Gated Community

As promised, Mr. Ho has completed re-building the gate to my front yard.  

Here's what it used to look like from the street:
The weathered look was nice, but the mailbox was tiny and didn't lock. 

Also, you'll notice, it was built to simply stand on the sidewalk and was very rickety.  There was even a little piece of wood shoved underneath one of the posts, to make it more stable.

When I returned home from church Sunday, the new gate was completed:

I'll have to say, I was a little surprised at the size.  It's much taller (by about a foot) than the old gate.  The posts are placed in cement in the ground, so it is very stable.  The wood is also much stronger, so it's pretty hefty.

A locking mailbox has been placed on the side, so there's a little more security there--although I miss the shelf above for small packages etc.

Here's what it used to look like from the inside of my yard:
I do miss the curved gate.  And the top seemed more sweeping with the old design.  But maybe I just have to get used to it.

To me, there's a little more of a "barn door" feel to the new one. 

One revision I would like to make;  The latch is only accessible from the inside.  So you have to reach around with your left hand from the sidewalk, to get into the gate.

I suspect most people won't figure out how to get in, so I'll either have to post a note, or put a new latch on both sides.  

Something else I like a LOT is that the new gate is much closer to the ground.  And the sides are almost flush with the yard.  Very good news for me.  Not such good news for the dogs.

You'll notice Abbey walking away, somewhat dejected, from the side of the gate where she used to stick her nose to get a better glimpse of life on the street.

So, I'm looking for latch ideas.  Got any suggestions? 

The Sun is a Little Dimmer

....Now that Billy Mays is gone.   

We tragically lost this shining light of the infomercial world all too soon.

Billy Mays went to bed Saturday after returning to his Florida McMansion, feeling a little "bumped around" from a hard landing on a jet.   He never woke up.  

How will we know what to buy?  How will we understand the strength of one product versus another?

Does this mean America has lost its' competitive edge in the pitchman sweepstakes?  Will the Australians win?

Who will I be able to trust to sell me my Oxy-Clean?  

And most of all.....who will yell at me now?  

Some things must be seen to be believed.

Thanks for letting me "borrow" this, Jeremy!

And Ryan....thank you for being Ryan.

Where's my Jell-o shot?

Many Lives

As I was walking with a colleague during the Livestrong Challenge yesterday, we got into a conversation about cooking school.  I mentioned that my sister is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY.  

She remarked: "How many sisters do you have anyway?" And, it occurred to me that the three of us have lived many different lives in a relatively short period of time.

I have been a radio reporter, anchor, news director, brewery co-owner, tv producer, voiceover talent, actress, bagel seller, college graduate, wife, divorcee, home-owner, public address announcer in Major League Baseball, talk show host, marketing director, writer, and dog owner,most just in the last 15 years.

But I guess we all wear a number of hats in our lives.  Maybe when you reach a certain age, you wonder how you will be remembered.  

All I know is that I don't want to be shoved into a small box, professionally, or literally, after I go.  

This is the 10th anniversary of  my graduation from John Carroll University.  I read my alumni magazine, and see most of my classmates are in their 1st or 2nd jobs, and are having lots and lots of Catholic babies.  

I wish them well, and sometimes, I wonder what life would have been like, if I took amore traditional path, like they have. 

Would I be happier?  Would I be wealthier? Would things feel more stable?

What would be my priorities?  Would I be a good mother?

Who knows?

Oh, the coaster above is one of the tens of thousands we gave away at Western Reserve Brewing.  One thing you learn when you run a brewery is the importance of having LOTS of promotional stuff like coasters, posters, key chains, caps, t-shirts, bottle openers etc. on hand, to promote your product to potential customers.  

Those coasters were used for everything!  They steadied table legs, served as bookmarks, were taped together to make wall-hangings, were used underneath keg tubs sometimes, and came in big stacks of 500.  We had cases and cases of them.

Another time.  Another life.

Game On, Cancer!

This morning, I took part in the Livestrong Challenge, a run-walk-bike-a-thon to raise money for cancer research.  

A team of about 20 of us from Fisher joined the group, but we arrived kinda late, so we pretty much made up the back of the pack for the 5K walk.

Here's my walking buddy:

Kathi Goertzen, Manda Factor and Jill Taylor were all co-team captains.  Thanks, guys, for all your work to organize everyone.

Especially, thanks to Jill Taylor for all the e-mails organizing things at the last minute.

5K is about 3 miles....and it was pretty easy, except for a couple of hills.

Many of the participants were cancer survivors, or were walking, running or biking in memory of someone.

These two young women had a lot to think about as they made the journey:
And a lot of new people were making the journey too.

I love that this little girl had a Livestrong bracelet on her ankle!

We walked around the outside of Seattle, Center, down Mercer St., came up the Broad St. hill, and circled Seattle Center again,  before returning to the Start/Finish line.

The bikers rode 50 miles, runners did a 10K, and walkers went 5K. 

We all returned close to the same time.
The event was very well-organized.  Lots of volunteers, and lots and lots of smiles.

Game on, Cancer!

An Unexpected work by Mary Cassatt

Mary Cassatt was a lifelong student, painting in realism, Impressionism, and even dabbling in the style of the great Japanese printmakers.

This painting of "The Bath" (she created several works with the same title) is lovely in its' simplicity.  And true to Cassatt's subjects, it depicts a mother and child in an intimate, quiet moment.

Other than that, the work is a complete departure for her.

Getting Ideas for Plants

I've been paying a little more attention to plants these days, because I need to fill in some holes in my yard.

Here are a few of my favorites, and I must say, I have NO IDEA what any of these are called, the conditions they need, or if they even are a good fit for my yard.

I love how this grass looks like a waterfall, soft, and interesting:

This one is kind of blue, and scruffy, but in a good way.   I think it's cute and interesting.

And I encounter this bush all over.  It seems to attract bees.  But I love the blue color of the flowers, and have no idea what it's called.:

Mr. Ho removed the 4 dead trees, so he got paid.  He also talked me into coming back this  Saturday and building a new gate.  I've bought a locking mailbox in anticipation of the event.

 We've agreed on the style of gate, the construction method and the fact I want a real handle this time, not just a cheezy latching mechanism. 

Wish me luck!!!

 

Unexpected Fun

OK, not my dog and not my sprinkler, but you get the picture.

Since we've had more than 3 weeks without measurable rain in Seattle, I need to do a little watering.  So, this morning, I took a trip to my neighborhood hardwood store to buy a sprinkler.

You know how your eyes are sometimes too big for your stomach?  Well, the sprinkler I bought is WAY too powerful for my little lawn.   It's one of those kinds with the ratchet head that you can point in one direction or make it turn a full circle.

Not only does it completely soak my lawn, the trees, and the front window, but it also waters the neighbors' trees on either side.  

Added bonus!  And while I was trying to find the perfect spot to set the sprinkler, it got me square in the back with a powerful jet of water.  I am SOAKED.  But it made me giggle.

When I was a little girl, living in Decatur, Illinois, there was nothing more fun on a hot summer day, then putting on my bathing suit and jumping and playing in the sprinkler.  We'd scream, hoot and laugh.  It was the best! 

One burst in the back brought all of that back.    It was also funny to watch to dogs as they adapted to this new addition to their yard.  Abbey ran inside really fast.

Dudley, scientist that he is, was completely fascinated.  He stared at it as it was turned on, and very quickly understood the circular pattern of the sprinkler.  He proceeded to march around, watching the sprinkler head, just behind the spray of water.   Never got wet.  Just his little tongue when he investigated the strength of the spray.

The other fun came later today, when I experimented with the puff pastry that's been in my freezer for months.

I created THIS!

Full disclosure, I took the image from the Internet, but it looks pretty close.  

Yum!  Here's the recipe:

Quick & Easy Apple Tart

1 sheet puffed pastry, cut into half OR thirds
3 to 4 apples, cored, halved, and sliced (but not peeled)
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 415 degrees.

Place puffed pastry rectangles onto a baking pan that’s been sprayed with nonstick spray.

Add sugar and salt to apples. Stir to combine. Allow to sit for a few minutes.

Arrange apple slices on the pastry rectangles in a straight line, overlapping as you go.

Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until pastry is puffed and golden brown.

Remove from pan immediately and place on a serving platter. Serve plain, with caramel topping, whipped cream, or a sprinkling of powdered sugar. 

The recipe was from The Pioneer Woman website.  Love that site.

Yard Assist -Thank you Watson's Dad!

A few weeks ago, I posted THIS photo of my little, overgrown yard:

I love the green sanctuary feeling, but clearly, it's overgrown.  

"Watson's Dad" gave a few pertinent comments about cutting back the hedge, which was empowering to me.

 I tried to hack back the lilac bush myself, and proved almost completely incompetent.  

So, yesterday, I hired "Mr Ho"---his biz. name-- to do the labor.   Here's what greeted me when I got home:

Clearly, I need to plant some color, water the lawn so it greens up again, probably do something with seed and fertilizer (looking for more ideas, Watson's Dad!) etc.

But I think it's a LOT better!

One problem; I asked "Mr Ho" to remove 4 of the arborvitae trees that have died. They're still there. But, I haven't paid him yet, so we'll obviously clear that up before I write that check.

Hope for Little Houses

Yesterday I spent four hours working as a volunteer at the Phinney Neighborhood Association Home and Garden Tour.

It's the second year I have volunteered for this, and it was really crowded this time!

Here's where I was stationed: 

I spent the first 90 minutes sitting in the hot sun, outside the house, taking tickets.  Hundreds showed up!  The 4 house volunteers rotated, so I also was in the kitchen and in the upstairs dormer.

  

What I love about this remodel is the fact it wasn't a teeny place, torn down to make a McMansion.  This is a nice family of four who live near their little daughters' elementary school.  

They didn't want to move, just make some changes.   And, they say it all started with a desire to re-do the porch and a couple of stairways.   They ended up completely gutting and rebuilding the place, in almost the exact same footprint.

BIG changes as you can see!  The kitchen remodel is unbelievable.  Here's the architect's photo:

I took a photo from a similar angle:

The entire house has these bright, inviting colors.  Everyone commented on the bright colors, and I'd say at least 90% were favorable.

They also loved the stove!   More people talked about that GE stove than anything.  Yeah, I'd love to have it too!

The upstairs dormers were the most significant difference to the outside of the house.  They added one at the front with a little deck, which you see here:

I think this combination door/window is very neat!  In the position in the photo, you can see how it can be propped open from the top for ventilation.  It's a great idea because it really let a nice breeze flow in, and kept the upstairs cool.

The identical dormer at the back of the house is now an upstairs bathroom, painted hot pink.  The little girls love it, I'm sure.  And it really makes the place "pop".

Other colors in the house are more neutral, but still very pretty.  

At the very end of the day, one of the remodel workmen took a tour with his wife.  He was talking to her about how he did all the work on the upstairs staircase and dormers.  After a while, we got to talking, and he told me his construction company specializes in repairing the mis-designed upstairs decks on skinny homes, exactly like mine!

I asked if they do small jobs, without entire remodels, and he said "yes".  I got the card of the company's owner, so maybe I FINALLY may have found someone to repair my deck.  

Keep your fingers crossed.

It was a fun afternoon of volunteering.   

Inching Toward Recovery

I got up the nerve to take the pulse of my 401(k) statement for the first time since last December.

I was both shocked and relieved at the same time.

Before December, I had not looked at it since last Summer.  That's when things started to tumble south, and I thought, "why bother? I'm not retiring this year anyway, and it will only stress me out."  

Because I was hoping to re-finance my home, I had to get documents together, including that statement, which meant I had to look at it.  OUCH!  In December, it had plummeted nearly 50%.

That day I reacted by cutting my own hair for the first time.  I actually did a pretty good job, which gave me hope that my financial situation would also recover.

Today, when I looked at the statement, I saw it had recovered by nearly 20%.

WHEW.  

I don't know if I'll look at it again for awhile though.

Don't want to jinx it.

Just for the Fun of it.

A Facebook friend posted this video today and I thought, "How Random!".

Did you ever think you'd see Deborah Harry singing with Kermit The Frog?

Enjoy!

Monet, the Realist

I came across this painting, Claude Monet's "Rue De La Bavolle Honfleur".  He painted it in 1864, and it was, as you can see, well before his significant works in Impressionism came to be.

It reminds me of some of the earlier works of Pablo Picasso.  Very real, very orderly.  

I guess reality can sometimes inspire the mind discover the abstract.