Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Sensational



Fortune: A wise person cares not for what he cannot have but for what he can achieve.

Monday, May 28, 2007

Road Trip

Off to Cotuit.
The Zakim.
Josiah Sampson House Bed & Breakfast.
Cape Cod wedding cake.
Heading home.
Fortune: Depart not from the path which fate has you assigned.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Woodchuck Proof

This is my latest attempt at keeping the woodchuck from burrowing under the front landing. Looks real nice, eh? If he gets past this I'm going to have to commission master craftsman Dad to make a good & good looking barrier. I'm wondering why the person who built the steps didn't make them wider. It actually looks like they were wider and then sawed off - why!?

Fortune: Your winsome smile will be your sure protection.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Verizon

Why are Verizon buildings so ugly? This is the one in Dover. The one is Portsmouth is just as ugly.
Fortune: Beauty in its various forms appeals to you.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Lucky

Fortune: Be prepared to receive something special.

I was driving home from an after-work-function dreading my impending lawn mowing task when what did my tired eyes see? A push mower on a neighbor's lawn with "free" written all over it. Woo-hoo! I have a tiny lawn, but it takes awhile to mow when all you've got is a weed whacker (2 bucks. yard sale. last spring.) and all that vibration! I got home, spent about 12 minutes with the push mower (still in work clothes and heels) and now my lawn is looking fine.

Monday, May 21, 2007

Green


Fortune: You are headed for a land of sunshine.

Yes! Let's just hope the sun shines for most of the upcoming weekend. It rained all last weekend. I will be heading to the Cape Friday - haven't been for about 14 years. Wedding. Sigh. I used to think weddings were fun, but now I'm bored by them. More theme weddings! Oh - a zombie wedding could be fun...on a dark night...in the cemetery.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Main Street

Fortune: You will be traveling and coming into a fortune.

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Fortune Today

There's a good chance of a romantic encounter soon.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

First Dinner Party at the Cottage

Fortune: May you have a good appetite.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

I charm you and tell you of the boys I hate

All the girls I hate
All the words I hate
The clothes I hate
How I'll never be anything I hate
You smile, mention something that you like
Oh, how you'd have a happy life
If you did the things you like
"Dark of the Matinee" Franz Ferdinand

Until recently, I would have described myself as a runner. When I lived in Atlanta (5 years ago) I ran about 25 miles a week. I tried winter running the first couple of years here, but I was not liking it with all the ice and frigid temps and whatnot. I trained for a half marathon last February until the race on May 13th. As soon as it was over, I wanted a break from the regimented, required running. Then something happened - my metabolism finally kicked into high gear. (I had been hoping to drop 10 pounds during the training, but wound up dropping 2.) I lost my appetite and dropped 10 pounds. Needless to say, without much of an appetite, I wasn't running. When I did get my appetite back, I ran a bit and then got an awful cold. I was completely congested. After that, I was sent to the mountains in Colorado for two weeks for work. Have you ever tried high altitude running? It's tough for me. Anyhow, to get to the end of this long story - I didn't do much running in the fall and none during the winter. I haven't been running. Haven't been in the mood - or craved it - at all lately.
I do walk, sometimes, and I like walking - but I've become a slow walker. And it's so much easier to stay home and sit on my butt (and search for a better job). But now, now I have motivation!
Z, meet iPod. iPod, meet Z.
I really move while listening to music and walking. I used to never like to listen to music when I walked or ran. When I listen to the Franz Ferdinand CD I want to move and bounce around. The walking while listening to the music is a good fit now. I could stay home and listen to music. I could go for a walk. Or I can do both together! It's made me want to go out walking after work.
I feel a little weird about not running anymore. I want to still say I am a runner...but am I? I'm not sure if I only ran to keep my weight in line. But in a way, it's why I walk now. I guess also because the docs say exercise is good for you. I dunno. Maybe I will crave it again. Maybe walking will bore me again - I started running many years ago when I was bored with walking.
Whatever. I'm glad to be motivated today.

*I don't know why, but I started thinking about this guy that lived in the town where I grew up. He was called "the walking man" because we (everyone) would see him walking around town. I think it's interesting that back then (late 70's to early 80's) a man was considered eccentric because he walked everywhere.

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Daryl Hall Buys Kittery Mansion

KITTERY, Maine (AP) — Daryl Hall of the music duo Hall & Oates has emerged as the buyer of historic mansion that's said to be Maine's oldest home.
The 345-year-old Bray House sold at auction for nearly $2 million to an unidentified bidder from New York on March 24. That bidder was Hall, who's a self-proclaimed historic preservationist.
Hall, who grew up in an 18th-century Philadelphia home, said he was alerted to the opportunity by an ad in The Newtown Antiques and Arts Weekly near Millbrook, N.Y., where he's restoring two homes, dating back to 1771 and 1780.
"The word was that the guy I was bidding against was going to do a tear down," Hall said. "That would have been a travesty."
Preservationists were thrilled.
"It's been a landmark for generations and it's certainly very important that (an owner) has been found who will be interested in preservation," said Earle Shettleworth of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission.
Hall, who has renovated a 1740 home in London, said he was surprised by the similarities in construction in his new home. "I'm used to Colonial American houses but I've never seen one as English as this one," he said.
The Bray House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
Hall has a history, as well, including several No. 1 hits with his musical collaborator Oates. Some of their better known songs are "Rich Girl," "Kiss On My List," "Private Eyes," "Sarah Smile" and "Maneater."

**I can't get the "Private Eyes" song out of my head since reading this yesterday. I guess it's better than the "Maneater" being stuck in there.

My 59 year old Kittery cottage with free flowers (from nice, nice friend Alecia) in the boxes.

Sunday, May 6, 2007

Sunday Night


When you buy a big bottle of no-name pre-mixed margaritas for solo Cinco de Mayo festivities, it's okay to finish it off on Seis de Mayo, si? I say, yes, especially when the margaritas mix is almost the same color as your kitchen counter. And you cannot stop listening to Franz Ferdinand's Take Me Out and The Dark of the Matinee. "...I'm not to look you in the shoes, but the eyes - find the eyes..."

And then, then, when you're all buzzed up on a lil bit of 25 proof no-name pre-mixed margaritas, you giggle until you can't breathe while you watch Homer Simpson sample maple syrup (the good kind - with a sleigh on the label) as if he was at a wine tasting...

What do you think...

about an employer who explains their not withholding your state income tax because they don't want to do it for only one employee? Those weren't the payroll person's exact words, but that's the gist of it. Well golly gee, I'm busting my butt to get my work done, the work of a person and a half (with barely any training or guidance) and you can't be bothered? What else are you unwilling to do for me, dear employer? Hmmm...
I put together a right proper budget as I kinda winged one in my head when I took this job. My weekly allowance comes to a whopping $30. That's to be used for groceries, gas, and plain old spending cash. Hah. Here's my new shopping list: instant oatmeal (for breakfast), head of lettuce, tomato, scallions (salads for lunch), milk, and box o'Raisin Bran (for dinner). Oh, just think of the pounds I will drop on my new diet!
Sigh.

I do not like feeling broke - being broke. Yes, low pay is better than collecting unemployment, but 30 bucks spending cash a week outright sucks. I sent out 8 resumes today. Three for part time work - one would be a really, really cool place to work... (daydreaming now) I hate the whole job search process.

Worked in the yard yesterday. Things are shaping up. Still need to fiddle with the rock edging for the newly created bigger and better side yard bed. (Before here.)



I've got the window boxes up. Gonna have to roll pennies and start redeeming cans and bottles to get me some flowers.

Saturday, May 5, 2007

Found on Craig's List

Dog Park - m4w - 41
Date: 2007-04-23, 10:39AM EDT
Saw you, tall slim lady with cute dog at dogpark. Wanted to ask your name but your dog bit me in the balls. Maybe next time I will wear a cup and ask you for a date.

Sunday in the crosswalk - m4w - 35
Date: 2007-04-23, 10:11AM EDT
to that beautiful goth girl all dressed in black who yelled 'f*ck off' to me when i walked in front of her car" in downtown portsmouth, want to go get coffee sometime?

To the judge, who tried me yesterday (B&E and assult ) - m4w - 24
Date: 2007-05-05, 4:40PM EDTI
really felt the connection. If you could find it in your heart to hear me out, I'd love to make you dinner sometime. It could be at my place and I'll use plastic ware. Let me know... - Case #51**0