Enjoying My Time

I had a wonderful weekend. The only things that set it back were that The Boy had two basketball games this weekend, so staying in BFD and my mentee is still missing. The Boy and I are going shopping next Sunday and hopfully to my Dad's choir concert to make up a little time.

On Saturday I took the bus down to the Urban Craft Uprising at the Seattle Center. I stood in line for 15 minutes with a few hundred other people, then went inside. Everything was very professional looking and very cool--but one of the side effects of not mass producing and getting your supplies in super bulk numbers, it was pretty expensive. I could see buying myself one or two things, or if I saw the perfect gift for someone, I might have spent the money, but I kept my self control and walked back out after seeing all the booths. There were a lot of super cute things in there and maybe someday I will have the extra cash to spend on them.

After that I went to the Metropolitan Market and got some of the very yummy eggnog from Twin Brooks that I have been raving about to anyone who will listen. I think I have converted a few people, too. There were several product reps by the front door giving out samples or coupons and one of them was the Hempler's Ham people. Pause now for some back story:

I had a Hempler's Ham on order for my family dinner Saturday night from Amazon Fresh. It was a preorder--which should mean that they would definitely have one for me, right? Or they would let me know ahead of time they didn't...? Nope, just no ham with the order and when I checked my email--they send out a confirmation some time that morning--it just said "the following items were not included with your delivery, you will not be charged for those items". Awesome! So now I have to go shopping to find something else, which I did, but it wasn't local and natural like the Hempler's would have been. When I emailed my complaint, all Amazon replied with was "we are sorry for the inconvenience". Nothing about trying to not let it happen again or anything. I am going to wait a while before I order again. The physical store doesn't let you down that way. They either have it or they don't.

So I told the Hempler's rep that story and she gave me a free ham! It wasn't big enough to serve to 8 people, but Dr. T, The Boy and I will definitely enjoy it at a later date.

The family dinner was fun. We had snacks, people played Wii, we ate dinner, then played Apples to Apples. The eggnog was loved by all, especially me. Did I mention that I don't usually go in for eggnog? I don't. But this stuff is the bomb! I haven't had homemade yet, but I am guessing this is on par.

Sunday I strategized with Interactive Reader for a webinar we will be on in January. It is for First Tuesdays through the Washington State Library. We will be talking about Reader's Advisory (recommending books) with a few example book talks, resources and tips. We have a dry run coming up this Wednesday Morning. Then we did a little window shopping down Market St.

Two of my friends and coworkers came over later to learn to make bread. I instructed them through the loaves and they seemed to turn out well. I will get full reports on Wednesday when I see them next. We also made some AWESOME ice cream sundays vanilla and chocolate peanutbutter ice cream, crumbled zugats, little peanutbutter cups, bananas, hot fudge sauce and whipped cream. It was wonderful and decadent. We also played some Mario Kart.

It was really nice to have such a fun and relaxing weekend after the Union meeting on Friday. I think it really sapped a lot of our energy. I don't even want to think about it right now, so I might share on a later date, although it would likely be more interesting just to give you an outcome.

Bling!

Shoes to go with the dress:
I bought these today--they are really comfortable, in addition to being cute.

We are in Spokane this weekend visiting family and wedding shopping. We looked at the florist, the new venue and got the bride's makeup done at the MAC counter at Nordstroms. I have my fitting appointment next Friday morning, so hopefully everything will be checked off the to do list soon.

A Little Sun Never Killed Anyone...

Sigh. It is sunny and 70 degrees in Long Beach right now. Only 11 days till we go. I still need to find a bathing suit. Looked this morning and just got frustrated. Tomorrow night, I will hit the big mall in Lynnwood. I hate shopping when I have to search. I want all the goodies to just come to me.

I finished my summer reading displays today. I will post pictures later, although they won't be much to look at until I get some reviews to put up there.

I got a message today from the P-Patch organizer inviting me to the next few work parties so that he can introduce me around. He also complimented me on the work I did on my plot. For someone who barely knows what she is doing, evidently I did ok. I can't make any of the work parties this month, since I work all weekend--Saturday and Sunday--and late on Tuesday. Hopefully next time.

The lack of sun and warm weather is surely what is keeping my veggies from taking off. The ones that I planted here at the house are still tiny, and it has been about 3 weeks now. I know some folks say that we are just whining about the same things every year, but I am cold!

Holiday Bliss

Did I mention that I have all my shopping done? Yes, I do. This is bliss to me. I took my friend's daughters Xmas shopping today and expected total hell, but was pleasantly surprised. Evidently people are not shopping as much this year. Yay! I managed not to buy anything until the last minute, when we went into Fuego. I love that store...like a cutesy Archie McPhees.

The talk with The Boy's father went well. Amazing what 24 hours between bad news and discussion will do. He was reasonable and was actually down with laying it all on The Boy rather than trying to blame his teachers and such. Thank goodness.

I am getting a new-to-me TV tonight. I seem to be the luckiest of free TV recipients. Last year I got a pretty nice 27" Toshiba from some colleagues. It has worked well. Now my Dad is getting a new TV and has offered me his huge HD TV. It is mostly the HD part that made me jump on the opportunity. I heard a rumor that all TV will be HD sometime in the near future. So here I am, jumping onto the HD bandwagon. No, I still will not have cable.

Now to decide what to do with the 27", and hope that the new one will fit on my stand...