August 27, 2006
Tipsy...
This has been a wonderful weekend. Friday night started out a little disappointing. I wanted Megan to Nap so I told her no nap no Little Gym (parent Survival NIght from 6:30 to 10), well she didn't nap which meant Jack and I had to cancel our plans. No worries we had a lovely dinner cooked by Jack and watch sci-fi friday with Eric.
Saturday Megan, Jack and I got up pretty early. They headed out for Bagels while I busied myself around the house, then we loaded up the car and went into SF for the Renaissance Faire which Megan loved. We bought her a princess dress upon entering so she fit the part, and we even had her hair braided (pictures to follow i'm sure). The only negative was the food. We arrived at lunch and the lines for all the food booths all in one spot were way to long, so we wondered and while Megan was having her hair braided I went back and stood in line for 20 minutes for some pretty bad food even for a fair. But the Jousting was very cool, and Megan got to do some embroidery with some ladies in a crafts tent.
We headed out around 3 and goto Pam and Yvonne's around 4 where we DROPPED MEGAN OFF! for those of you with family close enough to babysit for you you can not guess the pleasure at doing this for fun. Megan stayed there once before when I had my tonsils out and so while it was nice that she stayed there, we didn't get any fun benefits from it.
Jack and I went home, got dressed up and headed over to Palo Alto with little plans but with the idea of a good dinner and maybe a show. We found a wonderful German restaurant. The food was scrumptious and the beers were lovely. Definitely on our list to take guest to.
After we wondered down to The Aquarius to see Little Miss Sunshine a truly wonderful film - go see this picture.
Then this morning we awoke and headed to napa where Jack and I took the Napa Valley Wine Train Vista Dome Lunch and had a superb time. The food was delicious, not reheated but freshly prepared and yummy, the wines were great, and the scenery was beautiful. After our first 3 courses we headed down to the end of the train and rode in the back on the deck - like politicians of old - waving at the passerby's, before heading back up for coffee and desert. THANK YOU CASA DE NEWF CHRISTMAS 2004!
We managed to make great time afterward getting back to Oakland where we picked up one very tired Megan (who slept very little because she and Josephine wanted to keep playing) and we stopped by the pool for a quick dip before heading home. Megan was in bed by 8 and Jack and I headed in by 10 (though i'm still awake and blogging)
The icing on the cake is I got 2 more sponsors today which brings my total raised for the swim a thon to $308!. Keep those donations coming - its a great cause!
August 23, 2006
Swim -a-thon update
So far I've raised 193.00 not the 250 I was hoping for.... if you haven't yet - there's still time
go to Woman's Cancer Resource Center's Swim pledge site with your credit cards ready and pledge some dough - you'll be doing the easy part - I'm the one who has to swim a mile :)
August 17, 2006
They got my blood!
I donated blood today for the first time in over a year. I tried back in December but was anemic. Since starting meat that hasn't been an issue. It felt good to be able to do it. But my arm does throb and i'm feeling exhausted.
Megan spent the afternoon in Gymnastics camp. This week was hero week and she got to meet a police officer and his k-9 partner. She was very excited about it, by the time she got home. Jack asked at dinner if we had had time to swim today and Megan replied - no I'm to tired to swim. Very cute - but it means early to bed for us both.
Full day of play
Wednesday Megan and really had a full day together. First we headed down to the The Container Store for really my entertainment. We got a new shampoo holder for Megan's bathroom, along with some under the bed storage boxes, and some neat little gadgets.
We then headed over to Children's Discovery Museum and had a blast playing in all the rooms. My only complaint was that the woman who did story time was quiet and timid and didn't hold any of the kids attention for very long. After lunch at the cafe we played some more in the bubble room and the water room, before heading out and back north. Passing Thorton Ave I saw that the temp was 76 thanks to the Chevy dealerships sign so we headed over to the pool for a swim. It was a bit cooler than 76 by the time we finished swimming an hour or so later.
Once home, Jack made us a lovely dinner, and then Megan and Jack went on a bike ride while I relaxed. Both of us slept well last night - though I did stay up way to late playing Lemmings on the PSP.
August 16, 2006
THE FIXER
While dad was here he fixed a few problems. The most incredible was that our sticky garage door (from kitchen to garage) was fixed with 2 toothpicks inserted behind the upper hinge. NOw it not only closes smoothly but damn if the lock does lock. I'd never thought it fixable - and just chalked it up to the house settling. He also shaved a hairs breath of wood from behind the hinge in the bathroom and now it shuts too.
Plumbers putty applied to the back of the new wall plate in the shower (behind the on/off handle) keeps it attached to the wall (though I did have to remove a smidge after he left so that we could turn the water off).
He also instructed me on the art of replacing washers and now the hose in the back no longer leaks. The hose up front doesn't leak on the hose ends but does in the valve so I think when I have a plumber come out and replace the sink assembly in the garage I'll have them fix that too.
Its always great to have the fixer come visit. If he's coming to see you - have a list ready :)
August 15, 2006
in today's mail box
"The buzz word in today's business world is MARKETING.
However, most people often ask for a simple explanation of "Marketing."
Here it is:
You're a woman and you see a handsome guy at a party. You go up to him and say, "I'm fantastic in bed," That's Marketing.
You're at a party with a bunch of friends and see a handsome guy. One of your friends goes up to him and pointing at you says, "She's fantastic in bed," That's Advertising.
You see a handsome guy at a party. You go up to him and get his telephone number. The next day you call and say,"Hi, I'm fantastic in bed," That's Telemarketing.
You see a guy at a party, you straighten your dress. You walk up to him and pour him a drink. You say, “May I," and reach up to straighten his tie brushing your breast lightly against his arm, and then say, "By the way, I'm fantastic in bed," That's Public Relations.
You're at a party and see a handsome guy. He walks up to you and says, “I hear you're fantastic in bed," That's Brand Recognition.
You're at a party and see a handsome guy. You talk him into going home with your friend. That's a Sales Rep.
Your friend can't satisfy him so he calls you. That's Tech Support.
You're on your way to a party when you realize that there could be handsome men in all these houses you're passing. So you climb onto the roof of one situated toward the center and shout at the top of your lungs, "I'm fantastic in bed!" That's Junk Mail."
Visit with Dad
My dad just left after a really lovely visit. It along with my lap top being in the shop is why I haven't been blogging much - except to ask for donations for the swim a thon
While Dad and Mumsie were here we went down to Monterey and visited the aquarium. Then we did the 17 mile drive along the pebble beach. We did a driving tour of San Francisco, including a drive across the golden gate and up-to the Marin Headlends. We enjoyed some really great food and on Friday we got the sitter and took them to our new favorite haunt Nola's
The visit gave me a chance to get to know Pat, who I had never had the chance to really talk with, and to see my dad so happy. A state I haven't seen him in, in a really really long time. He's a giddy school boy and that is just wonderful.
After they left on Saturday, we took it really easy including some time at the pool. We introduced Megan to my favorite movie The Princess Bride and Sunday Megan and I went to the farmers market and the pool before Josephine came over to play with the sitter and while we went out with Pam and Yvonne for some pub time.
My lap top which I dropped off at the apple store last monday, was back by Thursday morning. It had a new motherboard installed and a whole new bottom. Thank goodness I bought that extended warranty.
August 13, 2006
1 mile swim
I'm going to swim a mile on October 7th for the Woman's Cancer Resource Center and I'm going to do it in honor and memory of my mom and Jack's mom. Swimming a mile is the least I could do for 2 such wonderful woman.
So I need donations :) my nickname is Lori
Please give if you can and I'll swim my best. My goal is to raise at least the $250. that the WCRC has asked of me. With any luck (and a lot of support) I'll raise even more) Course I'm sure Jack will be registering shortly and then you'll have to support too.
August 07, 2006
hot apple
my laptop has started overheating - probably full of dog hair. Thankfully its under warranty so Megan and I are heading to the genius bar at our local apple store. Probably means i'll be with out a laptop for a week. So if I disappear you know what happened.
August 04, 2006
Beef its whats for dinner....
When I gave up being a vegetarian, I swore I would only eat chicken. Then last thanksgiving I added Turkey. a little over a month ago I took a cooking class and they cooked and served pork and lamb. both were delicious. recently i've added in beef. In South Carolina I had ribs for the first time, then last night I grilled a steak for the first time in 14 years. It was incredible. I put the left overs in the fridge and then spent the night dreaming about them. Can you guess what I had for breakfast?
The funny thing is the last few times I tried to donate blood I was turned away for being slightly anemic. Since I started with the beef, i've felt my energy level rise. I'm guessing I was lacking the iron. I due to donate blood in a week, i'll report back if they turn me away.
August 03, 2006
Really i'm OK...
Contrary to rumor I'm ok. Jack's ok too and so is Oso. However it turns out one of us calls people in our sleep. Well we called my sister Robin that is. I'd left the phone in the bed and one of us found it in the night. We woke her up at 1 our time and through out the morning I was sought after by several family members she'd alerted. It wasn't until I was on the road on my way to Ikea when my brother David got ahold of me and was able to tell me what had happened.
When I got home I found the phone still in bed, still on, though the battery was fading fast. I called Robin and assured her we were fine - and apologized for waking her up though we slept through the whole thing.
Don't worry - the phone is not in bed. Its on the charger - well at least that one is :)
August 01, 2006
inflation
just opened next to our favorite breakfast place is a store called....
"a dollar and a quarter" - everything is 1.25! same crap but now for more.