BLAH BLAH BLAH

So I was talking to some co-workers of mine today and we were chatting about how we all yell over our cubes to talk to the people on the other side, but often after talking you find out they aren't even sitting there. One on them said, "yeah the other day I was talking away, and you weren't even there. I was saying... BLAH BLAH BLAH..." at this point he is being rather loud and we realize the doors to the big conference room are open despite the fact that there is a meeting in there. sigh... it's so embarrassing when that happens. It isn't like we were talking about anything embarrassing itself, but you wonder what the visitors are thinking when they hear that going on.

The other big to do today was that they ran out of flu shots. Now they have a system set up that you are supposed to go at a time slot according to your last name, but if you can't make it to go at some other point. No need to sign up just bring your 10$. This system is so they aren't flooded by too many people at anyone time. Last year, they had 90 people show up. So, they ordered the same amount they did last year 105.
Well I went up early as I had some trades to get out during my time slot (last, always last). My supervisor handed his trades off to me and when up after i got back (late, as he had been too impatient to wait in the line when he went up during his time slot.) By then time he had gone up they had run out.
We called hr. Nope all out, nope not coming back, nope not reimbursing (by the way these are from Northwestern Hospital so it isn't like they themselves ran out). The building offers the same flu shot for 30$ and the Walgreen's across the street offers it for 24$. But the system that was set up as to not flood the nurse broke down and the message sent was that this is truly first come first serve, and even though we told you it would be there for everyone we only ordered 100 for a company that has 7 floors of workers. Also, we like to discriminate against people with last names s-z (as they ran out in the n-r slot). I don't know why this is bothering me... I jumped line so to speak and got mine. and even if i didn't i have the money to go and get mine from across the street.
Oh and lets not even discuss why the building is offering a flu shot for 30$ when there are advertisements right across the way for the 24$ one at Walgreen's. Is going across the street anytime any day more of an inconvenience than waiting in line on one morning only (first come first served)? Maybe I am the only one who would think about this like an economist and am reading into this too much.

harvest

nights are getting cold here. harvested the lettuce some of the basil cucumbers and the peppers. there's a bit of sages there too for drying.

Glee

I am addicted to this new tv show, and here is a quote from Sue on last week's show...

It's not easy to break out of your comfort zone. People will tear you down, tell you you shouldn't have bothered in the first place. But let me tell you something. There's not much of a difference between a stadium full of cheering fans and an angry crowd screaming abuse at you. They're both just making a lot of noise. How you take it is up to you. Convince yourself they're cheering for you. You do that, and someday, they will.

So on top of the singing and dancing you have decent character development and insightful lines. I probably shouldn't bother liking the show as it will either get canceled or become bad.

Medieval Times

King Mitul and part of his royal court

Enjoying our Grub

Our Red Knight was no match for the battle ax

King Mitul getting his souvenir signed by the Red Knight

Weekend in review

This weekend was just as busy as the last few giving us little time to do anything but mow the lawn and do some laundry on Sunday night....

Saturday we had brunch with Brian and Christie (the company was great but I don't think I'll be going back to Lockwood again... ever). Then we had our friend Mitul's birthday party at Medieval Times. We got to cheer on our faithful and brave Red Knight. I think between driving back and forth Bill drover about 5 hours on Saturday. Poor Bill.

Sunday we went off to the market to get some more tomatoes for sauce and another acorn squash (one of my fall favs). Then by noon we were downtown for the Chicago Gourmet Food and Wine festival. It was a lot of fun. We got our tickets through Group On and I am now a group On believer.

Last nigh,t we ran around the house trying to get things in order for the week. I made my tomato and bean soup (with bacon!) again, and around 9:45 we heard the warning sirens go off to the north of us. We were expecting a bad storm but since the rain hadn't even started the warning sirens we a bit unexpected. We hung out in the basement and tried to find out what was happening by going online There was a tornado warning for our area, and because of how detailed Doppler radar is we knew exactly what was happening and how long we needed to stay in the basement.

So that was the weekend... a few things I have come across this morning that mad for interesting reads.

Graveyard etiquette?

Hungry Planet I Hungry Planet II two features on this new book Hungry Planet. Very interesting idea and pictures. Notice not only the differences in what the developed nations have, but what they don't eat. Also, it was interesting to see the more expensive foods/ developed counties had much more packaging involved in getting their food.

Finally, I leave you with this cartoon. Happy Fall!

kindle duex

In case you were wondering what it looks like or how big it is, I have taken a picture and put it next to a clicky pencil. Underneath is the case Bill bought me from sfbags.com We love their bags. A bit pricey maybe, but well made and thought out and made in the US.

Happy Wednesday!

So for right now I am going to try and keep my post from the other day at the top of my blog. Bill and I are off to a great start with our fund raising, and though this year has been tough on people I hope there are still people willing to donate to such a good cause.

In other news, I have a new love in my life. It is my birthday gift, Miss Kitty the Kindle (That was the only cute name I could come up with on the fly). I am currently reading The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes on it and love love love it!

Not much else going on in my life. Here are pictures from Mom and my Grandparent's visit. most are at the bean the night we went to see Jersey Boys.

happy birthday Erin Alana and

ME!

This weekend we were busy busy bees again. We were out everyday and I am now getting to the point where I don't want to leave my home for a while.

Anyway I don't have much to say because it is ugly gray and rainy outside. The weekend made me tired and the weather isn't helping.

happy birthday neil

and many happy returns....

Today is wednesday, but since i had a three day week last week it feels like it should be Friday already.

this week has been about getting back to a normal schedule, and for the last two nights Bill has made it to bed before me. I guess I am too much of a party animal.

back to work

Bill said to me this morning, "That was a long short weekend."

Indeed, that is a great way to describe it.

Mom flew in on Thursday evening, and we stayed up for a while chatting and catching up. Friday I took that day off, but Bill worked so we both got up and going not too late. Mom and I went and had lunch with my grandma (Mimi) and we then walked and shopped before catching a cab to meet Bill and Giddo (my grandpa) for dinner. Dinner was at millennium park's Park Grill. Then it was off to Jersey Boys. I think everyone really enjoyed the show.

Saturday my uncle Chris drove up from Indianapolis and we had lunch/ brunch at The Gage and then went over to the Art Institute. Bill and I spent the entire time in the new wing and after allowing for some shopping time for my mom and Mimi at the gift shop we headed over to the Celtic fest. We hung out there for about an hour and a half and the headed over to Shaw's for dinner. Saturday night I introduced my mom to the HBO shows True Blood and Hung (she enjoyed the latter not so much the former).

Sunday we got up and went to the Frankfort market and then off to Costco (I know the juxtaposition is disturbing). We got home and got things ready to have Bill's parents and sister over along with my Mom, Mimi, Giddo and Chris. We had a lovely day for a great cook out, and I was able to show case some of my garden's delights: garden heirloom tomatoes and basil, a salad with market green beans, garden cherry tomatoes, garden cucumbers and garden herbs, and lettuce from the garden for the burgers.

This morning we dropped mom off at the airport before going back home and getting ready for the day. I have a feeling Bill and I will both be to bed early tonight.

never forget...

garlic!!

I just ordered on pound of garlic to plant for next year. I have no idea how much that is, but I have a page of instructions and I think I am going to ask (sucker) my dad to help me plant it as they say it should be planted in October after a light frost.

Not sure about this latest adventure as I didn't think the whole process out. The events went more like this...

I get an email from seed savers saying that the the time to order garlic is now!! hurry up and get your garlic only 3 varieties left!! Hmm I think to myself this must be good stuff, and I like garlic, so I click on the link.
Oh no! It is selling like hot cakes (where did that phrase come from anyway); now there is only one variety (with an organic or conventional) left. Oh dear I think if I want yummy garlic next year I had better do this RIGHT NOW. No time to talk to Bill or think about the logistics. So I click add to cart and then I try to log in.
ACK!! My password isn't working. Don't you people know I am in a hurry. I search my gmail for an email with a password on it, of course instead of my password it was some generic thing they gave me. I log in make the purchase and let out a sigh of relief.
The relief last about 2 min and then I think to myself, What in the world did I just do?!? How much is a pound of garlic? Where am I going to put it? How do I plant it? How do I harvest it?

Ok, I have calmed down and found some nice general instructions. After every line it says: be careful not to bruise your garlic cloves, or be careful not to drop you garlic cloves, or be careful not to yank your garlic out buy the stems. Apparently, garlic needs to be handled with care, as after all of these warnings the end of the instructions reminds you, once again, that your garlic is a living plant and must be treated with care.

Pictures from Saturday

tuesday = monday,

but Thursday=Friday.
yes I know I sound confused, but with family visiting this weekend I am taking Friday off to spend with my mom and grandparents. So, even though my week just began it's hump day already.

This weekend started off with a wonderful dinner at Japonais. Bill and I enjoyed our hot rock beef and our yummy nigiri. Then it was to home and bed because we had important things to get up for on Saturday, namely seeing Carolyn and watching the Notre Dame football game. ND won, playing a great game, and it was so much fun to see Carolyn and get a tour of her campus. Pictures will be posted hopefully tonight. By the time we got home on Saturday night and had some dinner we were fried. We watched Howl's Moving Castle -- Miyazaki's take on the story was beautiful and whimsical.

Sunday we spent a good portion of the early afternoon at the Franfort Fall fest. We had a lovely lunch at Francesca's Fortunato and had fun weaving through all the artisan booths. We ended up purchasing a framed photograph for our living room. We saw the same booth last year and love the pictures from Italy and France, and with our dining room all painted and everything it was too pretty to pass up. Friday evening we went to Bill's co-worker Steve's BBQ. He smoked briskets and a turkey and we had a really nice time.

Yesterday we got an early move on the day, but sorta petered out after lunch. we did hang the new painting and Bill mowed and edged. Mostly I played my new Nintendo DS game: Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box. This is a puzzle/brainteaser game that I got for the train rides, but I needed to "try it" yesterday to make sure it was good :)

Today we will need to work more in the basement and first floor getting things ready for our guests. I not have very little time so the work put in should increase exponentially until Thursday when I pick mom up.

That's all for now.

tv od

Last night i finished watching season 2 of Veronica Mars on dvd. I really should never buy tv on dvd. I can't stop myself from watching too many episodes all at once. Which means I have not gone for a bike ride or done laundry or anything of that nature this weekend. Luckily, I am all done now.

I called my acupuncturist to make an appointment yesterday, only to find out he has left for Afghanistan unexpectedly. I tried to google him (to make sure it wasn't lawsuit or criminal), but either its nothing or I need some tips on Internet sleuthing from Veronica Mars herself.

I made a delicious homemade soup on Sunday. Never doubt a recipe that tells you to chop up bacon and fry it. Garden is going well... I should do something with my celery... I guess we'll use some in our stir fry. We're starting to get a decent number of peppers and my big tomatoes should start being ready today or tomorrow (I had originally hoped yesterday, but it's been so dang cold here.)

This week isn't a short week, but it feels like it should be. Things are going to start picking up at work in the next few weeks. Mom and Mimi will be coming in on the 10th, but before that I get to see Carolyn at the ND football game this weekend - yay!!!

Fall is here as marked by the shorter days and the need for an extra blanket on the bed. enjoy the season.