while James and Levi watching in awe, laughing the entire time.
Needless to say, since I didn't have any water left, I had to drink beer.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Happy Easter Wabbit, Hooray.
Not only did we celebrate Easter this past weekend, but it was also my mother's 55th birthday. She mentioned it was the first time the whole family had been together on her birthday in over ten years. And because of the double celebration, we managed to pack in as many fun family events as possible into one lil' weekend. We had two egg hunts, tons of chocolate, a cook-out at the lake, three different cakes, one crowded church service, a dozen eggs to dye, multiple feast to devourer (with several naps to follow) and many many relatives to see. It was a load of fun and even with the Sunday storms, we managed to spend most of it outside.
My nephew Conner is at a very fun age right now. His little mind is running a mile a minute and his communication skills surprise me every time I see him. We had a blast pretending to be dinosaurs and blowing bubbles at the lake. He even let me share the treats he found on the egg hunt.
What a lovely weekend.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Land Of Beige
Look to the left.
Look to the right.
Look up above.
Look down below.
Beige.
Walk ten steps to the left.
Walk ten steps to the right.
Beige.
Talk to the person to the left.
Talk to the person to the right.
Talk to the person on the phone.
Talk to the person down the hall.
Beige.
I work in a land of beige.
And I am desperate for some color.
Monday, April 6, 2009
NCIDQ
On Friday and Saturday I took my first stab at the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). As with any professional licensing, it was extremely hard. There are 3 sections to the test; 2 multiple choice and 1 practicum; for a total of 14 hours of test. After studying for 2 months, I left the test site on Saturday without the feeling of any accomplishment. With all the studying I did, I at least wanted to feel like I did well, or at least passed.
I don't find out my scores until July, so the anxiety is only on hold for a short while. But they do allow you to only retake the portions of the test that you failed; instead of retesting the entire thing.
But I am glad to have my life back; reading at night, watching TV, hanging out with my boys at home. And my eye twitch caused from stress has already stopped, which is a miracle in itself.
Stay posted for my NCIDQ fate in July.
I don't find out my scores until July, so the anxiety is only on hold for a short while. But they do allow you to only retake the portions of the test that you failed; instead of retesting the entire thing.
But I am glad to have my life back; reading at night, watching TV, hanging out with my boys at home. And my eye twitch caused from stress has already stopped, which is a miracle in itself.
Stay posted for my NCIDQ fate in July.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
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