New Toys

Right on schedule - I’m getting my one post in for the month. Life has been busy. Popped down to DC for work and squeezed in a visit with Joanne and her family. Made it up to VT for father’s day and some strawberry picking and canoeing. Unfortunately my first batch of jam didn’t set properly. Still good in yogurt. We’re just coming off of an official heat wave - three days with over 90 degree weather. And humidity is in the mix making it quite a challenge. However, I’ve held off putting in the AC. I’m not a huge fan and since I’m at work most of the day, fans and low activity do the trick. However, with the onslaught of the heat arriving, I was getting in some cleaning. The boys haven’t been doing so well so several sick cats mean lots of cleaning and some strange smells going on - worse than usual. Even after the cleaning, there was still a lingering smell - realized it was the carpets so I finally pulled the trigger on getting a small steam cleaner. We’ve been flirting since I saw this guy at Christmas. He’s small, green and under $100. He arrives on Wednesday! I’ve been reading a bunch about the Irish famine, so think I’ll name him Paddy. Haven’t figured out where to keep him yet.

So that’s toy #1 I get to play with next week. Not really too much of a toy, but something that’s been on my list for years. Toy #2 I got this week from work - an iPad. I’ve got it set up and running and was using it for the first time on my commute yesterday. It’s a bit like when I got the iPhone for the first time - a little anticlimactic. Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited to have it, but all the cool stuff has limitations. However, I just downloaded a blogging app, so if I’m inclined, I may post more. Still figuring what works out best for me. And being price conscious I’ve been limiting the apps I download to free (or reimbursed by work), except for three exceptions.

First is the Catch the Bus app. I had it on my iPhone and it was the biggest thing I missed when I switched back to a blackberry. It gives me real time for the buses I take. Think it will translate well to the iPad.

Second is the Star Walk app. A colleague had this on their iPhone and used it when we were in Costa Rica for a project. It was soo cool - identifying the stars you see in the sky - especially when it was a different sky you were under. Although I probably won’t be outside at night with the iPad often, for those winter months on my way home, I think it’s work the price.

And finally, I got the Stylebook app. I’ve been struggling with how to make getting dressed easier for work. Sounds strange doesn’t it. Here’s the deal. Some days, I come up with great outfits that I love. Other mornings, I stare in the closet and can’t figure out what a good outfit is. Or end up at work with something that’s not all put together. I’ve been trying to make things simpler, and short of overhauling my wardrobe to one style of outfit, I’ve been thinking of taking photos and making a matrix of good outfits I can reference. This has been on the books for months (really years, but just got the new camera at Christmas). And then with the iPad, I thought, I bet there is an app for this. And low and behold I think this will work. So am off to catalog and track outfits this weekend. Wish me well.

Any cool apps (preferably free/low cost) that you recommend for the iPad?