I just finished painting the tall accent wall that divides my kitchen from the living and dining rooms. The one with the breakfast bar attached. I would show you a picture, but I currently have no camera (one is out on loan and the other is being de-peed), so you will have to visualize it.
Visualize my upstairs.....painted.
The color is green, of course. It is called Grasshopper Wing, but that sounds so stupid, we are going witn Dried Basil, which is another Behr color that looks EXACTLY the same, to me. So we painted it dried basil. Beautiful.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
If you asked someone who knows me, I am sure they will tell you that I am a mild mannered, kind sort of person. Go ahead--ask. It has recently come to my attention that I can come across as a ferocious bitch in the written-area of communication. I am good with that.
I am shy. Very few people understand this, because I have pretty good coping skills, but I am. Shy. If you asked people at work to describe me, I doubt a single one would use the word shy, however. If you asked them specifically if I *am* shy, I am sure you would hear 'no'. But I am, nonetheless. I am just very comfortable there. Just about 10 years, with nearly the same people every day makes a girl comfortable. At least it makes *me* comfortable. I know where things are and who people are and what my role is and what to pretty much expect. All good.
In my public life, I am Clark Kent. Mild mannered, etc, etc, etc. But I do have those moments when I step into that telephone booth and out comes passionate, screaming Superman. Or something like that. Sadly enough, up until now, Superman only converses within my own head. Or via email or some other written form of communication. Sometimes on the phone. I can be bitchy on the phone at times, too. Not in real life, though. Me no likey confrontation. At least not directly. I love it via written forms. So.
At home, when I am absolutely comfortable, I *am* superman. Not to say that I am not nice and caring and all the good Clark Kent things, but I am also comfortable enough to express myself. Which doesn't really happen elsewhere. SOmetimes at work, but not always. Mostly, I have heated discussions at home with Ethan, or in my own head, because I was too chicken to say anything to someone in the moment when I wanted to say it. I have great zingers, and LOTS of opinions. Anyway....
I. Am a passionate person. I care deeply about things. Many things. Among them: issues of race and racism. Deeply. Not because I married someone of a different ethnicity, not because it is currently a 'popular' issue (what with the anti Haiti people out there spewing). Because I care.
Yes, marrying outside my same racial background got me started, all those years ago, on thinking about people who are not the same as I am. But I feel so much more. Ethan and I are FAR more similar than we are different. I truly don't see his skin, unless it is through the eyes of someone else (via a comment, a look, etc).
I have taken many cultural awareness and history classes. I love reading about different cultures and countries and people of all sorts. I am blessed with coworkers from dozens of different backgrounds, each with their own stories about their heritage, their country of origin. I love hearing non-American names bestowed on their children, and hearing what those names mean in their native languages. I love trying different foods (except seafood. You know I have to put my foot down on seafood) that I had never heard of before. I love the richness that comes with a multicultural group.
I am currently all irritated with the yahoos who think we shouldn't be helping out in Haiti, since there are so many problems here in the US. And it irritates the hell out of me.
All of this rambling *does* have something of a point to it, I swear.
This is your warning/advance notice that I have decided to go ahead and unleash 'Superman'. Meaning that I am not going to try to be PC or nice or let things go. On the internet, that is. Or the phone. Shyness is not something you just 'stop', so I will continue in my mild-manneredness in my actual nice. But I have discovered that I CAN express myself, I CAN say what I want if I am typing, and I am going to do so. I am sure there will be some stepped on toes (and I will keep the cursing to a minimum. After all-my MOM and GRAMMIE read this blog. And are facebook friends!!). But I am not going to worry about that so much.
Please welcome Alyca to the internet.
I am shy. Very few people understand this, because I have pretty good coping skills, but I am. Shy. If you asked people at work to describe me, I doubt a single one would use the word shy, however. If you asked them specifically if I *am* shy, I am sure you would hear 'no'. But I am, nonetheless. I am just very comfortable there. Just about 10 years, with nearly the same people every day makes a girl comfortable. At least it makes *me* comfortable. I know where things are and who people are and what my role is and what to pretty much expect. All good.
In my public life, I am Clark Kent. Mild mannered, etc, etc, etc. But I do have those moments when I step into that telephone booth and out comes passionate, screaming Superman. Or something like that. Sadly enough, up until now, Superman only converses within my own head. Or via email or some other written form of communication. Sometimes on the phone. I can be bitchy on the phone at times, too. Not in real life, though. Me no likey confrontation. At least not directly. I love it via written forms. So.
At home, when I am absolutely comfortable, I *am* superman. Not to say that I am not nice and caring and all the good Clark Kent things, but I am also comfortable enough to express myself. Which doesn't really happen elsewhere. SOmetimes at work, but not always. Mostly, I have heated discussions at home with Ethan, or in my own head, because I was too chicken to say anything to someone in the moment when I wanted to say it. I have great zingers, and LOTS of opinions. Anyway....
I. Am a passionate person. I care deeply about things. Many things. Among them: issues of race and racism. Deeply. Not because I married someone of a different ethnicity, not because it is currently a 'popular' issue (what with the anti Haiti people out there spewing). Because I care.
Yes, marrying outside my same racial background got me started, all those years ago, on thinking about people who are not the same as I am. But I feel so much more. Ethan and I are FAR more similar than we are different. I truly don't see his skin, unless it is through the eyes of someone else (via a comment, a look, etc).
I have taken many cultural awareness and history classes. I love reading about different cultures and countries and people of all sorts. I am blessed with coworkers from dozens of different backgrounds, each with their own stories about their heritage, their country of origin. I love hearing non-American names bestowed on their children, and hearing what those names mean in their native languages. I love trying different foods (except seafood. You know I have to put my foot down on seafood) that I had never heard of before. I love the richness that comes with a multicultural group.
I am currently all irritated with the yahoos who think we shouldn't be helping out in Haiti, since there are so many problems here in the US. And it irritates the hell out of me.
All of this rambling *does* have something of a point to it, I swear.
This is your warning/advance notice that I have decided to go ahead and unleash 'Superman'. Meaning that I am not going to try to be PC or nice or let things go. On the internet, that is. Or the phone. Shyness is not something you just 'stop', so I will continue in my mild-manneredness in my actual nice. But I have discovered that I CAN express myself, I CAN say what I want if I am typing, and I am going to do so. I am sure there will be some stepped on toes (and I will keep the cursing to a minimum. After all-my MOM and GRAMMIE read this blog. And are facebook friends!!). But I am not going to worry about that so much.
Please welcome Alyca to the internet.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Issues of funding
Written in mid-November
We always go on vacation, have a wonderful time....then come home to the massive credit card bills that we racked up on our trip.
Not this time.
We started a fund through SmartyPig.com a while back, where we put in a certain amount of money each month automatically from our paychecks. It earns about 2.5% interest, and we don't have to think about it and remember to put money in--it does it for us. This works for us. We are notoriously bad savers. We make twice the money we did 6-7 years ago, but other than the bigger mortgage, we don't really have any more 'stuff'. But we still have the same amount of spending money, it seems, and we are always broke. The more we make, the more we piddle away. So we started with Smarty Pig and now have funds for home repairs, savings, a new car (in a couple years), travel, and season tickets. Works for us.
Anyway, we figure we will have $1700 built up in our travel fund by April. We plan to exchange that for Euros and take it with us to Europe. The hotels we are staying at offer discounts if you pay with cash, so we are planning to do that.
Other ways we are working to NOT be in debt when we come home--we have already booked our main flight--it is paid for, months and months ahead of time. We are trying to spread things out so they are not all paid at the same time and lingering on our credit card. I think that is the beauty of planning a vacation so far ahead of time--you can slowly pay for things over time and not get hit all at once.
In January, we will book and pay for our big train tickets from Germany to Amsterdam, and from Amsterdam to Paris.
That leaves February and March for purchasing prebooked tickets to the Anne Frank House and the Eiffel Tower, among other attractions. There are new systems in place that allow you to book ahead of time, and avoid the notoriously long lines at the attractions themselves. We will pay a small service fee for the convenience, but we (mostly Ethan...), are NOT line waiters, and it is worth it to us. I think we will also prebook for the Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapel and maybe the Roma pass, which is a great discount program for Rome--there are over a dozen places that take the Roma pass, and whichever two you do first are totally free, then you get discounts on the rest that you visit. It totally pays for itself if you make sure to go to the spendiest attractions first--mainly the Colosseum.
The downside to pre-booking/pre-paying for attractions is that you must choose exactly WHEN you will do them--the Anne Frank House gives you a one-hour window to arrive, as does the Eiffel Tower. But, in the long run, I think we can handle having to be at ONE place at a specific time. Not planning out our entire days with a set schedule, just making sure we hit THOSE places at a set time. We will see. Maybe this WON'T work and I will be back on here saying NOT to do this. But, I think we will be fine.
After all this pre-paying, and handing over Euros to pay for our hotels, we should have a couple hundred Euros left out of our vacation savings to use for small train trips in Germany, meals, trains/metro in Paris and Rome, other attractions, etc. I am SURE we will end up needing more money than we have, but at least a big portion will already have been accounted for.
UPDATE:
We haven't done a whole lot more. Well, *I* haven't. Let it be known that I am the planner, and Ethan is the supportive, encouraging person who just wants to know what time the plane leaves. Not exactly, but something like that...
We are planning to book our Paris Hotel (Hotel Tourisme) next week, as well as the plane tickets from Paris to Rome. We went ahead and decided to take the early morning (7am) flight from Paris, because this gives us almost an entire day in Rome, whereas if we wait for the 1pm flight, we only have from about 3pm to do any looking around. And, lets face it--if we leave at 1pm, that entire morning will be us piddling around, waiting for our flight. Or waiting for it to be time to go to the airport. Or something like that. It is not like we will be doing touristy things. A wasted day.
We (I, remember??) have decided on a hotel for Germany. We are going to stay in Bacharach, along the Rhine river. The hotel is Im Malerwinkel, which means 'painters corner'. This particular area was popular in years past as a place to sit and paint the beautiful scenery. Gorgeous, and only a 5-10 minute walk from the train station.
Now, I am just waiting for this hotel to send me a confirmation email, and we are set. I have seen pictures taken by other travellers in Bacharach in early May (we are there the last week of April), and it is just so fairybook beautiful, I almost can't stand it. I finally sent my camera (my baby) off for cleaning, and expect it back in 6-8 weeks. I need to go buy some ginormous memory cards to bring with me, because I am SURE I will take a billion pictures every day. Even though I CAN download them to my laptop nightly. Nothing worse than a full memory card when you are out and about!!
So, there we are. Will have hotels/flight booked on the 26th of January, and will start booking the trains as each 90 day window comes up (can only book 90 days ahead of time--first one will be January 27, then the 30th, etc).
Almost for the fun part--what activities we will do. So much to choose from...so little time to see/do it all!
We always go on vacation, have a wonderful time....then come home to the massive credit card bills that we racked up on our trip.
Not this time.
We started a fund through SmartyPig.com a while back, where we put in a certain amount of money each month automatically from our paychecks. It earns about 2.5% interest, and we don't have to think about it and remember to put money in--it does it for us. This works for us. We are notoriously bad savers. We make twice the money we did 6-7 years ago, but other than the bigger mortgage, we don't really have any more 'stuff'. But we still have the same amount of spending money, it seems, and we are always broke. The more we make, the more we piddle away. So we started with Smarty Pig and now have funds for home repairs, savings, a new car (in a couple years), travel, and season tickets. Works for us.
Anyway, we figure we will have $1700 built up in our travel fund by April. We plan to exchange that for Euros and take it with us to Europe. The hotels we are staying at offer discounts if you pay with cash, so we are planning to do that.
Other ways we are working to NOT be in debt when we come home--we have already booked our main flight--it is paid for, months and months ahead of time. We are trying to spread things out so they are not all paid at the same time and lingering on our credit card. I think that is the beauty of planning a vacation so far ahead of time--you can slowly pay for things over time and not get hit all at once.
In January, we will book and pay for our big train tickets from Germany to Amsterdam, and from Amsterdam to Paris.
That leaves February and March for purchasing prebooked tickets to the Anne Frank House and the Eiffel Tower, among other attractions. There are new systems in place that allow you to book ahead of time, and avoid the notoriously long lines at the attractions themselves. We will pay a small service fee for the convenience, but we (mostly Ethan...), are NOT line waiters, and it is worth it to us. I think we will also prebook for the Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapel and maybe the Roma pass, which is a great discount program for Rome--there are over a dozen places that take the Roma pass, and whichever two you do first are totally free, then you get discounts on the rest that you visit. It totally pays for itself if you make sure to go to the spendiest attractions first--mainly the Colosseum.
The downside to pre-booking/pre-paying for attractions is that you must choose exactly WHEN you will do them--the Anne Frank House gives you a one-hour window to arrive, as does the Eiffel Tower. But, in the long run, I think we can handle having to be at ONE place at a specific time. Not planning out our entire days with a set schedule, just making sure we hit THOSE places at a set time. We will see. Maybe this WON'T work and I will be back on here saying NOT to do this. But, I think we will be fine.
After all this pre-paying, and handing over Euros to pay for our hotels, we should have a couple hundred Euros left out of our vacation savings to use for small train trips in Germany, meals, trains/metro in Paris and Rome, other attractions, etc. I am SURE we will end up needing more money than we have, but at least a big portion will already have been accounted for.
UPDATE:
We haven't done a whole lot more. Well, *I* haven't. Let it be known that I am the planner, and Ethan is the supportive, encouraging person who just wants to know what time the plane leaves. Not exactly, but something like that...
We are planning to book our Paris Hotel (Hotel Tourisme) next week, as well as the plane tickets from Paris to Rome. We went ahead and decided to take the early morning (7am) flight from Paris, because this gives us almost an entire day in Rome, whereas if we wait for the 1pm flight, we only have from about 3pm to do any looking around. And, lets face it--if we leave at 1pm, that entire morning will be us piddling around, waiting for our flight. Or waiting for it to be time to go to the airport. Or something like that. It is not like we will be doing touristy things. A wasted day.
We (I, remember??) have decided on a hotel for Germany. We are going to stay in Bacharach, along the Rhine river. The hotel is Im Malerwinkel, which means 'painters corner'. This particular area was popular in years past as a place to sit and paint the beautiful scenery. Gorgeous, and only a 5-10 minute walk from the train station.
Now, I am just waiting for this hotel to send me a confirmation email, and we are set. I have seen pictures taken by other travellers in Bacharach in early May (we are there the last week of April), and it is just so fairybook beautiful, I almost can't stand it. I finally sent my camera (my baby) off for cleaning, and expect it back in 6-8 weeks. I need to go buy some ginormous memory cards to bring with me, because I am SURE I will take a billion pictures every day. Even though I CAN download them to my laptop nightly. Nothing worse than a full memory card when you are out and about!!
So, there we are. Will have hotels/flight booked on the 26th of January, and will start booking the trains as each 90 day window comes up (can only book 90 days ahead of time--first one will be January 27, then the 30th, etc).
Almost for the fun part--what activities we will do. So much to choose from...so little time to see/do it all!
Since I *am* striving to update this blog, I have decided to not have my other (unread) travel blog going as well. One is plenty. So, here is info (mostly) copied from that blog, with, of course a few updates.
Nearly 6 months away, but my mind is FILLED with thoughts of Europe!!
I get all involved with finding a hotel to stay in in Paris, then I get all interested in which river town to stay in while in Germany. Then thoughts of Roman ruins run through my head and I am all about Italy. I really cannot say which part of our upcoming trip excites me the most.
All together, we will be in Europe for about 340 hours....and I am sure I will spend at LEAST that much time either on the computer planning this trip, talking about options with Ethan, or reading guidebooks.
So far, I am using the Rick Steves books--I have the 2010 versions for Rome, Paris and Amsterdam, and older versions of his Europe through the back door and Best of Europe. I am trying to NOT do a cookie cutter trip following his advice to the dot--sounds like many people do, and they miss out on a lot!
At this point, this is what we have done:
We booked tickets from Seattle to Frankfurt and from Rome back to Seattle using airline miles. Because our trip puts us in Amsterdam during Koninginnedag, which is a national holiday celebrating the Queen's official birthday, we booked that hotel first.
We will be staying at Hotel Aspen in Amsterdam--located really close to the Anne Frank House and the Jordaan neighborhood, and only a few blocks from Dam Square, right in the heart of the city.
Nothing else is booked yet...but that is mostly because we are too far out to book them!
In Paris, I am pretty confident that we will be staying at The Tourisme Hotel, which is located very near the Eiffel Tower. There are a couple hotels in this area I am considering, but this is my favorite right now...
In Rome, we are staying at The Beehive, located a few blocks from the main Termini train station. Great rate, wonderful location....and free wifi, which is a must for all our hotels. We are bringing the laptop with us so I can download pictures off my memory cards for my cameras, and Ethan can stay updated with work issues.
In Germany.....we are still deciding. I really want to go here, but it is not located very conveniently to any of the small towns we are thinking of staying in--we land in Frankfurt, then will take a train to the Rhine river and stay in either Bacharach or Sankt Goar...or maybe somewhere else??? Rick Steves suggests staying in Bacharach, which looks just beautiful--bit it *is* the furthest south/farthest away from other sites. Such dilemmas.....
Overal plans:
Germany
Arrive in Germany, see lots of castles, taste wine and cheese, relax. We will be here for 3 nights, but as I mentioned--we are not yet sure where we will be staying. We will do at least 2 castle tours--probably Rheinfels and Marksburg. Definitely taking a K-D river cruise at some point. We shall see if Burg Eltz makes it into our plans..
Amsterdam
We are here for 4 nights. So far, we know we want to do a bike tour, and go to the Anne Frank House. Not sure what will be happening on the big celebration on April 30th...but we will go with the flow.
Paris
We are in Paris for 3 nights. We arrive on Labour Day, so we are crossing our fingers that the French do not have a notorious strike on that day, and our train arrives on time.. We get here on a Saturday, and the next day (Sunday) is the first Sunday of the month, so many museums are free. We are not overly museum-y people...so we will take advantage of the free-ness. I definitely want to check out the Louvre, and the Orsay, maybe l'Orangerie to see Monet's famous water lilies....
We are absolutely doing this tour--it is one of the things I am most looking forward to! Probably do that our first evening in Paris. I want to see everything there is to see architecturally--Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, St. Chapelle, etc. And, of course, the Eiffel Tower....
Rome
Rome is going to be awesome--3 nights here. We will definitely see the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica one day...gotta do the Colosseum/Forum/Capitol Hill/Pantheon...maybe check out some catacombs...Rick Steves has some do-it-yourself walks past some great areas--Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, etc. I also want to do the Borghese Gallery and the National Museum of Rome. So much to do, so little time....
So, here we are!! The next thing I will probably be doing is book a flight from Paris to Rome. THey are about 36 euros each through easyjet.com for a mid-day/mid-week flight. Can't book our train tickets until we are 90 days or less out, and can't book the hotels for another few weeks...so more planning and looking and dreaming for me!
Written in early NOvember...
Nearly 6 months away, but my mind is FILLED with thoughts of Europe!!
I get all involved with finding a hotel to stay in in Paris, then I get all interested in which river town to stay in while in Germany. Then thoughts of Roman ruins run through my head and I am all about Italy. I really cannot say which part of our upcoming trip excites me the most.
All together, we will be in Europe for about 340 hours....and I am sure I will spend at LEAST that much time either on the computer planning this trip, talking about options with Ethan, or reading guidebooks.
So far, I am using the Rick Steves books--I have the 2010 versions for Rome, Paris and Amsterdam, and older versions of his Europe through the back door and Best of Europe. I am trying to NOT do a cookie cutter trip following his advice to the dot--sounds like many people do, and they miss out on a lot!
At this point, this is what we have done:
We booked tickets from Seattle to Frankfurt and from Rome back to Seattle using airline miles. Because our trip puts us in Amsterdam during Koninginnedag, which is a national holiday celebrating the Queen's official birthday, we booked that hotel first.
We will be staying at Hotel Aspen in Amsterdam--located really close to the Anne Frank House and the Jordaan neighborhood, and only a few blocks from Dam Square, right in the heart of the city.
Nothing else is booked yet...but that is mostly because we are too far out to book them!
In Paris, I am pretty confident that we will be staying at The Tourisme Hotel, which is located very near the Eiffel Tower. There are a couple hotels in this area I am considering, but this is my favorite right now...
In Rome, we are staying at The Beehive, located a few blocks from the main Termini train station. Great rate, wonderful location....and free wifi, which is a must for all our hotels. We are bringing the laptop with us so I can download pictures off my memory cards for my cameras, and Ethan can stay updated with work issues.
In Germany.....we are still deciding. I really want to go here, but it is not located very conveniently to any of the small towns we are thinking of staying in--we land in Frankfurt, then will take a train to the Rhine river and stay in either Bacharach or Sankt Goar...or maybe somewhere else??? Rick Steves suggests staying in Bacharach, which looks just beautiful--bit it *is* the furthest south/farthest away from other sites. Such dilemmas.....
Overal plans:
Germany
Arrive in Germany, see lots of castles, taste wine and cheese, relax. We will be here for 3 nights, but as I mentioned--we are not yet sure where we will be staying. We will do at least 2 castle tours--probably Rheinfels and Marksburg. Definitely taking a K-D river cruise at some point. We shall see if Burg Eltz makes it into our plans..
Amsterdam
We are here for 4 nights. So far, we know we want to do a bike tour, and go to the Anne Frank House. Not sure what will be happening on the big celebration on April 30th...but we will go with the flow.
Paris
We are in Paris for 3 nights. We arrive on Labour Day, so we are crossing our fingers that the French do not have a notorious strike on that day, and our train arrives on time.. We get here on a Saturday, and the next day (Sunday) is the first Sunday of the month, so many museums are free. We are not overly museum-y people...so we will take advantage of the free-ness. I definitely want to check out the Louvre, and the Orsay, maybe l'Orangerie to see Monet's famous water lilies....
We are absolutely doing this tour--it is one of the things I am most looking forward to! Probably do that our first evening in Paris. I want to see everything there is to see architecturally--Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, St. Chapelle, etc. And, of course, the Eiffel Tower....
Rome
Rome is going to be awesome--3 nights here. We will definitely see the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica one day...gotta do the Colosseum/Forum/Capitol Hill/Pantheon...maybe check out some catacombs...Rick Steves has some do-it-yourself walks past some great areas--Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, etc. I also want to do the Borghese Gallery and the National Museum of Rome. So much to do, so little time....
So, here we are!! The next thing I will probably be doing is book a flight from Paris to Rome. THey are about 36 euros each through easyjet.com for a mid-day/mid-week flight. Can't book our train tickets until we are 90 days or less out, and can't book the hotels for another few weeks...so more planning and looking and dreaming for me!
Written in early NOvember...
Monday, January 11, 2010
It cracked *me* up, anyway...although I am sure the math is a bit off...
The Population of this country is 300 million.
160 million are retired.
That leaves 140 million to do the work.
There are 85 million in school.
Which leaves 55 million to do the work.
Of this there are 35 million employed by the federal government.
Leaving 20 million to do the work.
2.8 million are in the armed forces preoccupied with killing Osama Bin-Laden.
Which leaves 17.2 million to do the work.
Take from that total the 15.8 million people who work for state and city governments
And that leaves 1.4 million to do the work.
At any given time there are 188,000 people in hospitals.
Leaving 1,212,000 to do the work.
Now, there are 1,211,998 people in prisons.
That leaves just two people to do the work.
You and me.
And there you are, sitting on your ass, at your computer, reading jokes.
Nice. Real nice.
160 million are retired.
That leaves 140 million to do the work.
There are 85 million in school.
Which leaves 55 million to do the work.
Of this there are 35 million employed by the federal government.
Leaving 20 million to do the work.
2.8 million are in the armed forces preoccupied with killing Osama Bin-Laden.
Which leaves 17.2 million to do the work.
Take from that total the 15.8 million people who work for state and city governments
And that leaves 1.4 million to do the work.
At any given time there are 188,000 people in hospitals.
Leaving 1,212,000 to do the work.
Now, there are 1,211,998 people in prisons.
That leaves just two people to do the work.
You and me.
And there you are, sitting on your ass, at your computer, reading jokes.
Nice. Real nice.
Friday, January 08, 2010
Sleep
Anyone else have sleeping issues?? I sure do. I have had a hard time FALLING asleep for years now. I am pretty good at now going to bed a little earlier, doing some reading, winding down before trying to sleep, etc. I do OK, and it is totally manageable. But now...for the last week or so, I fall asleep OK.....but I half wake up like 10 times each night. Very sucky. I wake up enough to realize that I am waking up, then roll over and try to get back to sleep. Not cool at all. Usually, once I am asleep......I am ASLEEP. Dead to the world until that alarm goes off at 0429. I have tried going to bed earlier the last couple nights (seriously--at 8:15pm), but that is not working out so well. I am getting irritable at work. I am sure that is well appreciated.
Anyway....any suggestions out there?? I am not willing to take meds, because I would have to take them at like 6pm or else they won't wear off in time for me to get up and not be fuzzy..
Anyway....any suggestions out there?? I am not willing to take meds, because I would have to take them at like 6pm or else they won't wear off in time for me to get up and not be fuzzy..
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Note to readers...the more you (legitimately) comment, the more I post.....
Updates, updates....we went to Avatar on IMAX 3D for New Years Eve, which was very good. It did give me a headache, and I can't STAND wearing glasses...but the movie is THAT good...
Had a lovely, laid back weekend at home with my husband, marred only by the ~6 hours we devoted to the last Seahawks game. Another no-go. We are in the running for a decent draft pick, at least. We always have a good time at the games--win or lose. More fun when we win, of course.....but fun nonetheless. I love the pre-game, where they announce the players and they run onto the field, and when the hawk flies out of the tunnel, and when they announce the raiser of the 12th man flag--this week, it was Ken Griffey Jr, and the stadium ROCKED. We always root to lose the coin toss, or to defer the win if we DO win it, so our defense can start out on the field. Everyone screams full force when the D is on the field, and you haven't LIVED until your voice joins with 70K others all in an attempt to screw up the opposing offense's plays.
This week was special because it was the first time I have ever been in a stadium where there was a successful 'wave'. You know...where people stand up and scream in a timed way so that it looks like a huge wave rippling through the crowd?? Never seen it go all the way around. This week, the fans were so bored (and fed up ), they made it around 6 times. It was epic. Have I mentioned that it brings a tear to my eye to see a crowd do the wave?? Even though they *did* do it while we were on offense....
So, the Seahawks season is finally over, and I now have my Sundays back. Not that I didn't enjoy the games, but they mean leaving the house around 930am, and not getting home until 430-5pm. It is a full day, and squeezes into my general lounging around time.
Elsewhere on the home front...we are working very hard to figure out where our money goes and make an actual budget. I have printouts from mint.com that we are going to analyze today to see which areas we can maybe cut back on. After seeing that we spend nearly the same amount on restaurants in a year as we do food/coffee at work.....we are going to start bringing lunches or at least snackage to work instead...
Also lots of (mental) planning for our upcoming Europe trip. Can I tell you how excited I am??? I even got a gym membership and am working with a trainer specifically in the area of stair climbing, since every gorgeous monument I want to see involves a lot of stair climbing, and I don't want to be the fat, lazy American tourist huffing and puffing and not making it to the top. We want to climb Notre Dame, the Arc du Triumphe, do some hiking to a castle in Germany, climb a bell tower in Amsterdam, go to the top of St Peter's, and climb through numerous ruins in Rome. Lots of stairs.
Still need to book a couple hotels and our little flight, and will be able to book the train portions later this month (can only book 90 days ahead of time). I bought the Rick Steves guide books for each area (except Germany), and have pored over each of them numerous times. Lots of excitement over this..
I am also making plans to have a niece come up to visit me for a long weekend this summer. I have secret plans of going to Wild Waves and maybe the Seattle Aquarium and some other fabulous things. Just need to talk the mama into sending her up......I think this will be awesome, and will try to get each neice/nephew as the get a little older and can hang out. Maybe two together??? Yeesh....maybe not...
Anyway.. that is where I am today..
Updates, updates....we went to Avatar on IMAX 3D for New Years Eve, which was very good. It did give me a headache, and I can't STAND wearing glasses...but the movie is THAT good...
Had a lovely, laid back weekend at home with my husband, marred only by the ~6 hours we devoted to the last Seahawks game. Another no-go. We are in the running for a decent draft pick, at least. We always have a good time at the games--win or lose. More fun when we win, of course.....but fun nonetheless. I love the pre-game, where they announce the players and they run onto the field, and when the hawk flies out of the tunnel, and when they announce the raiser of the 12th man flag--this week, it was Ken Griffey Jr, and the stadium ROCKED. We always root to lose the coin toss, or to defer the win if we DO win it, so our defense can start out on the field. Everyone screams full force when the D is on the field, and you haven't LIVED until your voice joins with 70K others all in an attempt to screw up the opposing offense's plays.
This week was special because it was the first time I have ever been in a stadium where there was a successful 'wave'. You know...where people stand up and scream in a timed way so that it looks like a huge wave rippling through the crowd?? Never seen it go all the way around. This week, the fans were so bored (and fed up ), they made it around 6 times. It was epic. Have I mentioned that it brings a tear to my eye to see a crowd do the wave?? Even though they *did* do it while we were on offense....
So, the Seahawks season is finally over, and I now have my Sundays back. Not that I didn't enjoy the games, but they mean leaving the house around 930am, and not getting home until 430-5pm. It is a full day, and squeezes into my general lounging around time.
Elsewhere on the home front...we are working very hard to figure out where our money goes and make an actual budget. I have printouts from mint.com that we are going to analyze today to see which areas we can maybe cut back on. After seeing that we spend nearly the same amount on restaurants in a year as we do food/coffee at work.....we are going to start bringing lunches or at least snackage to work instead...
Also lots of (mental) planning for our upcoming Europe trip. Can I tell you how excited I am??? I even got a gym membership and am working with a trainer specifically in the area of stair climbing, since every gorgeous monument I want to see involves a lot of stair climbing, and I don't want to be the fat, lazy American tourist huffing and puffing and not making it to the top. We want to climb Notre Dame, the Arc du Triumphe, do some hiking to a castle in Germany, climb a bell tower in Amsterdam, go to the top of St Peter's, and climb through numerous ruins in Rome. Lots of stairs.
Still need to book a couple hotels and our little flight, and will be able to book the train portions later this month (can only book 90 days ahead of time). I bought the Rick Steves guide books for each area (except Germany), and have pored over each of them numerous times. Lots of excitement over this..
I am also making plans to have a niece come up to visit me for a long weekend this summer. I have secret plans of going to Wild Waves and maybe the Seattle Aquarium and some other fabulous things. Just need to talk the mama into sending her up......I think this will be awesome, and will try to get each neice/nephew as the get a little older and can hang out. Maybe two together??? Yeesh....maybe not...
Anyway.. that is where I am today..
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
A year in review
My New Year's resolution for this year is (among other things) to do a better job keeping my blog updated. In this spirit, I am going to recap 2009 as it was for the Amersons. No pictures, because my camera is still (hopefully) temporarily out of commission, but you can certainly search back through my blog and see if I documented any of this stuff...
January
Went to Disneyland with the Fieros and had a *fabulous* time, other than the hip issues on the roll-away cot, which I finally minimized by sleeping atop three pillows running lengthwise down the bed. I will definitely weasel my way into the next Disney trip taken by any of my neices/nephew. We also refinanced our mortgage (again....) into a 14-year mortgage with an amazing interest rate. This is our last refinance, because we will never be able to beat this deal. Ethan was on crutches all this month (from his right knee surgery in December 2008)
February
Got into finances and figuring out the future and eventual retirement for the Amersons. Started watching a lot of Suze Orman and Dave Ramsey and MSNBC and CNBC. I think we are a whole lot more savvy now. Ethan was also able to hire Brian, the boyfriend of one of Ethan's best friends, as a temporary worker in the lockshop at Harborview. All in all, Brian's 3-month job turned into almost exactly 1 year of work. Ethan came off his crutches this month, and started walking again on his super repaired knee. We love Dr. Wahl!!
March
I taught Mom how to make a blog post, in anticipation of her going to Michigan to get a guide dog, since she wanted to blog about it. Lots of vacation planning, as well.
April
Went to Mazatlan in the beginning of the month, with Justin and Kim. Stayed in a 2 bedroom condo on the beach and had a fabulous time. I switched back to being 100% UDF nurse at work, and stopped working as a floor nurse. Went to Las Vegas at the very end of the month, with Sabrina and Matt. LOVED the Beattles show, Love, and enjoyed the warm weather and hanging out with the Merritts.
May
I have no recollection of anything that happened this month. Probably not a whole lot. Debt repayment from the vacations, I am sure. Planning for a possible Australia trip for fall 2009 (which we did not end up taking). Watched Star Trek in the theater.
June
Celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary at Salty's on Alki. WONDERFUL dinner! Had a corner table by the window overlooking the water with a city view. Ethan's birthday was celebrated very low-key--I made him a photo collage of picturs of us on vacation from our years together, and put it on the wall by his desk at work. Watched Star Trek in the theater. Had a minor feud with the neighbor (renter) across the street who kept unscrewing the light bulbs in our porch and garage lights. Seattle nearly set a record with 29 straight days without rainfall. Start of a gorgeous, warm summer!
July
Had a ridiculous hot streak with over 100 degree days. Bathed the cats frequently. Took cold showers every day after work. Did LOTS of planning and researching for Mom's Europe trip. Watched several paddling regattas. Tried not to melt in all the heat. Watched Star Trek in the theater.
August
Continued to melt in the heat. Nearly divorced when our carbon monoxie sensor beeped for 36 hours, and we thought it was a smoke detector beeping. Even had Ethan up in the attic trying to figure things out... Hosted mom and a friend overnight, then drove them to the airport to start their European trip and IDBF World Championships of Paddling. Went camping and hiking up at Mt Baker with friends to end the month, and swore I broke a rib after falling off a log. My chest hurt for nearly 2 months....Seahawks preseason games
September
Booked tickets to go to Europe in April/May 2010. Hosted the Fieros for a long weekend, then off to Sequim for a BBQ/illicit bonfire with the Cooper side of the family. More Seahawks games. I think they were still winning a few, at this point...
October
Another quiet birthday celebration (mine, this time); LOTS more vacation planning (Europe)
November
Went to the scrapbook convention in Bellevue for two full days--had a blast, other than the fact that I also had a cold... Went to Puerto Vallarta for 5 days in the most unplanned-ahead trip the Amersons have ever taken. Had a blast, and flew home first-class.
December
Went to Long Beach, Washington with my siblings and Mom for our annual December/Christmas get-together. Got a snuggie as my White Elephant gift. Was not enthused....but now watch my cats fight over it every day (It is leopard print, and they refuse to share it). Went to Hood River with the Fieros and Merritts and Mom for the Polar Express train that turned out to be fairly lame....although the get-together itself was nice. Shadow peed on my camera 12/24...it was resurrected 12/27 (I think...) Went to a lovely Christmas eve party at Justin and Kim's house, and were very merry. Saw Avatar Christmas day.....then booked tickets to see it again in IMAX 3D on New Year's Eve. Finally gave up on the Seahawks' 2009 season, but plan to enjoy their last home game 1/3.
January
Went to Disneyland with the Fieros and had a *fabulous* time, other than the hip issues on the roll-away cot, which I finally minimized by sleeping atop three pillows running lengthwise down the bed. I will definitely weasel my way into the next Disney trip taken by any of my neices/nephew. We also refinanced our mortgage (again....) into a 14-year mortgage with an amazing interest rate. This is our last refinance, because we will never be able to beat this deal. Ethan was on crutches all this month (from his right knee surgery in December 2008)
February
Got into finances and figuring out the future and eventual retirement for the Amersons. Started watching a lot of Suze Orman and Dave Ramsey and MSNBC and CNBC. I think we are a whole lot more savvy now. Ethan was also able to hire Brian, the boyfriend of one of Ethan's best friends, as a temporary worker in the lockshop at Harborview. All in all, Brian's 3-month job turned into almost exactly 1 year of work. Ethan came off his crutches this month, and started walking again on his super repaired knee. We love Dr. Wahl!!
March
I taught Mom how to make a blog post, in anticipation of her going to Michigan to get a guide dog, since she wanted to blog about it. Lots of vacation planning, as well.
April
Went to Mazatlan in the beginning of the month, with Justin and Kim. Stayed in a 2 bedroom condo on the beach and had a fabulous time. I switched back to being 100% UDF nurse at work, and stopped working as a floor nurse. Went to Las Vegas at the very end of the month, with Sabrina and Matt. LOVED the Beattles show, Love, and enjoyed the warm weather and hanging out with the Merritts.
May
I have no recollection of anything that happened this month. Probably not a whole lot. Debt repayment from the vacations, I am sure. Planning for a possible Australia trip for fall 2009 (which we did not end up taking). Watched Star Trek in the theater.
June
Celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary at Salty's on Alki. WONDERFUL dinner! Had a corner table by the window overlooking the water with a city view. Ethan's birthday was celebrated very low-key--I made him a photo collage of picturs of us on vacation from our years together, and put it on the wall by his desk at work. Watched Star Trek in the theater. Had a minor feud with the neighbor (renter) across the street who kept unscrewing the light bulbs in our porch and garage lights. Seattle nearly set a record with 29 straight days without rainfall. Start of a gorgeous, warm summer!
July
Had a ridiculous hot streak with over 100 degree days. Bathed the cats frequently. Took cold showers every day after work. Did LOTS of planning and researching for Mom's Europe trip. Watched several paddling regattas. Tried not to melt in all the heat. Watched Star Trek in the theater.
August
Continued to melt in the heat. Nearly divorced when our carbon monoxie sensor beeped for 36 hours, and we thought it was a smoke detector beeping. Even had Ethan up in the attic trying to figure things out... Hosted mom and a friend overnight, then drove them to the airport to start their European trip and IDBF World Championships of Paddling. Went camping and hiking up at Mt Baker with friends to end the month, and swore I broke a rib after falling off a log. My chest hurt for nearly 2 months....Seahawks preseason games
September
Booked tickets to go to Europe in April/May 2010. Hosted the Fieros for a long weekend, then off to Sequim for a BBQ/illicit bonfire with the Cooper side of the family. More Seahawks games. I think they were still winning a few, at this point...
October
Another quiet birthday celebration (mine, this time); LOTS more vacation planning (Europe)
November
Went to the scrapbook convention in Bellevue for two full days--had a blast, other than the fact that I also had a cold... Went to Puerto Vallarta for 5 days in the most unplanned-ahead trip the Amersons have ever taken. Had a blast, and flew home first-class.
December
Went to Long Beach, Washington with my siblings and Mom for our annual December/Christmas get-together. Got a snuggie as my White Elephant gift. Was not enthused....but now watch my cats fight over it every day (It is leopard print, and they refuse to share it). Went to Hood River with the Fieros and Merritts and Mom for the Polar Express train that turned out to be fairly lame....although the get-together itself was nice. Shadow peed on my camera 12/24...it was resurrected 12/27 (I think...) Went to a lovely Christmas eve party at Justin and Kim's house, and were very merry. Saw Avatar Christmas day.....then booked tickets to see it again in IMAX 3D on New Year's Eve. Finally gave up on the Seahawks' 2009 season, but plan to enjoy their last home game 1/3.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
I may become a believer yet...
After three days and three nights of death, my camera has emerged from the darkness and may have been reborn...
One last replacement of the battery, one last flip of the "on" switch...and THIS time, the camera booted up, came to life, and took pictures. Albeit without the lens attached, but it *did* boot up, and the flash *did* go off....so it will be headed to Kits camera in the near future for some SERIOUS cleaning. Because there was urine pooled in the battery casing, the camera card slot--you name it....
After three days and three nights of death, my camera has emerged from the darkness and may have been reborn...
One last replacement of the battery, one last flip of the "on" switch...and THIS time, the camera booted up, came to life, and took pictures. Albeit without the lens attached, but it *did* boot up, and the flash *did* go off....so it will be headed to Kits camera in the near future for some SERIOUS cleaning. Because there was urine pooled in the battery casing, the camera card slot--you name it....
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
We had an awesome trip today. I cannot stress enough the amazingness of the Vallarta Adventures crew. They totally make each and every trip. We did the Yalapa tour, which was a bay cruise followed by snorkelling and a stop at a Mexican town only accessed by boat (Yalapa). The snorkelling was the best we have ever had on the Pacific Coast, and the crew was undescribably good. We have loaned out our water-soluble camera (the one with the underwater housing), so we have no pictures...but two different couples took our pictures and promise to send them...so we shall see. Awesomeness. We had seafood (Ethan) and Mexican steak for dinner, and are in our room for the night.....
Lots of ocean swimming on the docket for tomorrow...
Lots of ocean swimming on the docket for tomorrow...
Sunday, November 22, 2009
We have arrived in Puerto Vallarta
As soon as they get our toilet fixed, we are off to purchase food/drinks for the week. We always bring Uncle Dan's Original Southern dip mix, and buy cheese/crackers/sliced meat to eat with it for snacks (to skip purchasing lunch), and eggs and cheese for scrambled eggs to eat for breakfast. And a variety of adult beverages.
Off to explore this gorgeous, HUGE resort after that!!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Just for Davinie....
Some of the projects I have yet to finish....white areas are where pictures go.
Fifth picture (if I uploaded these right...is of a 6x6 mini album...
Fourth picture is another 6x6 album--this class was called Core-dinating elements, because we were going to use paper that had a different colored core, so it added dimension when you sanded it a bit. If you look VEEEERRY closely on the far left piece, there is a 2x4 inch piece of this paper. That is all we got. And there was NO mention whatsoever in the class about this paper, other than look for paper that has been already cut to this size, and glue it in place. I LOVE the blue papers they gave us (not the special core ones), but this class sucked, other than that.
Picture #3 and 2 are from a class about using shaped papers. Got some good ideas in this class, and bought some shaped papers to use later...
Pic#1 is from a photos first class--white areas are for 9 little pictures that I have not yet figured out...
Fifth picture (if I uploaded these right...is of a 6x6 mini album...
Fourth picture is another 6x6 album--this class was called Core-dinating elements, because we were going to use paper that had a different colored core, so it added dimension when you sanded it a bit. If you look VEEEERRY closely on the far left piece, there is a 2x4 inch piece of this paper. That is all we got. And there was NO mention whatsoever in the class about this paper, other than look for paper that has been already cut to this size, and glue it in place. I LOVE the blue papers they gave us (not the special core ones), but this class sucked, other than that.
Picture #3 and 2 are from a class about using shaped papers. Got some good ideas in this class, and bought some shaped papers to use later...
Pic#1 is from a photos first class--white areas are for 9 little pictures that I have not yet figured out...
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Because I am such an avid blogger, I started a travel blog over at travelpod.com. So as not to clutter up THIS blog with travel info...
Monday, November 02, 2009
Slightly stale....
I totally forgot to post pictures of this lovely cake I made. Please excuse the messy countertop and the slightly obnoxious green color of the final cake. Let's just say I need a bit of practice...
I made the marshmallow fondant from scratch (my first attempt at that...but it was much tastier than regular fondant is), and I made a massive bowl of buttercream frosting from scratch. The cake is almond vanilla flavor, and I cut fresh strawberries to put between the layers on each cake level. It ended up being tasty, although it *does* bear some resemblence to those ghosts that always chase PacMan around...
I had a bit of an obession with some of those cake shows, and wanted to try my hand at it.
What I learned:
I have no patience for the little details. I am more of a 'meh, it is close enough' kind of person. This shows when rolling out fondant, fyi.
I REALLY need to remodel my kitchen for more counter space before I ever try this again.
Color mixing is not my strong point. That was supposed to be sage green.
I made the marshmallow fondant from scratch (my first attempt at that...but it was much tastier than regular fondant is), and I made a massive bowl of buttercream frosting from scratch. The cake is almond vanilla flavor, and I cut fresh strawberries to put between the layers on each cake level. It ended up being tasty, although it *does* bear some resemblence to those ghosts that always chase PacMan around...
I had a bit of an obession with some of those cake shows, and wanted to try my hand at it.
What I learned:
I have no patience for the little details. I am more of a 'meh, it is close enough' kind of person. This shows when rolling out fondant, fyi.
I REALLY need to remodel my kitchen for more counter space before I ever try this again.
Color mixing is not my strong point. That was supposed to be sage green.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
No, racism is not dead in America
Couple denied marriage license
By MARY FOSTER
The Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS — A Louisiana justice of the peace said he refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple out of concern for any children the couple might have.
Keith Bardwell, justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish, said it is his experience that most interracial marriages do not last long.
"I'm not a racist. I just don't believe in mixing the races that way," Bardwell, who is white, said Thursday. "I have piles and piles of black friends. They come to my home; I marry them; they use my bathroom. I treat them just like everyone else."
Bardwell said he asks everyone who calls about marriage if they are a mixed-race couple. If they are, he does not marry them, he said.
Bardwell said he has discussed the topic with blacks and whites, along with witnessing some interracial marriages. He came to the conclusion that most of black society does not readily accept offspring of such relationships, and neither does white society, he said.
"There is a problem with both groups accepting a child from such a marriage," Bardwell said. "I think those children suffer and I won't help put them through it."
If he did an interracial marriage for one couple, he must do the same for all, he said.
"I try to treat everyone equally," he said.
Bardwell estimated he had refused to marry about four couples during his career, all in the past 2 ½ years.
Beth Humphrey, 30, and Terence McKay, 32, both of Hammond, said they will consult the U.S. Justice Department about filing a discrimination complaint.
Humphrey, an account manager for a marketing firm, said she and McKay, a welder, just returned to Louisiana. She is white and he is black. She plans to enroll in the University of New Orleans to pursue a master's degree in minority politics.
"That was one thing that made this so unbelievable," she said. "It's not something you expect in this day and age."
Humphrey said she called Bardwell on Oct. 6 to inquire about getting a marriage license signed. She said Bardwell's wife told her Bardwell will not sign marriage licenses for interracial couples. Bardwell suggested the couple go to another justice of the peace, who agreed to marry them.
"We are looking forward to having children," Humphrey said. "And all our friends and co-workers have been very supportive. Except for this, we're typical happy newlyweds."
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Louisiana attorney Katie Schwartzmann said, "It is really astonishing and disappointing to see this come up in 2009." She added that the Supreme Court ruled in 1967 "that the government cannot tell people who they can and cannot marry."
The ACLU sent a letter to the Louisiana Judiciary Committee, which oversees the state justices of the peace, asking them to investigate Bardwell and recommending "the most severe sanctions available, because such blatant bigotry poses a substantial threat of serious harm to the administration of justice."
"He knew he was breaking the law, but continued to do it," Schwartzmann said.
"I've been a justice of the peace for 34 years and I don't think I've mistreated anybody," Bardwell said. "I've made some mistakes, but you have, too. I didn't tell this couple they couldn't get married. I just told them I wouldn't do it."
By MARY FOSTER
The Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS — A Louisiana justice of the peace said he refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple out of concern for any children the couple might have.
Keith Bardwell, justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish, said it is his experience that most interracial marriages do not last long.
"I'm not a racist. I just don't believe in mixing the races that way," Bardwell, who is white, said Thursday. "I have piles and piles of black friends. They come to my home; I marry them; they use my bathroom. I treat them just like everyone else."
Bardwell said he asks everyone who calls about marriage if they are a mixed-race couple. If they are, he does not marry them, he said.
Bardwell said he has discussed the topic with blacks and whites, along with witnessing some interracial marriages. He came to the conclusion that most of black society does not readily accept offspring of such relationships, and neither does white society, he said.
"There is a problem with both groups accepting a child from such a marriage," Bardwell said. "I think those children suffer and I won't help put them through it."
If he did an interracial marriage for one couple, he must do the same for all, he said.
"I try to treat everyone equally," he said.
Bardwell estimated he had refused to marry about four couples during his career, all in the past 2 ½ years.
Beth Humphrey, 30, and Terence McKay, 32, both of Hammond, said they will consult the U.S. Justice Department about filing a discrimination complaint.
Humphrey, an account manager for a marketing firm, said she and McKay, a welder, just returned to Louisiana. She is white and he is black. She plans to enroll in the University of New Orleans to pursue a master's degree in minority politics.
"That was one thing that made this so unbelievable," she said. "It's not something you expect in this day and age."
Humphrey said she called Bardwell on Oct. 6 to inquire about getting a marriage license signed. She said Bardwell's wife told her Bardwell will not sign marriage licenses for interracial couples. Bardwell suggested the couple go to another justice of the peace, who agreed to marry them.
"We are looking forward to having children," Humphrey said. "And all our friends and co-workers have been very supportive. Except for this, we're typical happy newlyweds."
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Louisiana attorney Katie Schwartzmann said, "It is really astonishing and disappointing to see this come up in 2009." She added that the Supreme Court ruled in 1967 "that the government cannot tell people who they can and cannot marry."
The ACLU sent a letter to the Louisiana Judiciary Committee, which oversees the state justices of the peace, asking them to investigate Bardwell and recommending "the most severe sanctions available, because such blatant bigotry poses a substantial threat of serious harm to the administration of justice."
"He knew he was breaking the law, but continued to do it," Schwartzmann said.
"I've been a justice of the peace for 34 years and I don't think I've mistreated anybody," Bardwell said. "I've made some mistakes, but you have, too. I didn't tell this couple they couldn't get married. I just told them I wouldn't do it."
Monday, September 14, 2009
A whole lotta travel planning going on in the Amerson household (at least when *I* am home...)
We are hoping to go to Europe in late April/early May. I checked out our frequent flier miles.....and they have halved the amount of miles it takes to fly to Europe!! Which means we have enough for FOUR tickets (or two tickets to Europe, and enough for one of our tickets to Australia). So we must go.
Shopping around (and I *DO* shop around....), I found us flights where we fly into Frankfurt, Germany, then fly home from Rome. Here is our itinerary so far...
We fly into Frankfurt (leaving here ~11am on a Friday), arriving early Saturday morning. Either we hang out in Frankfurt and spend a night, or we catch a train directly to Bacharach, on the Rhein river.
We will stay in a B&B or small hotel here. From this base, we will take a train north and across the Rhein to a town called Moselkern on the Mosel river, where we will disembark, then hike for a bit to get to this:
This is Burg Eltz, a BEAUTIFUL castle that is over 800 years old and was never destroyed/bombed, etc. Rick Steves' favorite castle. After this, we catch another train back to Koblenz (also on the Rhein river), then take a KD river cruise back down to Bacharach (another Rick Steves recommendation). More relaxing and exploring the area until Tuesday with a local rail pass.
On Tuesday, we will take a train out of Germany and into Amsterdam. Ethan really wants to go back. Hopefully, our trip will coincide with Queen's day, which is a nationwide celebration of the Queen's (official) birthday--parties and festivals everywhere, and it is also the ONE day when ANYONE can sell things. No yard sales the rest of the year--just this day!! So they have tons of little second-hand markets set up, and performances of local dance groups and music and all sorts of excitement.
We stay in Amsterdam for four nights, exploring the canals and houseboats and doing at least one bike tour.
On Saturday, we will take a train to Paris. May or may not work in a stop in Brussels. Rick Steves recommends that we get off the train for a few hours here, explore the Grand Place and have a nice lunch, then reboard and head on to Paris. However, then just completed the upgrades for the super high speed Thalys trains, so we may just go straight through. Still deciding.....
We are in Paris for 3 nights, exploring the architecture and history; we will be there for the free day at the Louvre and many other museums (along with a few thousand of our closest friends...), but we will not stress out (WE-WILL-NOT-STRESS-OUT...repeat....), and just enjoy what we can, taking in the ambiance. Definitely going up the Eiffel tower at sunset, and climbing all the steps up Notre Dame and the Arc du Triumph for their views...
We leave Paris on Tuesday, taking a cheap flight to Rome, where we will spend our last three nights. Lots of ruins and architecture and great food and dodging cars and wonderfulness....then we fly back home.
I am sure I will tweak this a bunch as I go, but this is the basic plan so far.
We are hoping to go to Europe in late April/early May. I checked out our frequent flier miles.....and they have halved the amount of miles it takes to fly to Europe!! Which means we have enough for FOUR tickets (or two tickets to Europe, and enough for one of our tickets to Australia). So we must go.
Shopping around (and I *DO* shop around....), I found us flights where we fly into Frankfurt, Germany, then fly home from Rome. Here is our itinerary so far...
We fly into Frankfurt (leaving here ~11am on a Friday), arriving early Saturday morning. Either we hang out in Frankfurt and spend a night, or we catch a train directly to Bacharach, on the Rhein river.
We will stay in a B&B or small hotel here. From this base, we will take a train north and across the Rhein to a town called Moselkern on the Mosel river, where we will disembark, then hike for a bit to get to this:
This is Burg Eltz, a BEAUTIFUL castle that is over 800 years old and was never destroyed/bombed, etc. Rick Steves' favorite castle. After this, we catch another train back to Koblenz (also on the Rhein river), then take a KD river cruise back down to Bacharach (another Rick Steves recommendation). More relaxing and exploring the area until Tuesday with a local rail pass.
On Tuesday, we will take a train out of Germany and into Amsterdam. Ethan really wants to go back. Hopefully, our trip will coincide with Queen's day, which is a nationwide celebration of the Queen's (official) birthday--parties and festivals everywhere, and it is also the ONE day when ANYONE can sell things. No yard sales the rest of the year--just this day!! So they have tons of little second-hand markets set up, and performances of local dance groups and music and all sorts of excitement.
We stay in Amsterdam for four nights, exploring the canals and houseboats and doing at least one bike tour.
On Saturday, we will take a train to Paris. May or may not work in a stop in Brussels. Rick Steves recommends that we get off the train for a few hours here, explore the Grand Place and have a nice lunch, then reboard and head on to Paris. However, then just completed the upgrades for the super high speed Thalys trains, so we may just go straight through. Still deciding.....
We are in Paris for 3 nights, exploring the architecture and history; we will be there for the free day at the Louvre and many other museums (along with a few thousand of our closest friends...), but we will not stress out (WE-WILL-NOT-STRESS-OUT...repeat....), and just enjoy what we can, taking in the ambiance. Definitely going up the Eiffel tower at sunset, and climbing all the steps up Notre Dame and the Arc du Triumph for their views...
We leave Paris on Tuesday, taking a cheap flight to Rome, where we will spend our last three nights. Lots of ruins and architecture and great food and dodging cars and wonderfulness....then we fly back home.
I am sure I will tweak this a bunch as I go, but this is the basic plan so far.
Monday, September 07, 2009
Looks like Mom had one more update in her....
......although...I am not sure I can get past the OMG from *my* mother!! Who taught her that?!?
This email was titled "Croatia"--she went through Zagreb then on to Dubrovnik--I found her a 3 night sea kayaking tour, where you stay in local B&Bs and take guided kayak/snorkel exploration tours during the day. Sounds like it went well.
Alyca
O. M. G!!!!
Unbelievable!!!
Absolutely Awesome!!
Touched!!!!
My Heart is FULL!!
Thank you thank. You THanK YOu. SO muCh for FinDing this place and putting it all together
We are on. Our way home
WILl talk soon
Love you
Mom
This email was titled "Croatia"--she went through Zagreb then on to Dubrovnik--I found her a 3 night sea kayaking tour, where you stay in local B&Bs and take guided kayak/snorkel exploration tours during the day. Sounds like it went well.
Alyca
O. M. G!!!!
Unbelievable!!!
Absolutely Awesome!!
Touched!!!!
My Heart is FULL!!
Thank you thank. You THanK YOu. SO muCh for FinDing this place and putting it all together
We are on. Our way home
WILl talk soon
Love you
Mom
Thursday, September 03, 2009
A final update from Mom (now in Croatia)
Hi Alyca
CheckinG in
We made it To ZegreB. JuSt. Fine
I am. Sitting on the pLane awaiting také off
Rode. A river boat last night
What a Trip that was
I. felt like I was Living inside of a postcard. It was breathtaking view of lots oF castles
UnbElievable
I am taking lots of pictures
I wont Remember whicH one was where
But beautiful any way
Let others know I am okay
Gotta hang up and FLY away
Bye
Love
MoM
CheckinG in
We made it To ZegreB. JuSt. Fine
I am. Sitting on the pLane awaiting také off
Rode. A river boat last night
What a Trip that was
I. felt like I was Living inside of a postcard. It was breathtaking view of lots oF castles
UnbElievable
I am taking lots of pictures
I wont Remember whicH one was where
But beautiful any way
Let others know I am okay
Gotta hang up and FLY away
Bye
Love
MoM
Monday, August 31, 2009
Pictures from our hike up to Baker Lake
Ethan and I went camping this weekend with Justin and Kim (Brian and Erin came up on Saturday). We headed out noonish Saturday to Baker Lake, and had a really nice hike up, with some beautiful views.
An update from Mom
I think she was having issues with the Czech keyboard.......
Hi Alyca,
Yep, got another one. Today.
It is not gold tho, but bronZe has a nice shine to it!
I am racing on the senior woman,s grand master,s.
Tomorrow, we are not racing, so we will check out the City It is so beautiFul here! The weather has been perfect!
Let eveRyone knoW I am Doing great!
Gotta hit the sack
Také care,
LovE
Final tally:
Silver with the Grandmasters women in the 2000m; Bronze with the Grandmaster women in the 1000m; Bronze with the Grandmasters women in the 200m; Silver with the Senior women in the 200m; Bronze with the Senior women in the 500m. So, you could really say she rocked it. A medal at every distance she competed in!
Today (Monday), they took a train into Budapest. They are staying there for 3 nights, doing all the Rick Steves recommended activities--their number one focus is to go to a public bath. Don't worry--they wear clothes in the public baths....
After Budapest, it is another train ride into Zagreb, Croatia; then a flight down to Dubrovnik where they meet up with another paddler and do a 3 day sea kayaking adventure. Mom got a housing for her camera that is waterproof, and promises to bring back lots of pictures!!
Mom
Hi Alyca,
Yep, got another one. Today.
It is not gold tho, but bronZe has a nice shine to it!
I am racing on the senior woman,s grand master,s.
Tomorrow, we are not racing, so we will check out the City It is so beautiFul here! The weather has been perfect!
Let eveRyone knoW I am Doing great!
Gotta hit the sack
Také care,
LovE
Final tally:
Silver with the Grandmasters women in the 2000m; Bronze with the Grandmaster women in the 1000m; Bronze with the Grandmasters women in the 200m; Silver with the Senior women in the 200m; Bronze with the Senior women in the 500m. So, you could really say she rocked it. A medal at every distance she competed in!
Today (Monday), they took a train into Budapest. They are staying there for 3 nights, doing all the Rick Steves recommended activities--their number one focus is to go to a public bath. Don't worry--they wear clothes in the public baths....
After Budapest, it is another train ride into Zagreb, Croatia; then a flight down to Dubrovnik where they meet up with another paddler and do a 3 day sea kayaking adventure. Mom got a housing for her camera that is waterproof, and promises to bring back lots of pictures!!
Mom
Friday, August 28, 2009
For those of you who are following along....
A few links to make things easier.
Here is a blog by Wasabi (Mom's club in Portland). They are blogging some of the races. Mom is not involved, but they do talk about the boats swamping the first day and how some of the races are going. Mom is on (I believe) the Grandmasters women (over age 50), and maybe the grandmasters mixed team. Pretty sure about the GM women, since we saw the picture of her in the medal lineup, and the Senior women did not get a medal.
http://www.wasabipaddlingclub.blogspot.com/
Here is a link to a website where a photographer is taking pictures of the races.
http://www.dragonboat2009.com/photo-galleries
He updates it daily (so far), and there are LOTS of pictures to look through. I have looked through them ALL so far, and there is just the one with Mom in it. I will let you know if I find more......To look through the pictures, just click on one to make it bigger. Once it is up, click on the top right of the picture ( on the > symbol) to go to the next picture
Here is the link to race results--they are posted live within a few minutes of the race completing.
http://idbfworldchamps.com/
The top of the page has some navy blue buttons to get results for day 1, day 2, etc.
Are we all caught up??? Keep sending good luck vibes to Mom--there are a lot more medals out there to win, and I know she is using her medals to make a curtain for her window. She needs a couple more to finish it!!
Here is a blog by Wasabi (Mom's club in Portland). They are blogging some of the races. Mom is not involved, but they do talk about the boats swamping the first day and how some of the races are going. Mom is on (I believe) the Grandmasters women (over age 50), and maybe the grandmasters mixed team. Pretty sure about the GM women, since we saw the picture of her in the medal lineup, and the Senior women did not get a medal.
http://www.wasabipaddlingclub.blogspot.com/
Here is a link to a website where a photographer is taking pictures of the races.
http://www.dragonboat2009.com/photo-galleries
He updates it daily (so far), and there are LOTS of pictures to look through. I have looked through them ALL so far, and there is just the one with Mom in it. I will let you know if I find more......To look through the pictures, just click on one to make it bigger. Once it is up, click on the top right of the picture ( on the > symbol) to go to the next picture
Here is the link to race results--they are posted live within a few minutes of the race completing.
http://idbfworldchamps.com/
The top of the page has some navy blue buttons to get results for day 1, day 2, etc.
Are we all caught up??? Keep sending good luck vibes to Mom--there are a lot more medals out there to win, and I know she is using her medals to make a curtain for her window. She needs a couple more to finish it!!
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