Three babies, Two weddings, and an Engagement

This last week and a half seems to sum up the goings on during my silence in posting. I just got back today from my holiday vacation. I started off in DC for a wedding of a dear friends Andrea and Chris. Chris is a part time musician with several bands and Andrea is part Bolivian part Irish so the two days of festivities were quite something. Had a wonderful time even though several Boston friends pulled out last minute in coming. I was bummed at first but as these things usually go, it worked out even better, and ended up making new friends (more on that later). Not great pics of course, but here's one with me and Andrea and Dawn.



Then it was a mini college reunion as I headed off to Annapolis area with Joanne to visit Emily who had just had a little adorable baby boy a month ago. I was amazed how normal she was. I think I’d be a complete mess: physically, mentally and emotionally. This was her second but I don’t know if that really means anything. I had to chuckle at one point where Joanne was a little confused how we knew so much about each other’s lives – it was all thanks to the blogging. Another reason to write about yourself!



I had a nice stay with Joanne and her husband Kevin. Kevin and I ended up hanging out on Monday while Joanne was at work which was another pleasant surprise. Of course I had naively scheduled the time to get some work done, but much rather preferred socializing. I was on vacation so no guilt (ok, there was some as I had just taken almost two weeks off being very ill with vertigo).



And then it was family time, my Dad and step-mum picked me up on their way down to Richmond where we got to visit with my step-sister Karin and her fiancé Adrian. It was a busy time of preparations. First it was preparing for the Thanksgiving/Wedding celebration for Thursday. My brother-in-law is Peruvian and the wedding was just close family. A small celebration with my step-mum officiating in the dining room. It was great having a chance to meet the Peruvian in-laws and I love the food! I really really need to learn Spanish now. And then a quick breather before preparing for the baby shower and mother blessing for Karin that was on Saturday in Staunton and Charlottesville. We got to stay at family friends while in Staunton. It’s a crazy house – very incongruous, at first glance, with the couple who owns it. It’s this old large house sitting up on a hill overlooking the rolling land of the Virginia hills. Unfortunately, since the last time I visited, the development has been encroaching on their peaceful homestead. This time we learned the house was originally three separate buildings (from the early 1800s maybe even late 1700s) that got connected over the years. And it’s filled with an eclectic array of decorations in the ornate, high-ceilinged rooms.



Lastly, but not leastly, as I was packing to come back home last night, I get a call from Cece. I got a little scared at first – she’s due on Wednesday and her voice was a little scratchy. But it was good news – two new baby girls happy and healthy, just a little anxious to join us in this world. So you know what I’m doing tonight after I drop my suitcase at home – hopping in the car to visit Cece and the girls. No red hair like my god son, but you never know, I’m still hopeful. Oh, and this morning when I got into work the big announcement was a colleague of mine had just gotten engaged over the weekend to her Swedish boyfriend. When it rains, it pours!

Police + Bump + Snow + Godlessness

As usual, I’m so far behind on my postings. The thing that trips me up is getting the pictures downloaded so I can upload them. I vow though that I won’t fall into my usual trap and think I need to do things in a certain order. So today I’ll just skip forward to what’s happened in the last few days.





1. Friday. I was rubbing my leg just now and am still amazed what I was able to accomplish on Friday. On my thigh is a big old bruise. For me, nothing new. I usually have one or two at any given time that mysteriously appear. I never usually remember what I bumped into to result in the ghastly black and blues. Except this time. And it was doing something good too! I was looking after my god son – our second babysitting gig. I ran into a corner and boy did it hurt. Even now, five days later, there is still a big old bump accompanying the bruise.





2. Sunday. Snow like you’d never believe. I posted it snowed last week, but not like on Sunday. It was big old plump flakes falling quite a bit and for at least four hours plus. I even captured them on my phone camera. Maybe, some day they will leave the phone and find their way to this post. I love snow. It even stuck to the ground and didn’t completely melt. Not enough to shovel though.





3. Tuesday. Yesterday, I was on my way home from work. I just got off the bus and was waiting to cross the busy street. In my town, cars are supposed to stop if a pedestrian is in the cross walk. Which they usually do, if they see you. It was dark nighttime. On my left the one car coming stopped. It was a police car and I waived thanks and proceeded to the middle of the road, looking right and realizing I’d have to wait until the swarm of cars just released from the light to pass. It was dark out and not likely they see me until after it was too late to stop. And then all of a sudden I see blue lights. The police car behind me had just turned them on to stop the traffic for me to cross. Wasn’t that sweet?





4. Today. I was on the subway this morning, doing some desperate knitting (I’m so behind on all the baby knitting I need to be doing, don’t get me started). I was people watching and noticed a strange billboard advertisement by the subway door. Usually it’s for something like a local University or visiting Bermuda or a local comedy club. This one though peaked my interest (is that the right spelling?). It was about God. Nothing new there as local churches will advertise frequently. Who knew there was a movement like this. Anyways, here’s my image for the day:

Snow this morning!

I woke up to a cast over day. Peering through the still green leaves on the trees I realize that what I thought was rain was really snow. It's snowing and leaves haven't even turned completely, let alone fallen off yet! In my mad dash out the door this morning, I spent a couple extra minutes to close the storm windows. If snow isn't a sign it's time, I don't know what would be. Of course, I'm still holding out on turning on the heat. Trying to get as close to Thanksgiving as possible. We'll see. Rumor has it, this winter will be one of the coldest on record.

Random update

Sadly, having internet at home doesn’t really translate to me using internet at home unless absolutely required. So, in the goal of trying to keep the post updated with the random day to day goings on, I revert back to the wonderful simplicity of lists.





1. New car, almost. I wasn’t going to post about this until the keys were in hand and the car was in the driveway, but technically I own a new car. It’s basically the one I posted previously, a used Infiniti G35. They’re finishing up a few things and I get to pick it up Tuesday, except I have plans Tuesday, so it will be Wednesday. Gotta love delayed gratification.



2. Test driving new car. When I was in signing off on all the paper work last week, I asked to test drive the car once more before I left. ‘ Of course’, they said, considering I own it now. I drove it around town briefly, giddy with my new set of wheels, but still guarding against possible heart break of it not working out in the end. Hopping back into my old reliable Saturn I was amazed at the stark contrast. Granted, the poor thing is run down and in need of some TLC and repairs, but it was night and day driving the two vehicles. Power steering really does make a difference, even with my amazing guns.



3. Saying good-bye to old car. This weekend I had earmarked for cleaning out the old Saturn, taking some final pictures for the family album and saying good-bye to a car that has treated me so well over the past decade and a half. This guy (gal? still unsure, it’s a bit of an androgynous vehicle) has traveled with me through so many chapters of my life, criss-crossed the country as my traveling partner, and was a low-key buddy not demanding a lot of attention (or money) over the years. I’ve probably spent more time with this car than with any other human (besides immediate family), if you think about all the hours we’ve spent together. Although I love how the new car handles, I can’t do the things I can do with my Saturn. I know exactly where the car ends and the rest of the world begins. I can squeeze through tight spaces, round corners with ease, accelerate knowingly. There is a familiarity with the car that is only developed with years behind the wheel and thousands of hours racked up. And yet, this weekend, I ignored the car. I was in denial and didn’t go near it. I ran my errands by foot (the car is truly in need of repairs, the muffler almost feel off, I think it has one trip left), cleaned the house, but did not clean the car and spend some special time in our remaining hours together. Guilt with a capital ‘G’ now.



4. Mafia. In other news, my most recent read is “Black Mass” by Dick Lehr and Gerard O’Neil about the relationship between Whitey and the FBI. For those of you not familiar with Whitey he was a local mob boss who owned South Boston. I guess I shouldn’t list this under the heading “mafia” as, it is the irish mob he governed. It’s been making my commute fly by recently.



5. More books. While running errands this weekend I stopped by my local used bookstore to find “Nine Stories” by Salinger. They had nothing by him but I still managed to walk away with a pile of books. Can’t wait to dig into “Radio On” by Sarah Vowell. I’ve been wanting to read her works. Thought I’d start with “Assassination Vacation” but this fell into my lap first.



6. Veggies. Still woefully behind in eating up my veggies from my CSA farm share (thank goodness I didn’t get the seafood share). But stumbled upon a good dish. Chopped cucumbers, feta, garbanzo beans and balsamic vinaigrette. I opened the can for dinner last night thinking they were white beans to mix with my black beans so had to figure out something to do with them. Happy accident.



7. Showers. Sunny days here but I feel like I’m up to my ears in baby’s again. I’m helping plan three showers and have 5 babies popping out in and around December. For that exact reason, I’ve now ripped out the sleeves to my current sunflower sweater yet again so that I can justifiably procrastinate. I really need to start knitting me some baby stuff. It will be crunch time in no time at all.



8. Organization. I took a page from my mom’s playbook and just attacked my clothes closet. I have shirts and stuff in drawers I keep forgetting about. I’ve gone through several rounds of thinning out the closet this year so I decided to hang everything I would wear outside the house (i.e. I have a lot of t-shirts used as pajamas and work out that don’t count). They are all nicely organized in the closet, with hangers facing backwards so I can start tracking the usage. It officially starts tomorrow – first day of fall. Still need to figure out what to do with the sweaters. Half of them I don’t really wear but they are home-made (by me) and I really can’t figure out how to part with them. But what to do. I’m trying to look at them with new eyes to figure out a solution, otherwise I’m just storing more yarn (in a different form).



9. Celebration Fridays. The last two Fridays I had a wonderful time hanging out with friends. Putting aside that Friday evenings are catching me at my most exhausted (long week), I had a wonderful time. Two weeks ago, the party was birthday in theme, but really a guise to meet the new guy in a friends life (I approve of the new match). The evening surprised me with wonderful live music and new friends (and a little crush, but someone younger, I’m starting to feel a little cougarish, but I guess that doesn’t count if there is only a year or two age difference). The party last week had a wonderful meal, great conversation, and catching up with friends I hadn’t seen in awhile. All in all, as I drove home that night (in a car that was about to fall apart), I appreciated the good life I have developed. The dating has been wearing me down, so needed to put life in perspective. Just the reminder I was needing.



10. Dating. And finally, the dating world is exhausting. I’ve been dating a bit via match.com. I actually have a nice network of friends who have advise from their days on match or who are currently enrolled. There is a whole other world of etiquette you have to consider. Lots of nice guys, but as one guy I met (via IM) early in the process said, it’s hard to find someone you share chemistry with. That’s for sure. It was wearing me down so I took a break, but need to get back into it all again. It’s all about the numbers (that’s my new mantra).

Travel and Knitting

I was booking some upcoming travel for work just now and was pleasently suprised so figured I'd share it with you. I'm traveling down to Atlanta for a new contract we got that I am heading up. There is a team kick-off meeting at the end of the month with a hotel picked out already. I figured it would be your normal decour of the stuffy Hilton type but found the interiors very different. Here's a picture of the lobby - nice and fresh and airy.




At first I didn't see the pictures for the rooms but than came across this one that made me have to post here. This is for a room that I'll most likely be getting. Do you see that behind the headboard? Yup, that's a full, wall size photo of knitting. Rather a knitted object. A bit strange if you ask me but hopefully I'll get used to it. it is just one night. I'm curious what larger than life photo I'll have in my room. I think I saw one of irises too.

Next car?

I’m leaning towards getting a new car this month. My Saturn and I have been through a lot over the years. It’s been just the two of us for over 12 years – a good run. And we’ve known each other since the beginning (it’s a ’94). I’ll hold off waxing poetic until it’s a done deal, but all this raises the question of what replaces such a great car. Here’s the criteria:





1. Reliable car for the next 12 years.


2. Relatively good mileage. I mainly have highway miles due to good public transportation, so not essential.


3. Handles REALLY well. I love driving. Driving for me is an experience, not a mode of getting from point A to point B.


4. Used car, but relatively new so I don’t have to deal with repairs for awhile.


5. Flexibility of use. Did I mention this is the car for the next 12 years. It should be able to handle career success and family success.


6. Not too flashy.






For me, the end goal is a Jaguar (preferable an XJS). This has been the goal since my teenage years and remains unchanged. I might be 90 before I finally get it, but one day.





Between now and then, I was thinking a BMW might be a good fit. Although I do remember my father (and the car talk guys) dissing BMW drivers. So I hunted and hunted and read and read and I found the perfect car for this next chapter in my life. At least on paper, I’ve yet to test drive the thing. It’s commonly referred to as the Japanese BMW. Here it is:



It’s the G35 from Infiniti. Not too flashy. I couldn’t afford it new, but used, maybe. And I want the first generation version. Sedan, preferably not AWD. I haven’t decided, whatever the car is, if I go the way of automatic or stick with a standard. I figured with the used market it’s better not to have too many absolutes. The best thing about it? The thing that makes the choice so obvious in retrospect? Math! I love math, numbers, and I haven’t done a thorough search but how many cars reference mathematical terms. It’s a perfect match!!!

Weavils? Carpet beatles? BUGS!

I can't quite get back into the rhythm of things yet. Vacation was great but I need another one to recoup. I barely made it to Saturday and just rested and knit all day. Didn't really do much of anything but didn't nap which was unexpected. Sunday I went over to a friends and helped remove wall paper for a new nursery. We got one wall done. There are four walls. But I won't go into her problems this post is about mine. So here's the low down:



1. Got back Sunday night (a week ago) and went to work every day but was tired and a bit jet lagged (maybe - not ever sure what jet lag feels like versus just being tired from seeing sites). I'm still not sure what I did last week at work - a bit of a fog.



2. Somehow ended up with a week filled with three doctor visits which ate into my work week.

a. My dermatology appointment I was running late and then found out I couldn't see the doctor for the mole removal since my company just switched insurance and now I'm on an HMO which means I need to get a new referral even though one is on file. Frustrating and a waste of time. Not dealing with that one for awhile.



b. Vet visit for Winston - not his favorite thing. See previous posting. It's only gotten worse each time. Now I know to split them up and not try to bring both cats in at the same time. At least his bowels were in good shape although he's scheduled for some dental work this week.



c. Speaking of dental, I got squeezed in by my dentist to look at my recent filling that was starting to cause some serious pain. The word root canal was thrown about some but the visit readjusted my bite and I might be ok. Fingers crossed.



3. Another vet visit Saturday for Walter which warrants his own number in the list of misery. He's a great guy going to the vet and is the opposite of his brother. He snuggled in my arms the whole visit and was scared but good. Near the end I noticed as the vet was lifting him to put him on the scale something on his inner thigh. We investigate and he's chewed off all his fur and there's this massive rash. She thinks it's allergies which she was already diagnosing moments earlier from his throwing up and poop issues (which he's had his whole life, but the poops got worse while I was gone). In the end I left with steroids and the special hyper-allergen cat food for him to try out - he's a picky eater and feeling like a terrible parent for not noticing the whole week I was back. But we were snuggling mostly – not grooming. Next time I’ll know to do a quick inspection upon my return. But the fact that he’s been allergic to his food his whole time is also not great. The doctor said it can get worse as time goes along. Of course the food isn’t cheap. But he doesn’t eat much, just need to keep in away from his brother. Which brings me to the second to last point…



4. This morning I bring a bowl of the new dry cat food upstairs to the loft for Walter to eat and go to remove the old food that’s giving him allergies. I immediately notice a place where it looks like he threw up but has all these “things” around it. Upon closer investigation, they are skins of small worms. No worms though. But a lot – like 30 or so. I start to clean up and go to get his food and notice more and they’re moving. Mostly next to the food not in it. And there Walter was so happy I was visiting the loft and completely oblivious to the infestation. Just rolling around. Hopefully he hasn’t been eating them. I just did some googling but don’t know what I’m looking for and didn’t spend too much time studying them this morning. I'm putting my money on carpet beatles. Of course it’s 90s and humid this week so will love spending my evening cleaning. I think I’ll need to go through everything up there to make sure I get rid of them all. I remember seeing one of the skins months ago over by the bed, so think they aren’t associated with the food – just finally discovered it. Right now it looks like I’ll do a thorough cleaning including renting a steam cleaner and I’m inclined to replace the mattress up there. It’s up off the floor, but still.



5. And finally, on my drive out to my friends yesterday, everybody and their neighbor could hear me coming. My poor car is in need of a serious muffler change and the brakes were soft and the driving was wobbly. It is an old car – 13 years, and I’ve been thinking the time will come to say good-bye.



Man, when it rains it pours. All these things have serious cha ching implications and I don’t like heat. So here I am at work, trying to get ready for a big meeting tomorrow, seriously behind because of the jet lag last week, thinking about the bugs at home eating my house, while trying to figure out exactly how much money I have for cat dental work and an allergic cat (it seems like that should be an oxymoron) as well as a new-used car. At least work has AC so I’m not suffering yet from the weather and I like my current knitting project. It’s Rossan by Debbie Bliss, knit up in sunflower yellow yarn (forgot the name so will have to add it later). Of course I really should be casting on for the four babies due this year.




P.S. I was going to get some pictures to post but realized they would just be of bugs and Walter’s rash so have an excuse this time for a picture free post.