Rain

I’ve always loved the rain. I’m drawn outside when the sky lets loose and a downpour begins. When I was 10 I would miss the bus “accidentally” whenever it rained. I’d walk down the block to A&W and get a root beer float and just walk the neighborhood sipping on that treat getting soaked until I was freezing inside and out. I loved to jump in the rapids that form along the gutters rushing always onward to the ocean.

Drenching rains are renewing.

Summer rain seeps into my being; warm water soaking through my hair, clothes and skin. The lighting and thunder of the summer storm like at grandma’s house in southern Utah are so easy to recall. Remembering them even now I can smell the ozone that rips the sky when the lighting cracks.

Summer storms make me giddy.

Why I love the Internet Update

I made my mother's day gift today. Now can you guess what it is?

Mom

I've always been impressed by the way Mom could whipped together a last minute gift and finish it with a fantastic wrap job. She gained this talent working in a department store gift wrap department when she was 16.
I got a lot of experience helping wrap gifts for the little kids (from "Santa") over the years so I can wrap a good crisp package; but Mom only did the fancy bows for weddings and such and it was always a last second endeavor on the way out the door. So, while I've watched her do it a million times but never got a hands on lesson.
I finally sat down with Mom and got a lesson and here is my first personal bow - I'm quite proud of it.
For the ultra curious the gift was for my friend Sepi. I gave her Apples to Apples which (goes without saying) was a big hit!

Why I love the Internet

Things I bought online this week:

Bees Wax
Mutton Tallow
Rosin
Turpentine

Do you think I've raised a red flag at Homeland Security?

These are ingredients for my Mother's Day gift this year. Can you guess what it is?
It is so awesome I know it will ensure me at least 6 months of favorite child status :)

New Swimsuit

Can't wait until it is warm enough to get back in the water. Hopefully, a few weeks more at least the bay will be warm enough for kayaking.

Anxiety

I'm trying some new things to manage anxiety and just staying on track with my responsibilites and goals. I know this runs in the family if anybody wants to share how they manage (or don't) I find it fun and interesting to talk about.

Very Boring

Well today I went to check to see if there was a new post on my blog. I know, crazy as I know that I haven't posted anything. If I'm sick of there not being anything new I can only image how poor Liz feels. This hardly qualifies as a post, but at least it will change the landscape. I will post some actual content soon.

McKinley Fay Greenberg

Jan 12, 2007
2:41 AM
6 lbs. 4 oz.

Dreaming vs. Planning

I've dreamed about this car since I was about 10. The Dixon's (Grandma Sally's neighbors at Cyprus Shores) had one that was this color and close to this model year. Their granddaughter Julie was given the car when she went to USC - and last I knew is still driving it.
Happily, I can afford to buy this car today - but with the age and expensive parts I'm afraid I can't afford the maintenance. So, I’ve decided that I need 2 cars. That way, if the 911 needs work it can just sit and wait until I can gather the $$ needed and I’ll still have my truck to get me to work without a crisis and for hauling the kayak, etc.
Clearly, 2 cars is a luxury (and could be a mistake). So, to help assure that I am not being foolish I’ve decided that I can only buy one if I have 100% cash. And, I’m not allowed to divert any monies that I’ve already committed to my 401K and saving for a house.
Today I’ve started a Porsche specific savings account and happily deposited 5 percent of what I estimate the car will cost. I’ll report on my progress as I’m sure this figure will ebb and flow along with the demands of my real life.
I’m excited about the prospect of owning my dream car and equally curious to find out if when I have 100% of the money in hand will this still be my greatest material desire.

Too jealous of Liz

I got a surprise bonus at work, so bought a kayak.

Site Meter

I've finally gone international with hits from Brasil and Sweden.

Christmas goodies

Fudge, bars and Aunt Lynda's special cookies-please note the very "Martha" presentation.
And, I canned salsa for friends and co-workers.

New Boots-Got boots today and they fit great, yippe for me!

$119 BANDOLINO CAMEO BOOT
NEW IN BOX

• 3" Stacked Wood Heel with Square Toe
• Buckle Detail along side of boot
• Smooth Vachetta Leather Construction
• Manmade Sole
• Inner Zipper along inside of boot
• Inner padding along inside of boot for comfort

Another nice score. Some Nordstrom shop-a-holic cleaning out her closet never even wore these - still in the box.

Super $32 value (yes, including shipping). Her loss is my gain.
For weeks I've been shopping for new black boots and just not finding something I love so I agained turned to my trusty ebay. This will have been my 99th ebay purchase over the years with zero disapointment. My worst experience was a wetsuit that didn't quite fit; but I just turned around and re-sold to break even. My best purchse was the lightly used Patagonia ski vest - retail $159 - I paid $49. When I received it I was checking all the zippered pockets to make sure they functioned properly and found that the seller had left $100 dollar bill in the inside pocket. My attempts to contact the seller went unanswered - so the the vest actually ended up paying for itself AND 3 nights of skiing. Ebay rocks.

Site Meter

Thanks to Kalani and Liz for turning me on to the site meter. It will be fun to see especially the random hits that occur.

Baby Shower

Quilt I made for Karen and the baby.

I'm being watched

For awhile Stacey has had this feeling that someone was watching her when she was outside on the patio at night. Last night she turned around and found this opossum staring right out her - not sure who was more scared.
Does anyone know where the silent "o" derives from? Maybe it is a native language?

Fat Wallet

When I visited Liz I was introduced to island bugs - specifically - they have these micro ants that can crawl right under even a screwed-on peanut butter jar lid. This forces them to keep all open containers in the fridge, which is not the greatest for breads and such.
I have this container that I keep Kirby's food in which is air tight and supposed to be ant proof. It is great because you can work the lid easily with one hand and it keeps food fresh.
I hope if you're careful to screw the lid on tight it will even keep out the micro ants. I just ordered one to be delivered to Liz (happy birthday!) - so watch her blog for a progress report. I'm hoping it will protect her bread/cereal, etc. If it works it could change island living :)

As to the blog title - I bought the container on sale at Petco.com and at the last second thought to jump over to Fatwallet.com. This is a consumer website were people share sales, rebate info and coupon codes. I did a quick search and scored a Petco free shipping code that saved me over $9.00.

Big shout out to Jack for turning me on to Fatwallet. If anyone is into the after Thanksgiving sales you must check out Fatwallet to plan your shoppping strategy.

Finding Nemo

I was snorkling Hanauma Bay in search of a sea turtle for Barb. These guys kept me company while I searched. I'm off to Shark Cove in the morning to continue my quest for a turtle. The under water housing for my camera is some of the coolest money I've ever spent!

Pottery Update

As you know from my earlier post I've had the pottery wheel for awhile. However, I haven't been able to use it. It is heavy and when I brought it home Stacey helped me shove it off my truck bed and onto a work bench but there it sat mocking me because I couldn't coordinate some strong people to lift it down to the floor for me. Finally I thought to place a gig ad on craigslist and in 2 days I was ready to go! Well almost - I needed tools and clay. My fine friend Jennifer Blanck was the final piece of the puzzle. She is quite the Renaissance women...paints, does stained glass, plays piano & writes music, fantastic cook. She was going to give ceramics a whirl too but she decided to forego this one avocation and graciously gave me all her tools and clay. So last weekend I rushed home from Jenn's house excited to see if I remembered how to work the clay. I haven't touched a wheel since high school and I have a lot to learn but after a 24 year hiatus here's the result of my first effort. It's not much but I'm please to know I can still do it!

Can't wait

...to see Liz !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm very excited.