october 31

@ 4p | 2 cents...

It's fall!

Since I am unemployed several people have been asking if I've been painting a lot. I feel like an idiot when I have to say that I've been primarily searching the internet for jobs and watching WAY too much television. So, yesterday during the Georgia/Florida game (which UGA finally won after 7 years), I painted. The first piece I've finished in several months. Hope you like it.

october 27

@ 2p | 2 cents...

I am thrilled to report that our new bird feeder works like a charm! The squirrels are baffled but the chickadees, wrens, titmice, cardinals and finches are having a feast. :)

My hosting company has upgraded our account with no problems, so photos of Kerri and Dave's wedding are now available. BTW, I scanned in the background calla lily from my bouquet.

@ 9a | 2 cents...

I have all the photos from Kerri's wedding ready to post but not enough room on the server to post them. I am trying to upgrade my account, but haven't heard back from the hosting company yet. They are getting a phone call from me as soon as it's a reasonable time in California.

The wedding was beautiful and very well planned out. No one lost their minds or yelled at each other and the food was delicious. I even gave a toast and although I was shaking when I sat down, at least I didn't pass out! I have photos from the rehearsal, the rehearsal dinner, getting ready on Saturday, riding in the limo and hanging out for the professional photos as well as the ceremony and reception. I hope to have them posted by the end of the day.

In other news, I am waiting to see how our brand new squirrel-proof feeder is working. I filled up the feeder on Thursday before we left for Chicago and it was completely empty on Sunday when we returned. So I filled it up the next morning only to see it nearly empty by yesterday afternoon. I am not paying for all the squirrels in the neighborhood to get fat. Sorry.

october 15

@ 10a | 2 cents...

I've been up for over an hour and it's actually darker outside now than it was when I woke up.

I am spending the morning applying for more jobs (I already finished the crossword puzzle) and then I'm going to paint this afternoon. Oh, and the roasted chicken that I was brining on Wednesday turned out wonderful! Yum.

october 13

@ 5p | 2 cents...

We are back from our trip to Philadelphia and we had a wonderful time. We had some disappointments with our lodging but the trip itself was educational and exhausting. I calculated that we walked over 20 miles in the 3 days we were there and I can confidently say that we saw a great deal of 'Center City.' I wrote a journal of our experience here and the photos by themselves can be found here.

Fall has me in a baking mood, so I have a pumpkin cranberry loaf in the oven, a 4lb chicken brining in a cider broth and a freshly made yellow roasted pepper dip in the fridge.

october 5

@ 5p | 2 cents...

I now have a new rear drive module and drive coupling in my car and blender respectively. I also had the pleasure of driving this monster of a rental truck through the skinny residential streets of Raleigh.

I'd like to point out how the truck sticks out a good two feet beyond any other car in the parking lot.

Off to yoga...

october 4

@ 10p | 2 cents...

We also finished our wine cork board last night...

@ 7p | 2 cents...

Still under the weather, but excitedly planning for our Philadelphia trip this weekend. I have a public service announcement for anyone planning a trip to Philly, do NOT stay at the Antique Row B&B. We booked a room there in July only to have the woman call us last Thursday to tell us she canceled our reservation because she "hadn't heard from us in months." Apparently she sent me two emails in the last month, neither of which I received, and because I never wrote her back she assumed I had changed my plans. Never mind that I sent her my flight information two months ago. Never mind that she didn't bother to call to make sure before giving our room to someone else. So I began the mad search for a new place to stay a week before our arrival into Philly. I did manage to find another place, I'll let you know how that turned out when we get back. She actually called me back the next day to tell me she may be able to get us a room, it took every ounce of my being not to tell her where she could put it.

I called the dealership today and finally got an appointment to get my car fixed. I've never had so much trouble being inconvenienced by a factory mistake in my entire life.

Perhaps miraculously, Eric finally received a response from the TSA regarding a written complaint about a broken toiletry bag last August. Yep, last August. 14 months ago. On our trip back from Seattle last year, some overzealous TSA person tore the zipper right off Eric's brand new toiletry bag while inspecting it in our checked luggage. They are mailing the check for the replacement cost in four to six weeks. Amazing.

BTW, coupons rock. I got a 12 oz bottle of Dove Body Wash for $.99 today. Oh, and NyQuil for $4.45