Orange you glad (groan) your basement - where your bedroom is - isn't flooding right now? I'm glad your basement isn't flooding too. I'm less delighted about the situation in my laundry room and watching very carefully to ensure that water stays dried up and out of my room... It seems to be a somewhat controlled leak at this point, but the wall is WET and the sump pump is working overtime. Eek. Adventures in renting... Luckily, I noticed that the corner of the bright orange rug in the laundry room was wet - or it could have been far more exciting before I got a handle on it. Next time I'm going to be lucky, I'm hoping to NOT notice it's wet, because it isn't. A girl can dream.
When it rains, it pours... Also, when it quakes it tropical storms - this week anyway...
What's extra sad about the whole basement wetness situation is that I JUST got a basement bathroom leak problem fixed today. Which I think may have gotten a little shaken up in the quake or just been a seal as old as time that needed to be replaced - or both. The very nice plumber made it all better this afternoon though. I wish he were still here with his taking his shoes off at my front door and leaving my bathroom cleaner than he found it. I bet he'd be better than me at solving the other leaking also... (Well, but I think anyone probably would.)
In other wet and orange news.... I went to the Women of Faith conference in DC last night and today. I got to go for free by volunteering. I got to wear an extraordinarily-attractive, orange smock style apron for a good cause. It had really big pockets where I carried - a lot of stuff... I was awesome. Try not to be too jealous. Seriously though, the work was only on the breaks and the conference turned out to be one of those places I was meant to be. Hearing things I needed to be reminded of. I may have cried. It may have been multiple times. I may have sprung a personal leak and cried when everyone else had moved on to some very upbeat worship. Maybe... "Umm, Hello? I'm leaking? Where is the knob to turn the water off on me?" I had a much easier time turning off the bathroom water problem...
It is not always convenint to be emotional and leaky. It used to be very rare that I cried. People keep telling me it's good for me lately. Umm, what? I don't care. I don't wanna. Apparently I am in some sort of season of weaping, because God seems to have aligned a myriad of people to tell me how good it is for me to cry in order to counteract the myriad of people and things He is using in my life to cause the crying. At least I knew not to wear mascara today after last night's leaking. I might need to stop wearing mascara for several months. Seriously though, Women of Faith, while it had a few rather cheesy moments, made far more of an impact on me than I expected. It was fun and sincere and powerfully truth packed - but in simple, "I can remember that" packages. I'm slightly regretting not buying a couple of books there. I'm willing to bet Amazon will help me out with those though.
On the other hand, I rescued a very wet Amazon box from my porch just today with three other books in it (They were still 98% dry - thankfully). So, maybe I should just add those books to the someday list since there was already a stack waiting for the latest three to join. I have more interest than hours to read. I'll catch up sometime though! I might just need to watch less Gilmore Girls reruns and turn more pages. Oh time management... (that's a whole other blog.)
I think I'll go work on the reading right now. (After I just, real quick, check the laundry room situation for the 912th time...)
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Grateful!
Today was, for the most part, pretty fantastic.
So let's get right out with the obvious thing first. Let me do what everyone is doing and say:
EARTHQUAKE!!!!
There was an earthquake in VA that was felt by much of the east coast today. Now that we have that out of the way, can I admit something super weird? I kind of liked it. I mean, I'm no storm chaser. I don't ever want anyone getting hurt and any damage - even slight - that may have been caused is sad. Still, haven't you always been a little curious? What does it feel like? What would I do? What would the people around me do? So, there you have it. I'm a freak and I'm not afraid to say so. Mostly, I'm just grateful it wasn't worse. I heard people comparing it to Japan today. For the record, that's RIDICULOUS. For the more precise recordkeepers: the earthquake in Japan was approximately 60,000 times more powerful. So, enough about that already.
Next, I'm grateful today because I had a flat tire. No, wait. I'm serious. You see, I had a flat tire and the repair was FREE. Awesome. Always pay the few extra dollars for the warranty ALWAYS.
I had Panera Bread for dinner tonight. I haven't been there in months. It's like coming home. I wonder if I added up all the time I've spent in Panera bread how many months it would add up to be? A panini there sometimes feels a little like home - you know, like that favorite meal in your family? Like the thing you can totally rely on? This is weird and it's a chain and I'm a weirdo. We've already been over this though. I'm a freak and I'm not afraid to say so. Also, I like broccoli cheddar soup. Yum.
Next, I made a quick stop at Hancock where I bought an as seen on tv item. This was not planned. I was just going to buy some needles because I broke my last one last week. I thought I might just buy some cute little sewing kit and then have a place to keep it all together. Would you believe that a sewing kit was $25. I was having NONE of that. THEN, I found the One Second Needle. "It threads itself!". You know what else is amazing about the One Second Needle? It comes with several amazing needles AND a free sewing kit. Also amazing: it doesn't cost $25. It costs $8. Only $2 more than the plain, boring package of needles I was going to buy. Check me out. I win.
Finally, I got home and had managed to get dinner, run errands, resolve a flat tire, and be home by 9 pm with hours to spare to finish my laundry tonight. Awesome.
Also, when I got home Real Simple was waiting for me. Magazines make me happy - especially Real Simple. So, now I'm going to post this blog and go be lazy and read about 91 Classic Styles for All Budgets and Bodies. Life. Is. Good.
So let's get right out with the obvious thing first. Let me do what everyone is doing and say:
EARTHQUAKE!!!!
There was an earthquake in VA that was felt by much of the east coast today. Now that we have that out of the way, can I admit something super weird? I kind of liked it. I mean, I'm no storm chaser. I don't ever want anyone getting hurt and any damage - even slight - that may have been caused is sad. Still, haven't you always been a little curious? What does it feel like? What would I do? What would the people around me do? So, there you have it. I'm a freak and I'm not afraid to say so. Mostly, I'm just grateful it wasn't worse. I heard people comparing it to Japan today. For the record, that's RIDICULOUS. For the more precise recordkeepers: the earthquake in Japan was approximately 60,000 times more powerful. So, enough about that already.
Next, I'm grateful today because I had a flat tire. No, wait. I'm serious. You see, I had a flat tire and the repair was FREE. Awesome. Always pay the few extra dollars for the warranty ALWAYS.
I had Panera Bread for dinner tonight. I haven't been there in months. It's like coming home. I wonder if I added up all the time I've spent in Panera bread how many months it would add up to be? A panini there sometimes feels a little like home - you know, like that favorite meal in your family? Like the thing you can totally rely on? This is weird and it's a chain and I'm a weirdo. We've already been over this though. I'm a freak and I'm not afraid to say so. Also, I like broccoli cheddar soup. Yum.
Next, I made a quick stop at Hancock where I bought an as seen on tv item. This was not planned. I was just going to buy some needles because I broke my last one last week. I thought I might just buy some cute little sewing kit and then have a place to keep it all together. Would you believe that a sewing kit was $25. I was having NONE of that. THEN, I found the One Second Needle. "It threads itself!". You know what else is amazing about the One Second Needle? It comes with several amazing needles AND a free sewing kit. Also amazing: it doesn't cost $25. It costs $8. Only $2 more than the plain, boring package of needles I was going to buy. Check me out. I win.
Finally, I got home and had managed to get dinner, run errands, resolve a flat tire, and be home by 9 pm with hours to spare to finish my laundry tonight. Awesome.
Also, when I got home Real Simple was waiting for me. Magazines make me happy - especially Real Simple. So, now I'm going to post this blog and go be lazy and read about 91 Classic Styles for All Budgets and Bodies. Life. Is. Good.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Transportation Spoiled.
I love my car. Can we just start with that? I love having a car in general, but I especially love MY car. It makes me smile. It's basically a toy. Unlike most of my life, it's more fun than practical. I wanted it before I could even drive and now, it makes me happy to see it when I walk out the back door.
Currently though, it is sick. Apparently, I abused it. I didn't mean to. I've found my way through some intense DC potholes though. So, ok, maybe there is some explanation for damage down under. (That's not abuse then right? I try hard not to abuse Bugsy. I love Bugsy!) Luckily, when your car is sickly and it's an abuse case instead of just old age, insurance comes to your rescue and it pays for a rental car and you don't have to panic quite as much when the nice man talks aboout skid plates and transmission oil and valve bodies and other words you don't understand even though the kind, patient man is talking very slowly without even being too condescending really. Always give in and pay the few extra dollars for rental coverage, all of life can be better. Although you'd much rather be driving Bugsy and have Bugsy home and safe and away from scary Dr. McDealership.
The thing is, until you know what's wrong, you won't pay for a rental car because you might not be reimbursed and that's a giant waste. Especially if you're flying out of town anyway. So, you'll probably just be grateful for the extensive public transportation options. You'll get your SmartTrip card and not think twice about existing without your car for an evening before you fly out. You'll think to yourself: "Home is only 3 miles from here. The bus will be quick and painless." You will end this experience with a newfound respect for all those who survive the bus system daily. I could have walked home twice in the time it took me... First, I missed the bus - the very efficient, 3 minutes early bus, by approximately 3 minutes. Oh well, the bus runs every half-an-hour. Sit at the bus stop. Play Words with Friends obsessively. Wonder why the bus never comes. Realize that bus was the last before the route changes to hourly for the night.
Wait. Pout. Wait.
Get on the bus! Get thrown off the bus at a random metro stop. Hmm. "WHAT? What is going on?" End of her shift. The guy who takes over her route on the next shift? Already left the station. (Sadness.)
So, what the heck metro stop is this? Not the line you live on? RUN. If you RUN you might catch the very, very last transfer. You might meet some lost kids on the platform. "Yes, of course I will show you where to go like a helpful, friendly local!" (Who is in the midst of an giant transportation fail all her own...). "Oh, yes, totally can get you there. That's my line, follow me, we'll switch together and you'll just stay on a few stops after me. Wait. Don't get on that train. No. No. Blue, not orange!" Oh dear. Why didn't they follow me? Guilt. Bad local! You let the children go astray. Good luck lost children. Someday this will be a funny memory of what happens after Taylor Swift concerts in the big city.
Can I just say, I am grateful for my car often - because I love it and it is cute and generally reliable. However, I have crazy, insane respect for you public transportation regulars. Apparently, I suck at it. Kudos to you and your patience and switch savvy. Well executed with your getting home alive and without crying every day.
Currently though, it is sick. Apparently, I abused it. I didn't mean to. I've found my way through some intense DC potholes though. So, ok, maybe there is some explanation for damage down under. (That's not abuse then right? I try hard not to abuse Bugsy. I love Bugsy!) Luckily, when your car is sickly and it's an abuse case instead of just old age, insurance comes to your rescue and it pays for a rental car and you don't have to panic quite as much when the nice man talks aboout skid plates and transmission oil and valve bodies and other words you don't understand even though the kind, patient man is talking very slowly without even being too condescending really. Always give in and pay the few extra dollars for rental coverage, all of life can be better. Although you'd much rather be driving Bugsy and have Bugsy home and safe and away from scary Dr. McDealership.
The thing is, until you know what's wrong, you won't pay for a rental car because you might not be reimbursed and that's a giant waste. Especially if you're flying out of town anyway. So, you'll probably just be grateful for the extensive public transportation options. You'll get your SmartTrip card and not think twice about existing without your car for an evening before you fly out. You'll think to yourself: "Home is only 3 miles from here. The bus will be quick and painless." You will end this experience with a newfound respect for all those who survive the bus system daily. I could have walked home twice in the time it took me... First, I missed the bus - the very efficient, 3 minutes early bus, by approximately 3 minutes. Oh well, the bus runs every half-an-hour. Sit at the bus stop. Play Words with Friends obsessively. Wonder why the bus never comes. Realize that bus was the last before the route changes to hourly for the night.
Wait. Pout. Wait.
Get on the bus! Get thrown off the bus at a random metro stop. Hmm. "WHAT? What is going on?" End of her shift. The guy who takes over her route on the next shift? Already left the station. (Sadness.)
So, what the heck metro stop is this? Not the line you live on? RUN. If you RUN you might catch the very, very last transfer. You might meet some lost kids on the platform. "Yes, of course I will show you where to go like a helpful, friendly local!" (Who is in the midst of an giant transportation fail all her own...). "Oh, yes, totally can get you there. That's my line, follow me, we'll switch together and you'll just stay on a few stops after me. Wait. Don't get on that train. No. No. Blue, not orange!" Oh dear. Why didn't they follow me? Guilt. Bad local! You let the children go astray. Good luck lost children. Someday this will be a funny memory of what happens after Taylor Swift concerts in the big city.
Can I just say, I am grateful for my car often - because I love it and it is cute and generally reliable. However, I have crazy, insane respect for you public transportation regulars. Apparently, I suck at it. Kudos to you and your patience and switch savvy. Well executed with your getting home alive and without crying every day.
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