I wonder if anyone still knows this exists? I certainly forgot. But my laptop didn't. And here we are again.
Monday, April 9, 2018
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Okay...so it's been almost a year since I've been out here blogging away. I know you missed me. Let's hope that my fancy lap top will motivate more regular updates to this thing.
I was about to share recent photos of the kitchen via email, and I thought this would be a much easier way to share. Eventually, I will provide the proper before, during, and after photos that every respectable remodel deserves. For now, Mom wanted to see the kitchen island, so here goes (you're getting more than the kitchen island, Mom!). Enjoy!
P.S. The next photos will be better. I took these with my laptop (photo booth app). Oh, and I just threw some things up on the shelves. I still need to put a little more thought into what goes where.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Observations...
I'm learning a lot about life as a Minnesotan. The following catches my attention the most:
There are more ice cream shops here than anyplace I've ever been. And DQ started here? Don't get me wrong, we all know I L-O-V-E ice cream, but ne'er do I crave the stuff when the temp falls below 70. A blessing in disguise, me thinks.
There are also more salons per capita of any other city I've been. Why is that when half the year women are covering their hair with hats because it's so damn cold?
At the change of a season, clothes go FAST. You practically have to be at the loading dock to get the size or color of the thing you need. On top of that, because the women in MN eat and drink beer, unlike women in, say, Scottsdale, it is nearly impossible to find anything over a size 8 (unless you're patiently waiting at the dock). Perhaps another incentive to drop a few pounds?
Everyone has a dog. Everyone. And Wheatens are especially popular.
You really shouldn't run around the lakes at dusk, unless, of course, you require a run high in protein (made available by the bugs you inadvertently inhale or swallow).
Here in MN, Mother Nature is really on the ball. She literally flipped some sort of switch, and Fall was here. No joke. One day, it was sunny, beautiful weather (pretty sure it was a Thursday), and the next day (which would be Friday), there are yellow leaves littering the streets.
Driving on the small roads of SW Minneapolis, with their tiny intersections and mini stop lights, is not a good idea when you're left turn blinker is out. And, in the rain, it's a lot less fun to stick your arm out the window to signal (it's also scarier...you could lose a hand with how close you get to oncoming cars).
That's all for now. I'm sure there will be plenty more of to come...
There are more ice cream shops here than anyplace I've ever been. And DQ started here? Don't get me wrong, we all know I L-O-V-E ice cream, but ne'er do I crave the stuff when the temp falls below 70. A blessing in disguise, me thinks.
There are also more salons per capita of any other city I've been. Why is that when half the year women are covering their hair with hats because it's so damn cold?
At the change of a season, clothes go FAST. You practically have to be at the loading dock to get the size or color of the thing you need. On top of that, because the women in MN eat and drink beer, unlike women in, say, Scottsdale, it is nearly impossible to find anything over a size 8 (unless you're patiently waiting at the dock). Perhaps another incentive to drop a few pounds?
Everyone has a dog. Everyone. And Wheatens are especially popular.
You really shouldn't run around the lakes at dusk, unless, of course, you require a run high in protein (made available by the bugs you inadvertently inhale or swallow).
Here in MN, Mother Nature is really on the ball. She literally flipped some sort of switch, and Fall was here. No joke. One day, it was sunny, beautiful weather (pretty sure it was a Thursday), and the next day (which would be Friday), there are yellow leaves littering the streets.
Driving on the small roads of SW Minneapolis, with their tiny intersections and mini stop lights, is not a good idea when you're left turn blinker is out. And, in the rain, it's a lot less fun to stick your arm out the window to signal (it's also scarier...you could lose a hand with how close you get to oncoming cars).
That's all for now. I'm sure there will be plenty more of to come...
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Catching Up
NOTE: 99% of this was written at the end of July...
So...it's been awhile. Much has happened in the last few weeks. I shall debrief and then post pics later this week...
An amazing amount of work has been done to the house since I wrote last, thanks to los padres/Mom & Dad/Grandma and Grandpa. They arrived the evening of July 16 and spent most of their time here helping me get the house in order. We tackled unpacking the remaining boxes, painting the horrid, cranberry office, and just about everything in between. I don't think I can begin to count the number of hours we spent working, nor can I correctly add up the number of trips to Costco, Home Depot or Target. The end result is pretty darn amazing, and while there is much still to be done, I love that my family has put their blood (no, really), sweat, and love into making my new house a home. I can't begin to thank them enough.
There are many fun stories from our time together, and I will elaborate soon, but here are a few teasers:
So...it's been awhile. Much has happened in the last few weeks. I shall debrief and then post pics later this week...
An amazing amount of work has been done to the house since I wrote last, thanks to los padres/Mom & Dad/Grandma and Grandpa. They arrived the evening of July 16 and spent most of their time here helping me get the house in order. We tackled unpacking the remaining boxes, painting the horrid, cranberry office, and just about everything in between. I don't think I can begin to count the number of hours we spent working, nor can I correctly add up the number of trips to Costco, Home Depot or Target. The end result is pretty darn amazing, and while there is much still to be done, I love that my family has put their blood (no, really), sweat, and love into making my new house a home. I can't begin to thank them enough.
There are many fun stories from our time together, and I will elaborate soon, but here are a few teasers:
- Dad gave a precious little nickname to my basement, though I think this blog will be flagged should I write it out.
- Mom cleaned my entire basement from ceiling to floor and brought the laundry tub/sink back to life with merely a sponge, white vinegar and Lime Away.
- Dad and I cut up yards and yards of carpet and carpet pad, which, I am proud to say, will fully be disposed of by tomorrow morning.
- Dad and I spent an entire day painting my office. What was once the deepest, darkest cranberry color is now a lovely Silver Sage. It's a new room.
- Mom took on the yard and garden, watering, weeding, fertilizing, and planting a lovely window box outside the kitchen window.
- Dad introduced me to Famous Dave's pickles. Yum.
- The three of us were trapped in a Super Target when a tornado warning took affect. I suppose there are worse places to be stuck...
- We spent two very fun evenings with Linda Nucci - one grilling at the house, and the other eating a Nucci family specialty at Linda's - and playing fetch with the largest, most agile sheep dog ever, Puttney (sp?).
- Linda agreed to pick up my new work desk from Crate and Barrel and transport it home with the back door of her MDX half-open (thank goodness for good friends...especially friends with SUVs). Later that evening, dad and I struggled getting the desk into the office, and we all went to bed thinking we would either have to dismantle it completely and rebuild it in the office or wait for a miracle. The next morning, out miracle came. With clear heads, we carried the desk into the room with little effort.
- We skyped for the first time with the Smiths and B.D. Rileys. Noah, Nolan & Pen stole the show, while Nolan introduced us all to naked skyping.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Window Weather
My windows were open all day today. It was desperately needed considering my house still smells of varnish. Tomorrow isn't supposed to be as pleasant...in the low 80s, but with rain. There's a lot more rain here than I thought there would be. Better the rain than a higher water bill, I suppose.
So, I think I have mastered the art of recycling here in the Twin Cities. It's a rather complicated process with lots of dos, don'ts, separating, and bagging. While confusing and somewhat time consuming, I'm glad that I no longer have to transport my recycling to a different locale (thanks, Mom & Dad, for the use of your recycle bin over the last few years) just to be a greener citizen.
Speaking of recycling, I ran into my neighbors as I was putting out my recycle last night and received an update on my lawn care. It's $55/month to have my lawn mowed once a week...that's with my "Neighborhood Discount"...A.K.A. the "I only have to walk 10 ft to mow your lawn" discount. Whatever you call it, you have to call it a good deal. Best of all, I never have to worry about my lawn getting out of hand. Actually, the real "best of all" is that I don't have to do it myself. They have kept the service up even though I haven't seen them since I moved in, and I certainly haven't paid them yet (I will). They do snow removal in the winter, too. Hmmm, I wonder if they rake leaves in the fall...
So, I think I have mastered the art of recycling here in the Twin Cities. It's a rather complicated process with lots of dos, don'ts, separating, and bagging. While confusing and somewhat time consuming, I'm glad that I no longer have to transport my recycling to a different locale (thanks, Mom & Dad, for the use of your recycle bin over the last few years) just to be a greener citizen.
Speaking of recycling, I ran into my neighbors as I was putting out my recycle last night and received an update on my lawn care. It's $55/month to have my lawn mowed once a week...that's with my "Neighborhood Discount"...A.K.A. the "I only have to walk 10 ft to mow your lawn" discount. Whatever you call it, you have to call it a good deal. Best of all, I never have to worry about my lawn getting out of hand. Actually, the real "best of all" is that I don't have to do it myself. They have kept the service up even though I haven't seen them since I moved in, and I certainly haven't paid them yet (I will). They do snow removal in the winter, too. Hmmm, I wonder if they rake leaves in the fall...
Sunday, July 4, 2010
El Cuatro de Julio
The unpacking seems never ending, and I'm SO done with packing paper and cardboard cuts. Yet the show must go on. The kitchen is almost complete, and my bedroom is, too. Next comes the office. I still don't have office furniture, but I'm working on it!
I did take the evening off last night to celebrate our country's birth. God bless America AND Alexis and Patrick, who invited me to join them for dinner in Northeast MPLS. What better way to celebrate America by overeating and watching fireworks? It was a beautiful night for fireworks over the Mississippi...unfortunately, the mosquitoes were out in full force. I was lucky enough to avoid them, but Alexis drew them in, and within the 30 minutes we were out of the house, she racked up 19 bites. I'm convinced that any mosquitoes that were thinking about attacking me found her much more appetizing. Poor girl...
I hit the gym (Lifetime Fitness) for the first time in a long time this evening with my friend Cheri. We went to a great class called "Strike!", which is pretty much a cardio kickboxing class . It was tough, but it felt great! I will probably be joining this gym in the next couple weeks. I'm looking forward to getting into a routine.
Until then, here's to more unpacking!
I did take the evening off last night to celebrate our country's birth. God bless America AND Alexis and Patrick, who invited me to join them for dinner in Northeast MPLS. What better way to celebrate America by overeating and watching fireworks? It was a beautiful night for fireworks over the Mississippi...unfortunately, the mosquitoes were out in full force. I was lucky enough to avoid them, but Alexis drew them in, and within the 30 minutes we were out of the house, she racked up 19 bites. I'm convinced that any mosquitoes that were thinking about attacking me found her much more appetizing. Poor girl...
I hit the gym (Lifetime Fitness) for the first time in a long time this evening with my friend Cheri. We went to a great class called "Strike!", which is pretty much a cardio kickboxing class . It was tough, but it felt great! I will probably be joining this gym in the next couple weeks. I'm looking forward to getting into a routine.
Until then, here's to more unpacking!
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