Thursday, October 23, 2008
A Pretty Autumn Drive
Holly and I, spent some time out in the country last weekend. We wanted to take a drive and look at all the changing and falling leaves, as well as hit some of the local farms up in eastern Snohomish county. We had a great time driving around, hitting the antique shops in old town Snohomish, sampling fresh home baked pie at Snohomish Pie Company, and grabbing some pumpkins and gourds for Halloween. We even were able to hook up with Hyrum, Nicole and Scottie up in Monroe and visit for a while. I can't believe how big Scottie is getting. My favorite was watching him entertain himself with an orange balloon while we visited. We'll post some pics later. It was good to visit with them, and chat about their recent trip to China. I love that there are so many farms within a short driving distance. Lord Hill Farm, Remlinger Farm, Craven Farm, I love getting locally grown goods. The pumpkins, or "pumps" as I like to refer to them as, make a great addition to our courtyard at home!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
We Love You Uncle Mike
It's been an interesting morning today. I really need to vent about my frustrations with cancer and how it can really wreck havoc on peoples lives. My Uncle Mike passed away last night. He's been fighting cancer for a few months and it has completely ravaged and taken over his body. He was just diagnosed in August of this year. And this just consumed his health terribly! I really hate it when people have to suffer from this disease, especially in the final days and hours.
Despite the excruciating pain and the decreased faculties he had to endure, Uncle Mike passed away surrounded by his immediate family who loved him dearly. Mine and Holly's best thoughts and prayers are with Aunt Jeanne, Jayme and her family, Mandy and her family and Johnny and his family not only today, but in the weeks and months ahead. We love you guys, and are so saddened for the loss of your Dad. I have so many fun memories of Uncle Mike. Uncle Mike has been preceded in death by his daughter Sharlee, my cousin. I'm sure they are having a glorious reunion today together and with other relatives who have passed on prior. I also believe that my Mother has been able to walk up to him and give him a large embrace as well. After all, when it's all said and done, earthly and eternal family relationships are the most important thing one could ever hope for in this life.
Aunt Jeanne & Uncle Mike. Photo taken by my cousin Jayme.
Despite the excruciating pain and the decreased faculties he had to endure, Uncle Mike passed away surrounded by his immediate family who loved him dearly. Mine and Holly's best thoughts and prayers are with Aunt Jeanne, Jayme and her family, Mandy and her family and Johnny and his family not only today, but in the weeks and months ahead. We love you guys, and are so saddened for the loss of your Dad. I have so many fun memories of Uncle Mike. Uncle Mike has been preceded in death by his daughter Sharlee, my cousin. I'm sure they are having a glorious reunion today together and with other relatives who have passed on prior. I also believe that my Mother has been able to walk up to him and give him a large embrace as well. After all, when it's all said and done, earthly and eternal family relationships are the most important thing one could ever hope for in this life.
Aunt Jeanne & Uncle Mike. Photo taken by my cousin Jayme.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Stupid Postal Carrier
I'm trying not to fixate and be bugged about the way we receive our mail in our mail box as of late. We must have changed postal carriers or something, and I'm ready to get in his/her face over not following strict protocol. I like order, and when things go against the "said" order, I get pissy!
Apparently, it's "OK" to squish all the mail and catalogs together into a wrinkled mess and smash them down into the bottom and back of the mail box to taunt me to death. Last night was the 4th time in two weeks that the mail was a debacle. Since I like order, I like to come home, get the mail, relax and unwind, peruse the catalogs or papers and then get on with my evening. It seriously is grating my nerves to no end.
So I need to decide if I do one of the following:
1) Compile a famous passive/aggressive "hate" note, laminate it, and post it by all the mail boxes...? This way it is undetermined who ACTUALLY wrote the note in our community. It could be any of five mail boxes.
2) Work in the yard on Saturday so when the postal carrier comes by, we can "have a chat...?"
3) Put a hate note in our box, so he knows it's from us, but I don't want retaliation from said option..?
4) Do nothing and forget about it, because I sure do love looking at catalogs that are smashed beyond recognition...!
Apparently, it's "OK" to squish all the mail and catalogs together into a wrinkled mess and smash them down into the bottom and back of the mail box to taunt me to death. Last night was the 4th time in two weeks that the mail was a debacle. Since I like order, I like to come home, get the mail, relax and unwind, peruse the catalogs or papers and then get on with my evening. It seriously is grating my nerves to no end.
So I need to decide if I do one of the following:
1) Compile a famous passive/aggressive "hate" note, laminate it, and post it by all the mail boxes...? This way it is undetermined who ACTUALLY wrote the note in our community. It could be any of five mail boxes.
2) Work in the yard on Saturday so when the postal carrier comes by, we can "have a chat...?"
3) Put a hate note in our box, so he knows it's from us, but I don't want retaliation from said option..?
4) Do nothing and forget about it, because I sure do love looking at catalogs that are smashed beyond recognition...!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
A Little Crazy
Have you ever walked out of the house and asked yourself, "Do I have on all my clothes?" That is where I am today. I have actually had this experience and had to answer myself no. In the 7th grade I made it all the way to the bus stop before I realized I wasn't wearing a bra. It was a sensitive gym time and that kind of thing was disastrous to my life. Luckily I was able to run home and take care of things. Since then I've had the naked dream quite a few more times than I'd like. For whatever reason I'm frequently without clothes and think it's fine and no one will notice only to suddenly find myself in a meeting or at the mall or wherever. (I'm sure Freudians will have a lot to say about this, luckily none of them read our blog.)
Now I frequently do a little check of my body before I head out the door to make sure I'm not missing anything really important. Today though I forgot to make the check, luckily it wasn't anything like my prior experience, but I forgot my rings today and I feel quite naked without them. I've just been so busy with extra things after work every night that it's getting a little hard to keep track of things.
Sadly I don't see and end of this madness with Ward Missionary meetings 3 Tuesdays a month, temple every Wednesday and 4th Tuesdays, and dinner group with friends every Monday. I think something is going to have to give or I might explode especially since I haven't been to the gym once this week which is not helping my energy level or my waistline.
I felt the need to have this little therapy session with myself, not to look for pity or answers to my problems. I know that I have a very full and rich life and am so blessed that I really shouldn't be complaining about anything. But sometimes it's nice just to get it out there and move on with life.
Now I frequently do a little check of my body before I head out the door to make sure I'm not missing anything really important. Today though I forgot to make the check, luckily it wasn't anything like my prior experience, but I forgot my rings today and I feel quite naked without them. I've just been so busy with extra things after work every night that it's getting a little hard to keep track of things.
Sadly I don't see and end of this madness with Ward Missionary meetings 3 Tuesdays a month, temple every Wednesday and 4th Tuesdays, and dinner group with friends every Monday. I think something is going to have to give or I might explode especially since I haven't been to the gym once this week which is not helping my energy level or my waistline.
I felt the need to have this little therapy session with myself, not to look for pity or answers to my problems. I know that I have a very full and rich life and am so blessed that I really shouldn't be complaining about anything. But sometimes it's nice just to get it out there and move on with life.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Calling All Colon Cams!
Since I'm getting ready for my "Super Fun" colonoscopy in the next few days, I thought I'd share a great story from Dave Berry. I mean who doesn't like Dave Berry? He's a very humorous writer. Anyways, when I had a GI procedure earlier this year, I got this from my brother-in-law. This makes me laugh every time I read it. We've been having colon talk in the office today, since three of us are slated for "scopes" this month. I'm really looking forward to having the medical camcorder shoved up my rump...AGAIN...! Hopefully they can figure my issues out soon, because I'm losing patience! :)
Dave's Colon Column, Enjoy:
I called my friend Andy Sable, a gastroenterologist, to make
an appointment for a colonoscopy. A few days later, in his
office, Andy showed me a color diagram of the colon, a
lengthy organ that appears to go all over the place, at one
point passing briefly through Minneapolis. Then Andy
explained the colonoscopy procedure to me in a thorough,
reassuring and patient manner. I nodded thoughtfully, but I
didn't really hear anything he said, because my brain was
shrieking, quote, 'HE'S GOING TO STICK A TUBE 17,000
FEET UP YOUR BEHIND!'
I left Andy's office with some written instructions, and a
prescription or a product called 'MoviPrep, which comes in a
box large enough to hold a microwave oven. I will discuss
MoviPrep in detail later; for now suffice it to say that we must
never allow it to fall into the hands of America's enemies.
I spent the next several days productively sitting around
being nervous. Then, on the day before my colonoscopy, I
began my preparation. In accordance with my instructions, I
didn't eat any solid food that day; all I had was chicken
broth, which is basically water, only with less flavor. Then, in
the evening, I took the MoviPrep. You mix two packets of
powder together in a one-liter plastic jug, and then you fill it
with lukewarm water. (For those unfamiliar with the metric
system, a liter is about 32 gallons.) Then you have to drink the
whole jug. This takes about an hour, because MoviPrep tastes -
and here I am being kind - like a mixture of goat spit and
urinal cleanser, with just a hint of lemon.
The instructions for MoviPrep, clearly written by somebody
with a great sense of humor, state that after you drink it, 'a
loose watery bowel movement may result.' This is kind of like
saying that after you jump off your roof, you may experience
contact with the ground.
MoviPrep is a nuclear laxative. I don't want to be too graphic,
here, but: Have you ever seen a space-shuttle launch? This is
pretty much the MoviPrep experience, with you as the shuttle.
There are times when you wish the commode had a seat belt.
You spend several hours pretty much confined to the
bathroom, spurting violently. You eliminate everything. And
then, when you figure you must be totally empty, you have to
drink another liter of MoviPrep, at which point, as far as I can
tell, your bowels travel into the future and start eliminating
food that you have not even eaten yet.
After an action-packed evening, I finally got to sleep. The
next morning my wife drove me to the clinic. I was very
nervous. Not only was I worried about the procedure, but I
had been experiencing occasional return bouts of MoviPrep
spurtage. I was thinking, 'What if I spurt on Andy?' How do
you apologize to a friend for something like that? Flowers
would not be enough.
At the clinic I had to sign many forms acknowledging that I
understood and totally agreed with whatever the heck the
forms said. Then they led me to a room full of other
colonoscopy people, where I went inside a little curtained
space and took off my clothes and put on one of those hospital
garments designed by sadist perverts, the kind that, when you
put it on, makes you feel even more naked than when you are
actually naked.
Then a nurse named Eddie put a little needle in a vein in my
left hand. Ordinarily I would have fainted, but Eddie was very
good, and I was already lying down. Eddie also told me that
some people put vodka in their MoviPrep. At first I was ticked
off that I hadn't thought of this, but then I pondered what
would happen if you got yourself too tipsy to make it to the
bathroom, so you were staggering around in full Fire Hose
Mode. You would have no choice but to burn your house.
When everything was ready, Eddie wheeled me into the
procedure room, where Andy was waiting with a nurse and an
anesthesiologist. I did not see the 17,000-foot tube, but I
knew Andy had it hidden around there somewhere. I was
seriously nervous at this point. Andy had me roll over on my
left side, and the anesthesiologist began hooking something up
to the needle in my hand. There was music playing in the room,
and I realized that the song was 'Dancing Queen' by Abba. I
remarked to Andy that, of all the songs that could be playing
during this particular procedure, 'Dancing Queen' has to be
the least appropriate.
'You want me to turn it up?' said Andy, from somewhere
behind me. 'Ha ha,' I said. And then it was time, the moment
I had been dreading for more than a decade. If you are
squeamish, prepare yourself, because I am going to tell you, in
explicit detail, exactly what it was like.
I have no idea. Really. I slept through it. One moment, Abba
was shrieking 'Dancing Queen! Feel the beat from the
tambourine' and the next moment, I was back in the other
room, waking up in a very mellow mood. Andy was looking down
at me and asking me how I felt. I felt excellent. I felt even
more excellent when Andy told me that it was all over, and
that my colon had passed with flying colors. I have never been
prouder of an internal organ....
Dave's Colon Column, Enjoy:
I called my friend Andy Sable, a gastroenterologist, to make
an appointment for a colonoscopy. A few days later, in his
office, Andy showed me a color diagram of the colon, a
lengthy organ that appears to go all over the place, at one
point passing briefly through Minneapolis. Then Andy
explained the colonoscopy procedure to me in a thorough,
reassuring and patient manner. I nodded thoughtfully, but I
didn't really hear anything he said, because my brain was
shrieking, quote, 'HE'S GOING TO STICK A TUBE 17,000
FEET UP YOUR BEHIND!'
I left Andy's office with some written instructions, and a
prescription or a product called 'MoviPrep, which comes in a
box large enough to hold a microwave oven. I will discuss
MoviPrep in detail later; for now suffice it to say that we must
never allow it to fall into the hands of America's enemies.
I spent the next several days productively sitting around
being nervous. Then, on the day before my colonoscopy, I
began my preparation. In accordance with my instructions, I
didn't eat any solid food that day; all I had was chicken
broth, which is basically water, only with less flavor. Then, in
the evening, I took the MoviPrep. You mix two packets of
powder together in a one-liter plastic jug, and then you fill it
with lukewarm water. (For those unfamiliar with the metric
system, a liter is about 32 gallons.) Then you have to drink the
whole jug. This takes about an hour, because MoviPrep tastes -
and here I am being kind - like a mixture of goat spit and
urinal cleanser, with just a hint of lemon.
The instructions for MoviPrep, clearly written by somebody
with a great sense of humor, state that after you drink it, 'a
loose watery bowel movement may result.' This is kind of like
saying that after you jump off your roof, you may experience
contact with the ground.
MoviPrep is a nuclear laxative. I don't want to be too graphic,
here, but: Have you ever seen a space-shuttle launch? This is
pretty much the MoviPrep experience, with you as the shuttle.
There are times when you wish the commode had a seat belt.
You spend several hours pretty much confined to the
bathroom, spurting violently. You eliminate everything. And
then, when you figure you must be totally empty, you have to
drink another liter of MoviPrep, at which point, as far as I can
tell, your bowels travel into the future and start eliminating
food that you have not even eaten yet.
After an action-packed evening, I finally got to sleep. The
next morning my wife drove me to the clinic. I was very
nervous. Not only was I worried about the procedure, but I
had been experiencing occasional return bouts of MoviPrep
spurtage. I was thinking, 'What if I spurt on Andy?' How do
you apologize to a friend for something like that? Flowers
would not be enough.
At the clinic I had to sign many forms acknowledging that I
understood and totally agreed with whatever the heck the
forms said. Then they led me to a room full of other
colonoscopy people, where I went inside a little curtained
space and took off my clothes and put on one of those hospital
garments designed by sadist perverts, the kind that, when you
put it on, makes you feel even more naked than when you are
actually naked.
Then a nurse named Eddie put a little needle in a vein in my
left hand. Ordinarily I would have fainted, but Eddie was very
good, and I was already lying down. Eddie also told me that
some people put vodka in their MoviPrep. At first I was ticked
off that I hadn't thought of this, but then I pondered what
would happen if you got yourself too tipsy to make it to the
bathroom, so you were staggering around in full Fire Hose
Mode. You would have no choice but to burn your house.
When everything was ready, Eddie wheeled me into the
procedure room, where Andy was waiting with a nurse and an
anesthesiologist. I did not see the 17,000-foot tube, but I
knew Andy had it hidden around there somewhere. I was
seriously nervous at this point. Andy had me roll over on my
left side, and the anesthesiologist began hooking something up
to the needle in my hand. There was music playing in the room,
and I realized that the song was 'Dancing Queen' by Abba. I
remarked to Andy that, of all the songs that could be playing
during this particular procedure, 'Dancing Queen' has to be
the least appropriate.
'You want me to turn it up?' said Andy, from somewhere
behind me. 'Ha ha,' I said. And then it was time, the moment
I had been dreading for more than a decade. If you are
squeamish, prepare yourself, because I am going to tell you, in
explicit detail, exactly what it was like.
I have no idea. Really. I slept through it. One moment, Abba
was shrieking 'Dancing Queen! Feel the beat from the
tambourine' and the next moment, I was back in the other
room, waking up in a very mellow mood. Andy was looking down
at me and asking me how I felt. I felt excellent. I felt even
more excellent when Andy told me that it was all over, and
that my colon had passed with flying colors. I have never been
prouder of an internal organ....
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Small World - Stalker Style
There are a lot of people who like to go to the grocery store, market or bank and like having the sales clerks or tellers know their name and carry on a conversation. I am not one of those people. I'm good for a nod, a smile and a hello. That's about it. Dan on the other hand has worked in retail and is all about the customer service smile and chit-chat everywhere we go.
So at the grocery store there is one checker who LOVES us/Dan. It really drives me crazy. One day we went to the store and bought eggs, flour, oil, milk and some other stuff and of course little miss nosy asked us what we were making. Dan carried on a conversation with her and told her we were making cupcakes, blah, blah, blah. Well, we ran more errands that night and ended up forgetting the groceries in the trunk of our car so we needed to go back to the store the next day and get basically the same stuff. Our checker noticed and asked us what happened. Dan shared all. She thought it was hilarious. I rolled my eyes. To make it worse every time we are at the store and she is there, whether she is checking us out or not, she says hi to us and tells us not to forget our groceries in the car. It's kind of embarrassing as she is yelling across two or three check stands to talk to us.
It gets better. Apparently she has a part time job at Nordstrom in the women's shoe department. I tried really hard not to let her see me.
Now today. I'm at the doctor's office, waiting to have some blood drawn and in walks the checker. She said hi, luckily she didn't ask what I was in for.
I feel a little like I'm being stalked. Or maybe I'm stalking her. I'm not sure. Or maybe it's just a small world and it pays to be nice and not a grouch because you never know who you'll see over and over again.
So at the grocery store there is one checker who LOVES us/Dan. It really drives me crazy. One day we went to the store and bought eggs, flour, oil, milk and some other stuff and of course little miss nosy asked us what we were making. Dan carried on a conversation with her and told her we were making cupcakes, blah, blah, blah. Well, we ran more errands that night and ended up forgetting the groceries in the trunk of our car so we needed to go back to the store the next day and get basically the same stuff. Our checker noticed and asked us what happened. Dan shared all. She thought it was hilarious. I rolled my eyes. To make it worse every time we are at the store and she is there, whether she is checking us out or not, she says hi to us and tells us not to forget our groceries in the car. It's kind of embarrassing as she is yelling across two or three check stands to talk to us.
It gets better. Apparently she has a part time job at Nordstrom in the women's shoe department. I tried really hard not to let her see me.
Now today. I'm at the doctor's office, waiting to have some blood drawn and in walks the checker. She said hi, luckily she didn't ask what I was in for.
I feel a little like I'm being stalked. Or maybe I'm stalking her. I'm not sure. Or maybe it's just a small world and it pays to be nice and not a grouch because you never know who you'll see over and over again.
Friday, October 10, 2008
50 and Counting
I was pretty excited when I stepped on the scale this morning before I got ready. I've now hit the 50 pound mark in weight loss. We both have been working hard to change our lifestyle. From incorporating lots more exercise, to staying away from processed foods and eating organic home prepared meals and limiting the amount we consume. We're both just swimming in our clothes as they are too big. We both did some retail therapy this past week to purchase some new clothes that are smaller. Now that I'm on a roll and have met this first milestone, it's time to work towards the next target for weight loss. Wish me luck.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Camera Surprise
Have you ever found an old roll of film or one of those disposable cameras lying around your house and wonder, how old is this and what's on it? Well we've had this old disposable camera sitting on our bookshelf forever that we keep meaning to develop and obviously never do. Today I developed it, and these are the fruits of my labor. I thought it was fitting since it's Sherry's birthday to show the pictures I found of her from at least 4 years ago.
Happy Birthday Mom
It is with mixed emotions that Holly and I celebrate my Mom's birthday today. Boy, I sure do miss her tremendously. Selfishly, I want to talk to her and wish her Happy Birthday and hear her voice, but that is a thing of the past. If she were still alive and here with us, we'd be celebrating her 68th Birthday with family, friends and neighbors. My love for Autumn comes from my Mother. She made the months of September to December absolutely priceless and memorable as she prepared for the holidays and numerous gatherings often associated with Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. In the back of my mind I can smell the aromas of home made white and wheat bread, honey butter, soups, stews, and wassail brewing in the kitchen of my childhood. Our Autumn open house soup party tradition comes from my mother. I am a product of two amazing parents and I owe them the world for who I am, what I stand for, and what I hold dear and important in my life.
In the past, her birthday consisted of fun-filled phone calls, incredible family meals, fun gifts for the kitchen or china hutch and lots and lots of laughing and story telling. Though I can't call her anymore to wish her a happy birthday, or tell her in person how much I love her and give her one of my famous smothering bear hugs, I know my Mom is with all our family today, and those who love and miss her no matter where we are all at. So my absolute best thoughts go out to her today.
Mom, I love you and miss you immensely! Your children miss you. Your grandchildren miss you. Your siblings miss you. Dad absolutely aches for you. Have a fun day doing what you do best, making other people laugh, sharing an incredible story, and cooking up something to enjoy with everyone around you. Wishing you all the best.
Dan and Mom, Summer 1977.
This photo was taken by my Uncle Sam and Aunt Jean. The first time anyone in my family saw this photo was a few months ago when Aunt Jean mailed it to me, and I then shared a copy with my Dad when we flew him up to visit. Holly and I are working on a family cook book inclusive of stories and food memories associated with Mom and our immediate and extended family traditions. My siblings, aunts and uncles on both sides of the family, and Mom's dear friends have sent us priceless photos and stories to be included in this cook book project.
In the past, her birthday consisted of fun-filled phone calls, incredible family meals, fun gifts for the kitchen or china hutch and lots and lots of laughing and story telling. Though I can't call her anymore to wish her a happy birthday, or tell her in person how much I love her and give her one of my famous smothering bear hugs, I know my Mom is with all our family today, and those who love and miss her no matter where we are all at. So my absolute best thoughts go out to her today.
Mom, I love you and miss you immensely! Your children miss you. Your grandchildren miss you. Your siblings miss you. Dad absolutely aches for you. Have a fun day doing what you do best, making other people laugh, sharing an incredible story, and cooking up something to enjoy with everyone around you. Wishing you all the best.
Dan and Mom, Summer 1977.
This photo was taken by my Uncle Sam and Aunt Jean. The first time anyone in my family saw this photo was a few months ago when Aunt Jean mailed it to me, and I then shared a copy with my Dad when we flew him up to visit. Holly and I are working on a family cook book inclusive of stories and food memories associated with Mom and our immediate and extended family traditions. My siblings, aunts and uncles on both sides of the family, and Mom's dear friends have sent us priceless photos and stories to be included in this cook book project.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Monumental France
Well, of course you knew it was coming. We did visit all the monuments and churches you're supposed to see while in France. Brace yourselves.
Dan and I in front of the Louvre.
Dan and I in front of the Eiffel Tower.
Dan getting a closer look from our boat tour.
At night.
Fantastic video at night.
Dan tired and bored at The Arc de Triomphe.
Us at the top of The Arc.
Walking down the stairs from the top of The Arc since we were told the elevator was for invalids. They didn't care that we had purple tickets that stated we were invalids and had already taken the elevator to the top.
Inside Notre Dame.
Chartes Notre Dame (they're all called Notre Dame).
Dan lighting a candle.
Stunning stain glass.
Dan and I in front of the Louvre.
Dan and I in front of the Eiffel Tower.
Dan getting a closer look from our boat tour.
At night.
Fantastic video at night.
Dan tired and bored at The Arc de Triomphe.
Us at the top of The Arc.
Walking down the stairs from the top of The Arc since we were told the elevator was for invalids. They didn't care that we had purple tickets that stated we were invalids and had already taken the elevator to the top.
Inside Notre Dame.
Chartes Notre Dame (they're all called Notre Dame).
Dan lighting a candle.
Stunning stain glass.
Drunk Pumpkins
We are totally doing this on our front entry way for Halloween. Funny...! This way with all the pumpkin guts already splatted out on the stairs, we won't need to worry about any teenagers snatching them in the night and splatting them on the street.
Le Panier - Very French Bakery
My good friend at our ad agency brought in a very French surprise for me today during our weekly project status meeting, to welcome me back from vacation. She found those amazing French macaroons right here in Seattle at Le Panier in Pike's Place Market. I've heard of this French bakery before, but never put two and two together that they would sell the amazing macaroons. It was such a fun treat. I had my favorite "Pistache" one, as well as a orange curd one. YUM! This was very thoughtful and unexpected. I even saved half of them for Holly. Mai Li, thank you! That was very thoughtful of you.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Not So Green
I'm the proud new owner of a monthly parking pass down in South Lake Union for work. I decided to take my division executive up on her offer for a monthly parking pass & stall. My building already has a wait list, but she held on to two stalls for "unforseen issues and growth." Apparently, there has been some behind my back gambling on how long I'd last taking public transportation. The bets were that I'd last 30 days tops. A colleague in my office won $30.00 since she stated I'd last for one quarter and have a "Dan Meltdown." I guess my colleagues know me all to well since they spend over 8 hours a day with me. She was right, I lasted three months and 3 days on public transportation and am VERY MUCH looking forward to the convenience of the car and driving into work again. Holly will also benefit from this, as we'll be commuting in together and she'll also get to fore go taking the bus to/from work. I guess we will have to minimize our carbon footprint by some other means. I am completely fine with being high maintenance.
Chateau Versailles
First off I need to say that the day trip to Versailles was amazing, and I loved it. In the hall of mirrors, the only thing I could concentrate on...was my intense desire to have some outlandishly expensive and gaudy suit on, and a powdered wig four feet tall off my bald head, so I could run around and admire how I looked in all the mirrors, and bark orders at all my servants. All the while, thinking about how many candles would have been in this place, and out running any angry Parisians who wanted to chop my head of in the make shift guillotine in the huge court yard.
The very impressive Chateau Versailles.
Holly and I, Steve and Kelly overlooking the Orangerie.
The King and Queen of America looking ever so dapper...
Beautiful sculpture, a huge topiary of sorts.
Beautiful manicured gardens.
Romanesque columns and architectural accents, very beautiful.
More sculptural shrubberies.
Holly in her royal chariot.
Doing the epitome of American Laziness, by strolling around the gardens in the rented golf cart. Once we all figured out how big the impressive palace gardens were, we all thought..."There is no way in H, we are going to walk this all on foot!"
Steve's noggin, and Kelly laughing.
The King and Queen of America reprise.
Chateau Versailles was amazing. After a few train direction mishaps, we finally made it, and it proved to be one of the best experiences from my perspective that we had. Spending 30 Euros on a golf cart rental was the BEST expense of the trip.
The very impressive Chateau Versailles.
Holly and I, Steve and Kelly overlooking the Orangerie.
The King and Queen of America looking ever so dapper...
Beautiful sculpture, a huge topiary of sorts.
Beautiful manicured gardens.
Romanesque columns and architectural accents, very beautiful.
More sculptural shrubberies.
Holly in her royal chariot.
Doing the epitome of American Laziness, by strolling around the gardens in the rented golf cart. Once we all figured out how big the impressive palace gardens were, we all thought..."There is no way in H, we are going to walk this all on foot!"
Steve's noggin, and Kelly laughing.
The King and Queen of America reprise.
Chateau Versailles was amazing. After a few train direction mishaps, we finally made it, and it proved to be one of the best experiences from my perspective that we had. Spending 30 Euros on a golf cart rental was the BEST expense of the trip.
France Vacation, Day 11
I've been "forbode" from giving a day-by-day recap of vacation, so I'll skip RIGHT to day 11. This would be the day we went through rolls upon rolls of toilet paper. The food poisoning gods unleashed their horror on Kelly after a less than favorable chicken schwarma experience for lunch. We all ate it, but for some reason she got sick from it. The last few days in Nice were chalked up to "too many people, not enough things open on the sabbath, and lots and LOTS of trips to the restrooms." I had a bit more mercy with my bowels, but Kelly by far gets the award for using the most toilet paper. I'll need to think of a fun prize for her.
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