Mes amis...it's been too long. I've not written for weeks and I've finally realized that it has taken it's mental tole on me. Yes, that's right, I've realized that writing is an outlet I NEED to pursue to keep my sanity.
So where should I start with the updates? While I'm sure that some of you have been cyberstalking me through Facebook...or my feed just comes up in your home page feed, much has happened.
Let's start with the fun stuff - DATING!
*insert crickets*
Okay, it hasn't been that bad but I've been pretty unmotivated to date much this summer. Really, where did I have the time though. Rowing (which I'll come back to) has taken more and more time and so has patio season so it just hasn't fit in...but I will fill you in on the Chicken Guy in my next post - he deserves his OWN posting.
I'm going to be moving on to some house repairs in a few weeks that will surely entertain. In the mean time, I'm not looking forward to doing it alone and have to admit that house stuff is the one thing that keeps me up at night AND makes me wish I wasn't single. But as a wise person (read: one date wonder) once told me, 'if it's worth having, it's worth taking care of' and they're right. I'm trying to stay in more and do just that - even if that starts with the basic of cleaning more.
Besides that, I'm also taking care of me bod more these days. Rowing is still ongoing and I'm thinking of making the jump to the master's program. That's 6 mornings a week at 5 am on the water for April-November. Oye. I'm thinking that I'll test my resilience to such a schedule by doing winter training with the master's this winter. That's again, early mornings at the uni although not 5 days a week. It'll cost me like $30 for the season because my gym membership is included as an employee benefit. Can I get a woot woot?!? Besides that, my Dr. gave me a stern look and scolding last time I was in to lose the twins (aka my buttocks). She then sent me to The Crazy Lady (aka my dietican) who cut me off of, of all things, BANANAS.
I nearly lost my shit in her office.
And the rationale? She wanted me to 'discover other fruit'. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!? I seriously had withdrawl every time I went into Farm Boy. But here's the kicker...I'm now eating cherries, plums, mangoes, oranges, grapes, and grapefruit regularly. *insert grumbling re. maybe she's right*
Anyhoot, there's been a slow weight loss but it's not really something I care all that much about, to be honest. I'm a healthy shape by not storing all my 'could stand to be lost' poundage near my organs and I'm active. The good thing about this is I'm eating even better which in turn will mean weight loss. Really though, it's making me appreciate home cooking and nutritious cooking. And eating out is taking on less of an appeal which means...you got it...more money on the house.
*le sigh*
Work...well...that's another blog post for another day.
Commuting to work? That's another RANT for another day.
Other ramblings...they're sure to come now that I'm back from my summer hiatus.
So, did you miss me?
Showing posts with label home renos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home renos. Show all posts
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Monday, November 30, 2009
There are few things
I'm not sure if I was never really one to get swept off my feet at grand gestures of presents or whatnot or if that's a new position since becoming an adult. Perhaps it's tied to the fact that we didn't have a lot of money growing up as kids and while I never really felt any hardship, I don't feel I missed out on anything because of some of the memories I have growing up. While money was tight, time spent as a family or with my brother wasn't and well, perhaps that's why I could care less what name my heel is walking over each day or the brand of car I drive (although don't get me started on Fords).
So when I do actually see something I like and want, I have very little impulse control not to buy it but I figure that as it happens less often than most, I can be forgiven.
When I moved into my house, my first Christmas was rounding the bend at this time of year. Amazing that I've been here now for almost two and a half years and amazing more than I've been here longer on my own (sans the med student) than I was with le ex. But I digress...it was at this time that the neighbour at the other 'corner' of our street put up star lights that hung as a curtain in their dining room window. Because they were on the corner where the two streets intersected, every time I went north on my street, I'd see the lights. I was enchanted.
I'm not sure what it is about stars and twinkle lights. I've wanted nothing more than to have twinkle lights in my back yard and then to see stars I could have in my house, well, I was sold. I remember begging le ex to try and find them, convinced they were an Ikea product, and to get them when we did one day stumble upon them. But he saw them as unsightly and expensive. I resigned myself to trying to think that they were tacky so I wouldn't want them as much.
Fast forward almost two years and not wanting to let the Ikea gods get the better of me, I was in the Toronto Ikea on a mission when I came across them once more. This time, without hesitation, I bought them. And as my street seems to be getting more and more like the Griswalds every year (WTF? Even *I*, lover of all things Christmas, have a limit and some neighbours reached it several strings of lights ago), I will turn on my simple lights and bask in the oddly greeny-cream glow.
So when I do actually see something I like and want, I have very little impulse control not to buy it but I figure that as it happens less often than most, I can be forgiven.
When I moved into my house, my first Christmas was rounding the bend at this time of year. Amazing that I've been here now for almost two and a half years and amazing more than I've been here longer on my own (sans the med student) than I was with le ex. But I digress...it was at this time that the neighbour at the other 'corner' of our street put up star lights that hung as a curtain in their dining room window. Because they were on the corner where the two streets intersected, every time I went north on my street, I'd see the lights. I was enchanted.
I'm not sure what it is about stars and twinkle lights. I've wanted nothing more than to have twinkle lights in my back yard and then to see stars I could have in my house, well, I was sold. I remember begging le ex to try and find them, convinced they were an Ikea product, and to get them when we did one day stumble upon them. But he saw them as unsightly and expensive. I resigned myself to trying to think that they were tacky so I wouldn't want them as much.
Fast forward almost two years and not wanting to let the Ikea gods get the better of me, I was in the Toronto Ikea on a mission when I came across them once more. This time, without hesitation, I bought them. And as my street seems to be getting more and more like the Griswalds every year (WTF? Even *I*, lover of all things Christmas, have a limit and some neighbours reached it several strings of lights ago), I will turn on my simple lights and bask in the oddly greeny-cream glow.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
The passing of time
I'm not sure what it is about the turning of the seasons in fall that really make me remark on the passing of time. Perhaps it's the beginning of the school year that my current job reminds me with a stiff smack in the face each year during frosh week 'Welcome Week' (because apparently parents freak out over their precious little ones being initiated into university life with drinking and drugs and sex and all that is wrong in the world - ugh hello, walk into any suburban highschool and you'll see 10 times worse, you just have to look!). Maybe it's the quickly approaching birthday of mine (35 days peeps - and might I also take this moment to tell you it's only 109 until Xmas). Perhaps it's the change in the season that is much more marked than spring to summer.
I dunno.
And maybe it's that I had coffee with Mexican Princess today after helping her adjust her chandelier where we reflected on the changes she and I have both seen in our lives and I know I've had probably the best two years of my life. But it really hit me today on the ball field as I played my last softball game of the season. Almost 60 games later and somehow, 4 months have passed. And while I'm excited to be moving on to something new and focus a lot of time and effort on it (rowing), where did time go? What did I do with it? What do I have to show for it? And will I make the most of the next 4 months before Xmas that always seem to pass in a flurry of activity between work and play?
I know...it's a little...deep...for hanging up my cleats and glove for the season but it just struck a chord with me today. And so I thought I'd share it with you and fill up the cosmic void with my moment of...
Hmmm...
I dunno.
And maybe it's that I had coffee with Mexican Princess today after helping her adjust her chandelier where we reflected on the changes she and I have both seen in our lives and I know I've had probably the best two years of my life. But it really hit me today on the ball field as I played my last softball game of the season. Almost 60 games later and somehow, 4 months have passed. And while I'm excited to be moving on to something new and focus a lot of time and effort on it (rowing), where did time go? What did I do with it? What do I have to show for it? And will I make the most of the next 4 months before Xmas that always seem to pass in a flurry of activity between work and play?
I know...it's a little...deep...for hanging up my cleats and glove for the season but it just struck a chord with me today. And so I thought I'd share it with you and fill up the cosmic void with my moment of...
Hmmm...
Friday, June 12, 2009
NY ladies to watch over me...
...and fill my head with half truths about dating.
Staycation is a wonderful thing. Unfortunately, I haven't been nearly as productive as I'd like to have been but well, to hell with it. Life is short and if the first two days I spent just puttering around and watching Sex and the City, then so be it. I'll be a painting queen all weekend so who cares.
One of the things that I did accomplish today was to finally get up a piece of artwork on my bedroom all that has been sitting beside my dresser for months. Yes, months.
If you've been to my house or you know me at all, you know I don't like...clutter. Not on my walls, not on my flat surfaces, nada no where. Except in my home office and well, that's just paperwork and laundry. And filing in my at work office. So it takes a lot for me to decide to put something up. And then, about a year ago, I was inspired in a home magazine for the perfect picture to go above my bed.
But it was $100. For a print. And not even a great one. So I said screw it. But the inspiration was still there.
Fast forward a half year and low and behold, I find another print, of similar composition for 1/4 the price. So I snapped it up. And as of tonight, lucky lady Audrey Hepburn will watch over me as I dream:
Ain't she a dish?
Staycation is a wonderful thing. Unfortunately, I haven't been nearly as productive as I'd like to have been but well, to hell with it. Life is short and if the first two days I spent just puttering around and watching Sex and the City, then so be it. I'll be a painting queen all weekend so who cares.
One of the things that I did accomplish today was to finally get up a piece of artwork on my bedroom all that has been sitting beside my dresser for months. Yes, months.
If you've been to my house or you know me at all, you know I don't like...clutter. Not on my walls, not on my flat surfaces, nada no where. Except in my home office and well, that's just paperwork and laundry. And filing in my at work office. So it takes a lot for me to decide to put something up. And then, about a year ago, I was inspired in a home magazine for the perfect picture to go above my bed.
But it was $100. For a print. And not even a great one. So I said screw it. But the inspiration was still there.
Fast forward a half year and low and behold, I find another print, of similar composition for 1/4 the price. So I snapped it up. And as of tonight, lucky lady Audrey Hepburn will watch over me as I dream:
Ain't she a dish?
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Well that's depressing
When I moved offices a few months back I kinda did a 'throw it in a box and figure it out later' move. Yesterday, I came across my blue cue card that has my emerg contact info on it and realized it still listed le ex.
So I went up to get a new one and put new info on it. My bro and all his details went on and then I thought I should have an in-city contact just in case.
And my mind went blank.
Sure, there's JJ, M, S or D&I, but really, it's not the fact that they are friends but it was the realization that I'm alone in this city.
Alone.
No mate.
No family.
Alone.
With two cats. Who will eat my face off when I die because I've choked on a jawbreaker in my house and no one has come to look for my dead body for a few days.
Alone.
Okay, maybe it's the fact that the roommate is leaving for the summer and while excited to have the house to myself again, I'm still kinda realizing I'm alone again and am now paranoid. Or maybe it's because I have procrastinated long enough on house things (painting, repairs, etc.) and am now freaking out re. having to do it all this summer alone. Or maybe it's Wednesday and rainy out and I'm just cranky.
Whatever the case, it's a lonely day in my office.
So I went up to get a new one and put new info on it. My bro and all his details went on and then I thought I should have an in-city contact just in case.
And my mind went blank.
Sure, there's JJ, M, S or D&I, but really, it's not the fact that they are friends but it was the realization that I'm alone in this city.
Alone.
No mate.
No family.
Alone.
With two cats. Who will eat my face off when I die because I've choked on a jawbreaker in my house and no one has come to look for my dead body for a few days.
Alone.
Okay, maybe it's the fact that the roommate is leaving for the summer and while excited to have the house to myself again, I'm still kinda realizing I'm alone again and am now paranoid. Or maybe it's because I have procrastinated long enough on house things (painting, repairs, etc.) and am now freaking out re. having to do it all this summer alone. Or maybe it's Wednesday and rainy out and I'm just cranky.
Whatever the case, it's a lonely day in my office.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Charming me? Charming YOU!
I was having a discussion with an acquaintance recently about how I, um, ahem, use my assets to get help at any hardware store. While it's not something I like to necessarily admit to doing - I prefer to just say that I always get help whenever I go into Home Depot and never have a problem finding someone - because well, it's using my sexuality a bit to get ahead in life, I can't seem to stop doing it. Come on, can you blame me? If you could go in to any Home Depot or Canadian Tire or Rona and have your own personal shopping assistant to answer your questions and take you from department to department to cross off the things on your list, tell me you'd give up that advantage based on your principles...
Yeah, I didn't think so.
So last night, I had to go to the AC counter at the airport to pick up my ticket to TO for Monday. I'm using up my voucher that I was given when I got bumped off the flight home from Calgary in November (read West Coast Story - Act III and IV for a recap). Because it's like cash, I had to turn it in to AC but no matter, the airport is conveniently close to home for me.
ANYWAYS, there was literally no one in line at either the baggage drop off, self-check in kiosks, nor the ticket purchase counter when I arrived. Except for one guy, about my age, talking to the two women at the double counter at the ticket purchase counter. He was smartly dressed - in a Gap commercial kinda way - and was charming the pants off the two women working behind the counter. They were falling all over themselves trying to help him with whatever problem he had. Why it took two of them to help him, I don't know and for what I can tell based on my interactions with them, Her Royal Flirtiness (ticket counter woman #1) was really just there for show and the Cougar (ticket counter woman #2) was the one doing all the work. When I started to get annoyed, I then remembered that well, I turn on the charm as well in certain cases to get what I want and for the first time, could appreciate what other HD customers must be thinking when they can't get a sales associate to help them and I have them at my beck and call when I go in.
I guess there's always two sides to every story, right?
Yeah, I didn't think so.
So last night, I had to go to the AC counter at the airport to pick up my ticket to TO for Monday. I'm using up my voucher that I was given when I got bumped off the flight home from Calgary in November (read West Coast Story - Act III and IV for a recap). Because it's like cash, I had to turn it in to AC but no matter, the airport is conveniently close to home for me.
ANYWAYS, there was literally no one in line at either the baggage drop off, self-check in kiosks, nor the ticket purchase counter when I arrived. Except for one guy, about my age, talking to the two women at the double counter at the ticket purchase counter. He was smartly dressed - in a Gap commercial kinda way - and was charming the pants off the two women working behind the counter. They were falling all over themselves trying to help him with whatever problem he had. Why it took two of them to help him, I don't know and for what I can tell based on my interactions with them, Her Royal Flirtiness (ticket counter woman #1) was really just there for show and the Cougar (ticket counter woman #2) was the one doing all the work. When I started to get annoyed, I then remembered that well, I turn on the charm as well in certain cases to get what I want and for the first time, could appreciate what other HD customers must be thinking when they can't get a sales associate to help them and I have them at my beck and call when I go in.
I guess there's always two sides to every story, right?
Monday, January 12, 2009
2009 is the year
A while back I pondered the things I should do before dying. What I was thinking of were the big things, you know, stuff that would be pricey to accomplish or require some kind of long term planning. But there are tons of things in my daily life that I should know how to do or wouldn't take much to learn with the right volunteer teachers (ahem).
So instead of doing a list of resolutions for 2009, I've come up with a list of goals. Easier to accomplish and if I get delayed in doing them, well, at least I've got 12 months to recover my dignity and tick them off the list. I'll update the list as I check things off or add things and if there are things you think I should know how to do/should accomplish because you either 1) can't believe I don't do that or 2) just think everyone should do it/experience it once, feel free to leave a comment. So here goes (in no particular order):
1) Learn how to change a light fixture, wall socket and light switch
2) learn to BBQ (this will start with learning to turn the BBQ on and hooking up the propane)
3) learn to kayak (I always said this was my sport of my 30's and well, I'm 20-10 now so no excuses!)
4) learn how to paint (like a room)
5) go for my first leg waxing (followed immediately by #22)
6) learn to drive standard
7) learn to put air in my car/bike tires
8) open a champagne bottle (I don't think I'll mind practicing this one!)
9) learn ambidextrous shoveling
10) learn to write and use a mouse with my left hand (I've started practicing fine motor control already with putting on my mascara with my left hand - you laugh, let's see you take your eyes in your hands and try it!)
11) learn to start a fire
12) learn to read a compass
13) learn to parallel park (again) and reverse into a spot (not that I can't do those, I just choose not to because I can't do it very well and I should be able to)
14) learn to change a tire
15) learn CPR and the Heimlich maneuver
16) learn to use my (new) digital camera (I have a lesson booked on February 7th to kick start this one)
17) learn to pump gas at an old school gas pump
18) try speed dating (this one is PURE entertainment value and sure to be an entertaining blog entry)
19) send a drink over to someone's table
20) find a new hobby
21) sing at a karakoe bar (oh yeah, there will be some serious practicing of #8 before this one happens)
22) learn how to make 10 popular mixed drinks
23) purchase a martini shaker and learn to use it
24) learn to sew (basic stuff - curtains, pillow cases, hem pants, etc.
25) try 12 new wines
26) stock my wine cabinet (12 bottles down, 36 to go!)
A lot of the things on this list are also found in a great book that Research Chick passed on to me before my big 20-10 about the 30 things everyone should know how to do before turning 30. Some were already on my list but some were also ones that I didn't even know I needed to know. Needless to say, thanks to her.
So, if there are any that you want to make it your personal mission for 2009 to teach me how to do or experience with me for the first time (I can just imagine the lineups starting for #8 and #21 together), sign up now. I'll take orders now through February when I get started on this list once I come back from my Mexicoma.
So instead of doing a list of resolutions for 2009, I've come up with a list of goals. Easier to accomplish and if I get delayed in doing them, well, at least I've got 12 months to recover my dignity and tick them off the list. I'll update the list as I check things off or add things and if there are things you think I should know how to do/should accomplish because you either 1) can't believe I don't do that or 2) just think everyone should do it/experience it once, feel free to leave a comment. So here goes (in no particular order):
1) Learn how to change a light fixture, wall socket and light switch
2) learn to BBQ (this will start with learning to turn the BBQ on and hooking up the propane)
3) learn to kayak (I always said this was my sport of my 30's and well, I'm 20-10 now so no excuses!)
4) learn how to paint (like a room)
5) go for my first leg waxing (followed immediately by #22)
6) learn to drive standard
7) learn to put air in my car/bike tires
8) open a champagne bottle (I don't think I'll mind practicing this one!)
9) learn ambidextrous shoveling
10) learn to write and use a mouse with my left hand (I've started practicing fine motor control already with putting on my mascara with my left hand - you laugh, let's see you take your eyes in your hands and try it!)
11) learn to start a fire
12) learn to read a compass
13) learn to parallel park (again) and reverse into a spot (not that I can't do those, I just choose not to because I can't do it very well and I should be able to)
14) learn to change a tire
15) learn CPR and the Heimlich maneuver
16) learn to use my (new) digital camera (I have a lesson booked on February 7th to kick start this one)
17) learn to pump gas at an old school gas pump
18) try speed dating (this one is PURE entertainment value and sure to be an entertaining blog entry)
19) send a drink over to someone's table
20) find a new hobby
21) sing at a karakoe bar (oh yeah, there will be some serious practicing of #8 before this one happens)
22) learn how to make 10 popular mixed drinks
23) purchase a martini shaker and learn to use it
24) learn to sew (basic stuff - curtains, pillow cases, hem pants, etc.
25) try 12 new wines
26) stock my wine cabinet (12 bottles down, 36 to go!)
A lot of the things on this list are also found in a great book that Research Chick passed on to me before my big 20-10 about the 30 things everyone should know how to do before turning 30. Some were already on my list but some were also ones that I didn't even know I needed to know. Needless to say, thanks to her.
So, if there are any that you want to make it your personal mission for 2009 to teach me how to do or experience with me for the first time (I can just imagine the lineups starting for #8 and #21 together), sign up now. I'll take orders now through February when I get started on this list once I come back from my Mexicoma.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
I'm in love
It's 2009 and there's no better way to start off a new year than realizing you're in love. After almost two years of him being right under my nose the whole time, I've finally come to appreciate him for what he is.
He has been there to comfort me by listening and never saying a judgmental or harsh word over everything that's "gone wrong" in my life over the past year and has been there to share in my triumphs when they've finally come. He's made me feel warm and secure and always at peace. Granted, he's made me mad and curse under my breath and wish we'd never crossed paths, but I've also worried about him being alone and self-destructing in some unimagineable way when I'm away from him. Gladly, he's always been there to welcome me back when I needed him. He's the first one I want to see when I get up and the last one I want to see before I go to sleep at night. I routinely count him in my things to be grateful for and consider myself lucky to have him in my life. And now that I've finally realized and accepted how I feel about him, I can reciprocate everything he's done for me with the love and attention he deserves and I can't wait to spend time with him and my family and friends over many a BBQ this summer (What? I'm excited I got a new BBQ for Christmas.) Oh, the good times that are ahead of us...
But coming back down off of cloud nine, it wasn't until I was in Home Depot today that I realized how I felt. I took a wrong turn on my way to buy myself a hack saw (because no self-respectin' lady shouldn't own a hack saw and yes, I know you're once again impressed with my DIY goddess knowledge) when I came across something that I knew would be perfect for him. It just screamed him and somehow screamed me too...like we're one - like we're meant to be together and while I know I shouldn't have, I spent the $23 and bought it and can't wait to give it to him.
I bought new silver, not gold, set of house numbers and a door knocker without my name and le ex's on it.
(Pssst...this is where you stop freaking out that there's some mystery man in my life that I've somehow neglected to tell you about and realize I'm in love with my house.)
He has been there to comfort me by listening and never saying a judgmental or harsh word over everything that's "gone wrong" in my life over the past year and has been there to share in my triumphs when they've finally come. He's made me feel warm and secure and always at peace. Granted, he's made me mad and curse under my breath and wish we'd never crossed paths, but I've also worried about him being alone and self-destructing in some unimagineable way when I'm away from him. Gladly, he's always been there to welcome me back when I needed him. He's the first one I want to see when I get up and the last one I want to see before I go to sleep at night. I routinely count him in my things to be grateful for and consider myself lucky to have him in my life. And now that I've finally realized and accepted how I feel about him, I can reciprocate everything he's done for me with the love and attention he deserves and I can't wait to spend time with him and my family and friends over many a BBQ this summer (What? I'm excited I got a new BBQ for Christmas.) Oh, the good times that are ahead of us...
But coming back down off of cloud nine, it wasn't until I was in Home Depot today that I realized how I felt. I took a wrong turn on my way to buy myself a hack saw (because no self-respectin' lady shouldn't own a hack saw and yes, I know you're once again impressed with my DIY goddess knowledge) when I came across something that I knew would be perfect for him. It just screamed him and somehow screamed me too...like we're one - like we're meant to be together and while I know I shouldn't have, I spent the $23 and bought it and can't wait to give it to him.
I bought new silver, not gold, set of house numbers and a door knocker without my name and le ex's on it.
(Pssst...this is where you stop freaking out that there's some mystery man in my life that I've somehow neglected to tell you about and realize I'm in love with my house.)
Monday, October 6, 2008
Lawn Care Tips
*cue music
Announcer: Lawn Care Tips brought to you by the makers of Brilliance and Glory, L's attempt at keeping it a secret that she's really a dummy in disguise.
Have you ever thought to yourself "meh, I'll mow the lawn later. Meh, I'll mow the lawn later. Nah, still don't feel like it...oh, paint is drying, isn't that interesting."?
Well, later finally came round to bite me in the ass this weekend. After my bro's much appreciated comments about the fact that I "need to do something about (my) backyard" the other weekend, I knew I'd need to venture out there to cover the AC for the year and the rose bushes, etc. So, I sectioned off a bunch of time on Saturday to tackle this job. However, it's been a month and a half since the backyard was touched (and did I mention that last time B mowed it as a thanks for letting her stay at my place so it wasn't even me). I have LOOKED at my backyard since and felt the glowing pride at the ginormous weed that was triple the height of my rose bushes - I know, pathetic that I'm feeling all warm and tingly over something that is INVADING my garden and not that I've planted there but if you knew my black thumb track record you'd be amazed anything grows.
Anyways, I realized this was going to be a multi-phase project because there were also now leaves from my tree that needed to be dealt with. In the course of the 3 hours I was in my 20' x 15' lawn trying to tame it, here are the B&G lawn care tips I learned:
1. Lawns were meant to be mowed at least once every 2 weeks at minimum - a key indicator that you've waited too long is that the grass stem can no longer stand up on its own and has fallen over on itself.
2. 7" high mushrooms dispersed amongst the "wilting but surprisingly healthy green coloured" grass does not you a mycologist make.
3. Once neighbourhood cat cannot make it to your rose bushes to shit due to large number of weeds and quicksand nature of excessively long grass, it will inevitably find a nice patch of grass to lie in for a nap and then shit in to remind you that the grass is too long and they would have preferred to smell your roses while shitting and not the 'shrooms.
4. Being "nice" and pawning off stale nuts from Christmas to the squirrels in the backyard (with the side intention of driving the cats on the other side of the patio doors nuts at their inability to get the squirrels who are inches away) can backfire when you discover shells 10 months later with bizarre slugs and earwigs hanging out in them. Be especially aware of creepy crawlies tendencies to get in things when putting said shells within inches of face to inspect that "funny shape".
5. Should lawn become too difficult to mow, fan rakes can have especially good abilities with "feathering" the grass to make it more push mower friendly (if done right). Think Saturday night hair teasing and you'll quickly find the groove for doing this.
6. When raking leaves, it is always best to start upwind from the tree as raking, raking and REraking the same spot 3 times will likely lead to urge to just see if the mushrooms are magical and can help make the whole lawn maintenance problem more bearable.
7. While all other attempts to grow plants will fail, remember that hostas are the ugliest and toughest plants around and will survive even the most horrific of abuses from owners - in fact, they will flourish under these conditions.
8. There is a reason that lawn bags have a "do not fill above this line" indicator. Failure to comply will ensure riping and a repeat of #6.
Hmmm...I think there's a reason I don't like maintaining a lawn. Too bad I can't get the neurotic med student interested in it. Hmmm...maybe if I parked her car in the back yard...
Announcer: Lawn Care Tips brought to you by the makers of Brilliance and Glory, L's attempt at keeping it a secret that she's really a dummy in disguise.
Have you ever thought to yourself "meh, I'll mow the lawn later. Meh, I'll mow the lawn later. Nah, still don't feel like it...oh, paint is drying, isn't that interesting."?
Well, later finally came round to bite me in the ass this weekend. After my bro's much appreciated comments about the fact that I "need to do something about (my) backyard" the other weekend, I knew I'd need to venture out there to cover the AC for the year and the rose bushes, etc. So, I sectioned off a bunch of time on Saturday to tackle this job. However, it's been a month and a half since the backyard was touched (and did I mention that last time B mowed it as a thanks for letting her stay at my place so it wasn't even me). I have LOOKED at my backyard since and felt the glowing pride at the ginormous weed that was triple the height of my rose bushes - I know, pathetic that I'm feeling all warm and tingly over something that is INVADING my garden and not that I've planted there but if you knew my black thumb track record you'd be amazed anything grows.
Anyways, I realized this was going to be a multi-phase project because there were also now leaves from my tree that needed to be dealt with. In the course of the 3 hours I was in my 20' x 15' lawn trying to tame it, here are the B&G lawn care tips I learned:
1. Lawns were meant to be mowed at least once every 2 weeks at minimum - a key indicator that you've waited too long is that the grass stem can no longer stand up on its own and has fallen over on itself.
2. 7" high mushrooms dispersed amongst the "wilting but surprisingly healthy green coloured" grass does not you a mycologist make.
3. Once neighbourhood cat cannot make it to your rose bushes to shit due to large number of weeds and quicksand nature of excessively long grass, it will inevitably find a nice patch of grass to lie in for a nap and then shit in to remind you that the grass is too long and they would have preferred to smell your roses while shitting and not the 'shrooms.
4. Being "nice" and pawning off stale nuts from Christmas to the squirrels in the backyard (with the side intention of driving the cats on the other side of the patio doors nuts at their inability to get the squirrels who are inches away) can backfire when you discover shells 10 months later with bizarre slugs and earwigs hanging out in them. Be especially aware of creepy crawlies tendencies to get in things when putting said shells within inches of face to inspect that "funny shape".
5. Should lawn become too difficult to mow, fan rakes can have especially good abilities with "feathering" the grass to make it more push mower friendly (if done right). Think Saturday night hair teasing and you'll quickly find the groove for doing this.
6. When raking leaves, it is always best to start upwind from the tree as raking, raking and REraking the same spot 3 times will likely lead to urge to just see if the mushrooms are magical and can help make the whole lawn maintenance problem more bearable.
7. While all other attempts to grow plants will fail, remember that hostas are the ugliest and toughest plants around and will survive even the most horrific of abuses from owners - in fact, they will flourish under these conditions.
8. There is a reason that lawn bags have a "do not fill above this line" indicator. Failure to comply will ensure riping and a repeat of #6.
Hmmm...I think there's a reason I don't like maintaining a lawn. Too bad I can't get the neurotic med student interested in it. Hmmm...maybe if I parked her car in the back yard...
Thursday, August 7, 2008
We all have our moments...
of brilliance and glory...and this is mine for this week.
I'm trying to get better at doing things around the house. I've had my blunders and my frantic/irritated/embarrassed/whiney phone calls to my brother/N when I couldn't figure something out over the last few months. But it's slowly getting better. I even ownpower tools a cordless drill power tools (I have a drill AND a sander).
I figured I'd pretty much had the whole drill thing figured out by now. I'd hung an accordian mirror in my bathroom, I'd drilled holes and taken out screws the previous owners had left in places (WTF?) and I'd even assembled a piece of Ikea furniture or two WITHOUT those hand-mutilating Allen keys they give you.
So, Saturday night I'm at home doing some drilling with my drill (yeah, I know...I'm at home on a Saturday night of a long weekend drilling and I wasn't even D&D - drinking and drilling). I get the pot lid rack taken down and hung up in the same cupboard as the pots (that's what happens when someone else drills before you unpack your kitchen on moving day) and was preparing to install a wire basket on rails into my lower cupboard to make my lazy life easier when reaching for the Saran Wrap or baggies or whatnot.
I start off figuring, "it's just pressboard, I can screw these screws in no problem" But I can't seem to get them very far in. At first I'm impressed at the durability of the pressboard, and then I figure "I'll show you pressboard, I'll drill holes and THEN screw in the screws". Can you hear the smug I'm-a-DIY-Goddess in my inside voice? So I get the right bit or whatever it's called into the drill and I'm drilling and drilling and drilling and I'm only getting in like a half centimeter. And then I kill my battery. So I figure, "well, it must have been the battery and that's why it wouldn't go in" so bring on a new battery! I put the other on the charger and get drilling. But still nothing.
Fuck this. I'm going to bed. I'm not even D&D on a Saturday night at home and I can't even get the second D right.
Sunday morning. I meet MH and R at Denny's for breakfast. R's going to fix my vents for me after we're done. On the car ride to my house, I'm telling MH about what happened. She chalks it up to a crappy drill and I'm thinking "yeah, that's right. It's a bad drill my brother picked out. Because I'm a DIY Goddess". When we get back to my house, R gets into my cupboard and takes a good look at my drill. He then says (through muffled chuckling)...
"Um, L, you had the drill in reverse"
I think these moments of brilliance and glory in my life will become a regular feature - of my life and my blog.
I'm trying to get better at doing things around the house. I've had my blunders and my frantic/irritated/embarrassed/whiney phone calls to my brother/N when I couldn't figure something out over the last few months. But it's slowly getting better. I even own
I figured I'd pretty much had the whole drill thing figured out by now. I'd hung an accordian mirror in my bathroom, I'd drilled holes and taken out screws the previous owners had left in places (WTF?) and I'd even assembled a piece of Ikea furniture or two WITHOUT those hand-mutilating Allen keys they give you.
So, Saturday night I'm at home doing some drilling with my drill (yeah, I know...I'm at home on a Saturday night of a long weekend drilling and I wasn't even D&D - drinking and drilling). I get the pot lid rack taken down and hung up in the same cupboard as the pots (that's what happens when someone else drills before you unpack your kitchen on moving day) and was preparing to install a wire basket on rails into my lower cupboard to make my lazy life easier when reaching for the Saran Wrap or baggies or whatnot.
I start off figuring, "it's just pressboard, I can screw these screws in no problem" But I can't seem to get them very far in. At first I'm impressed at the durability of the pressboard, and then I figure "I'll show you pressboard, I'll drill holes and THEN screw in the screws". Can you hear the smug I'm-a-DIY-Goddess in my inside voice? So I get the right bit or whatever it's called into the drill and I'm drilling and drilling and drilling and I'm only getting in like a half centimeter. And then I kill my battery. So I figure, "well, it must have been the battery and that's why it wouldn't go in" so bring on a new battery! I put the other on the charger and get drilling. But still nothing.
Fuck this. I'm going to bed. I'm not even D&D on a Saturday night at home and I can't even get the second D right.
Sunday morning. I meet MH and R at Denny's for breakfast. R's going to fix my vents for me after we're done. On the car ride to my house, I'm telling MH about what happened. She chalks it up to a crappy drill and I'm thinking "yeah, that's right. It's a bad drill my brother picked out. Because I'm a DIY Goddess". When we get back to my house, R gets into my cupboard and takes a good look at my drill. He then says (through muffled chuckling)...
"Um, L, you had the drill in reverse"
I think these moments of brilliance and glory in my life will become a regular feature - of my life and my blog.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Shoe Porn
First and foremost, I can't take credit for the lovely PG title of my first post. It's a N-coined term that I stole from her this morning after she sent me a link to yet another shoe site that she's in love with.
I have to say, I never thought I would be a shoe person. I mean, there were always the fundamentals there to make a shoe-a-holic, I had just never tapped into them before. I have historically started every day with thinking about what I have to do and subsequently what shoes I will wear to maximize comfort and appropriate style for the activities. For example, if it's a day of errands, it's flip flops all the way (don't tell my chiropodist). If it's a day of few meetings and mostly at my desk, heels work. If it's a day of running around on campus, flats are the way to go. Then I get dressed from the feet up. So really, N & JJ's attempts to convert me these last few months weren't necessarily all that difficult.
Now, realistically, I don't think I'll ever get to the point of JJ's obsession - who might I add has a whole closet in her...wait for it....KITCHEN (!) dedicated to her shoes. However, I may just make a special place for my growing collection when redesigning my closet.
I have to say, I never thought I would be a shoe person. I mean, there were always the fundamentals there to make a shoe-a-holic, I had just never tapped into them before. I have historically started every day with thinking about what I have to do and subsequently what shoes I will wear to maximize comfort and appropriate style for the activities. For example, if it's a day of errands, it's flip flops all the way (don't tell my chiropodist). If it's a day of few meetings and mostly at my desk, heels work. If it's a day of running around on campus, flats are the way to go. Then I get dressed from the feet up. So really, N & JJ's attempts to convert me these last few months weren't necessarily all that difficult.
Now, realistically, I don't think I'll ever get to the point of JJ's obsession - who might I add has a whole closet in her...wait for it....KITCHEN (!) dedicated to her shoes. However, I may just make a special place for my growing collection when redesigning my closet.
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