The Sunday Salon #9

Listening To: Alt Nation driving across the country.  That goodness for sateillite radio!

Book finished: The Radleys; Allison Hewitt is Trapped; The Picture of Dorian Gray; Bad Doings and Big Ideas

Reading: The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane

MakingLists: Summer camp options for the boys.  Sunnyvale has so many great looking ones. I hope the boys enjoy their camps!

Around the house: Unpacking, of course.  It is still a disaster zone, but slowly some of the rooms are coming together.  Master bedroom is basically done.  Boys room is almost done.  Kitchen, office, and living room to go.  Of course those are the hard ones to finish...

From the kitchen: Nothing exciting.  Trying to cook around the mess is difficult.

On the Web: We don't have internet in the apartment yet, so I haven't really been online much this past week. I did spend a ridiculous amount of time on Ikea's website sitting in the coffeehouse (1 1/2 away from the apartment!) reseraching desks.  I get a desk!  Finally!  Now I just have to pick one.

Weekly Quote: "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming." -- Dory from Finding Nemo (I know I repeat, but it just seemed so appropriate!)

Crafting: Nothing until I get a desk in the office.

Work Observations: None until I get a job

Watching: Nothing until we get the server and theater up and running

Wondering: Where I put those canvas bins?  I really want to find those soon...

From Nature: North California weather = perfection!

Shopping Scores: I found some great trainers for all the walking I plan on doing around Sunnyvale.  After trying on about 10 different pairs, I finally settled on two paris of Dr. Scholl's.  I feel like I'm 50 with these, but they're incredibly comfy and pretty cute.  I'm enjoying them.

Project: Unpacking the house...

The Sunday Salon #8

Listening To: Finding some new and recommended music on YouTube.  Some of those selections will be featured in my next New Music Monday post.

Book finished: The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson; The Walking Dead: Book 4; The View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg

Reading: Bad Doings and Big Ideas

Making Lists: Of what to pack in the car for our big move.

Around the house: Boxes, boxes everywhere.  We're getting down to just a few rooms left.  Good thing because the moving truck comes on the 27th.

From the kitchen: Slowly emptying out the freezer, fridge, and cabinets.  And I'm really doing well.  We only have a few meals left in the freezer to eat.

On the Web: I've decided that I'm not a fan of author interview blog posts.  It's not that I don't like learning about new authors.  It's that I see the same ones over and over and over again.  Those blog tours are killing me.  I just speed past them in my GoogleReader.  I would rather read someone's review of a book than announcements of the book coming out.  *End rant*

Crafting: None.  Everything is packed in boxes and ready to go.  Unpacking my crafting supplies is going to seem like Christmas because I haven't seen them lately.

Work Observations: After some honest conversations with coworkers this week, I've realized that all the issues that I was having at work are felt by others.  Validation!

Watching: The theater is packed so I have rediscovered the beauty of Netflix instant queue.  Specifically I've been rewatching The IT Crowd.  Goodness that show is hilarious.  And I started watching The Bitch in Apartment 23 on abc.com.  James Van Der Beek you are a genius for playing a douchebag version of yourself.  Kudos!

Wondering: How many more boxes we need to pack?  Hopefully not very many...

From Nature:  Overall we've been having beautiful spring weather here in the Great Plains.  I just hope the weather holds out for our half country drive next week.

Shopping Scores: None.  I don't want to pack anything more, so I haven't bought anything.  In fact, I've gotten rid (Goodwill, Half Price Books, trash, Craigslist) of a ton of crap.  I love this feeling of cleaning out.

I did finally get my glasses and they are beautiful!  And I love being able to see.  It's a miracle!

Project: Duh! The move.  Although I have also spent some time this week (at work) researching summer activities for the boys.  I have a small list of summer camps to check out and run by them.  And I want to research the way out west.  We will be spending a few days on the road and it would be nice to have some interesting stops planned.

The Sunday Salon #7

We have a place to live!  J secured our new apartment in Sunnyvale, CA yesterday.  Now every time someone asks me, I can say I live in Sunnydale CA.  Oops, too much Buffy the Vampire Slayer on the brain.  Sunnyvale, Sunnyvale, Sunnyvale...

Listening To: I finally got around to downloading the Gotye album and Hunger Games soundtrack.  I am thoroughly in love with both of these albums.  I especially am loving the Arcade Fire and Punch Brothers song on HG.  Random just found out: the Punch Brothers singer is none other than former solo artist and one-third of Nickel Creek Chris Thile.  I love him!  Now I must look them up...

Book finished: Everneath by Brodie Ashton, Aftertime by Sophie Littlefield, The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, Definitely Not Mr. Darcy by Karen Doornebos; Beastly by Alex Flinn

Reading: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson

Making Lists: Moving to do list.  We still don't have an exact date of moving, but it will be before April 30th.  I currently have a list a mile long of errands, things to take care of, and things to pack before we can move.

Around the house: Making piles for moving.  One for trash, one for Craigslist, one for Goodwill donations, one for giving to friends, many for keeping.  I feel a bit claustrophobic will all these piles and boxes.

From the kitchen: While J is already out in California, I am trying to eat everything in the house.  We have many freezer meals sitting there.  My plan is to make something every night and take the second portion to work for lunch the next day.  So far it's working well.  And I basically have a $0 grocery bill.  Extra score.

On the Web: Trying to catch up with all my GoogleReader blogs from vacation.  I still have some to get through.  And I really should clean it out, but that sounds like too much work...

Weekly Quote: "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming." -- Dori from Finding Nemo

Crafting: None.  But I am packing all my crafting this week for the big move.  So I won't be doing any crafting until we get settled in SJ.

Work Observations: Again with eating of supplies!  Really people!  How many pads of post-its do you need?

Watching: J took down the theater so no server for me.  I did and will continue to have access to Netflix, Hulu, and various other tv show sites.  Unfortunately, or fortunately, I haven't had time to watch much with the other tasks.  I did manage to catch up with The Vampire Diaries and Once Upon a Time before the big move.

Wondering: How many boxes it will take to finish packing?

From Nature: Typical spring storms rolled through the area.  Although it has stayed fairly warm so that's a plus.

Shopping Scores: Saturday morning I finally made it to the eye doctor to get some new glasses. Because of my prescription it can take up to two weeks to finish, but at least they're ordered.  The everyday frames are Tory Burch.  Very cute, but understated.  They were a no brainer pick.  And drumroll please,  I ordered prescription sunglasses.  I figured I have no excuse with moving to Sunnyvale California.  The sunglasses are Coach.  Definitely glam, but perfect.

Project: The move, of course.  My current packing task is the garage.  When I moved, many boxes were regulated to the garage.  I've forgotten what's even in some of those boxes.  The task is to sort through the boxes and condense to what I actually want.  Then I can start on the inside of the actual house.

The Sunday Salon #6

Obviously this post is a little late...  This weekend ended up being crazy busy and I just didn't get to sit down and write this before now.  So, one day late, but still relevant.

Listening To: Rediscovering Panic at the Disco's second album Pretty. Odd.  The cd's been sitting in the basement for 6 months, I grabbed a handful going out to the car the other day and fell in love again.  I just really like that album.

Book finished: Rise Again by Ben Tripp; The Mammoth Book of Regency Romance; Henry V by Shakespeare; Timeless by Gail Carriger; Eat, Slay, Love by Jesse Petersen

Reading: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling and Doctor Who: The Forgotten

Making Lists: Vacation Packing list.  I am that dorky that I always list everything we want to take/pack and then pack accordingly.  It helps me stay organized.  We're leaving on this Friday and I am about 50% packed.  I think that's a good percentage for the time.

Around the house: The reason that I didn't post a Sunday Salon last week was because J and I were in San Jose for an interview and possible relocation.  This week J took the job and started making preparations for moving at the end of April.  Yep, I said end of April.  So much to do, so little time.  We started packing this weekend and now the house looks like a disaster zone.  There's crap everywhere.  But on a bright spot, I did feel 5 garbage bags for Goodwill!

From the kitchen: I redid the meal plan to use all of the freezer meals before the big move.  If we cook from the freezer everyday, we use everything but four pork chops.  I also reorganized the freezer and passed off some chicken nuggets and mini pancakes to some friends with little kids.  Now we need to organize and then start packing the kitchen.

On the Web: J and I are huge fans of Community and Doctor Who.  So when they introduced Inspector Spacetime, we almost died laughing.  A few entrepreneurs on Etsy have made Inspector Spacetime t-shirts.  I am really tempted to buy one... Intarsia Design

Crafting: Absolutely none.  Though my Stampin' Up order came in and I am itching to use my new stamps.  The pile is probably one of the next things to be packed.

Work Observations: For whatever reason, it's been really slow lately.  It has given me some time to clean out computer files and prep the receptionist handbook for my departure.  I really hope my boss can find someone before I leave. 

Watching: Catching up on all of our currently running tv shows.  Psych, Modern Family, Community, 30 Rock, Castle, Dirk Gently (must see! from the BBC!)

Wondering: How many books I currently own?  There are boxes and boxes in the garage.  I am not looking forward to moving those, but I don't want to get rid of them before they're read.

From Nature: It's been absolutely beautiful lately with temps in the 70s and sun. 

Shopping Scores: Went to Old Navy, spent more than I was going to, but found a great summer dress and a few cute shirts, plus shorts for the boys.

Project: Relocation house hunting.  I hate house hunting and really hate it when I am physically distant.  We've found some possibles, but have to wait until J flies out there to see the insides and get specifics.  With the cost of real estate and tiny lots, it looks like we'll be moving into an apartment complex or condo.  On the bright side, that means we get access to a pool and fitness center.  Yeah for me! 

This past two weeks have been crazy busy with all the changes.  I did manage to fit in a spa day (J's bday gift) with a pedicure, facial, and massage.  Very nice!

On the reading front, I have way too many books to read this week before leaving for vacation.  I have some library books to care of and giveaway books to read.   Speaking of giveaways, there may be more books added to the birthday giveaway.  Or a separate giveaway later this month as I pack and purge.  Stay tuned!

The Sunday Salon #5

Listening To: Random cds from the basement.  I have a huge pile of cds just sitting in the basement waiting to be put into our server.  This week I randomly grabbed The Dresden Dolls and Flogging Molly.  Haven't heard these cds in awhile.  Bonus note: we bought tickets to Flogging Molly on June 1st!  Very excited!

Book finished: Palace Circle by Rebecca Dean -- only one finished this week and it was a bit of a struggle.

Reading: Rise Again by Ben Tripp -- Back to zombies

Making Lists: Stampin' Up March order.  We have our meeting this coming Wednesday, and I have no idea what I want.

Around the house: I feel like I got so much done today.  Laundry, dishwashing, clothes organizing, Goodwill collecting.  Today I was very productive.  I just wish I had this type of motivation every day.

From the kitchen: Made sour cream cornbread muffins and poppy-seed pound cake muffins to add to the freezer haul.  I finished making our meal plans through vacation.  We should just about empty the freezer by then.

On the Web: I am in love with a few new blogs: The Mary Sues and GeekMom.  Lots of fun going through their archives.  Plus, the big announcement was the release of the iPad 3 gen.  Of course, J ordered his and it will be here on Friday.  That means that I get the iPad 1 for e-reading.  Very exciting.

Weekly Quote: "This is just the switchboard, I can not tell you called you."  You don't even know how many times I say this every day at work.

Crafting: No actual crafting, but I did reorganized my scrapbook supply explosion.  I got it under control and in a few neat piles on the floor by the dining room table.  Looking forward to Stampin' Up class on Wednesday.

Work Observations: Somedays I really wonder about the future of our country...  I see and hear way too many depressing stories at work.

Watching: Stargate Sg-1 (we're into season 4 now), James Bond movies (into Pierce Bronson), The Vampire Diaries (finally caught up), The Daily Show, and Logan's Run.  What?  You've never heard or seen Logan's Run?  Crazy talk!  It is one of the best 70s scifi movies ever.  Trust me.  And it was my 30th birthday on Monday and it was required watching.

Wondering: When my new sandals will be delivered...

From Nature: The temperatures have been great.  And this week's forecast is in the 70s.  I pulled out the spring/summer clothes bin to start the transition.

Shopping Scores: I got an Old Navy gift card for my bday and bought some cute summery clothes.   I just love finding good deals.  Unfortunately, I did not find any brown shoes or brown pants.  Darn it!

Project: No biggie, just spring cleaning and organizing.

Picture: Completely forgot to take a picture this week.  I really need to put reminders for this.

Extra notes: If you love books, make sure to check out my month long birthday giveaway.  I'm really itching to giveaway some great books to deserving people.  Also, I was invited to join a book club from someone at work.  Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend March's meeting as we will be on our road trip.  But I will be joining in April.

The Sunday Salon #4

Listening To: More iPod shuffle.  Somehow I didn't listen to much music beyond my commute to and from work.  I am liking Of Monster and Men's new song.

Book finished: You are So Undead to Me by Stacey Jay; Undead Much by Stacey Jay; The Long Weekend by Savita Kalhan; Evermore by Alyson Noel; Blue Moon by Alyson Noel; Shadowland by Alyson Noel (DNF)

Reading: Palace Circle by Rebecca Dean.  I haven't really read much historical fiction yet this year.  Since this was going into my giveaway, I thought I should read it first.

Making Lists: Trying to update my giant TBR list and spreadsheet.  I haven't done a check for a few months now.  It really needs to be updated.

Around the house:  I hate cleaning (bathroom, dishes, laundry, floors), but somehow whenever I finish I feel better.  It's a catharsis.

From the kitchen: Eating from the freezer.  It's my goal to finish the freezer before leaving on vacation.  We still have many many great meals in there.  I absolutely love this process.

On the Web: Anonymous (group of anti-establishment hackers) have called for a media buying boycott for the month of March.  J and I have joined in spirit.  I think (wink wink) that we have enough media sitting around the house that we don't need to buy anything this month.  My only problem was the release of The Hunger Games movie on March 23rd.  I'll just have to wait until after our Spring Break vacation.

Weekly Quote:  "What is a weekend?" Maggie Smith as Dowager Countess on Downton Abbey

Crafting:  Making cards for March birthdays.  Just finishing them up, no real new projects.

Work Observations:   Apparently wishing people a Merry Leap Day kinda creeps them out.  Hee hee.

Watching: Downton Abbey (season 2), Castle, 30 Rock, The Guild (season 5), Bond, and some Stargate.  We watched a lot of tv in the past week.

Wondering: The design (or lack there of) of point of sale systems at various food service places and retail stores.  Guess what J's new project is?  Now he's got me noticing all of them every where I go.

From Nature: While states east of the Mississippi experienced severe storms and tornadoes, we've had beautiful, if a bit windy, spring like weather.  

Shopping Scores: I went shopping for my birthday and came away fairly disappointed.  I did find a pair of jean shorts and jeans for cheap.  And a couple of tops, but nothing too exciting.  I was really hoping to find brown pants and shoes.  Oh well... maybe next time.

Project: I spent some time getting my blog back in order (loose ends, updates).  I also got my scheduled posts for March all ready.  Now I just need to wrap up a few posts before going on vacation at the end of the month.

Picture: Completely forgot to take a fun picture...  Oh well, next week.

The Sunday Salon #3

Listening To: Just my giant iPod shuffle.  Nothing specific, going where the shuffle takes me.

Book finished:  Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; Macbeth; Doctor Who: Through Time and Space; The Year of Living Biblically

Reading: You are So Undead to Me by Stacey Jay

Making Lists: Getting my birthday month prizes ready for my first ever blog giveaway (check back on March 1st!)

Around the house: Does anyone else get this great feeling when all the towels and sheets have been washed and put back in their place?  I do.  I love that clean and orderly feeling.

From the kitchen: I was going to bake some muffins this weekend, but it seems we don't have any room in the freezer to store them.  So baking will be next weekend.  We are slowly working through our freezer meals and I have to say I love it.  I don't have to think as much about dinner.  We just eat whatever I pull from the freezer the night before.  Speaking of...  I need to pull something out as soon as I finish this post.

On the Web: I'm feeling the temptation of Pinterest...  It's calling my name.  But I know that if I join, it will turn into a new time-sucker.  I must resist.

Weekly Quote: I absolutely adore my Quote Wednesday post from Persuasion by Jane Austen.

Crafting: Absolutely none.  I was going finish my Disney scrapbook, but needed to get my blog in order for March.  Hopefully next weekend.

Work Observations: How can people use this many supplies in a week?  Are they eating them instead of their lunch?  Sometimes I really wonder.

Watching: More Bond (we're on to Timothy Dalton) and Stargate.  The server went down a few days ago and it's currently in the rebuilding process.  So we had to make do.  And by make do, I mean we had to rely on our ~1500 dvd discs physically sitting in the basement.  How have we survived the week?

Wondering: How dedicating the month of Lent to reading, reviewing, and blogging counts?  Isn't Lent supposed to be about giving something up, recognizing the sacrifice of the Hebrews under Egyptian rule?   Apparently some book bloggers (I won't name who) have decided that reading and reviewing is a sacrifice...  just another ridiculous "I fit religion to how I live my life" moment.

From Nature: We've been having very warm temperatures for being the end of February.  I'm a little scared that this means we're going to have multiple late freezes or a drought this summer.

Shopping Scores: I've been planning our Spring Break road trip and so have been on the hunt for lap desks for the boys.  I have a laptop desk, but it has ridges.  J has a smooth one, but it's way too big for 9-year-old laps.  I searched Amazon, but the bad pictures didn't give me an idea of relative size or ridge or no ridge.  Amazingly enough, I found perfect flat with bean rests at Hobby Lobby.  Search mission accomplished!

Project: Preparing my blog for March birthday madness.  I have posts scheduled for every day in March on top of my usual memes and book reviews.  I have just a little more to finish before it's completely ready.

On Friday I made myself a little list of weekend-to-do.

• Library crawl — I made it to the newly remodeled library.  They have a much better adult fiction selection than the one I usually go to, but I didn't see a Young Adult section at all.
• Prep my huge collection of March posts —They are 90% done.  I just need to add a bit of writing here and there and it will be done.
• Finish my Disney trip scrapbook — Nope, not done at all.
• Catch up on Downton Abbey — Nope
• Catch up on The Vampire Diaries — Nope
• Laundry/dishwashing/bathroom cleaning -- I did get all of the laundry and dishes done.  The bathroom was Swiffered, but that's it.  I think that's enough.  We don't make huge messes, so it was just a bit of tidying up.

The Sunday Salon #2

Listening To: Florence + the Machine's new album Ceremonials.  I'm especially loving the haunting "What the Water Gave Me."  She makes such mood music.  I love it!

Book finished:Sunshine by Robin McKinley

Reading: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

Making Lists: Adding to my never ending TBR list.  I might just have an addiction to reading...

Around the house: I finally got around to putting away the box of Christmas decorations.  Unfortunately,the Christmas tree is still up. To be fair it just really doesn't look like a Christmas tree.  It will probably be left up for another few months yet.

From the kitchen: We've started using the freezer meals.  Unfortunately we had a bit of a mishap with the honey pork chops.  The recipe said to defrost and then bake for 1:15 hours at 350 degrees.  This turned them into burnt hockey pucks.  So next time, not so long...

On the Web: Not much news...  There was a great announcement about Mountain Lion.  Finally, Apple is getting around to integrating all the messaging services into one iMessage.  Looking forward to this.

Crafting: My Stampin' Up order included a paper trimmer.  I absolutely love using it.  So much better than scissors.  Yesterday, I continued working in the Disney vacation scrapbook.  I'm over two-thirds through mine... making progress.  I also managed to reorganize a bit of my crafting stash.  Now it's less of an explosion of supplies than a couple of untidy stacks of supplies.

Work Observations: My boss returned from maternity leave and things are slowly getting back to normal.  However, that also means that I don't have a huge amount of projects to complete at the moment. Kinda bored until we decide the next big project.

Watching: More Stargate SG-1.  We got through season 2 and on to season 3.  My one big comment: What the hell happened to Daniel's hair?  Argh!  I finally started watching Downton Abbey and am officially hooked.  Love it!  And I caught back up with The Vampire Diaries.  Unfortunately it doesn't come back until March.

Wondering: How we managed to eat a hubcap (yes a hubcap) of sushi the other night and not die of overeating?  So good...  but good gracious that was a lot of food.

From Nature: All week we've had fairly moderate temperatures for February.  It's been an odd winter with wild temperature fluctuations.  

Shopping Scores: Randomly Half Price Books had a Booklover's Weekend with a 40% off coupon.  Of course, I had to use it.  Here's my scores for this week.  Notice half of the House of Night series that I snapped up for $1 a piece.  What a bargain!

Project: More Spring Break road trip planning.  I sent inquiries to the bed and breakfast association for a reservation.  They won't get back to me until Monday.

The Sunday Salon #1

Listening To: Giant iPod shuffle, but especially Gotye "Somebody That I Used to Know."  I really need to get that album.

Book finished: A Gentleman Always Remembers by Candace Camp, An Affair Without End by Candace Camp, The Stupidest Angel by Christopher Moore

Reading: Sunshine by Robin McKinley

Making Lists: Grocery lists (an every week occurence), Stampin' Up wishlists (I want the entire catalog!)

Around the house: Trying to clean my crafting mess....  See it's just exploded everywhere.  Part of the issue is that I don't have a dedicated area for crafting.  Everything gets thrown into bins in the theater and if I want to craft, I have to drag everything upstairs and use half of the dining room table.  We need a new system.

From the kitchen: Freezer meals!  I finally did it!  I bought a few books off Amazon, bought tons of meat, and made a ton of food (enough to fill most of the freezer).  The hope is to ease the burden of cooking when I get home from work.  Now I just have to defrost something in the morning and reheat at night...  Loving this idea!  So far, I made breakfast burritos (2 minutes in the microwave to eat), Honey Soy Pork Chops, Italian Beef for sandwiches, and Salsa Shredded Beef for tacos.

On the Web: Blog stalking.... Reading past posts of some of the blogs I follow now.  I love getting to know other bloggers.  I really need to do better with starting a conversation instead of just stalking.

Crafting: Stampin' Up club this week.  We made some pretty Valentine's/spring cards.  I wonder who will get these?  And I made more bookmarks and some upcoming Birthday cards.

Work Observations: People are slobs!  I had kp duty this week.  Yup, we have kitchen duty rotations.  I am disgusted at people leaving food, crumbs, dirty dishes around the break room.  This isn't your house and I'm not your mom!  So annoying!

Watching: Continuing with Stargate SG-1 Season 1.  J has me hooked!  Good thing he has the entire series on dvd and Stargate Atlantis on dvd.  Rented Cowboys versus Aliens.  Not amazing, but not as bad as everyone said.  More James Bond movies for my Day Zero Project.  We're over halfway through now!

Wondering: Why do the majority of people in Omaha feel the need to go 5-10 miles under the speed limit?  It baffles my mind.

From Nature: Snow on the ground and cold temperatures.  I think it's finally winter.  After the 50 degree temps in January. the cold actually feels like we're back to normal.  I could do without the just-because-there-is-snow-on-the-ground-I-must-drive-like-an-idiot people.

Shopping Scores: A friend took me to her favorite thrift store in town.  They were having a huge Super Bowl sale with pieces up to 50% off.  I found this amazing brown leather jacket for $25, a cute riding style jacket for $11, and a crazy blouse for $11.  The store is an interesting mix of trendy pieces and old lady clothes.  They even have high end handbags (my weakness!).  I will definitely have to check it out again.

I also bought a few Heartsy (Groupon for Etsy) deals.  I'll show them off when the pieces arrive...  Some of them might even end up in my big birthday month giveaway (coming March 1st!).

Project: J and I decided to do a spring break road trip with the boys.  We're going to pick them up in Indiana and then travel to Dayton, OH (Air Force Museum), Hershey, PA (Chocolate World, of course), Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh before returning to Indiana.  So, I'm trip planning this week.  I'm a bit OCD when it comes to trip planning.  I love making itineraries and booking hotel rooms.  So far, I've booked us at the Red Caboose Motel near Hershey.  We get to stay in real cabooses!!  Alex is going to love that!  I'm exploring bed and breakfasts in the Philadelphia area...  More plans cemented soon!