As I’ve mentioned, right now we’re in the “can’t go anywhere” phase of toddlerhood. Noah’s actively asserting his independance (that’s putting it nicely), and things that we normally would do have become unpleasant, if not intolerable. When we were on vacation in Lake George, he just wouldn’t sit still in any of the restaurants. I can’t imagine taking him on any large-scale vacation right now, but I do know the stage will pass, and I’m anxious for us to go back to Florida. Jake loved Disney when we went three and a half years ago, and I can only imagine how wow’ed he be now! Although we usually stay on Disney property, there are some great Orlando vacation rental houses, too. That would be a good option if you were going with a group of people. Alas, it’s something I can only dream of right now. But who knows? Maybe next winter we’ll be able to take a trip down to see the Mouse!
Month: July 2007
Making sense of mortgages
I don’t know why I torture myself reading articles about real estate. Earlier this week it was reported that the housing slump will last longer than previously predicted. Bad news for anyone trying to sell their houses. Things aren’t good in this part of New York, and from what I understand it’s even worse in California. That state has the highest number of foreclosures in the country. All those people who took out adjustable-rate mortgages when the market was piping hot now can’t afford them. Some of these people look to California mortgage refinance to help lower the interest rate and their payments so they don’t have to lose their homes. People didn’t always think when buying their houses back then. (Back then? What? It was just a couple years ago, although it seems like ages.) Hopefully a refi can help and they’ll learn to make wiser decisions in the future.
Top Chef Catch Up
So I had totally planned on doing Top Chef weekly commentary here, and clearly, that hasn’t happened. In fact, until last night I had only watched the season premiere. And last night I fell asleep before the new ep came on. However, two points on the previous episode:
1) “I don’t have time to dick around with conch” – This is my new favorite quote. I am going to say this whenever I can work it in, appropriate to the situation or not.
2) Oh, Micah. Micah, Micah, Micah. You couldn’t recreate meatloaf. You seemed a bit revolted by it. (Granted, I don’t like meatloaf myself and would never coat mine in ketchup, but still, lots of people do). Um, what I want to know is… how did you grow up in freaking Bridgewater, Mass. and not ever have meatloaf? “My reaction to American comfort food,” Micah tells us: “Bleh!” WTF? Come on. I’m from Massachusetts and have lived in both the western and eastern parts of the states. I seriously doubt that Bridgewater High was serving up haute cuisine at lunchtime. You deserved the boot!
Yeah, I know this has already been said pretty much everywhere, but perhaps you aren’t quite as obsessed as I am and you don’t read all the TC fan blogs. So there you go.
The crib can go any day now!
A while ago I had mentioned that we were thinking about moving Noah from the crib to a bed soon. We still haven’t gotten the extra twin bed from my MIL’s (the one that matches Jake’s — these beds belonged to Drew and his brother when they were little), but I am itching to do it, especially if the house doesn’t sell. I’m anxious to redecorate the guest room and turn it into his room! I’ve been looking at kids bedding and trying to decide what would work with the wall color in there (which is a pretty mustard color — perfect for him, no?). I’m super excited to pick out a quilt or comforter for him because we let Drew’s mom get Jake’s, so we never knew what she’d chosen until she gave it to him. Even though he’s not quite two, I’m confident he’ll do fine in a regular-sized bed. He slept in the bed with me on vacation, and he is always laying around in Jake’s bed, so I think he’s ready. Now we just have to get everything else ready!
Random Bits of Carol
Too much crazy. Bullets are what you get:
* I’m totally loving blogging over at Celebrate Wine. I always considered myself pretty up-to-date on what’s going on in the world of wine, but it’s fun to dig even deeper. I have some interesting posts coming up later in the week, so hopefully you’ll check in over there!
* Trying out a new pay-to-blog service. There are pros and cons. The pros are: 1) Not having to manically refresh my Web browser every 30 seconds trying to nab an opp before they’re all gone 2) Getting paid every two weeks instead of 30 days from the date of the post 3) Freeform links, which make working the anchor text into a post really easy. Cons: 1) Not controlling how many opps you take (though you can set maximums) 2) Not having any say in what your assignments are (e.g., my last two posts). But because I don’t have to review or endorse any products or services, it doesn’t bother me that much; it can just be challenging working with some of this stuff. This is my first batch of assignments and I got them before I set up category preferences, so we’ll see if that changes at all.
* Loving the new Corolla. Drives like a dream!
* Noah appears to have a cold, which would explain the refusal to sleep and erratic behavior.
* White port and tonic is supposed to be this hot drink right now, and honestly? To me it just tastes like Bianco vermouth.
* I’m starting to miss doing 365 Days. I kind of wish I didn’t quit, but if I get back into it, I would feel like I’d have to start with Day 1 again. Bleh… Plus, do I really have time for it? It was a huge time suck.
* Knitting: haven’t done much lately between trying to keep up with everything and just being tired.
* XXX Vitamin water = Love
* I have a ridiculous craving for Taco Bell right now.
Because you never know
I never really though much about child insurance until I was doing a bit of research on the whole life insurance thing. Continue reading Because you never know
The only certainties are death and taxes
Although it’s not a fun topic to think about, the truth is we’re all going to die someday. Continue reading The only certainties are death and taxes
So much to do, so little time
Today has absolutely flown by! Between dealing with deliveries at work, plus some crazy customers, plus writing assignments, the hours have passed much too quickly. I’ve also been trying to organize my desk area here at work and making a list of any office supplies we’re short on so I can make sure they get ordered. (Like pens — where do all the pens go? And paper clips. They just seem to disappear.) The whole week is kind of crazy because several of the distributors go into shut-down next week, so there has been a flurry of ordering and the next couple days will see a large number of deliveries for this tiny little store. I can’t deal with all the cardboard boxes — seriously, the clutter just makes me crazy. Luckily, it doesn’t last long because they just get cut up and put out for recycling, but it’s just one of those things I get obsessive over. I think sometimes the busier I am, the crazier I get.
One for the road
A glass of Pastis really is the perfect way to end a long, hot day. Of course, it’s even a better way to begin a long, relaxing meal in France, but being that I am an ocean away…
At any rate, I’d be wise to get into bed now even if I don’t fall asleep immediately. Rest is good. And 4 AM will come all too soon. (If I’m lucky, it’ll be 5, but I’m not counting on it.)
Off to dream of sidewalk cafes, gothic cathedrals, and the country where I’d love to spend the rest of my days.
Show me the show me state
Sometimes I have to remind myself that life does indeed exist outside the states of New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Continue reading Show me the show me state