Are you ready for some football?

The season opens tonight this year -- odd, being on a Wednesday.  Usually the season opens on a Monday night game.  I have a player on my fantasy team playing tonight so it's my season opener as well.  I'm not that crazy about my draft this year.  But it goes that way sometimes.  And it will take a few weeks for my mistakes to make themselves known.

The first day of class went quite well yesterday.  It is the first time that all of the students got the first quiz done all on line.  And I think only three or four of them had to borrow an instructor's computer to do it.  It's a record.

And speaking of records - it hasn't rained in Seattle now for over 40 days!  The air quality is going down and I suspect that's the cause of my respiratory oddness these past few days.  I ran yesterday and even though I took a couple of puffs from my inhaler, which is what I do before every run because I have exercise induced asthma, I was still laboring for breath by the first mile.  This does not bode well for a good run this Sunday, although we will be running around the lake and the air is bound to be a bit fresher there since the wind blow almost constantly along the southern shore.  I am now doubly glad I signed up for the race in October.  Even if I have a crappy time this coming Sunday I have a race in October to look forward to.

Today was going to be the day I get my picture done for my replacement passport but it looks like I'm going to have to wait one more day.  It wasn't until I was nearly out the door that I remembered I wanted to take care of that today, but I don't like the top I'm wearing.  I mean I like it okay, but it's not a good picture top.  One more day isn't going to make a difference.  I'll get it done this week for sure.

I finished an audiobook this morning.  It was a disappointment - too science fiction for my taste.  And after that orgy of the Queens and then a couple of Victorian period ones, too far the other way.  I'm going to take my time picking this next one.  I kind of wish I hadn't gotten the iPad version of "Vengeance" and had instead listened to it, but that's water under the bridge.  I think I'll check my Amazon queue and see what is coming up.

Noon knitting today and Monika is out sick.  It's going to be quiet.  I should have brought those socks in to Kitchner in company. Oh well ...

September madness

Today starts the 5 weeks of anatomy madness.  I was awake super early this morning.  These are the days when it is not good for me to be late so I am here bright and early, all set to go.

The weekend was just wonderful!  The perfect way to rest up for this crazyness.  I thought I was getting sick Friday, so after my meeting and getting all my ducks in a row, I took off early and headed home to nip this cold in the bud.  I needed to run a quick errand however.  My real estate agent had a check for me from my ex- who wanted to buy my bedroom set.  That was perfect!  I sure didn't have to have to deal with it  and have to store it or try to get it sold between the time he moved out and the new owners moved in.  So I picked up the check and went straight to the bank and cashed it.  Then I just chilled the rest of the evening and I woke up on Saturday feeling almost right.  I still had a bit of a cough and was congested but I headed off a full blown cold. 

I bought a cute little dining room table and a very cool desk top and a leg/cabinet.  I still need to get the other leg which is drawers but it is back ordered.  No matter.  No hurry.  That big oak desk is still there.  Nobody seems to want to buy it - or at least not for what I have it listed for on Craigslist.  I cut the price and I'll let it sit there for another week.  Somebody is going to want it. 

Then it was Saturday night and the Huskies first game!  They didn't have a super tough opponent and so they won.  Next week is going to be a much tougher game.

Weather wise it was just perfect all weekend long.  Not too hot and not too chilly.  Sunday was Bumbershoot and the main reason for going this year was to see Tony Bennett.  He is 87 years old and still going strong.  He is remarkable.  Besides him we saw and heard some awesome jazz, a wonderful R&B group ... well, too much to even try to describe.  And that fun day was capped off with my fantasy draft.

I had to rest up yesterday after all that fun.  A quick trip to the mall where I got some pretty dining room chair covers and a few others things, and then it was Shelley time.  Lots of relaxing and knitting.  I managed to finish up those socks last night.  I just need to Kitchner them together.

It will be a busy week but tomorrow I am going to make a very big effort to get my picture taken so that I can get my passport renewed.  Only 11 1/2 weeks to go before I need it.

Disaster averted

Yesterday was a super busy day -- again.  I had a run but it wasn't very satisfying.  It wasn't until late in the evening before bed that I finally figured out why.  I have a little cold!  I knew I was having a bit of trouble breathing but I just chalked it up to lack of fuel or something like that.  But half way through the Seahawks preseason game (they just beat the pants off the Raiders) I started having a bad headache and I was congested.  Ah!  Just what I need.  :-(   I have big plans for this weekend.  I managed to get a decent night's sleep though, which is good since today is ... yes, you guessed it .... another busy day.  Maybe I can slip out early, since it's the beginning of the long weekend and next Tuesday marks the beginning of the 5 week anatomy course.  So ... fingers crossed for an early exit.  I am already nearly cross eyed from this sinus pressure.  Why didn't I take some DayQuil?  See?  My brains are scrambled.

Speaking of scrambled brains -- I was waiting for the bus yesterday after work, listening to my audiobook. Usually my phone is in an outer pocket of my purse but for some reason I had it in my hand.  I must have been looking at email or something.  The bus came, I got on - purse in one hand, phone in the other - and it wasn't until we were past the next stop that I realized that what I should have had in my left hand was my bag with my jacket and scarf, NOT my iPhone.  Lucky for me Monika was able to run out and get it before someone picked it up.  Yay Monika!! 

As I was watching the Seahawks I was working with the ruffle yarn.  I am nearly done with the first skein.  Three skeins is going to make quite a statement.  I am not sure if I'll actually wear it.  Well, I should say it will be striking.  Whether it is a good striking or a bizarre striking is yet to be discovered.

A huge weekend is ahead.  Tomorrow I am going to buy my new, small dining table and desk and even look at a new dresser.  Tomorrow night is the first Husky football game.  Sunday is Bumbershoot and Tony Bennett and Sunday night my fantasy football draft.  Monday -- day of rest in preparation for a big September.  Perhaps I can finish up those socks as well.  Seems a bit ambitious though.

Oh the peaches!!

I don't know about you, but the peaches I have been buying this year have been incredible!  It feels like years since I have had a decent peach and now I can't get a bad one.  Every night I have one for dessert. They are that good.  I should try nectarines this weekend.  I tried them earlier and they were awful - pithy and tasteless.  Don't you love summer?

The next best thing to summer is .....vacation!  A few days ago when things started to get crazy I put my November vacation on the big calendar, which now is right outside my office and across the room.  If I lean a little bit to the left I can see it and in the November square my days are clearly marked.  They are the only ones except the 3 holiday red H's.  So when things get too crazy I just lean a little ..... and smile.

The Dawg Dash is October 21 this year and I signed up yesterday.  This year they can't start and end the race at Husky Stadium because it is under construction, so it's going to be all upper campus.  The route map isn't on line yet.  I hope it's not going to be too hilly.

Yesterday was a super crazy day.  I made a HUGE blunder and thought that our (the anatomy class) part of the orientation was starting at 3:45 when in fact it was an hour later.  Ooops.  Truly I cannot figure out how I did that, but it is done.  All ended up okay, but I felt a complete idiot.  I guess I'm not perfect after all.  Oh dear oh dear.  It was quite a hit.

I was exhausted when I got home - which wasn't until after 6.  Tink got a walk, I had some dinner and watched Hard Knocks and knit.  Thankfully I was able to get to sleep by 11 and was conked out all night.  So here's to a better day!  No mistakes!!!

It's getting to be a bad habit

Two days in a row I overslept!  Yesterday wasn't that late but today ... I slept until 7:30!  I don't even remember turning off the alarm at 6.  Last night I read until late.  I just wasn't tired even though I had a nice run in the afternoon and an after work workout.  My mind was just busy with work I guess.  I put out the light after I finished my book but it was no go.  I turned the light back on and watched a comfort movie on my iPad - last night it was the first Harry Potter movie.  Finally about 1:30 I must have fallen asleep.  This won't do for the next couple of weeks.  I will start setting my iPhone just as a backup.

Speaking of iPhones .... I am just crossing my fingers that mine holds out another few weeks.  Every time something goes a bit weird with it I am afraid it's going to give up the ghost.  But it's holding up fine so far.  One of the good things about this newest iPhone, I understand, is that it will have a removable SIM card so when I travel to Europe I can just buy one over there and pop it in and not worry about overages and such.  Although when I'm in metropolitan areas it isn't a big deal because there's always WiFi, but I sure could have used it in Normandy last spring.

Noon knitting today and errands after work, so Tink came in with me.  She just sleeps all day at home any way, so she's fine in the car and I give her a break at noon.  I guess today it'll have to be earlier.

I still haven't taken the time to get my passport picture taken!  Seriously ... I need to get that done.  Maybe I can do it Friday. 

The return of novelty yarn???

I can't remember where I read that or saw that.  I shuddered a bit, remembering the "fun fur" craze.  Oh it was ugly my friends.  Remember those skinny scarves with crazy acrylic bits and bobs?  Oh I don't want to go back to that time.  What I think they were talking about was the large number of ruffle yarns on the market these days.  They are mostly not acrylic, but wool or other blends.  I don't think they're all that popular because when I notice them they are always on sale ... bad sign, yes?  Last week I succumbed to the fever and purchased three skeins of a deep purple ruffle yarn just to see what the fuss was all about.  They came yesterday so while I was watching some preseason football (rookie quarterbacks RG III and Andre Luck) I played around with it, casting on twice the number of stitches for a scarf to make something a little larger and more sumptuous.  So far it's fun but frankly it's a one trick pony.  There's only one thing you can do with this stuff and that's make ruffles.  There there.  Tick.  I've done it.

We have clouds this morning, maybe some rain later, but it looks like we're heading into a nice weekend, which will be super for Bumbershoot.  I can't remember when we've had a good Labor Day weekend.  It's been a few years, I'm sure.  Can you tell I'm looking forward to seeing Tony Bennett this weekend??

I was a little disappointed with my run yesterday.  I was hungry so maybe that was the problem.  I was not fast and in fact felt like I was running with lead weights in my shoes.  Annoying.  Maybe today will be better.

My day just flew by yesterday and I was tired when I went to bed.  I am still groggy today.  Maybe it's the clouds.  Oh well -- nothing for it.  Better dig in.

The end of August already!

This month flew by!  I can't believe it's the last week of August but I had better come to grips with it, hadn't I?  Next week will be super super busy, while this one will only be super busy.  It's going to be beautiful outside though, so that means I'll have lovely shorts weather to run in every afternoon.  Two more weeks until my next race.  Last week I ran the hilly route, which takes me down a 5% grade for 1 1/4 miles and then, of course, back up for the second 1 1/4 mile.  This week I'm going to go just flat and hope that my time has gotten better.  As I said, I can't be any worse than I was last year.  That's the race when my shoe laces came untied and I didn't use my music.  This year they changed the rules - the rule that 1/2 the people didn't bother following anyway - so there will be music in my ears.  I am going to tweak my training playlist a bit - make a race playlist with all pace music on it.  My training list has a few slower songs.

I did have a really great weekend.  Friday night I watched the Seahawks win their 3rd preseason game.  They are looking quite good this season ... fingers crossed.   I was knitting away on my socks.  I think I'm at the point where I start the toe decreases.  I will check tonight.  I'd like to get them finished and get the mitts cast on so I can have more football knitting ready.  I was pretty tired from work and crashed out right after the game. 

Saturday morning Tink got me up bright and early.  She was ready to go at 8 and I had a big day planned so off we went for a nice long walk in the sunshine.  It was going to be a big girlie day and it didn't disappoint.  After Tink's walk it was off to the nail salon for a mani-pedi, then groceries and lunch and another little walk.  My  massage appointment was at 2:30, to after lunch it was back to the mall to find glasses.  And I scored!  My friend Monika had suggested I check out a sale at a store I never, ever go into.  It turns out they have a wonderful department and I found frames I liked for regular glasses and sunglasses.  The sole downside is that I have to wait for two weeks to get them, but now that I have new contact lenses it's not a big deal at all.  Score!!  After that triumph I did a little shopping, browsing mostly, then went for my massage.  Oh I love a massage.  Thanks sis for the b'day present!!  You can never go wrong with a spa service.  ;-)

There was plenty of time to do laundry before I had to pick McG up at the airport, and then we went out for a quick dinner.   He wasn't feeling well anyway, so I got him settled on the couch and read in bed until I couldn't keep my eyes open.  Perfect. 

The list of chores I had for myself on Sunday was long and complicated.  I wasted a couple of hours selling ... or rather trying to sell books.  I gathered two large bags of hardbacks together and dropped them at one place while I did another errand.  When I came back he had rejected them all.  I seems that used bookstores do not want hardback fiction, especially mysteries.  Hmmmm ...  I took them to another store and got pretty  much the same story, except she took the most recent volumes.  At least they donate them so it wasn't a total loss. And I got rid of some books!  Bonus!  But the biggest bonus is that I found a book that is in fact a rare and valuable book.  I knew it was worth something but I had no idea it was quite as rare as it seems to be.  I found one on line at a bookseller in Great Britain in a far worse condition than mine for quite a nice little sum.  I am going to do some research on this.  Oh, and check more closely at a few other volumes I have on my shelves.

Much work to do here this week.  Many wonderful things to look forward to.  Maybe I can even get some knitting done this week as well!!

Busy-ness

Next week is the last week before the start of autumn quarter.  These next two weeks will be some of the busiest days of my year.  But I feel in control.  And luckily I am MUCH calmed down.  As long as there are no - or few - bad surprises, it should be smooth sailing.  And then in September when things calm down a bit I can start working on my November trip.  There were plans floated this spring of a November trip to Las Vegas for Emma's boyfriend's birthday.  But just yesterday she told me that was cancelled because he had taken his holidays earlier, without her, so she was planning on going to Thailand in October, then a trip to London at the end of November.  She was going to take the first week of December off but said she can take the last week of November just as easily so .... we will talk about it in a few weeks.  I want to see the Thanksgiving football games at my friend's bar in Paris, but other than that ... I'm pretty easy.  And if I stay through the last week of November then I will for sure be able to see lots of Christmas decorations go up, which is always nice.

But that's weeks and weeks and weeks away!  And there's much fun to be had here in the meantime.  Yesterday was a great day -- super great run at lunchtime.  Finally!  Then to the optometrist in the afternoon where I got new contacts!  Woohoo!  She only made a very small change in the strength.  But I really needed a new eyeglasses prescription.  I realized that those glasses were at least 4 years old and possibly even 6!  They don't usually bother me except I had nearly run out of contacts so I was using them nearly every day and that's how I noticed that the prescription was off.  This weekend is going to be super girly -- manicure, pedicure, massage and shopping for new glasses.

What with the eye exam and stopping at the store and then a few little chores around the house, it wasn't until after 7 that I finally was able to sit down and eat and watch an episode of "Hard Knocks".  And then, while I was watching the football show my fingers started to tingle.  I reached out for my socks!  Ahhh .... knitting and football!  The only thing that would make that better is a drink at my elbow.  Unfortunately not for a few weeks.  It doesn't mix with training for a race.

Besides football this weekend I will see McGarrah tomorrow and celebrate his birthday with him.  And then Sunday I need to take some good pictures of that desk and start sorting books and taking them to the Third Place Books.  That sounds like a big weekend.  I wonder how I'll do?

Yet another guilty pleasure!

This time it's a game on my iPad!  And, strange as it may sound, NOT a word game.  I know!  I am sure (I mean I hope) this gets boring soon, but for now I am enjoying the Simpson's Tapped Out.  It's such a stupid, silly game.  I can't figure out what exactly is keeping me so amused, but as long as I'm amused all is well. 

My fingers certainly enjoyed their noon knitting yesterday but that was all they got.  Dog walking, a few chores around the apartment, dinner, a little TV and then it was bedtime for Tink, so I had a shower with this super yummy smelling soap I bought at a farmer's market in Anacortes and settled in for a nice long read.  Now here's a pleasure that I don't feel the least bit guilty about enjoying and that's early to bed with a good book in clean sheets and normal weather.  It was glorious and relaxing.  Relaxing - key word here.  Now that it's just a matter of time - 29 days and counting - I am much calmer.  I can start thinking about fun things to do this fall.

The weather is a bit overcast and cooler today so that means I'll have a great run!  I can't wait.  My last couple have not been that fast.  I have been able to get through them but at a slower than normal pace.  I need to start out faster I think.

It's nearly the end of the week and I still haven't gotten my picture taken for my passport!  I have been so busy.  Hopefully I can get it done this morning before I run.  If not I MUST do it tomorrow.  And I need a new picture on my Husky Card as well as a name change.  Hopefully I can do them both together.

And now .... Thursday awaits.

I remembered!

I felt like such a goof last week, forgetting my knitting on a Wednesday.  I didn't take any chances yesterday.  I put my knitting right by my purse so I couldn't help but see it when I left in the morning.  Not that I've been doing a lot of knitting these days.  I truly do need to get my knitting mojo back!  I just bought some gorgeous wool/camel yarn to make a hoodie.  I shouldn't give myself too much grief.  It has been crazy hot and that is not conducive to knitting, even socks.  It is nice and cool today.  It's overcast.  I can see myself in my comfy chair tonight, if it doesn't get hot today.

I have changed my evening workout routine and I must say - it is hitting some different muscles because I am sore!  I had a wonderful run yesterday.  I have less than three weeks to go to the next race and I was rather less than moderate this last weekend, so I have some catching up to do.  I should be okay if I am really good for the next 18 days.  Oh ... I think I'll have to give myself a day off though.  September 2nd is my fantasy football draft and also Tony Bennett at Bumbershoot.  Okay -- 17 good days.  I can do that.

Tomorrow I finally get my eye exam.  I have been having to wear my glasses nearly all the time since I have only a few contacts left.  And I need new glasses too.  I really had no idea that I'd have to wait three weeks for an eye exam appointment.  The other thing on my list to get done this week is my passport picture.  I must get that done ASAP.

I love my new office.  Even on a cloudy day it's nice and bright in there.  The orchid has done very well.  It's loving the filtered light.  I should get another one or two.  Maybe a white one and a yellow one.

And finally ... drum roll please .... the house in now in escrow.  Thirty days.  Is that a sigh of relief I hear?

Refreshing!

Thank goodness that really hot weather has left us!  Saturday morning was overcast in Seattle and a good (and I do mean good!) twenty degrees cooler.  Anacortes and Deception Pass were cooler still and I was glad I had brought a couple of long sleeved tops.  Actually I could have done with a pair of jeans as well, but made do with shorts.

Friday evening the dining room table left the building.  I was amazed that I didn't get all mushy and sentimental over it.  I let it go quite easily, actually.  I guess when you're ready for a change ... when *I'm* ready for a change ... it's easy.   I think I'll get a little birch table for two that pull out to seat four.  I found one that I like.  That way I can keep the chairs I have.  Next I need to take some good photos of the desk rather than the bad, iPad versions I used.  It might take a while to sell that desk because it's something someone will have to be looking for specifically.  But I'm in no hurry -- not at this point any way.

The Seahawks won their second preseason game and were looking quite good.  Unfortunately our big "get" - Terrell Owens - has yet to catch a pass.  Yes, he came into camp late and missed the first game, but he played quite a bit on Saturday night and did not catch a single pass.  Dropped a few.  Catches?  None.

I worked from home yesterday.  I had a person situation I needed to handle.  It as a busy day, but productive.  Oh!  And the house is sold - the sign should be going up today!  Woohoo!  Closing is just around the corner.  Or I like to think it is.  Nothing is ever done until the papers are signed.

I am grateful for this cooler weather.  I will have a nice, normal run today at noon.  I'm looking forward to it.

Friday - another day in the heat

 It is fairly unusual for Seattle to get this hot so as you can imagine it's all people are talking about.   Oh, and the wildfire in Eastern Washington, which is just horrible and going to be going on for another few days.  I got my run done at 10:30 yesterday morning and even though I went the shady route I still wished I had gone out earlier.  Today I will go out at 10 instead.  Then I spent about 15 minutes wandering around the air conditioned halls cooling down.  I think I'll leave a bit early today because my office is still holding the heat from yesterday.  The afternoon is just misery.  I believe if we could have a fan in the doorway blowing cooler air in from the hall it would be much nicer in here, but we don't and most likely it would be considered a hazard.

A woman was going to take a look at my dining table yesterday but got caught up in traffic so she's coming this evening, as is another guy.  Great!  I should have that sold soon, then it's just the big desk and I can get myself some nicer, newer and smaller furniture.  I should start sorting the books too.  I did find out that I have to stay in this current apartment until the end of November.  So I don't know how that's going to play out.  Probably I will get most of my packing done before Thanksgiving, take a little holiday in Europe  -- maybe only 8 days rather than 10 and come back on a Thursday and have the weekend to move.  Sounds like a lot of work but .... missing Thanksgiving in Europe?  Sounds worse.

My plans for the weekend got derailed yesterday as well.  But I am going to go to Anacortes Saturday for the night, then visit Deception Pass on Sunday.  Tink will love it and hopefully it won't be quite so hot nearer the water.

Hives?  Well ... not gone, that's for sure.  I am a bit disappointed but things are definitely better.  I can see the end in sight.  That's a little positive thinking thrown in there for good measure. 

"Dreams come true. Without that possibility, nature would not incite us to have them." - John Updike

Heat warning

It sure doesn't happen here very often, but it just keeps getting hotter and hotter!  Today and tomorrow are predicted to be over 90 (which is 32 to you crazy Centigrade people).  And no air conditioning in my new office!  How insane is that?  Yes, sure we have windows that open and we were supposed to get air conditioning but ... here we are sweltering.  My blinds are closed against the direct sun and I have a little fan blowing behind me but it's not air conditioning.  We may be sent home early today.  I am for sure going to have to take my run in a couple of hours.  If I wait until noon it will be impossible.

I am a little less itchy today and the bumps are going down.  We are trying a new approach - just working on the inflammation.  I was hoping to feel the difference immediately and it's not quite that good.  There is improvement though so I've got hope.  I did wake up and stay awake for a couple of extremely uncomfortable hours last night.  I was that close to taking another midnight cool shower when I must have dropped off.  I am also trying something that was designed to stop itching (handy) but ended up making people very drowsy, so it's marketed now as a sleeping aid.  The initial dose of 3 mg did not do it, so tonight I would double it and hope for a full night of sleep.  Wouldn't that be awesome?  That would go a long way towards banishing this stress.

Knitting would also help my stress.  Needless to say again there was no knitting.  I made a nice little dinner - mostly cold (Caprese salad and prosciutto wrapped melon) and settled in to watch "Hard Knocks" where Chad Johnson gets fired for being an idiot!  That guy!  Here he gets another chance with a good team, after bombing with the Patriots last year, and then insults the coach by giving a profanity laced interview after being told to watch his language, then on his first weekend off has a fight with his wife of one month after she finds a receipt for condoms in his possession, and allegedly head butts her and gets put into jail!  Can you say self sabotage?  So he is gone.

It feels like Friday.  *sigh*

I can hardly believe it myself

This is the first noon knitting Wednesday that I have forgotten my knitting!  Or at least the first time in recent memory.  I know how it happened -- slept in, had my arms full of stuff for the dry cleaner, voila!  Lately it's the only knitting I've been able to do since it's crazy hot in my apartment.  Oh well ... I guess I'll just chat and when I get hungry, go have lunch.  I am leaving early today anyway to have another go with the doctor to banish these silly hives.  Maybe I can talk him into trying to treat the stress.  I think one more month and I should be (relatively) stress free.

I have tried out a new service for eye glasses frames called Warby Parker.  The frames are very trendy, quite affordable, they donate a pair of glasses for every pair you buy AND you can try them on at home for 5 days before you order them.  They came yesterday but I haven't had a chance to try them on yet.  I most probably will get the sunglasses but the others .... not quite sure yet.  I have my eye exam next week -- yay, because I have 5 pair of contact lenses left!! I didn't expect to have to wait so long for an eye exam.

Have I said it's hot?  It's hot.  My apartment ... gah!  I can't wait to move and next one I have a list as long as my arm.  The ability to have a cross breeze is right up there.

Phished on my mobile phone!

Well this is a first.  I have been wireless for a long time.  I got rid of my land line .. gosh, at least 10 years ago, and so nuisance calls and solicitation calls are totally off my radar.  Yesterday morning my phone rang and it was a number I didn't recognize.  But since I'm waiting to hear about the house inspection, etc., I answered and it was a recorded message saying something about lowering the interest rate on my credit card.  I immediately thought this was odd, so I pressed one to find out what was going on, and a woman with a Russian accent comes on the line.   The entire conversation revolved around her trying to get me to tell her my credit card number and me trying to figure out what was going on.  I asked her what credit card she was calling about.   She ignored that question and said she needed my card number so she could check the balance to see if I qualified to have my interest rate cut.  I said she had to tell ME what card she was calling about and my name.  This time she said she wasn't qualified to give me that information because what if I wasn't the cardholder!  And she was getting snippy!  What a scam.  "Ma'am, your credit card number is not useful to anyone without the CVC code".  Really?  Hmm ...... I don't think so.  Credit card companies don't just call you up out of the blue and offer to cut your interest rate in half.  Amazing.

I signed up for the Iron Girl 5K for September 9 and started back training yesterday.  My run was slow, but not painful.  It'll be better today and hopefully I can get out before noon since it is going to be hot again today, and the rest of the week.   I also started a new after work workout and I thought I'd be sore this morning, but I'm not.

Monday night preseason football felt a little weird since it's so crazy hot.  I couldn't pick up any knitting, even the socks, but I did delve a little deeper into the Victorian lace book.  It's fascinating and there are a few things in there I'm thinking of making.  Those are the big, months long projects perfect for winter.  There wasn't anything I wanted to watch after the game was over at 8 which was fine.  I was pretty tired from my day so retired to the bedroom, fan full on the bed, and read.  I've been waiting for this particular book to come out (Vengeance by Benjamin Black) and I was delighted to see it had just been released August 7, so I downloaded it from Amazon and had a nice read.  Amazon sure makes it easy.  One click and it's on my  iPad.  Magic.

Weekends just fly by

Here it is Monday morning already and I don't feel as if I've even had a weekend!  No fair!  I did plenty, but I'm sleepy.  I think Mondays should be half days so you can play all you want on the weekend and then have a sleep in Monday morning.  I'm going to propose that .....

I brought Tink with me Friday because I had a hair appointment.  As usual she got her fill of tummy rubs.  I had ordered a couple of books from Amazon last week and they came Friday.  I wasn't expecting them until this week, so it was a wonderful surprise and I got home in time to pick them up from the office.  I bought the Knit Noro: Accessories: 30 Colorful Little Knits  and Victorian Lace Today.  I have seen both of these books and just fell in love with the projects, so I treated myself.  There are so many fantastic projects in both of them.  That's all I could do this weekend - look at knitting.  Because it was WAY too hot to pick anything up.

A guy came over at 6 to pick up the chaise.  He came alone, but it wasn't a heavy piece of furniture so I helped him with it.  Unfortunately it wouldn't fit in the elevator so we had to carry it down the stairs.  And it was slippery!  I was a puddle by the time we got that thing loaded.  One down, two to go.  I got the desk and dining table listed Sunday night. 

Saturday was the golf tournament (hah) and reunion dinner.  It ended up to be a super fun time.  I just wish there had been more people but I found out that the previous year's class had a golf tournament the day before AND had a big reunion dinner that Saturday, and that as well as the multi-class picnic a few weeks ago ... well, there are only so many things one can attend.  I got grief for once again not golfing, but as I explained it ... what was I supposed to do?  Golf with three strangers?  I got promises from several of the women that they would golf next year for sure, and somehow I ended up volunteering to do it again!!  I was drafted.  But we ... those of us there .. chose a weekend for next year and I'm going to make it a year long project.  Get people thinking about it now and putting it on there agendas now. 

The Seahawks played very well Saturday night - I got home just in time.  We beat Tennessee where not only our ex-quarterback plays, but several other of our ex-players and the Huskies QB from last year was drafted there.  He did well but not good enough.  Here's to a big year for the Seahawks!

Sunday was hot again but I had to get some serious housecleaning done and I am proud to say I did.  Cleaned the whole place top to bottom.  I hate housework and it never gets truly bad, but you know there are some chores that are much worse than others - for example, spot cleaning the carpet.  My carrot was a little trip to the mall.  I didn't go crazy, but I had to pick up a gift my sister had sent me and I picked up a couple of summer dresses, since it's that late in the season when everything is on sale.  All my chores were finished by 6:30 when I finally collapsed on the couch.  I truly meant to pick up those socks and get them finished but I just watched some silly TV instead.

Today I am going to register for the Iron Girl 5K.  I will have exactly four weeks to get ready for it so no more excuses!  I must run 4 times a week as well as workouts at home after work.  I am determined to get a better time this race.  I'd really like to be first in my age group this year!

One more sweet birthday surprise!

I was so surprised yesterday when I opened my mailbox and found a birthday card.  Well, I know it was just my birthday the day before, but it was still not expected and much much loved.   

Yesterday I finished up with getting my name changed on my credit cards.  I believe that is it with the exception of the passport.  Since I'm getting my hair done today I thought I'd wait for Monday to get the picture taken.  Then I can send it off and be done!  Monday I'm also going to sign up for the Iron Girl 5K on September 9.  That will give me a month to get back into race shape.  I have been SO bad these past few weeks about running.  I need to have a goal.  I got second place in my age class last time and my time wasn't very good, so hopefully I can be better this time.  AND I'm going to use my headphones, despite their silly rules that nobody else was following.  I probably should get some new shoes too.

There was preseason football last night and I have NFL Red Zone, so I was able to see all of the games being played - parts of them anyway.  For preseason they don't do it quite the same way.  Peyton Manning looked pretty darned good with the Broncos.  I have been thinking about going for him for my QB in one of my fantasy leagues.  But preseason can be a little boring, so I watched the first episode of  Hard Knocks.  They are doing the Dolphins camp this season and it's pretty interesting. 

It's a short day for me today.  I had to take a hair appointment at 3 rather than do it tomorrow because tomorrow is the golf tournament and reunion dinner.  I am, of course, now regretting that I can't play golf.  It is a lovely course, flat and not difficult.  But even if I had decided I wanted to play before there aren't enough people and I would have been left to play with strangers, so this worked out fine.  It'll be nice to see my old friends.  And if not -- well, the first Seahawks preseason game is on at 7 so I'll have that to look forward to.

No complaints

I had a pretty wonderful birthday.  Not nearly as spectacular as last year -- that would be hard to top -- but just a very nice day and evening.  Thanks to everyone for all of the lovely birthday wishes.  I had a nice bottle of Cremant de Bourgogne to drink while I was getting ready for dinner.  Sometimes you get a really super bottle and it was one of those.  Yeasty and just yummy.  And then dinner at one of my very favorite Italian restaurants.  The pasta was SO good!   The only bad part of the day was when I discovered that Tink had piddled on the floor!  NEXT to the potty pad that she had used a couple of times in the past.  NEXT to it!!  So that means I've got to shampoo that part of the carpet tonight.

After the record 93 degrees last Sunday, everyone is much relieved to be back to mid-70s.  My new office is a bit stuffy and I think I should just put the blinds down at noon to keep the direct sun from shining in.  It's just hard to do after all that time in a closet, but it should keep me a little more comfortable in the late afternoon.

Preseason football is in full swing now, with quite a few games tonight and the Seahawks first game this coming Saturday evening.  Hopefully I will be done with my little reunion thing in time.  I'll set it to record anyway just in case.  The Seahawks signed Terrell Owens a couple of days ago and everyone is anxious to get a look at him, as well as our new quarterback.  It could be a good season.

My socks are nearly done.  I think I will make that my push.  See if I can finish those off this weekend or next and then cast on for some mitts to match the scarf I made out of the Dream in Color Starry.  I have plenty left and I won't need mitts for another couple of months - hopefully.

A great start to my birthday!

It could hardly have started any better.  First a lovely chatty email and then a phone call from far far away.  With such a fabulous start, it's going to be tough to keep it up.  I do have a dinner at one of my favorite Italian restaurants to look forward to this evening.  And noon knitting!  Yay!

One of the walks that I take with Tink passes by the North Seattle Community College.  There is a bit of wood, a  nature preserve, and a large lawn.  This sign is on the corner of the lawn, with a cement path to it's immediate left and further on to the left the nature preserve.  I haven't seen any racoons, but these signs have been up for a few days now.  I was going to take Tink into the little wood last weekend, but thought better of it after seeing this!  I wonder what they are doing?  Last summer I remember seeing one in a tree around the pool area at the apartment complex, but that was the only one I have ever seen.  I'm not going to take any chances, that's for sure.  I am staying out of there!

The weather has cooled down and I am ever so grateful.  I didn't even need the fan last night.  I did wake up around 1:00 and had a bit of a time getting back to sleep.  These silly hives keep popping up still; not as bad but they are there.  Maybe when I know for certain the house is all sorted out, then I will calm down.  If not I'm going back to the doctor.  I have a spa day planned - my big birthday treat - but I can't even think about going to the spa until this is fixed.

Ooops ......

I really was very tired yesterday.  And oh, once the clouds cleared up it was hot again.  My apartment was like an oven, of course.  After I got Tink walked I had a cool down shower.  I haven't been able to blow my hair dry for days because of the heat.  I'm not the only one.  I ran into a woman yesterday who teaches anatomy with us in September and she didn't recognize me because I had my hair up.  She has the same problem.  It is cooler today and it should be nice all the rest of this week.  And NOT 90 degrees.

There was no knitting done last night.  I didn't do much of anything really.  I was going to watch some Olympics but I didn't even do that.  I read a little bit and fell asleep very early, turned off my alarm at 6 and didn't wake until 7!  I feel great though, so I must have needed all that sleep.  I am sure I haven't been getting much rest in this heat, even with the fan blowing directly at me. 

Now that the hives have gone from my face it is time to get going again on my new passport.  Perhaps tomorrow, if I can get my hair blown dry tonight, I can get my picture taken here at work and then I can send that in.  I believe they say to allow 6 weeks, but I have never had it take that long.  And then a few more credit cards and I'll be all changed back!  Woohoo!

I have started looking at new apartments.  Not visiting them, but checking them out on line.  I need to find out exactly when I can move before I start looking in earnest.  It's pretty thrilling though.  The first step is to get that furniture sold.  I have someone interested in the chaise.  Maybe tonight I'll take pictures of the oak desk and chair.  I found a lovely desk this weekend that I liked a lot.  The top is glass with abstract designs in white.  It's very cool.

Things are looking up up up!!

I got a call Friday afternoon from my real estate agent.  THE call.  It was almost surreal after waiting for so long.  I was out for a walk - it has been super hot here and I just couldn't face going for a run.  It wasn't a perfect offer but workable.  We met up Saturday and tweaked it a bit, and Sunday it was accepted.  Of course nothing is absolutely certain until a few more steps, but I'm feeling pretty darned good right now.  Not entirely out of the wood hive-wise but definitely a much happier girl.

I designated Saturday as my birthday fun day, since it comes on a Wednesday this year and this coming weekend is busy with the tournament and dinner.  It was very hot so I didn't get everything done that I set out to do, but I managed to get to Best Buy and purchased a very very cool ZAGGfolio for my iPad.  It is a case with a Bluetooth keyboard.  It is awesome!  The rest of Saturday was spent trying to keep cool in my apartment, which is like an oven!  If I could leave the door open to the corridor then it wouldn't be so bad because I could get some air movement but as it is ..... just terrible!  The only way to be comfortable is to have the fan blowing directly on me.  Friday night I was so hot in the middle of the night that I got up and had a cool shower! 

Yesterday was another hot one - nearly 90.  Tinkerbell got a trip to the off leash dog park and a paddle in the lake, which she loves.  I got some new pads for my outdoor chairs and I spent some time out there after the sun went down. I remembered to get an extension cord for my little fan in my office.  Unfortunately there is no air conditioning in this office.  I know it sounds incredible since we just had this office remodeled a few years ago, but it doesn't.  So I have light but it's going to be hot this afternoon.  I have the fan blowing and soon I'll have to lower the blinds to try to keep it cool.

I haven't picked up my knitting since last Wednesday.  It is just too hot.  I was tempted last night because the first football game was on and knitting and football go so well together.  But I simply could not do it.  It should cool down a bit this week.  Not that I'm complaining.  [looks a little bit like complaining though, doesn't it?]

Sometimes flowers trump a run

The grey skies took their toll yesterday.  I wanted to run, but I wanted some flowers in my office even more.  I reached a good compromise - I walked to Trader Joe's where I had noticed a bunch of orchids last time I was there.   I love the color of this one.  Most of them were white.  I took the picture with my iPhone so it's not great since there is no flash (can't wait to get a new iPhone with flash!!).   A few times a year some group comes to the hospital and sells all sorts of exotic orchids.  This year I'm going to get myself something gorgeous for the office.  for now this will do and it does brighten things up a bit more.  So far I'm really liking it here.  I was expecting the natural light to help my  mood a bit more but we all know that only one thing can do that effectively.

I spent the entire evening watching Olympic events.  I love my OnDemand for that.  This is one place where Comcast has really outdone itself.  You can go to the OnDemand directory, choose Olympic Events and then choose which event you want to watch.  In that category you have 85 minute programs covering, for example, women's gymnastic team finals.  That's what I watched last night.  I couldn't even knit, it was so fascinating.  There is one thing that always just kills me when I watch these events, and that's the empty seats!  How can that be?  Well, I do know how, but it's a travesty.  Especially for these very coveted events.  Think of all those people who could kill to get in there.  What should I watch tonight?  Maybe men's gymnastics or a swimming event.  I wonder if the rain has subsided over there.  I would imagine it could make some of the track and field events very uncomfortable if it was pouring rain.

It is going to be very hot this weekend.  It might even be too hot to knit.  Tomorrow I have a million and one errands and chores to take care of and then Sunday will be a nice day to take Tink somewhere.  At  5 pm .... tada!  The first preseason game.  So you know what I'm going to be at 5 pm on Sunday.  In case you were wondering. 

Make up your mind!

When I looked out my window this morning it was so pretty!  Blue sky and puffy white clouds.  But on the way in to work the darker clouds moved in and now it's not nice at all!  Even looks like it will rain.  That's not supposed to happen so let's hope these clouds are just temporary.  I don't want to have to run in the rain today.  I'm very tired and it's going to be hard to shake off this groggy feeling, especially with the sun hiding. 

I had company for dinner last night and then stayed up WAY too late watching "Necessary Roughness".  Well, as of this Sunday I won't have to watch that show to get my football fix!  The Hall of Fame game, the first preseason game, is on Sunday and I am going to be watching.  My fantasy league, the one with my nephews, won't be drafting for another month but I was doing a practice draft yesterday and got caught up in a little smack talk with some of the other drafters.  It was pretty funny.  I don't usually go in for that type of thing but I was feeling frisky yesterday, I guess.  Anyway I ended up agreeing to join another league with some of these guys.  No money, just for fun.  They want to draft early, as in this weekend.  Actually they wanted to do it next Monday but because of the time difference the draft would be starting at 3:30 my time, which wouldn't work since I am at work.  I'm trying to get them to switch it to this Sunday or maybe the following Sunday.

I had hoped that finally getting the tournament and dinner thingie sorted would make my hives disappear.  But that hasn't happened, although they are much improved.  It's that other thing out there that is keeping me itchy.  I was really hoping for news from Pamela yesterday but ... nope.  I have no choice but to be patient.  It's not easy.  I'm pretty tired of it and very ready to move on with my life.  I have so many things I need and want to do and my hands are tied until this is sorted.  Frustrating is what it is.  Perhaps that's why I have such a short fuse these days.  Maybe I'll try screaming into my pillow tonight. 

I thought my head would explode!

Yesterday morning was pretty good.  I got to talk to the golf pro who was very understanding and helpful.  I guess it's not that unusual for these things to not come together.  My guys will still be able to golf and all will be well on that end.  I'm still playing phone tag with the caterer but hopefully will get to speak to her today.  I can't imagine that they would want to do a buffet for 25 people but we'll see.  That is a big load off my mind and I was ready for my run at noon. 

Ah .... it was perfect weather!  Not too hot, but warm enough for the running skirt.  Nothing spectacular but a nice, solid run.  I got my things together for lunch and as it was cooking I was going through my email.  And then I saw it -- the email that erased all the goodness I had reaped from the run.  As a little background - every year I ask the School of Medicine and the Dental School registrars for a list of the incoming first year students with their undergraduate major.  I use this information to put together our dissection table groups so that we don't end up with more than one non-science major at a table.  The Dental School had their list to me a few days after I asked for it but the School of Medicine was much slower.  Finally, after being promised the list for a week I got an email from the admin of the registrar saying she was unable to give me that list because of FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) regulations!  I lost it.  It was all I could do to keep from going downstairs to the Dean's Office and stomping my feet.  The fact that I was in my running clothes .....  I dashed off a few emails, had a cooler head translate for me and finally I did get the list.  But really!   What next?  It is the simple idiocy of the people following regulations blindly that makes me crazy.  Some little admin who comes in and decides that I can't have the information I need to do a very simple part of my job that is for the good of the student.  Gahhhh .... I shouldn't have started thinking about it again!

Let's think of better things.  I put in a fare watcher for air fare to London and Paris in November and every week I get an email with the lowest fares listed.  And guess what?  That stupid Icelandair is ALWAYS the lowest.  It's not like it used to be when you could sometimes snatch up a bargain ... a real bargain .. if you were watching carefully.  Now it's pretty much the same with very little fluctuation.  I like their schedule, but their bare bones flights are not for me.  Maybe I will compare a couple of better airlines with them but factor in a few of their upgrades - which aren't considered upgrades on other carriers.  And then schedule will be the final deciding factor.  I'm not in any hurry.  It's just interesting.

I was planning on watching some Olympics coverage last night.  I have seen a few events, but watching alone is not very much fun.  I knew I wanted to see the swimming and gymnastics last night but the way they are doing the coverage on NBC is very annoying.  And they don't put on the really good events until the last hour which is just too late.  I get bored and sleepy watching that much TV.  However, I do believe I can get it OnDemand but only after it was shown.  I can look for it tonight or tomorrow night.  Anyway - I spend most of my time scanning the crowd, looking for a certain silver head.  So far no luck. 

I worked more on my socks while I watched synchronized diving.  Crazy sport but pretty amazing all the same.  It's noon knitting and I've got some errands after work so I drove in today and I heard on the radio that some badminton doubles teams were disqualified for trying to lose.  I need to read up on that.

Oh ... and did you notice the craziness on the web yesterday?  Yahoo mail was down for hours!  And later in the afternoon I couldn't connect to the iTunes store.  Very strange.  But now ... work!

Catch up

Yesterday the sun never really came out and it was a bit chilly.  I was SO tired from lack of sleep both Saturday and Sunday nights and the lack of sun didn't help.  I had a few checks I had to get to the bank and I was going to run back, but I wanted to stop at Trader Joe's - I have been craving their marinated tuna for ages - so the run went by the wayside and I had a little shopping trip instead.  On the way to the bank I got a phone call from my real estate agent.  I had been practically sitting on my hands all morning, not wanting to bother her and knowing that she'd call if there was any (good) news.  So imagine how my heart took a jump when I saw her name come up on my phone.  Good news?  Pretty good.  There are two parties very interested in the house and she's expecting an offer or two this week.  I have to keep my expectations down.  But oh my goodness ....   Well that put a bounce in my step, sun or no.

I was planning on watching some more Olympics and knitting last night but honestly, after dinner I could barely keep my eyes open.  I was saying to somebody on the phone earlier in the evening that I was not sure I could stay awake past 8:30 and honestly, I didn't make it much past that!  I was down!  I know I was asleep before 9 and except for a few minutes around midnight when Tink woke me to get off the bed, I slept straight through until 6:30 this morning!  I feel SUPER this morning.  Well rested and (dare I say it?) pretty darned happy.  Looks like I am coming up to that corner.

On the weekend I started another project.  I was poking through some magazines - I had gotten the new Interweave Knits Fall Saturday but nothing jumped out at me.  I wanted to use some Noro I had rediscovered lurking on my yarn rack.  None of the new patterns from the first issue of Noro Magazine were right for the Kureyon.  Actually I was looking through Ravelry to find something suitable for a couple of skeins of Noro Kureyon Sock but then found the Argosy Wrap by Vyvyan Neel that uses Kureyon worsted.  I don't like the colors she used but it's an interesting construction and it suited my mood.  No, you're totally right.  I do not need another wrap or scarf or shawl or stole.  But I really enjoy making them so I will just do what I like to do and give them away.  It's the process anyway.

I made the calls to the golf pro and to the caterer yesterday but both of them were out for Monday.  Hopefully today I can tie up that loose end and send the couple of dozen people who are actually interested in the event an email with details. 

I would like to take some pictures of that recliner chaise and get it listed for sale tonight.  Will I get around to it?  Stay tuned ......

All these new sounds!

The first thing I noticed when I got into my  new office today was the sound of the crows and just now I heard a seagull.  Not exciting birdsong, by any means.  But music to my ears.  I'd like to do something to improve the view directly outside my door when I have it open, like now.  At present I look across the room at a blank wall -- well, blank except for two pieces of paper giving instructions on how to use the FAX machine and what is acceptable to put into the shredding bin.  So obviously then I do see the FAX machine on a wooden cabinet, the shredding bin to the left and then a counter with paper cutter and various staplers and cabinets holding office supplies.  A nice scenic poster above the supplies counter would be nice.  But first I should get something for my office wall.

I had quite a busy weekend and the weather was nice through it all.  Friday evening I went to dinner and for a wander around Ballard, which is one neighborhood I am considering for my next move.  The restaurant was very interesting Mexican - but not typical.  The food was excellent.  I heard from Gregg that evening on the way home that the guy, Michael, who was going to play guitar with us on Sunday had run into a snag and couldn't make it until after 6 because he had a new job.  That meant getting the acts shuffled around.  I didn't need any more aggravation so I just put it out of my head.  Either he would make it or not - out of my hands as well.

I just wanted to relax on Saturday but that was a little more difficult than it should have been.  I got Tink walked and ran a few errands and then my plan was to kick back, work on lyrics and maybe do laundry.  Mike was going to come by to crash on the couch so I got something for dinner and was looking forward to a fun evening, and early to bed.  BUT that didn't seem to be in the cards.  My new neighbors downstairs were exceptionally noisy and their music was playing loud all day, driving me crazy!  In all the time I've lived here, with at least two separate tenants below me, I have never been bothered by noise.  Finally when I was about to scream with the incessant thump thump thump I went downstairs and asked them to turn it down.  She said she would but it didn't make much difference.  And then I learned why when she and her boyfriend knocked on my door about 7:30 to inform me they were throwing a surprise party for a friend.  Oh joy.  It was going on nonstop until 3 am.  Thank goodness Mike had some ear plugs in his car and the combination of that and the fan going at least dimmed it enough so I could sleep through most of it.  But I didn't wake up feeling too great yesterday.

The weather was again great [which I am hoping means that a lot of people came to see my house - but no word yet] and after a couple of walks I got ready and headed up to Snohomish for our gig.  It actually turned out fine.  Good even, in some spots.  Gregg and I both forgot the second set of lyrics on the last song, but made the most of it.  What can you do?  It happens.  My favorite part was when the second guitar player started playing with us.  He is awesome!  And I got to finally sing Adele's arrangement of the Cure's "Lovesong".  It went over better than I could have hoped.  Mike recorded it on his phone so I will have to give a listen and see .... I mean hear ... how it sounded out there.  It was a fun fun night.

And now back to reality.  First thing I need to deal with the lack of participants for the golf tournament and dinner.  I will call the golf course this morning.  I think the caterers are closed on Monday but I'll give them a call as well, just in case.  And then a good run this afternoon after a walk to the bank.  It's not very nice today but the plus side to that is that it's not very hot either.  And fingers crossed all over the world that I get some GOOD NEWS this week!!!

From my NEW office!

It's 3 o'clock and I have finally finished moving into and arranging my new office.  Light!  Natural light!!  Fresh air!  I might even get an orchid for the window sill.  I am happy.

I have turned a corner these past couple of days.  My hives are on the run - practically gone!  The golf tournament and reunion dinner has been driving me crazy and I finally had to make a decision.  I gave an ultimatum to the group - speak up now or it's too late.  I have gotten a couple more but I am going to have to call the golf course and caterer on Monday and change things drastically.  First of all it was suggested to me that 5 foursomes would be a good number and in fact, if I don't count myself (which is another sigh of relief since I was NOT looking forward to showing everyone how bad I am) we have only two foursomes.  Eight people when I was expecting 20!  Further, I had booked with the caterer and said we would be expecting a minimum of 40 people.  We have 22.  I suspect we'll have to lose our deposit.  I am going to email everyone - all 26 of them - on Monday after I talk to the caterer and golf course and let them know that we will be meeting in the restaurant and everyone can order off the menu.  It's a shame David has to lose his deposit but really, I did everything I could.  There is a multi-class picnic this weekend and I suspect it has stolen some of our thunder.  Ah well.  Now that I've made those decisions I feel as if a weight has been lifted.  I will feel better when I make those phone calls.  Maybe I'll do it tomorrow instead of Monday.

Yesterday I was working from home, since I had no office, and I was doing a little housework.  I have been thinking a lot about moving in November when my lease is up - maybe October.  Since this situation is now going to be going on for probably another year, there is no reason for me to stay in this bad apartment.  I want to find a nicer, quieter place.  And I have done a little bit of searching and realize that if I want the space I have now I couldn't really afford to live in an urban area, or not a nice one.  As I was vacuuming my office I was thinking about how much I hate that reclining chaise my ex-husband gave me and how little time I actually spend in that office.  If I get rid of these things I don't use I will be quite comfortable in a smaller, thus nicer, place!  I can get rid of that HUGE and heavy oak roll top desk and get something smaller and more ladylike.  Get rid of that gigantic dining room table I've been hauling around for years and get something cute and small.  And my books.  There is no reason in the world for me to keep hauling those around either.  The only time I touch them is when I move them!  I will keep the reference volumes and sell all the novels.  If I want to read one sometime I will download it to my iPad!

This is such a revelation.  How do we get so stuck?  Why did I think I had to keep all that big furniture?  I will start slowly - I am not going to empty my apartment all at once.  For sure I'm getting rid of the dining table, big desk, chaise and most likely my big purple comfy chair and ottoman.  And most of the books.  I will want to have that all taken care of by October.  I need to check to find out if my lease is up at the end of October or the end of November.  If it's the end of November then it's going to be a bit of a challenge since I want to spend the last part of November in Europe.  But I'll figure it out.  First thing to do is find a building I want to move to.  The rest will fall into place.

Now - here I am.  MUCH happier than I was earlier in the week.  I can't really say why.  Nothing has changed except my attitude and goals.  The hives are still here but on the way out.  Things are looking up again.  Yay.  Now fingers crossed for the house to sell this weekend and then everything will be perfect.

I wouldn't go back

I wouldn't go back to how things were 16 months ago.  Not for all the money in the world.  This isn't a pity party, just an observation.  But sometimes it is crazy difficult to be alone because you can't ever get a break.  [Well, unless you check yourself into a loony bin.]   It would be so nice to be able to say,  "Could you just take care of things for a few days?  Walk the dog?  Plan the meals?  Do the shopping and the laundry?  I just need a little break".  That's what was going through my mind yesterday.  But I chose my path and this is the price I pay.  Totally worth it.

I guess in a way I got a break.  A few breaks.  First,  the sun shone all day and it was lovely and not too hot.  Then, I had a super awesome run at lunchtime.  I was fast and strong.  When I got home, there was no bad news in the mailbox!  Hooray!  All good things.  I was invited out to eat at my little local Indian restaurant, which is yummy.  So all in all a good day.

The night however -- I swear I must have woken up four or five times!  The first time I woke up was very strange.  I could smell a sweet coffee drink.  I mean, it was so strong that I swear that's what woke me up.  I just can't figure out where it was coming from.  My best guess is the people in the apartment below me.  It was warm so it could be they had a fan going but still ... it was as if there was a tray of coffee in my room.    I don't know what else woke me - probably just random noises.  A siren once.  Noisy people getting out of a car in the parking lot.  I can sleep in a bit tomorrow and I most likely will do that.

Gregg is coming by tonight to rehearse a bit rather than having me drive all the way up to Snohomish.  That's nice of him.  He left a message last night that he has been in touch with another guitar player who will be playing with us.  That'll help fill out the sound.

Noon knitting today and then for most of the rest of the day I'm going to have to concentrate on getting all my stuff packed up and ready to go.  Lucky I can take that kind of time now.  In a few weeks it would have had to wait.

From an office torn apart

Yesterday I started dismantling my office, getting ready for the move.  When I leave tomorrow I have to be ready for the mover so he can put my big things in the hall on Thursday.  I have one cart load of books that I've got to find a place for this morning before I can do anything else.  I am hoping I can pop them onto the shelves in my new office.  Maybe I can just stack them there because I don't think Marcia has done much with her preparation yet.

I had a very nice run yesterday afternoon, after slacking off for more than a week.  I was surprised that my pace was so good.  It's going to be nicer today, so maybe it's time for shorts again.  It is July after all.  The end of July! 

I am sorely disappointment in the response I've gotten - or rather not gotten - with regards to the golf tournament and dinner.  The fact that there is a multi-class potluck picnic this coming weekend may have something to do with it.  I just don't know what to do!  I can't wait much longer before confirming or cancelling with the golf club.  And we'll lose our deposits which is bad.  Maybe I can get a couple of foursomes out golfing and have the rest of the people just meet us in the restaurant and order their own dinners.  I guess I'll give it another day or so before making the decision.  I sent out a big email yesterday as did my co-host.  We may yet get some late comers.  It's just .... I just don't need any more stress right now.  I've got to find something fun to look forward to, which will keep my mind off this other stuff.

Name change has stalled.  I want to get my picture taken and get my new passport but whenever I remember it happens to be a day when I've got a hive (or three) on my face.  They are slowing down - thank goodness.  Hopefully they will be all gone soon.  I crave a really hot hot shower.

It was a bland evening - dog walking, dinner preparation and sock knitting.  I finished up the gusset stitches and am now working on the foot.  It seems strange that the only project I have going now is a pair of socks!  I'll remedy that when football season arrives.

Why I hate musicians

Well ... I guess that is a bit broad.  I don't hate ALL musicians.  Or  not all of them all of the time.  Right now I am extremely disappointed in one in particular.  I was having a lovely weekend.  Friday night I went up to rehearse harmonies with the bass player and Gregg.  It was fine and we got a lot of work done.  We figured then a couple more full band rehearsals - one on Sunday for sure - and we'd be ready to go for the benefit this coming Sunday. 

It was that kind of weekend - good things and then bad things.  Saturday was a gorgeous, sunny day and I had a fun time out at the Bite of Seattle, which I haven't attended in years and years.  The music was good, the beer cold.  All in all a great day.  Then I got home and picked up the mail and found a really nasty surprise in there, thanks to my ex.  Talk about sucking the fun out of a day.  So instead of doing laundry I just did some grocery shopping and relaxed on the couch and watched a movie, looking forward to my Sunday band rehearsal.

Sunday morning as I was having my breakfast I got a call from Gregg.  The bass player had just called him to say he didn't want to do it after all!  Just like that, one week before we're set to perform!  Oh I was SO mad!  I am still so mad!  Gregg couldn't get him to give a reason, but the drummer spoke to him as well and finally got it out of him - he didn't want to do the work to learn any more songs.  Unbelievable.  So that means we will just be a duo and definitely not be going 45 minutes.  That's just such a selfish move!

So blam!  There I had an entire day stretched out before me that had previously been filled with band rehearsal.  The laundry got done, the errands got done and it was still not noon.  Tink got a couple of nice long walks and I listened to my audiobook while we walked.  I am getting near the end of it but must make it last until the 25th.

I just wanted to pout and be grumpy but I ended up realizing that the bad guys win if that's how I'm going to act, so instead I picked up my socks and worked on the gusset stitches, which is always a long and tedious process.  I am more than half way through now.  Had a nice dinner and today I'm going to be able to run, which should feel really good. 

Things will get better.  They always do.  Just .... I'd rather it be sooner than later!

Soggy cuffs

Boy is it ever coming down this morning!  A thunder storm with lots and lots of rain.  I guess this is what it has been doing in London for a while.  It has made the news here, since Seattle is supposedly known for being so rainy.  Actually here it's not the yearly rainfall - New York City gets more than we do - but it's the number of cloudy days that really get people down.  Anyway, it's warm and soggy.  I regret my choice of pants because they are long enough to soak up rainwater and I am wet. 

I haven't been able to run all week!  I did get up to the bank yesterday so at least I got outside for a while.  I was so busy, the day sped by.  I need to take some time soon to get my office packed and ready to move.  This must be done by Wednesday end of day because Thursday I will be working from home and my office will be emptied so that the floor can be washed. 

I haven't picked up my socks since noon knitting.  I was so tired yesterday I didn't do anything but slob about on the couch, half watching TV and talking on the phone.  I've got a busy weekend coming up.  Let's hope the rain is done by the time I have to drive all the way up to Gregg's in Snohomish tonight.

The move is coming up

I was met at my office door this morning by a maintenance man who wanted to take a peek to see what picky little things he was to get done before the computers are moved into my luxurious space.  The pain in the behind who is moving his computers in here had complained about a couple of holes in the ceiling -- which is very high.  Afraid some asbestos will come leaking down on his computers or something idiotic like that.  Also there is a piece of baseboard missing.  When I moved in here after the department was remodeled I wanted to have all of the shelving brackets removed, the ceiling lowered -- not really lowered you understand, but have a real ceiling installed to cover the duct work -- and the room painted.  But there was no money for that kind of thing so the best I got was a floor wash.  Now this boob needs to have the ceiling patched and the baseboards tidied up for his computers.  But he is a scientist and so can make more demands than I. 

It was noon knitting yesterday and so no running.  I was planning on a walk up to the bank and a run back today, but note the past tense.  One of my more troublesome faculty members - the one I think is the main cause of my stress which caused these hives - needs a one-on-one tutorial for my new virtual microscope annotation system and wants it at 11:30.  Granted, this annotation system is not intuitive nor is it documented.  The company provided a demo showing all of the ways one can use the annotation system, but you are left to puzzle it out on your own.  For someone with a little computer knowledge or experience it doesn't take too long, but she will not take the time to learn it on her own, so I have to write out a tutorial and then go through it with her step by step.  This is the same woman who sat by me when I was teaching her how to make some other html pages and talked over me continually ... "Yup.  Uh huh.  Got it.  Yes.  Mmhmm.  Right."  Then she gets to her office and calls me every 5 minutes with questions that I had already answered and that she had in print in front of her face.  [Ooooo, I'm feisty this morning, aren't I?]

Tomorrow evening I am going up to Gregg's and he and I and the bass player will have a vocal rehearsal to just work on harmonies!  That is going to be SO much fun!  It is so nice to sing with people who actually know how to sing and can pick out their parts.  And then on Sunday again we will have a full band rehearsal.  The following week I am hoping we can have at least two more full band rehearsals.  We got a great spot on the 29th.  We will be playing at 5 pm.  That might sound really early, but since it is a Sunday people are going to be out early, wanting to get home at a decent time.  So 5 is perfect!  I am so looking forward to this.  And I am going to start asking Gregg about recording so he can maybe get someone up there to make a nice one for us.

Is humiliation really all that helpful?

I suppose because my immune system is a bit compromised because of stress - witness the hives - I am destined to catch every single little bug that crosses my path these days!  I wasn't here Monday much past 11 when it became apparent I would be much better off at home.  I was pretty much back to normal by yesterday afternoon.  Now I need to play catch up.  Perhaps getting organized should be first on the list.

On the weekend I had forgotten to get dog food so I had to go out yesterday afternoon and thought I'd take the opportunity to run my car through the car wash.  It really needed it, since I park under trees.  I didn't have any cash, but supposed that either I could get some at the car wash at an ATM or from the cashier when I paid.  But the cashier wouldn't give me any cash, saying he was unable to do so for another couple of weeks - which made no sense but I was not willing to argue.  I simply said that I needed money to tip the attendants but he just looked at me and shrugged.  Very helpful.  I went through the car wash and had to pass the tip jar without putting anything in it.  Thankfully there was no one standing right there.  Ah, but they are quick.  They checked, of course, and before I could get around the corner and into the traffic, which was rather thick, the news had spread.  As I sat at the corner waiting for a break in the traffic I had to endure the calls of  "CHEAP"! coming from the guys washing the next car in line.  I had to sit there for a while and endure this since the traffic would not give me a break.  I finally put the window down and yelled back, "Hey!  It's not my fault!  He wouldn't give me any cash".  That shut them up - most just one guy - but really, I didn't need that kind of attention.

I did get the heel turned on the first pair of top down socks I've had on the needles in ages and ages.  I brought them in for noon knitting today.  I think next time I get some free time and am at odds I'll make myself finish another project.  And speaking of finishing I still need to press block that Elsie cardigan.  I could have used it today.

And here's my final thought.  No news is NOT good news.  It's just no news.

Malodorous bus passengers

One can usually spot them - the folks who may not be smelling springtime fresh - and take a seat upwind, so to speak.  I was fooled this morning though.  And I don't know if this is a blessing or not, but a couple of stops after I got on and took my seat, a woman got on wearing WAY too much (cheap) perfume.  The combination was unusual, to say the least.  However it did mask the worst of it so I guess I shouldn't complain too loudly.

Last Friday the weather turned and we were treated to a thunder storm.  It ruined my plans for a walk up to the bank and a run back, since it was pouring.  Saturday morning was much the same.  It wasn't actually raining when we went out for our morning walk, but the thunder was grumbling and I cut it short because it looked like rain was on its way.  I took a quick trip to the grocery store and was ready to get laundry going but I was met in the vestibule by a maintenance man who informed me that the water would be shut off for the next few hours to replace a water tank.  So no laundry.  I should have taken myself back out and gone to to the nail salon, but work is being done on Northgate Way and it's a nightmare.  Plus, truth be told, the work of keeping a positive attitude in the face of all this and that and the other nonsense is tiring.  I just didn't have it in me to get out and fight the traffic and so instead thought I'd go through my WIPs or pick out a new project to start.  But that didn't work either.  Nothing was speaking to me. I ended up loafing on the couch reading the Grisham novel I had started about NFL football in Italy.  It was a short read and lead me to some lovely daydreaming.  Not productive but it soothed my soul I guess you could say.

Saturday was a sleepless night.  I stayed up late late late finishing that book and wasn't asleep for long before the wind kicked up again and the blinds were rattling like crazy.  I had to shut them finally because it kept waking me up.  But the worst was done and I ended up sleeping until 9:30 Sunday morning!  Oh and then I was truly sorry I hadn't gotten my nails done because I had to get Tink walked, then do my nails and be up at Rusty's for a rehearsal at 1:30.  With a little hustle I got it all done and we had a pretty good rehearsal.  Not great because I had mistakenly thought that the bass player and drummer had been given CDs of the songs last week.  Not so, therefore we had to waste time teaching them the songs instead of working on harmonies.  We will be getting together at least two more times before the 29th, I sincerely hope. 

I need to run today.  Let's hope the rain holds off. 

Where is everybody?

I am sitting in my office.  It's 8:15 and I can't hear a single soul walking in the hall, or talking anywhere.  Ah!  There, I just saw someone walk by.  Otherwise it is silent.  The chairman and his wife are going to be gone for a few weeks - traveling to a meeting in Berlin and then vacationing, so his secretary is also gone.  Probably most of his lab will be out, taking their summer break at the same time.  And it seems that many people are taking vacation time or at least a long weekend.  It's spooky!  I thought for a minute there that I had forgotten a holiday.

The move to my new office is set for the 27th - two weeks from today.  However, we are going to have to move my big furniture out into the hall on Thursday so that the custodial staff can wash the floor before the next occupant moves his stuff in.  Talk about a piece of work!  This guy ..... he's rather new here - maybe been here a year - and not making any friends, that's for sure.  He will be using this office for his computer servers which are currently in a windowed office that the department supervisor is going to move into, and I will be taking her office.  He is afraid that there will be glitch when his servers are moved and therefore asked that he move them a week early into my office just to be sure everything goes smoothly!  Believe me when I say that I always try to get along, I don't make trouble and I am super accommodating.  But one has to draw the line somewhere and I had to tell the supervisor that it was not something I was comfortable with.  This space is cramped as it is and it would be next to impossible to get my things OUT if we had all of his stuff IN.  Ah!  Good point, she says.  The IT guy has told him several times that there will be no problems, that it is the same subnet as he is currently using, but that's not good enough.  He came to my office yesterday to take some measurements and see the space.  When I assured him he would not have any trouble with his servers he threatened me!  Shaking his finger in my face -- "Well, if they don't work I'll have to move them right back to that office"!  As if I was in charge of the move.  As if that was a something I was concerned with.  Then he looks at the ceiling and asks me if there is asbestos up there!  At this point I'm just looking at him like he's crazy -- which I think he is.  A few minutes later the supervisor came to see me and told me what a pain he is, and how rude.  I can believe it.  He told her the space smelled "smoky".  Smoky?!?  I had just opened a new box of tea, so perhaps that was what he was smelling.  He's a jerk.  The good news is that since my office has to be emptied on Thursday she said I could just take the day off.  Nice.

I drove up to see Gregg last night and to run over our songs.  He lives 45 minutes away, way up in Snohomish.  It's beautiful, but what a terrible commute!  I got back around 10 and of course wasn't in the least bit tired.  Tink enjoyed the company, we had a nice little walk around the garden and I watched some TV.  It's about time to start thinking about my next project.  Maybe I'll make that Henley.  I wore my Rondel top this week.  I sure love that top.  And I have the same type of yarn to make the Henley.  I'll check it out tonight maybe.

It's all in the timing

I just missed the bus this morning.  If I had gotten out of the house even half a minute sooner I would have caught it.  It's not usually an issue if I miss the 316 at 7:20 because there is a 16 that comes at 7:27.  But this morning it didn't show up!  So because of that I missed the 48 that I typically catch which gets me to the office a little before 8.  Not a big deal, just a lot of time standing around at the bus stops.  I still have a few hours left to listen to "Wolf Hall", which I am enjoying even more now that I have a clearer understanding of those characters.

This evening I am going up to Gregg's to start working on our set for the benefit on July 29.  On Sunday we will rehearse with the whole band and I am looking forward to that a lot!  Gregg has put together a fine set list.  It is a bit more country that I would like, but since we are playing the Oxford I know it will go over well there, since it is kind of a country place. 

I don't know when I'm going to carve out some time to get to the driving range, but I'd better get serious about it if I want to golf in August.  This tournament and dinner thing is coming up in about 5 weeks and I'm getting nervous about having enough people signed up.  I got two more in the mail yesterday, but only one golfer.  I'm going to have to be a little more aggressive, which is not fun.

I got all the fringe put on the Aristida yesterday afternoon.  It's lovely and I should get a lot of use out of it this winter.  I definitely have enough yarn left over to make some gloves, or mittens I should say, which I will do when I get finished with the socks I have growing on my number 2 needles.  There is no hurry.

Late start

Monday night I stayed up WAY too late, finishing up the book about Henry VIII's wives.  Fascinating read and I couldn't put it down.  I was sorry to have it end.  So I was pretty tired last night.  I went to bed at my normal time but I woke up at 1:30 and my thoughts started spinning and I was awake for a couple of hours.  I read email - there was a nice surprise in there.  I read some news on my iPad - I know you're not supposed to use electronic devices when you have insomnia but I always do anyway.  Finally I put everything away and spent some time in my happy place, standing at the window and looking out at the lake.  That calmed me down and I went to sleep finally, but turned off the alarm this morning.  I feel great so that extra little hour of sleep helped me out.

I had a  pretty good run yesterday, although the best part about it was that my hives disappear while I'm running.  It's the craziest thing.  I won't be able to run today though since it's noon knitting.  I brought my scarf and the fringe to go on it.  I have found that if I have knitting chores like finishing, it goes much quicker if I bring it in and do it while I'm chatting.

I did bring my mystery package slip to the office yesterday and no, there is not a package for me.  He said we have a new mailman - or mail woman - and things have been a little weird. 

The sunshine is here, summer is here.  It is supposed to get warm today.  I know it is going to be a big issue in my new office, not having air conditioning.  But I think it will be worth it.

I had a good news/bad news type of day yesterday and I am trying to cope.  Usually I wouldn't advocate this, but putting it out of my mind completely seems the only way to cope successfully.  It is what it is, and it will turn out how it does and I have no control.  That's the tough part.  But I'm up for it.  

The mystery invisible package

When I was going through the mail Saturday evening I found a notice from the USPS saying that a package had been left with the front desk on June 30th, while I was gone.  I'm not expecting anything ... a surprise!  The office was closed by that time and closed also on Sunday, so yesterday morning I phoned to let them know I was back and to make sure they hadn't returned the package, since it had been a week since the notice was put into my mailbox.  However, when I came by the office after work there was no package for me.  It could be that the mailman had written the wrong apartment number on the slip.  It's a mystery and it's driving me crazy!  I am going to take the notice back to the office tonight, just to double check.

I snapped a picture of the tremendous, ugly hole in the hedge this morning.  It is not very bright today, but you can clearly see the outline of a big truck.  What is not clear is the depth of the ugly hole.  I sure wish they'd assign that spot to someone so it wouldn't be visible all the time. The only thing that kept that idiot from going right through was the tree trunk - not visible here but you can see a branch at the top of the picture. That kind of wanton destruction just makes my blood boil!

The weather was not as nice as predicted yesterday (big surprise? Not really) and even though I wanted to run, I decided to take a check up to the bank and do my name changing business up there at the same time.  The checks for the golf tournament/reunion dinner are coming in at a trickle and I get them in the bank as soon as I can.  Now there's the bank done - which leaves a few credit cards, utilities, passport -- quite a bit left to do.

The Arista shawl was dry last night so I cut the 159, 9" pieces of yarn for the fringe and started putting it on.   That is an extremely tedious project by the way.  I got nearly half way done and put it down.  I will try to finish it up tonight so I can take it to noon knitting on Wednesday.

Sunday Gregg gave me a  nice song list for the upcoming fundraiser gig in July and now we need to start rehearsing.  I think I'll go up Thursday evening and then we can have a full band rehearsal on the weekend.  He chose some good songs - some we did last time we worked together and a couple from the first band we were in together and then a couple new ones, "Lovesong" being one of them, which I have been wanting to sing ever since I heard Adele's cover of it.  Lots of work to do.

I got the word yesterday - I will be moving to a new office July 23rd!  It will not be perfect - that area is notoriously hot and stuffy when the weather gets hot because the air conditioning just doesn't work very well, but the idea of having natural light is just too tempting.  And as I said, I can always close my door - it has a window with blinds I can close for privacy, plus the windows that open onto the courtyard!  Hoorah!!

Nice while it lasted

Obviously, I can't be on vacation all the time.  Which is really too bad, because it seems that when I'm not on vacation I am destined to be covered in hives.  I wasn't home for more than a few hours before they started popping up again!  It is crazy!  And they are coming in exactly the same places they were the last time, as well as a few more new ones.  It seems to me that I am feeling much less stress than when I left but my body says not so.  I am acutely aware of the mountain of things I have before me.  Maybe when I feel I have better handle on the immediate future I'll calm down.  In the meantime, I will look forward to my run this afternoon and know that at least for that time I'll be feeling better.

I can happily report that my little horseback riding adventure did not knock me down as I had feared it would.  I was a little sore for a couple of days - nothing major. I'll bet I'll be more sore after running today.  It's been two weeks -- or maybe more.  It is beautiful and sunny and warm.  Shorts for sure today.

I didn't do much of anything  Saturday after getting home except put my house back together and have some dinner.  Yesterday was devoted to chores.  I had two suitcases to unpack, a mountain of laundry, doggie walking and bath time and I even got my Aristida shawl blocked out.  Tonight I need to cut 159 pieces for the fringe and it'll be done.  And yes, I'm keeping it myself.  It would be much too hot for my sister.  Maybe I can find a nice cotton or silk blend .... maybe rayon ... and make a second one for her.

Oddly, we had a little thunder storm last night and Tink was going crazy.  She doesn't bark or whine, but she tries to get as close to me as she can, which sometimes means she tries to crawl INTO me.  That hurts.  And it was hot so she was panting even though the fan was going full.  Of course who can see the little scratches she made when I'm covered in welts?  Not an issue.

It was rumored before I left that I may be getting an office with a window!  That's the good part.  The bad part is that it would be in a very busy and consequently noisy area.  I don't care though.  If I get offered the space I am going to take it.  It has been too long since I've had natural light.  If the noise is really bothersome I can always close the door to the office, which is something I can't do comfortably here.

Well, I'd better start digging in.  And counting - only 20 weeks until my next adventure.

It is going to hurt tomorrow

Thursday morning we picked our niece up at the airport. She is on her way to a one week flight school camp in Arizona and Kelli thought it would be nice to treat her for a few days. Yesterday was low key - lunch, shopping and BBQ dinner. Today we went on a trail ride. It was wonderful, but it has been ages since I have been on a horse so I suspect I will feel it in the morning. In the meantime I am taking a little nap. Sophie is at Magic Mountain with her uncle so we will have a good few hours to kick back. If not for the book I downloaded I might have done a little knitting. As it is, I have ignored my knitting. I only have 20% left to read. I don't think it is going to end well. ;-)

Hot shower!

Oh how nice it is to have a proper hot shower! Today was the third day in a row and I still appreciate it. 4th of July holiday notwithstanding, we are just kicking back at home. Last evening we saw "Ted" at the theatre and it was so funny! Then a quiet night at home. Kelli was ready for bed early but I have been so enthralled with this book about Henry the VIII's wives. I wish I had read this before I went to Windsor! I read late into the night. I would have looked for many things at Windsor had I had this book before that visit.

Who are these people? - mini travel rant

I know people get attached to their pillows. In fact, I looked it up. However, a grown person who takes their pillow onto an airplane with them should be ... Well I don't know what the punishment should be, but come on! That is just stupid. Using my iPad this morning so excuse the lack of paragraphs. We are now back in California after a really wonderful long weekend in Flagstaff. We saw the Grand Canyon on Sarurday and the little folk festival on Sunday. The hotel was so nice. There were rabbits and chipmunks and squirrels. It was like being in a forest with a nice restaurant. We didn't have a flight out until the afternoon so we spent some time at the book store before we took off. I have been reading ... rather, listening to historical novels lately with King Henry the VIII and his wives as prominent characters and I wanted to learn more so I downloaded a book and it served me well since our flight was delayed out of Phoenix. Lazy morning today. Maybe a movie this afternoon. But coffee now!