The day has finally arrived when I need to get serious about All of It--finding a job, bailing clutter out of the house, preparing for winter, refinancing our mortgage and planning our retirement, losing weight, getting fit, designing a new bathroom, and, and, and.
Sounds like a lot, really. But, I'm all in.
Monday, September 09, 2013
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
venice (sigh)
When I made this picture my FB cover, one of my best friends commented "quintessential shot." And, she wasn't wrong. Now home and suffering 90+ degree summer days, the Grand Canal almost looks inviting.
Venice was a treat. In May I graduated from the University of Minnesota's College of Design with a B.S. in Interior Design. Since I didn't have a job lined up post graduation, and felt like I needed to mark the accomplishment, a decadent trip (just husband, no children) seemed in order. For a second consecutive year, my mother-in-law taught art history in Venice for Pratt's summer program and had an extra bedroom in her San Polo flat. It seemed foolish not to take her up on the offer.
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| The coolest photo of Venice [source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Venice_floating_city_satellite_view_2008.jpg] |
Despite being such an odd place, comprised of over 100 small islands, Venice exceeded expectations on many counts. Some of the highlights of our trip included fish/seafood, calle (streets) and rio (small canals), the Biennale, Aperol spritzes, vaporetto, architecture, the Grand Canal, and more.
Stay tuned.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
first day of summer vacation
The 2013 version of the First Day of Summer Vacation looks suspiciously similar to last year's edition, which is crazy. It's not as if I have been checking in here or anything. And, my memory is fading with old age. Of course, there are a few deviations from last year, but the similarities are striking: special breakfast, late start to the summer homeschooling [denial is a difficult habit to break], and dinner. A year ago, we had the EXACT SAME thing for dinner--this amazing salmon salad. So, that settles it. The salad must become a first day of summer tradition. Here's what else was shaking:
7:00. Alarm sounded. I intended to snooze but couldn't fall back to sleep
7:20. Hauled myself out of bed and headed for the den where I tweaked my standard cover letter and applied for a job. Already, the day has been productive.
8:20. Woke up rest of family, who were on their feet within 30 minutes.
9:00. Supervised Winston, who made French toast for himself and for Simon.
9:45. Husband, who is working at home while office is being renovated, conducts Come-to-Jesus meeting with kids to let them know how serious the summer homeschool is. Sigh.
10:00. 30 minutes of math. An algebra review for Simon, stack arithmetic for Winston.
10:45. 30 minutes of power reading: Cooked for me, a Dr. Who book featuring the 11th Dr. for Simon, and Zom-B for Winston. I hope the latter doesn't give Youngest Son nightmares.
11:30. 30 minutes of writing. Simon is writing a story. Winston is describing the ingredients and process of making French toast.I read. Though I regret not writing.
12:00. Lovely lunch. Winston made box mac and cheese for himself and Simon. As last year, I vowed to have better materials for healthy lunches. At least for the first week.
1:00. Target and library run. The less said the better.
4:25. Unpack groceries. Catch up on email and other messages.
5:30. Accept a cocktail even though I am trying to curtail weekend drinking. Hard to refuse the G&T fairy.
5:35. Make the DALS salmon salad, which comes together quickly since the salmon had been grilled the previous evening and most of the veg cook in the same pot of salty water. Was as delicious as I remembered. We will be making sooner than June 2014.
7:00. First Hamilton boy dropped off. We granted the boys an overnight with their buddies. Is summer over yet? JK!
10:00. Kicked boys out of den so husband and I might watch John Oliver hosting Jon Stewart.
11:00. Gave boys a warming about getting sleep. Now.
12:00. Want to sleep myslef.
7:00. Alarm sounded. I intended to snooze but couldn't fall back to sleep
7:20. Hauled myself out of bed and headed for the den where I tweaked my standard cover letter and applied for a job. Already, the day has been productive.
8:20. Woke up rest of family, who were on their feet within 30 minutes.
9:00. Supervised Winston, who made French toast for himself and for Simon.
9:45. Husband, who is working at home while office is being renovated, conducts Come-to-Jesus meeting with kids to let them know how serious the summer homeschool is. Sigh.
10:00. 30 minutes of math. An algebra review for Simon, stack arithmetic for Winston.
10:45. 30 minutes of power reading: Cooked for me, a Dr. Who book featuring the 11th Dr. for Simon, and Zom-B for Winston. I hope the latter doesn't give Youngest Son nightmares.
11:30. 30 minutes of writing. Simon is writing a story. Winston is describing the ingredients and process of making French toast.I read. Though I regret not writing.
12:00. Lovely lunch. Winston made box mac and cheese for himself and Simon. As last year, I vowed to have better materials for healthy lunches. At least for the first week.
1:00. Target and library run. The less said the better.
4:25. Unpack groceries. Catch up on email and other messages.
5:30. Accept a cocktail even though I am trying to curtail weekend drinking. Hard to refuse the G&T fairy.
5:35. Make the DALS salmon salad, which comes together quickly since the salmon had been grilled the previous evening and most of the veg cook in the same pot of salty water. Was as delicious as I remembered. We will be making sooner than June 2014.
7:00. First Hamilton boy dropped off. We granted the boys an overnight with their buddies. Is summer over yet? JK!
10:00. Kicked boys out of den so husband and I might watch John Oliver hosting Jon Stewart.
11:00. Gave boys a warming about getting sleep. Now.
12:00. Want to sleep myslef.
Friday, February 01, 2013
bitterly cold.
Trying to think warm thoughts today. In case the visual isn't clear enough, it reads (negative) 12 degrees F but feels like (negative) 24 degrees F. Dangerous cold.
Trying to think warm. Can you feel it?
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Movies of 2012
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Hangover 2
Art and Copy
Puss in Boots
The Other Woman
Super 8
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
The Descendents
Walking Dead, season 1
2012
Troll Hunter
John Carter of Mars
Cave of Forgotten Dreams
The Avengers
Men in Black 3
Downton Abbey (season 1)
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Eames: The Architect & the Painter
Kings of Pastry
I Don't Know How She Does It
MIB3
Hugo
21 Jump Street
Tower Heist
Weeds (season 7)
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Madagascar 3
Mountain of Storms
Brave
180 Degrees South
Safe House
Journey 2
Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
Argo
Wreck It Ralph
Battleship
Skyfall
New Year's Eve
Groundhog Day
The Hobbit
Moonrise Kingdom
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Hangover 2
Art and Copy
Puss in Boots
The Other Woman
Super 8
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
The Descendents
Walking Dead, season 1
2012
Troll Hunter
John Carter of Mars
Cave of Forgotten Dreams
The Avengers
Men in Black 3
Downton Abbey (season 1)
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Eames: The Architect & the Painter
Kings of Pastry
I Don't Know How She Does It
MIB3
Hugo
21 Jump Street
Tower Heist
Weeds (season 7)
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Madagascar 3
Mountain of Storms
Brave
180 Degrees South
Safe House
Journey 2
Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
Argo
Wreck It Ralph
Battleship
Skyfall
New Year's Eve
Groundhog Day
The Hobbit
Moonrise Kingdom
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