...ha, like Bush gives a shit.....
Monday, June 30, 2008
Economic Stimulus Check
YAAAAAYYYYY!!!!!!! I got a notice in the mail saying that I'm entitled to a Stimulus Check. As I opened it, I noticed that they printed these notices on Recycled paper.....
...ha, like Bush gives a shit.....
...ha, like Bush gives a shit.....
OMSI
We escaped the relentless heat on Saturday by going to OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry), where there was a Chinese Dinosaurs exhibit I've been wanting to see. Here are a couple of pictures I took while wandering around.
This is supposed to be Dilophosaurus. I think most of these animatronics were recycled from somewhere else, they look a little incongruous with the latest research...
Petrified Leaf...
Whip-Tail (Mamenchisaurus)...
...a very bad day...
Oviraptor and Protoceratops, duking it out..
Velociraptor. Again, in the documentary shown at the OMNIMAX theater, they have discovered the Velociraptor probably had feathers, which these models do not have. They are also much smaller than portrayed in Jurassic Park (of course, a dog sized raptor doesn't inspire quite the same box-office-smash reaction).
A Chinese cousin of T. Rex, Tarbosaurus.
In an effort to stay in the air-conditioning as long as possible, we saw both Dinosaurs Alive and Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs in the OMNIMAX theater. All-in-all, it was a good day, but still to hot in my apartment to sleep...
This is supposed to be Dilophosaurus. I think most of these animatronics were recycled from somewhere else, they look a little incongruous with the latest research...
Petrified Leaf...
Whip-Tail (Mamenchisaurus)...
...a very bad day...
Oviraptor and Protoceratops, duking it out..
Velociraptor. Again, in the documentary shown at the OMNIMAX theater, they have discovered the Velociraptor probably had feathers, which these models do not have. They are also much smaller than portrayed in Jurassic Park (of course, a dog sized raptor doesn't inspire quite the same box-office-smash reaction).
A Chinese cousin of T. Rex, Tarbosaurus.
In an effort to stay in the air-conditioning as long as possible, we saw both Dinosaurs Alive and Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs in the OMNIMAX theater. All-in-all, it was a good day, but still to hot in my apartment to sleep...
Sunday, June 22, 2008
DIY
A quick post to mention that one of the challenges of living alone is not having any help when you need it. As a result, little chores go undone until you are just tired of looking at them, that's when you get creative (and a somewhat desperate). I had made a list for myself of things to accomplish this weekend and, I'm proud to say, I got them all done. BY MYSELF, with no help from anyone....(well, I did borrow Emma's sewing machine, thanks Em). Still, I'm giving myself a big high-five for self reliance!
First project: Hanging a bathroom cabinet. This sat in the back of my truck for two months, in my living room for three weeks, and in my bedroom for five weeks. First snag: I found that the box did not include anything to hang it with. After reading the brief instructions, I discovered that it wasn't that they just forgot to include the fasteners, but that they never include them in any of their kits. Second snag: while in Pear Hardware, I realized that the kind of fasteners that I was looking at required a drill (you know, the ones with the plastic drywall anchors and screws) which, of course, is not included in the tool kit I have. I was just starting to sweat when a very nice man came over and after hearing my issues, steered me in the direction of some different anchors that only required a hammer (which I do have). Feeling relieved, I walked home determined to tackle the stupid cabinet one more time. Third snag: all my self confidence vanished when I realized I probably couldn't stand on the toilet, hold the cabinet, level it, mark it, and hammer the fasteners in all at the same time. ARGH! So, it sat for another week while I mulled over all my options. Finally this morning, I had had enough! I was not going to let an inanimate object best me! You know, sometimes you just have to tackle something. So, I grabbed the cabinet (not all that heavy, thank goodness), set the level and pencil on top of it, climbed on the toilet, angled the cabinet until it was level, then pressed the cabinet in place with my body so I could let go with one hand and mark the holes with the pencil. TA DA!!!! The hard part done, I pounded the fasteners in, turned the screws in, hung the cabinet, and put the shelves in. It took ten minutes. Isn't that just how life goes? That big dilemma hanging over my head for months, fixed in ten minutes when I finally had the courage to just do it. Anyway, here it is and it looks great!
Second project: Covering hideous cushions that came with the loveseat. Again, a similar issue as with the cabinet. I had the cushions (they don't fit under the slip cover), I had the fabric (which I found in Mom's house), I don't have a sewing machine. Not only that, but it had been quite a while since I had tried to sew anything and was having a major brain block on how to do it. Finally, I just threw all the stuff in the car and set up at Emma's Friday night. I probably did it all wrong but, hey, it worked. They look ok and I'm happy! Scratch another thing off the list....
Third project: Space saving pencil holders. I found these planters at an antique store in Silverton for three dollars each and figured I could hang them as storage to free up room on my teeny little desk. This was just a matter of finding the proper hooks, then getting off my rear to hang them. Yesterday, I went to Rejuvenation, found exactly what I was looking for (that place is awesome) and hung them this morning. Not bad, if I do say so myself....
First project: Hanging a bathroom cabinet. This sat in the back of my truck for two months, in my living room for three weeks, and in my bedroom for five weeks. First snag: I found that the box did not include anything to hang it with. After reading the brief instructions, I discovered that it wasn't that they just forgot to include the fasteners, but that they never include them in any of their kits. Second snag: while in Pear Hardware, I realized that the kind of fasteners that I was looking at required a drill (you know, the ones with the plastic drywall anchors and screws) which, of course, is not included in the tool kit I have. I was just starting to sweat when a very nice man came over and after hearing my issues, steered me in the direction of some different anchors that only required a hammer (which I do have). Feeling relieved, I walked home determined to tackle the stupid cabinet one more time. Third snag: all my self confidence vanished when I realized I probably couldn't stand on the toilet, hold the cabinet, level it, mark it, and hammer the fasteners in all at the same time. ARGH! So, it sat for another week while I mulled over all my options. Finally this morning, I had had enough! I was not going to let an inanimate object best me! You know, sometimes you just have to tackle something. So, I grabbed the cabinet (not all that heavy, thank goodness), set the level and pencil on top of it, climbed on the toilet, angled the cabinet until it was level, then pressed the cabinet in place with my body so I could let go with one hand and mark the holes with the pencil. TA DA!!!! The hard part done, I pounded the fasteners in, turned the screws in, hung the cabinet, and put the shelves in. It took ten minutes. Isn't that just how life goes? That big dilemma hanging over my head for months, fixed in ten minutes when I finally had the courage to just do it. Anyway, here it is and it looks great!
Second project: Covering hideous cushions that came with the loveseat. Again, a similar issue as with the cabinet. I had the cushions (they don't fit under the slip cover), I had the fabric (which I found in Mom's house), I don't have a sewing machine. Not only that, but it had been quite a while since I had tried to sew anything and was having a major brain block on how to do it. Finally, I just threw all the stuff in the car and set up at Emma's Friday night. I probably did it all wrong but, hey, it worked. They look ok and I'm happy! Scratch another thing off the list....
Third project: Space saving pencil holders. I found these planters at an antique store in Silverton for three dollars each and figured I could hang them as storage to free up room on my teeny little desk. This was just a matter of finding the proper hooks, then getting off my rear to hang them. Yesterday, I went to Rejuvenation, found exactly what I was looking for (that place is awesome) and hung them this morning. Not bad, if I do say so myself....
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
The Pittock Mansion
Whew! I finally got all these pictures downloaded! Last Saturday was Skylar's first weekend in Oregon and we took full advantage of the beautiful weather by lunching at the Portland Rose Garden (with Emma, Don, Betsy, and Baby Mark), then heading over to the Pittock Mansion for our "Behind the Scenes" tour. After a recommendation from my friend RaNita, I checked out the Pittock Mansion website and learned that they were hosting this rare tour. They only do this once or twice a year, so I jumped on the opportunity and got three tickets.
Here are some photos I took of a brief walk Skylar and I had through the Portland Rose Garden while everyone was still eating...
The horizon was just clear enough to provide a very impressive view of Mount Hood in the distance.
After our picnic, it was off to the Pittock Mansion! The ceiling of the smoke room...
Pantry kitchen sink off the formal dining room. Mom was very impressed by the raised drains and the bread warming box underneath...
I would kill to have this kitchen. It was so spacious! Simple yet efficient, nostalgic but not outdated. I loved it. Who wouldn't like a view of the entire city of Portland while you kneaded bread???
This pantry is bitchin'! Oh, now I have something to aspire to..
Cozy, perfect...love it..
The "ice box" room...
The breakfast nook, where Gorgiana and Henry had breakfast almost every morning.
Two views from Henry's private third floor study (part of the house which is normally off limits)...
A sun porch bedroom, fully kitted out and very inviting...
One of the many bedrooms...
Another part of the house that had me sighing in wistfulness, the bathrooms. They were airy and luxurious, even by today's standards. The showers really impressed me- how complicated and intricate they were!
Henry's private bathroom, which had a large soaking tub in addition to the shower...
...as well as a seperate foot soaking spa...
Another sun porch room on the other wing of the house...
One of the grandchildren's rooms...
..and a photo of the iconic staircase (everyone takes this picture)...
On the outside, looking in...
After our tour, we were all hungry again, so we made a quick stop at Cost Plus and Smith and Hawkins before heading off to the Sushiland on 10th and Davis! This is Skylar's "wilting flower" impression. Yeah, I wasn't convinced, either...
Something I respect about my cousin: she knew she was eating octopus, even when Mom said it was chicken, and liked it.
Yes, we were thankful that the weather complimented our plans. We had a really good time and Skylar has already burned through two disposable cameras...
Here are some photos I took of a brief walk Skylar and I had through the Portland Rose Garden while everyone was still eating...
The horizon was just clear enough to provide a very impressive view of Mount Hood in the distance.
After our picnic, it was off to the Pittock Mansion! The ceiling of the smoke room...
Pantry kitchen sink off the formal dining room. Mom was very impressed by the raised drains and the bread warming box underneath...
I would kill to have this kitchen. It was so spacious! Simple yet efficient, nostalgic but not outdated. I loved it. Who wouldn't like a view of the entire city of Portland while you kneaded bread???
This pantry is bitchin'! Oh, now I have something to aspire to..
Cozy, perfect...love it..
The "ice box" room...
The breakfast nook, where Gorgiana and Henry had breakfast almost every morning.
Two views from Henry's private third floor study (part of the house which is normally off limits)...
A sun porch bedroom, fully kitted out and very inviting...
One of the many bedrooms...
Another part of the house that had me sighing in wistfulness, the bathrooms. They were airy and luxurious, even by today's standards. The showers really impressed me- how complicated and intricate they were!
Henry's private bathroom, which had a large soaking tub in addition to the shower...
...as well as a seperate foot soaking spa...
Another sun porch room on the other wing of the house...
One of the grandchildren's rooms...
..and a photo of the iconic staircase (everyone takes this picture)...
On the outside, looking in...
After our tour, we were all hungry again, so we made a quick stop at Cost Plus and Smith and Hawkins before heading off to the Sushiland on 10th and Davis! This is Skylar's "wilting flower" impression. Yeah, I wasn't convinced, either...
Something I respect about my cousin: she knew she was eating octopus, even when Mom said it was chicken, and liked it.
Yes, we were thankful that the weather complimented our plans. We had a really good time and Skylar has already burned through two disposable cameras...
My Latest Acquisitions
Well, as many of you know, I've been in my own apartment since December. I had looked forward to having my own space for quite a while and it's been everything I could have desired. While lying on my twin bed, in my postage stamp of a bedroom in Lakewood, I would escape by imagining how I would be able to arrange things just so; how I would collect significant pieces, each with it's own little story. For example:
THEM: "What a cute little bookcase, where did you get it??"
ME: "Oh, that? I was driving on the back highway from work to Jan and Neil's house, when I saw a sign on the side of the road for a barn sale. This lady just let me poke around in her barn for a half hour and sold this to me for $10."
THEM: "Only $10?!"
ME: "Yeah, then Dad and I put trim on it, sanded it, and painted it as a Father/ Daughter project."
THEM: "Wow, that is so fantastic. What a great idea.."
and so on, and so forth....
Yes, it was my fondest wish that I could use my ingenuity and resources to decorate my apartment to match the picture in my head. However, with the "Bay Valley Foods Upset", decorating kind of got pushed to the side. I'd had lots of requests for pictures of my apartment, but was still kinda embarrassed at the "college dorm/ futon/ milk crate thing" I still had going on. Luckily, I found another job and kept a steady paycheck coming in and, about three weeks ago, decided that it was time to start hunting. I made it into a game: Find the Best Pieces Possible for the Least Amount of Money. With lots of help from Craigslist, I did just that. So, here are some pictures of my newest acquisitions and a tally of how much it has cost me so far to decorate my whole front room.
A used loveseat I got on CL for $200. New slipcover for $50. I still have to sew covers for the back cushions (Mom already had the fabric). It beats the pants off of any futon I've sat on...
Also in this picture is the "new" coffee table I picked up in King City for $65.
Here is a photo of a dresser (picked up in Vancouver for $115) that I converted into a TV cabinet. Don was good enough to come over and drill a small whole in the back for all the cords. I love that all those ugly electronics can be hidden away...
I use the vintage trunk under the window ($75) for yarn singles, bags, and fiber which I think is a much better alternative to Rubbermaid containers everywhere...
The side table is additional storage (space is at a premium in a small pad) with a punched copper front. I wanted something to compliment the Hoosier, and this was perfect. Got it for $45.
So, combined with the bookcase I dug out of some lady's barn ($10) and some accessories I picked up at an estate sale (including a ceramic pickling crock) for $16, I've managed to re-do my front room for about $511. I think that's pretty good, and, it's been fun! I'm still on the hunt for one side chair and a new rug (preferably one that doesn't show the little wisps of yarn everywhere). So, wish me luck!
THEM: "What a cute little bookcase, where did you get it??"
ME: "Oh, that? I was driving on the back highway from work to Jan and Neil's house, when I saw a sign on the side of the road for a barn sale. This lady just let me poke around in her barn for a half hour and sold this to me for $10."
THEM: "Only $10?!"
ME: "Yeah, then Dad and I put trim on it, sanded it, and painted it as a Father/ Daughter project."
THEM: "Wow, that is so fantastic. What a great idea.."
and so on, and so forth....
Yes, it was my fondest wish that I could use my ingenuity and resources to decorate my apartment to match the picture in my head. However, with the "Bay Valley Foods Upset", decorating kind of got pushed to the side. I'd had lots of requests for pictures of my apartment, but was still kinda embarrassed at the "college dorm/ futon/ milk crate thing" I still had going on. Luckily, I found another job and kept a steady paycheck coming in and, about three weeks ago, decided that it was time to start hunting. I made it into a game: Find the Best Pieces Possible for the Least Amount of Money. With lots of help from Craigslist, I did just that. So, here are some pictures of my newest acquisitions and a tally of how much it has cost me so far to decorate my whole front room.
A used loveseat I got on CL for $200. New slipcover for $50. I still have to sew covers for the back cushions (Mom already had the fabric). It beats the pants off of any futon I've sat on...
Also in this picture is the "new" coffee table I picked up in King City for $65.
Here is a photo of a dresser (picked up in Vancouver for $115) that I converted into a TV cabinet. Don was good enough to come over and drill a small whole in the back for all the cords. I love that all those ugly electronics can be hidden away...
I use the vintage trunk under the window ($75) for yarn singles, bags, and fiber which I think is a much better alternative to Rubbermaid containers everywhere...
The side table is additional storage (space is at a premium in a small pad) with a punched copper front. I wanted something to compliment the Hoosier, and this was perfect. Got it for $45.
So, combined with the bookcase I dug out of some lady's barn ($10) and some accessories I picked up at an estate sale (including a ceramic pickling crock) for $16, I've managed to re-do my front room for about $511. I think that's pretty good, and, it's been fun! I'm still on the hunt for one side chair and a new rug (preferably one that doesn't show the little wisps of yarn everywhere). So, wish me luck!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
The French Chef
".......and now in order to prepare the rest of the sauce for the spinach and ham turnover, add some cream, or, some milk if you're on one of those hideous diets..."
-Julia Child
Sigh...I love her.
-Julia Child
Sigh...I love her.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Glug, Glug, Glug....
...is the sound my truck makes as it's guzzling down a full tank of gas for the second time this week. I usually go to the 76 station on Lovejoy on my way to work and this morning, the gas attendant actually recognized me. He said (and I quote): "Wow, I can't beleive your back again so soon!" It's gotten to the point where I had to introduct myself..to the gas attendant...we are now on a first name basis. Did I mention that the signature line on the back of my debit card has worn off??? Not just the signature, but the line itself...ouch...
However, on the bright side, I saw something today during my drive that I wouldn't have if I worked in Portland. Hot air balloons. This morning was a rare, clear morning with bright blue skys and a warm breeze. I saw them, tiny in the distance, as I wound my way around the Terwilliger Curves, drove under their baskets by Willsonville, and passed one still on the ground by the time I reached Aurora. By the time I reached the Woodburn exit, it occured to me that it would take some heavy-duty convincing for me to get into a hot air balloon on Friday the 13th. Call me supersitious, but I would rather not tempt fate, especially when She has already delt me a $120 per week gas bill...
However, on the bright side, I saw something today during my drive that I wouldn't have if I worked in Portland. Hot air balloons. This morning was a rare, clear morning with bright blue skys and a warm breeze. I saw them, tiny in the distance, as I wound my way around the Terwilliger Curves, drove under their baskets by Willsonville, and passed one still on the ground by the time I reached Aurora. By the time I reached the Woodburn exit, it occured to me that it would take some heavy-duty convincing for me to get into a hot air balloon on Friday the 13th. Call me supersitious, but I would rather not tempt fate, especially when She has already delt me a $120 per week gas bill...
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