Hidden Binge
I've been reading and watching movies (the latter more than the former) and recording them -- I just never got around to setting the annual lists up on Vox. The links for the 2009 Movie and Book Lists are up for good over on the right, too.
I intend to reach thirty books again this year -- I just need to lay off a bit on the megasized fantasy/scifi (I'm looking at you, Terry Goodkind and Walter Jon Williams).
05/08/09 11:19 in Books , Movies | Comments (0)
What Would You Say...
...if I told you that artificial turf is under serious consideration here?
Water is, of course, always a primary concern. We don't feel quite right about installing a truckload of sponge-like sod, but... we do want an inviting play surface in the back for kids (and possibly -- probably -- a dog). The current mix of gravel pit, hardpack, and pavers just doesn't cut it.
Honestly, I wouldn't be thinking about this at all, if it weren't for our neighbors down and across the street. And how their front "lawn" deceived me. For a few weeks, anyhow. I had to get close to believe it was fake, even though from afar it looked a little too perfect to be real.
There are several companies out there, and I've barely begun to root around, but NewGrass caught my eye because of this bit:
NewGrass products are truly unique … genuinely green in every sense of the word. The blades of NewGrass products are 100% polyethylene - no nylon. Their backings are an ultra-soft composite of non-woven eco-friendly EnvrioCel™. The entire product is 100% recyclable. NewGrass® is proud to be an ally in the EPA’s GreensScape Program and the only artificial lawn that is Certified 100% Eco-Friendly, from the way it is manufactured to the company’s pledge to properly recycle any NewGrass® lawn at the end of its usable life.They claim that the surface makes cleaning up after dogs easier, too. And that it can't be stained.
So, yeah. Fake grass. Maybe it's not so cheesy after all.
04/17/09 21:05 in Stuff | Comments (1)
D'oh!
Check the new-rate Simpsons stamps! You can pre-order now, and they'll ship on May 7th. Vote for your favorite stamp, or enter to win a poster autographed by Matt Groening.
04/16/09 08:19 in Stuff | Comments (0)
Circadian Cranium
My Lego Cráneo portrait is up on Skull-A-Day today!
04/15/09 11:39 in Link | Comments (0)
Three Years on the Same Rock
04/14/09 12:42 in Bub , Photo | Comments (1)
Robot House
So we have a ton of square footage now, and most of it non-carpeted. I did try keeping the laminate clean by the sweep and squirt method, but that quickly devolved into a part-time job. Rather against my judgment, we got thee to a BB&B with a nice single-item discount coupon (how I love them), and picked up Shaggy, a Roomba 560.
And I have to say, he's been doing a terrific, thorough job on our laminate, merrily wheeling himself to his corner docking station when he's done. I was amazed that such a small thing really would be up to the task. We have him programmed to run every other night or so, which is necessary with two cats. His gullet is small, of course, and he has a multitude of futzy brushes and wheels, so he must be taken apart and cleaned after each use.
Following Shaggy's success, we decided to try out a Scooba 330 for washing the tile floors.
The first machine was a complete disappointment, quite obviously defective. He'd spin around a few times, laying his snail-trail of fluid, and then, inexplicably, stop. We were shipped another within days, and the new Scooby has proven himself indispensable for the kitchen and bathrooms. I still plan on doing routine hands-and-knees scrubbing when I need a good deep clean (and next to baseboards and corners -- he's useless for that), but for regular maintenance, he's fantastic. Again, cleaning him is a little involved and icky (think prodding and flushing wet, filthy cat hair out of small rubber tubes), but worth the trouble.
I still haven't figured out what to name the Littermaid:
but I'm leaning toward Fred. Both effective, if a little annoying.
04/13/09 10:47 in Stuff | Comments (2)
Happy Easter
My tummy is full of pancakes and sausages (yes, I'm taking a break from nutrition-logging today, in honor of the holiday). We'll be headed out for our annual picnic soon, since the sun decided to help us out a bit today.
It was sunny yesterday, too, so we did a little rummaging (Daniel calls it "rumpaging"). There weren't many sales, which I'm assuming was because of what weekend it is, and I only scored three (but very, very nice) primary-lacquered frames to display more of Daniel's art in his room.
After running out of sales on the east side, we drove over to old town. Only one (very, very sad) estate sale, but as always a feast for the eyes and heart otherwise. Block upon block chock-full of Victorians, bungalows, chapels, old hatcheries, and cottages so dear and sweet they belong in children's book illustrations. Someday, when I get a real camera, I'll tromp the neighborhoods more and share the bounty with you. Until then, check out this set of photos for a nice little taste.
04/12/09 10:25 in Photo | Comments (0)
We CAN Haz a Mortgage
So, in one way or another, you probably know that we bought a house. Right here in town, about a mile away from our rental. Unfortunate that we had to wait for a major downturn in the real estate market... but so glad that we did!
My ten favorite features:
Huge sunny greatroom (which we improved with laminate flooring) The kitchen: large enough to move around in comfortably, small enough to manage It's only eight years old! Central air Power bills already less than half what they were at the old place Master bath kind of rocks Dedicated laundry room The front landscaping needed maintenance and a little help here and there, but has been professionally designed, and pretty much rocks Built. Ins. Gas fireplace, which has become a rainy-day staple
Ten things I would change if I could:
Stucco Still impractical to walk for daily needs Lack of mature trees Aside from master, very tiny bedrooms No pantry No porch, or deck in the back In fact the back and side yards are, at the moment, rather a horror Huge, sad and ever-crying "outdoor" dog next door (grrr) Teen metal garage band across the street Neighbors in two-stories to the rear have all-access viewing of our yard and back windows
I have almost no earthly idea how to decorate. Believe me, I can't just throw up what I had. This space is huge, and more formal, and so we sit, surrounded by echoes and sterile beige and white. I imagine it'll take some time.
Cooking with gas took some getting used to, but I no longer flinch when lighting it up (go me!). I've already christened the convection oven with chicken grease, smoke, and ceremonial four-letter incantations.
04/10/09 08:01 in Life-Altering Decisions | Comments (0)
Yeah. Three Months and All I've Got is This.
So, we're getting all set for Easter. What little decoration we have is up. I have the supplies to reinstate a childhood tradition. I bought our Paas, and yesterday, a dozen Trader Joe's white eggs (normally I prefer brown, for farm-fresh sentimentality and aesthetics) to dye.
Of course I peeped in at the eggs before buying, to be certain that all were intact. What I didn't notice, however, was that each individual shell was stamped with an expiration date. Which would normally be semi-useful (???). But kind of irksome right in the middle of a dyed egg.
They're in the steamer right now, and some of the dye looks runny. Maybe it'll at least wash to a fade.
04/09/09 13:56 in Babble | Comments (0)
We Wish You a Yummy Christmas
There are just us three to feed, but I still like to have a decent spread (this is, after all, the only yearly "feast" I get to indulge in!). The little spiral glazed ham arrived safe and sound today. I'm also making:
Potatoes au gratin Cranberry sauce (a la Nigella, especially if I can find cherry brandy in this booze-forsaken town) Green bean casserole (my first attempt ever) Parkerhouse rolls (believe me, nothing fancy) Baked sweet potatoes (at the request of the bub!)
And then whatever is left of the cookies by then.
Most of that I can prep tomorrow, and of course the ham is no big deal. Ironically, the frozen rolls will be the most fiddly things on Christmas day!
12/23/08 15:25 in Food | Comments (2)
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