What an exciting couple of days it's been on the house front! Yesterday we signed the application and wrote out yet another check to submit our house plans for permitting. Because we submitted quickly to beat changes to the UBC on January 1 that would do nothing but cost us money, we'll no doubt have a rather extensive plan check process, but that's okay. At least we're in the pipeline (along with a lot of other people who are also beating the changes). We've got plenty of other things to do during the next month before we start asking the building department what's happened with our plans.
Today Santa Claus arrived in the form of our purchases made at Antiques Warehouse in Santa Fe earlier this month. The driver was a truly delightful character, something of a New Mexico cowboy. We liked him so much we'd buy more stuff from Antiques Warehouse just to visit with him again. He's one of those people you encounter now and again who obviously has lived a very different life and you just want to get to know him better to learn what he's all about. I wish this guy could have stayed for lunch, to tell you the truth. I particularly admired his hat band. Turned out to have been braided of horsehair by a friend of his, a Native American, who is serving life without parole for a drunken murder. See what I mean?
Santa brought an antique cattle yoke with 4 hand-wrought iron coat hooks attached that will go in our mud room. The second piece is a small antique Mexican pantry door (and I do mean small, maybe 20" square) that will be used as a truth window in a straw bale wall, probably in the library since there's a little red paint on it and the library and its bathroom are kind of red in theme. Third is an antique Mexican chest that will be the vanity in the library bathroom. Very simple, but with tons of character. The cream of the crop is 2 pairs of Mexican mesquite doors. These old doors were made in pairs, each panel about 18" wide, to be used as French doors. We'll probably attach them, hang them on barn door hardware, and use them between the master bedroom and its bath and walk-in closet. At least that's the current plan.
Maybe tomorrow I'll tell you about the garage and the storage locker. Not such an exciting tale, but an important chapter of the story nonetheless.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Sunday, December 23, 2007
A New Year A Little Early
We're 9 days short of 2008, but it's time to fulfill one resolution: to revive my blog. To follow up from my last post, the entire last AI season turned out to be a snore. But life goes on. 2008 will be a Big Year for us. We will be building our straw-bale, passive-solar house. In fact, in just 5 days the plans will be submitted for permitting. We've all been working very hard on the plans for many months: me and the architect, Randy when he's been in the country, the builder, the engineer, the draftspeople, and who knows who all else. Building a house truly is a team sport.
So, there will be lots more to come. Just today it's been a very quiet day as I'm whittling away at the pile of paper on my work table. Catching up on email. That sort of thing. Our usual Sunday breakfast with friends at a local coffee shop. Change the sheets and do some laundry. An afternoon break at Starbuck's.
So, there will be lots more to come. Just today it's been a very quiet day as I'm whittling away at the pile of paper on my work table. Catching up on email. That sort of thing. Our usual Sunday breakfast with friends at a local coffee shop. Change the sheets and do some laundry. An afternoon break at Starbuck's.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
American Idol 2007
Okay, 2 posts in 1 day can't be done, but I'm doin' it.
Remember Taylor Hicks? I knew he'd win last year because he stopped me dead in my tracks the first time I heard his AI audition.
I watched the auditions this year (missed the single Hollywood Week show) and thought I'd heard this year's The One, but wasn't sure. So I watched very carefully last night (the men) and tonight (the women) since the one I'd heard that very nearly stopped me in my tracks did make it to the final 24. Well, dang sisters and brothers! Looks like I'll be spending a lot of time voting again this year.
Here she is (it's a she): The One. Even Simon said of her performance, "You might as well tell the other 23 to book their plane tickets home." (We hope it's not on Jet Blue.) It's Lakisha Jones. She sang the character Effie's Big Song from Dreamgirls, "You're Gonna Love Me," or something like that. The role for which AI alum Jennifer Hudson is nominated for an Oscar. Get out, Jennifer. And I mean that literally. Jennifer, leave the stage. Lakisha was head and shoulders better than Jennifer, head and shoulders better than any of the other 23 contestants. Her song choice was dead-on to focus mega-attention on her during this first round. Smart cookie as well as terribly talented. Just like Taylor. By the way, Lakisha looked stunning tonight. Another great gambit to focus attention.
I give you the next American Idol: Lakisha Jones. Amen.
Remember Taylor Hicks? I knew he'd win last year because he stopped me dead in my tracks the first time I heard his AI audition.
I watched the auditions this year (missed the single Hollywood Week show) and thought I'd heard this year's The One, but wasn't sure. So I watched very carefully last night (the men) and tonight (the women) since the one I'd heard that very nearly stopped me in my tracks did make it to the final 24. Well, dang sisters and brothers! Looks like I'll be spending a lot of time voting again this year.
Here she is (it's a she): The One. Even Simon said of her performance, "You might as well tell the other 23 to book their plane tickets home." (We hope it's not on Jet Blue.) It's Lakisha Jones. She sang the character Effie's Big Song from Dreamgirls, "You're Gonna Love Me," or something like that. The role for which AI alum Jennifer Hudson is nominated for an Oscar. Get out, Jennifer. And I mean that literally. Jennifer, leave the stage. Lakisha was head and shoulders better than Jennifer, head and shoulders better than any of the other 23 contestants. Her song choice was dead-on to focus mega-attention on her during this first round. Smart cookie as well as terribly talented. Just like Taylor. By the way, Lakisha looked stunning tonight. Another great gambit to focus attention.
I give you the next American Idol: Lakisha Jones. Amen.
Going to Any Lengths
Randy went to San Francisco last weekend to attend a global warming conference. I had intended to go with him to research materials for the house, but stayed home instead so I could take care of our oldest cat, Spike O. Reilly. Spike is suffering from kidney failure, but is doing quite well right now with daily subcutaneous fluids and all the stinky wet cat food he wants. (Shocking because all his life Spike has been an ultra-skinny picky eater who would only consume dry kibble.)
Anyway, we had planned one outing for Sunday morning that I could not scratch from my calendar. I drove 3.5 hours very early in the day to meet Randy (who drove down from San Francisco) and our architect, Jennifer, in Los Altos at Jennifer's parents' home which Jennifer designed. It's straw-bale and passive-solar. The 3 of us examined every square inch of that house through a magnifying glass, with lots of helpful insight from Jennifer's mom. This is the first time I've ever been in a straw-bale building, the first time I've ever been in one of Jennifer's buildings. We not only loved the house, we were shocked to discover how much it is like the house we want. Who knew?! The 2 hours we spent there was well worth the 7 hours worth of driving. Of course, I did do a little shopping on the way home, and discovered a cool Mexican restaurant in Morgan Hill. Way better than the endless supply of icky fast food along Highway 101. A good day all the way around.
Monday we bought a new dishwasher. Tuesday morning it was installed. Golly! This new Kitchen Aide actually washes the dishes. And you don't have to shout to hold a conversation in the house while it's running. And a little light goes on when the dishes are clean. I'm so easily impressed.
Today? Once Charter internet woke up this morning, I made reservations and got driving directions for my friend Laurel's and my outing to Creative Castle in Newbury Park this weekend. Answered email. Got the last remnants of a sticky program off my laptop. Fed Spike a half dozen times, whenever he whined. Went to my aquakinetics class's quarterly birthday lunch. Or is that thirdly? Anyway, I was one of the "honorees" today with my December birthday. Home for some brief chores, then off to The Estate, as we call our 3.7 acres, delivering about 70 cat evacuation bags to North County Humane Society (I made 'em from old pillow cases) on the way. Met Randy at The Estate. We scattered wildflower seeds since we're supposed to get a thorough soaking rain tomorrow. We tried out a new-to-us pizza place in Atascadero for dinner. We're researching all the restaurants in our soon-to-be hometown.
And now I'm watching American Idol. The first girls' night. Mmmmm. Might have to write about that separately.
Oh yes! And you wonder why I'm not getting much of my own work done these days? Sigh. Well, one day at a time.
Anyway, we had planned one outing for Sunday morning that I could not scratch from my calendar. I drove 3.5 hours very early in the day to meet Randy (who drove down from San Francisco) and our architect, Jennifer, in Los Altos at Jennifer's parents' home which Jennifer designed. It's straw-bale and passive-solar. The 3 of us examined every square inch of that house through a magnifying glass, with lots of helpful insight from Jennifer's mom. This is the first time I've ever been in a straw-bale building, the first time I've ever been in one of Jennifer's buildings. We not only loved the house, we were shocked to discover how much it is like the house we want. Who knew?! The 2 hours we spent there was well worth the 7 hours worth of driving. Of course, I did do a little shopping on the way home, and discovered a cool Mexican restaurant in Morgan Hill. Way better than the endless supply of icky fast food along Highway 101. A good day all the way around.
Monday we bought a new dishwasher. Tuesday morning it was installed. Golly! This new Kitchen Aide actually washes the dishes. And you don't have to shout to hold a conversation in the house while it's running. And a little light goes on when the dishes are clean. I'm so easily impressed.
Today? Once Charter internet woke up this morning, I made reservations and got driving directions for my friend Laurel's and my outing to Creative Castle in Newbury Park this weekend. Answered email. Got the last remnants of a sticky program off my laptop. Fed Spike a half dozen times, whenever he whined. Went to my aquakinetics class's quarterly birthday lunch. Or is that thirdly? Anyway, I was one of the "honorees" today with my December birthday. Home for some brief chores, then off to The Estate, as we call our 3.7 acres, delivering about 70 cat evacuation bags to North County Humane Society (I made 'em from old pillow cases) on the way. Met Randy at The Estate. We scattered wildflower seeds since we're supposed to get a thorough soaking rain tomorrow. We tried out a new-to-us pizza place in Atascadero for dinner. We're researching all the restaurants in our soon-to-be hometown.
And now I'm watching American Idol. The first girls' night. Mmmmm. Might have to write about that separately.
Oh yes! And you wonder why I'm not getting much of my own work done these days? Sigh. Well, one day at a time.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Ribs To Die For From Art's Bar-Be-Que
My husband grew up in Memphis, Dallas and Ft. Smith, Arkansas. I saw this connection as a way to finally get my teeth wrapped around some real southern barbeque. Not the grilled stuff. The smoked stuff. I've yet to experience more of Dallas than the airport, but I've chewed my way through a lot of barbeque in Tennessee, Oklahoma and Arkansas. The absolute best stuff I've found anywhere turns out, oddly enough, to be right in Randy's family! Who Knew?
Since Randy and I met, his widowed mom has married a retired surgeon who has 3 sons and a daughter -- 4 instant step-siblings-in-law. The daughter's Significant Other happens to be a chef. A brilliant chef. He makes barbeque, that is, he smokes meat. He has 3 barbeque restaurants in Ft. Smith and the area. ART'S BAR-BE-QUE. If you're ever there, don't miss it.
This brilliant chef isn't named Art, though. He's Eddie. Eddie York. Eddie puts out ribs that are so wonderful they need no bar-be-que sauce. I usually eat 'em straight up. Randy prefers Eddie's pulled pork. Eddie's side dishess -- ALL of them -- are also the best anywhere. He makes the best fried okra, the best potato salad, the best beans and the best onion rings. Especially the best beans and onion rings. As in, the best on the planet. I should know.
When we were in Ft. Smith for the Christmas holiday, you can be sure I ate a lot of Eddie's food. Just about every day we went to ART'S BAR-BE-QUE or ate something Eddie had catered, like the Christmas smoked turkey. As a special treat, we brought home 2 frozen racks of ribs, dry rub, and sauce. I heated up the first half rack tonight for our dinner, served with bread and honey, and dilled potato salad. My gosh! The ribs are still to die for, even after a month in the freezer. And, the ribs also provided after dinner entertainment. Randy put a few of the bones down on the floor and let our 7 cats have a go at them. Although only a few knew what to do with them, those that did had a grand time gnawing and chewing. It was a special treat for everyone in the household, each of us in our own way. Thank you Eddie!!!!
Since Randy and I met, his widowed mom has married a retired surgeon who has 3 sons and a daughter -- 4 instant step-siblings-in-law. The daughter's Significant Other happens to be a chef. A brilliant chef. He makes barbeque, that is, he smokes meat. He has 3 barbeque restaurants in Ft. Smith and the area. ART'S BAR-BE-QUE. If you're ever there, don't miss it.
This brilliant chef isn't named Art, though. He's Eddie. Eddie York. Eddie puts out ribs that are so wonderful they need no bar-be-que sauce. I usually eat 'em straight up. Randy prefers Eddie's pulled pork. Eddie's side dishess -- ALL of them -- are also the best anywhere. He makes the best fried okra, the best potato salad, the best beans and the best onion rings. Especially the best beans and onion rings. As in, the best on the planet. I should know.
When we were in Ft. Smith for the Christmas holiday, you can be sure I ate a lot of Eddie's food. Just about every day we went to ART'S BAR-BE-QUE or ate something Eddie had catered, like the Christmas smoked turkey. As a special treat, we brought home 2 frozen racks of ribs, dry rub, and sauce. I heated up the first half rack tonight for our dinner, served with bread and honey, and dilled potato salad. My gosh! The ribs are still to die for, even after a month in the freezer. And, the ribs also provided after dinner entertainment. Randy put a few of the bones down on the floor and let our 7 cats have a go at them. Although only a few knew what to do with them, those that did had a grand time gnawing and chewing. It was a special treat for everyone in the household, each of us in our own way. Thank you Eddie!!!!
Monday, January 22, 2007
It's A New Day!
After a way too long hiatus, I'm back to blogging. Although my husband's college-age students tell him that blogging is passe. Apparently only us old farts are blogging these days. And emailing. Only us old farts are emailing. Text messaging is the "in" thing now. Forget it. I've only recently even gotten a cell phone after fighting it tooth and nail every inch of the way.
I know I have a lot to catch up on. I left a lot of loose ends hanging. One by one we'll tie them all off. I just want to mention 2 things right now. The first is that I was very nearly totally computerless last fall. All fall. Randy is working on the 2nd edition of his first book. And until only recently was finishing up the 1st edition of his second book. On top of which our beloved Mac had a parts problem. The bad part got replaced, but the replacement also failed. And then it turned out that we had to wait months for yet another replacement part. Randy gave up and bought a new, upgraded eMac. Which helped me, but not much. Only if I generally wanted to do my commuication and other work between midnight and 6 a.m. Santa finally got tired of listening to me whine and bought me a MacBook Pro for Christmas. Plus, wifi for our house. Problem solved.
The second thing is that there are moments I have hope for the world. Those moments are few and far between, so take 'em where you can get 'em. There was actually hope to be found in the morning newspaper. Page 3: photos of the 8 declared Democratic candidates for their party's presidential nomination. The front runner is a woman. Her closest challenger is an African-American man. And we're hardly blinking an eye. Then we go to the Sports page: photos of the 2 head coaches who'll be going to the Superbowl. After 41 years of Superbowls, Lovie Smith of the Chicago Bears became the first African-American head coach in the Superbowl. A mere 4 hours later, Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts became the second. To quote Nancy Armour, "It's historic, and about time." I'd say that for both the candidates and the coaches. And I can't even remember the last time our Secretary of State was a white male. And then there's the Speaker of the House. Need I go on? There is some hope.
I know I have a lot to catch up on. I left a lot of loose ends hanging. One by one we'll tie them all off. I just want to mention 2 things right now. The first is that I was very nearly totally computerless last fall. All fall. Randy is working on the 2nd edition of his first book. And until only recently was finishing up the 1st edition of his second book. On top of which our beloved Mac had a parts problem. The bad part got replaced, but the replacement also failed. And then it turned out that we had to wait months for yet another replacement part. Randy gave up and bought a new, upgraded eMac. Which helped me, but not much. Only if I generally wanted to do my commuication and other work between midnight and 6 a.m. Santa finally got tired of listening to me whine and bought me a MacBook Pro for Christmas. Plus, wifi for our house. Problem solved.
The second thing is that there are moments I have hope for the world. Those moments are few and far between, so take 'em where you can get 'em. There was actually hope to be found in the morning newspaper. Page 3: photos of the 8 declared Democratic candidates for their party's presidential nomination. The front runner is a woman. Her closest challenger is an African-American man. And we're hardly blinking an eye. Then we go to the Sports page: photos of the 2 head coaches who'll be going to the Superbowl. After 41 years of Superbowls, Lovie Smith of the Chicago Bears became the first African-American head coach in the Superbowl. A mere 4 hours later, Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts became the second. To quote Nancy Armour, "It's historic, and about time." I'd say that for both the candidates and the coaches. And I can't even remember the last time our Secretary of State was a white male. And then there's the Speaker of the House. Need I go on? There is some hope.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)