Draft Folder Clean-Up

I just realized that my Drafts folder is filled with half-written, never posted update on recent happenings in my life. Also, it's been a while since posted a bunch of random stuff all together, so here goes.

Originally titled: I can see clearly now!

I've made a couple of references to surgery that I've had recently and wanted to share a bit more about it. I had eye surgery to treat posterior capsule opacity (a.k.a. secondary cataract) on Tuesday, June 10th. The procedure is called a YAG Laser Capsulotomy and by surgery standards is pretty easy as I was able to eat and drink prior to the surgery, didn't have to deal with anesthesia or extensive pain and was back to normal within a few days.

The surgery itself was a breeze. They strapped my head into a harness which holds the laser and I had to stare at a bright light and hold very still during the procedure. The doctor had explained it all to me but I had the distinct impression that the laser would only be fired a few times, certainly less than 10, but that was a misconception because it got 96 blasts to my left eye and 104 to my right. Following the blasts the nurse rinsed my eyes thoroughly with a saline eye bath and they sent me on my way. Don arranged to work from home so he was able to drive me and then stay with me while I recovered. I had a mild headache and slept for a couple of hours immediately after getting home. When I woke, my eyes were still a bit dilated but I could already see improvement. Over the next few days it just got better and better.

I saw the doctor for a follow-up appointment one week after surgery he was extremely pleased with the results, as am I. My vision is back to the nearly normal place it was following my cataract surgery 5 years ago. I'm absolutely amazed by everything I see, it's all so shiny and bright and pretty. The one thing that I wish I hadn't seen... the age spots, freckles and wrinkles on my face, getting old isn't pretty.

Originally titled: Dancing Round the World

Famous dancer and fellow Seattleite Matt Harding has just finished his latest world travel dancing video, you can see it below. He became a YouTube success in 2006 when he posted his first dancing video which shows him doing a goofy dance in cities and countries around the world. I saw if for the first time a couple of years ago and started reading his blog on a regular basis. He has a great sense of humor and always makes me laugh, plus I love that he is doing something that he is passionate about and he's from Seattle.

Matt and his girlfriend just returned home from another amazing journey and his new video is filled with another great collection of clips, and this time the locals are dancing with him in many of the shots. It's awesome, way to go Matt!



Originally titled: Long live the 3-day weekend

Due to rising gas prices the company that I work for has made the decision to offer employees the opportunity to work four 10-hour days, instead of the typical five 8-hour days. We realize that our customers shouldn't be forced to adhere to this schedule so it took some juggling to make sure that every department would be covered Monday - Friday and once that was approved we were able to start our new schedules on Monday, June 23rd. I now work Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., which I am thrilled about. More importantly this means that every weekend is a 3-day weekend! Hooray!

I was a bit worried about a 10-hour workday but I did fine the first week, the days went by quickly and I found that I was actually a whole lot more productive that during an 8-hour day where everything seems more condensed. Where I did note the difference was in my evening plans and activities, since I am now home later and leaving earlier, I have less time at home to get stuff done during the week, but I have to remember that is was the extra day is for. I have a whole laundry list of things that I want to do with my new day off, including:

• Clean out the storage room
• Clean old clothes, shoes, etc out of my closet
• Do some volunteer work
• Visit Seattle neighborhoods where I haven't spent much time
• Visit some museums
• Take long walks

I'm anxious to see how I feel about this change in a couple of months and see if I have accomplished anything on my list as a result.

Weekend Wrap-Up

I'm a bit behind again on my updates, so to catch up, here are the highlights from June 20 - 22:

• Celebrated the end of the week by drinking beer on the deck at Pyramid. It's finally warm enough for al fresco dining!
• Relaxed and cleaned the house in prep for house guests.
• Found a gadget (for $10) that allows me to hook up both my DVD player and my TiVo to the TV in the living room.
• Finally got an indoor/outdoor digital thermometer. I've only been wanting one for a year or so.
• Watched 27 Dresses.
• Attempted to helped my friend Jenna some Internet recognisance, but failed.
• Ended up on the deck a Pyramid again Saturday afternoon with Don for more sun and beer.

The past weekend (June 27 - 29) was super busy as my Cuz (Karri) and her Huz (Dale) were in town from Salt Lake, the highlights:

• Enjoyed dinner, the bright blue sky and sun from the deck at Ray's Cafe on Friday evening.
• Had lunch on the patio at Red Hook and then took the brewery tour. Karri and Dale got extra beer from the tour guide when she found out they were from Utah, she felt sorry for them.
• Took the winery tour at Chateau Ste Michelle and learned that they gave their very first tour on Karri's birth date.
• Bought some wine in the wine shop and then enjoyed the grounds and listened to Earth, Wind and Fire complete their sound check for their concert later in the day.
• Had a lite late dinner at Andaluca in the Mayflower Park Hotel.
• Enjoyed brunch on the Seattle waterfront at Bell Street Diner.
• Dropped Karri and Dale off at Terminal 30 so that they could board the Star Princess and head off to Alaska.
• Packed up the picnic basket and headed to Woodland Park Zoo with Kat for the Indigo Girls concert. The weather was perfect and the concert was great!
• Left the concert and headed directly to the airport to pick up Don.
• Should have been exhausted from a busy sun and fun-filled weekend but didn't manage to fall asleep until nearly 2 a.m. Somehow, I feel fine today.

How was your weekend?

Perfect Sunset

Summer is FINALLY here! It was a fabulous day in Seattle and this beautiful sunset is the perfect ending.

Grown Up Version??

I think the thick and creamy part makes it the grown up version of Mac n Cheese.

Weekend Wrap-up

It was a busy one, the highlights:

• Toasted the completion of the work week with Margaritas on Friday night.
• Soaked up the sunshine and enjoyed the creative works of others at the Edmonds Arts Festival.
• Soaked up more sunshine and had a lake front meal with Kat at The Beach Cafe.
• Laundry, laundry, laundry!
• Drank some good and some not-so-good beers at the Washington Brewers Fest on Sunday.
• Finally took care of my Cooper River Salmon craving with dinner at Bell Street Diner.
• Watched the Tony Awards. This was the highlight for me.
  

How was your weekend?

Dessert Trio

Double Chocolate Mousse, Mocha Creme Brulee and Frozen Kahula Brownie small dessert bites for nibblin at The Beach Cafe in Kirkland.

Food for a Queen

Crown inside the West 5 restaurant in West Seattle.

Weekend Wrap-Up

I left work on Friday afternoon feeling a bit worn out and a cold coming on. My weekend was pretty low key as a result of trying to beat the cold and prepare for the week ahead including surgery on Tuesday, the highlights:

• Tried to drown the cold germs with Vitamin Water.
• Laundry.
• Found 11 ponytail holders in their favorite hiding place, under my bed.
• Deep cleaned my bedroom including vacuuming under the furniture.
• Napped.
• Cleaned the apartment.
• Blew the circuit breaker controlling the power to my bedroom and office and was unable to reset it.
• Showered and dressed and then made the decision to cancel my plans for Saturday night, the couch was just too tempting and my nose was not happy.
• Waited for my apartment manager to come and check out the circuit breaker situation only to learn that he couldn't fix it.
• Watched No Reservations, The Ron Clark Story and Prime.
• Napped, again.

Pretty boring. By the end of the weekend the head cold was improving and my apartment was sparkly clean, so not a total waste. How was your weekend?

What Kind of Names Do You Like?

You Like Names That Are Classic and Timeless

You prefer quality names that have stood the test of time. You don't like anything that's trendy today and outdated next year. Names are important to you, and naming someone should not be an social experiment. You are the type most likely to name someone after a family member. Some female names you might like: Andrea, Elizabeth, Hannah, Julia, Marie, Nicole, and Victoria Some male names you might like: Aaron, Benjamin, Christopher, Jonathan, Matthew, Thomas, and Zachary

What Kind of Names Do You Like?

The day is done

I, like many others, went through tremendous changes during my college years. Trying to figure out who I was and where I fit in the world presented many a difficult day, or two. It's when I first discovered the power of music and its ability to help me find words when there are none. One of my very favorite bands during college was The Samples. Their songs soothed me, made me happy, made me sad and gave me a voice in many instances. The catchy melodies that accompanied those lyrics didn't hurt either. Some of my favorite songs/lyrics:

From Streets in the Rain

"I'd promise the changes
I'd never change me
No matter how distant
We seemed to be
We used to be children
And I'd never forget
When we played in our circles
But that game's not over yet"

From Little Silver Ring

"Growing old, watching silver turn to gold
Snowing cold, why aren't you here for me to hold?
In a dream somewhere finding my way home
Then a change of scene
The rest took place in Ancient Rome"

From Weight of the World

"Was life too heavy
Will you be free
You may never get older
It no longer hangs over
So let go of the weight of the world
The weight of the world"

From Did Ya Ever Look So Nice

"if we make it through these changes
find that nothing was in stone
but the glance of our exchanges
did they ever look so nice?"

It occurred to me today that I hadn't seen anything about The Samples in my RSS feeds of late. So I went to their website and found that it didn't exist anymore. I pulled up their Wikipedia page (cause Wiki knows everything) and found out that on April 7, 2008, The Samples came to an end. Sean Kelly, lead singer, front man and solo remaining original band member announced, "The Samples will be no longer."

So sad.

I never got to see them live. :-( Thankfully I have my albums! Another favorite song is When the Day is Done. I found this video featuring the song and think it's fitting as the days end for The Samples.

Is this the future?

Funny parody about our economy, gas prices and the republican leadership. It made me chuckle. Enjoy!

Cheesy Riddle

Coaster from the "Really Wacky Riddle campaign at Red Robin where I had lunch with my colleagues today as we said goodbye to one of our own.

Riddle: Why are potatoes good detectives?
Answer: Because they keep their eyes peeled.

Either it's not funny, or I'm just really too old to get it.

Fridge Personality Test

What Your Fridge Says About You

You don't need a lot of stuff to be happy. There isn't a greedy bone in your body. You are a very thrifty person. You don't like to waste money... or food. You are a very adventurous person. You love to try new things, and you get bored very easily. You try to be responsible, but you don't always succeed. Your heart is in the right place though. You are likely single - and a workaholic.

What Do the Contents of Your Refrigerator Say About You?

My Music Taste

What Your Taste in Music Says About You

Your musical tastes are upbeat and conventional. You are an easy going, optimistic person. Family and friends are very important to you. You enjoy caring for and helping other people. You thrive in a tranquil environment, and you do your best to keep things peaceful. You enjoy your life. You have your priorities straight.

What Does Your Taste in Music Say About You?

Gemstone Personality Test

Your Gemstone Says...

You are a person of high morals and ethics. You have a lot of personal integrity, and you are very loyal. You are a very charitable person, and you have faith in others. Almost everyone is very impressed with you.

The Gemstone Test

Weekend Wrap-Up

This weekend I had the honor of serving as a Guard/Page at the 105th Convention of Washington State Chapter of P.E.O. My dear friend, Barb was presiding over the convention as President. The weekend was busy and filled with memories, some of the highlights:

• Enjoyed being one of 14 identically dressed women. It's been a long time since my sorority days of uniforms.
• Gave directions, passed notes, checked credentials and hauled boxes.
• Met extraordinary women from Iowa, South Carolina, Texas, Montana and Idaho.
• Ate too many catered hotel meals.
• Drank too much wine.
• Felt unbelievable relief when the power point presentation that I had prepared when off without a hitch.
• Laughed at the *funny* stuff that happened along the way.
• Watched with pride as my sister and friend Barb presided with eloquence and grace.
• Cheering on as Deede took the lead as started her year as President.

Following convention Kat and I went to The Cheesecake Factory for a late lunch and then saw the brand new Sex and the City movie which I LOVED!

How was your weekend?