Jon and Lois

A Few Good Changes

2012-02-04T17:17:00.000-08:00

Now that our TV room has moved, I'm excited to be working on the front room. It's becomming my parlor/library/reading/lounging room. Yay! Below are a few shots from that effort. Nothing is settled, I'm still moving things around and wanting a few more pieces and pictures to round out the room. All in good time. The first shot is one of those thingies used to hold old print letters; I bought it last summer while antique shopping during our ladies weekend away.
This is the cutest little table in the World. I'm serious, it's so damn adorable and I love the color. And it has that cool "distressed" look. I imagine I had to pay more for that...kinda like paying for ripped jeans I suppose.

I've had these chairs for a while, I think they look good with the aforementioned table. I've got a couple things to hang on the wall behind. To the left is the mantle.

I ordered some new bookcases from Ikea - they're tall, love it!! I took these shots with my iPhone so they are a wee bit fuzzy.

I inherited this Duncan Phyfe-style sofa from Amy. Her dad made a stand for it since the feet broke off; it needs to be stained, but I think it looks quite natural if you don't know it's not original. And I love this rug, picked up from Costco. It's awesome! Obviously the pets agree.

Kayaking Peters Creek

2011-07-20T13:12:00.000-07:00

She looks so cool, calm and collected!

Consider the kayak...
Tearing it up and having a blast!

James filming, while Jon acts as a spotter

After having all the fun! Gabie did a fantastic job, and it was her very first time in a boat!

Places We Like

2011-07-20T13:00:00.000-07:00

Our first outing as Sisters, back in 2008, was to the library and Bongo Java East. Bongo continues to be a popular destination, whether for breakfast or for a cool drink on a hot day. While in Eagle River, AK, we like to frequent Jitters, dubbed our "Bongo of the North."

Gabie enjoying extra whipped creme and sprinkles on her hot cocoa.
Gabie playing with Legos at Bongo East on the day we met. Root beer is a fave!
Hanging with Mr Jon at Bongo East!

Climbing Baldy

2011-06-23T18:27:00.000-07:00

Well, she complained the whole way up, but in the end Gabie was the first one up the mountain when she, Tara and I climbed Baldy! There was a lot of mud due to recent rains, which made the climb tricky at times, but we made it to the top. Afterwards we went to Jitters, covered with mud, to enjoy a celebratory beverage! Here's a shot of Gabie and I coming down the mountain with the town of Eagle River in the distance.Gabie at the top of the mountain, enjoying a break before heading back down. The top was completely enveloped in clouds.Gabie showing her muddy sleeves...our back sides were considerably more dirty. One great thing about Alaska - one can go into a coffee shop, covered in mud, and others won't give you a second glance!
When we climbed Baldy, we were looking down on Fire Lake; the day after we were biking by Fire Lake, looking up at Mt. Baldy (the highest peak, on the right)! We definitely kept active on our Alaska trip.

Signs, signs, everywhere signs!

2011-06-23T18:21:00.000-07:00

Weekend in Seward

2011-06-22T20:01:00.000-07:00

We camped in Seward, an Alaska fishing town that is one of the best places to visit in the summer. We stayed right by the water, making s'mores and riding our bikes. We also visited the Alaska Sea Life Center and saw lots of great sea animals, including sea lions, otters and an octopus! Every view in Seward boasts mountains, it's one of my favorite places.

Biking the Coastal Trail

2011-06-14T10:52:00.000-07:00

We started at Earthquake Park and didn't get a mile before running into a moose on the trail. She took her time munching on leaves, and we were finally able to pass once she moved off the trail. We carried on, biking to downtown Anchorage for lunch at Humpy's. After a tasty meal, the sun came up and we enjoyed a lovely ride back to our car.

Heading toward Anchorage

Eagle River Nature Center

2011-06-10T09:33:00.000-07:00

We enjoyed our first day in Alaska, kicking around the house and visiting the Eagle River Nature Center. We had a lovely walk and enjoyed the views of the Chugach Mtns. Plus, Gabie almost got her hand bitten off by a bear!

Gabie holding the mold of the foot print of a brown bear.

Black Bear in Alaska

2011-05-19T04:08:00.000-07:00

My brother posted this photo this morning. He said he heard some scratching outside his house so he of course grabbed his camera. He stuck the camera out the door and the bear charged after the second photo. Whoa!

Westminster Wandering

2011-01-11T06:35:00.000-08:00

It was lovely Sunday so Michelle and I headed down to the Thames to wander around Westminster. Unfortunately, Westminster Abbey was closed, though we were able to access some cloisters, as well as some tombs of lesser well-known individuals (mostly those who served the church). I got some good shots of Parliament, the Abbey and Whitehall.

Camden Town Market in London

2011-01-11T03:19:00.000-08:00

Camden Town was an old coaching route in the 1700s and the canals and lock were first opened in 1820. The area declined in the mid-1900s until the market opened in the 70s. One can get almost anything at Camden Market, including a wide range of international foods.

The Garrick Inn

2011-01-07T14:22:00.000-08:00

The Garrick Inn, Stratford-Upon-Avon's oldest pub, dates back to Shakespeare's time.

The building was built in the 1500s and re-named in the 1700s after Shakespearean actor David Garrick.
The Garrick Inn (middle) and the Harvard (right, once owned by the grandmother of the founder of Harvard University)
1700s Broadside for Romeo and Juliet, with Mr. Garrick as Romeo
We had lunch at the Garrick, and this is the small fish-n-chips. The fish was the length of my forearm.

Chateau Impney Hotel

2011-01-07T12:51:00.000-08:00

It was built in 1875 by John Corbett as a present to his wife, a beautiful French governess he met in Paris. Both had been enchanted by Versailles and the French Chateaux in the Loire Valley and decided to build their own palace in England.

Snoggable Treats in the UK

2011-01-06T09:36:00.000-08:00

This garlic is truly kiss-worthy...even with eye of toad and wing of bat!

Faggots - so very NOT snoggable.

Michelle's lunch at Wagamama....Yum!!

My tasty curry lunch before...

My tasty curry lunch after!

Lunch at the Pub in Avebury

2011-01-04T12:00:00.000-08:00

A Visit to Avebury

2011-01-04T09:30:00.000-08:00

Today we made the drive down to Avebury, England, which is roughly two hours south of Birmingham by car. Our destination: to visit the Avebury Stone Circle and Henge, which is approximately 5,000 years old. I copied the following from Rick Steves' website:

The stone circle at Avebury is bigger (16 times the size), less touristy, and, for many, more interesting than Stonehenge. You're free to wander among 100 stones, ditches, mounds, and curious patterns from the past, as well as the village of Avebury, which grew up in the middle of this fascinating, 1,400-foot-wide neolithic circle.

In the 14th century, in a kind of frenzy of religious paranoia, Avebury villagers buried many of these mysterious pagan stones. Their 18th-century descendants hosted social events in which they broke up the remaining pagan stones (topple, heat up, douse with cold water, and scavenge broken stones as building blocks). In modern times, the buried stones were dug up and re-erected. Concrete markers show where the missing broken-up stones once stood.

Ringing in the New Year in the UK

2011-01-03T06:21:00.000-08:00

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...
We "watched the ball drop" in London (on the telly)

At each strike of midnight we ate a grape, a Spanish tradition

Baileys nightcap before bed - happy 2011!

Exploring Kenilworth Castle & Gardens

2011-01-03T00:44:00.001-08:00

Tennessee Aquarium

2010-11-02T02:51:00.000-07:00

Ohhh, shark!

I loved jellies!

We really liked the butterfly house!

See Rock City

2010-11-01T18:12:00.000-07:00

Jon and I went to Chattanooga a couple weeks ago - we had a great time, though I think we did just about everything possible in a day and a half. We really enjoyed Rock City. Tara and I went several years ago when she was visiting TN, though I didn't remember much of it and Jon hadn't been. We explored the caverns, crossed a rickety bridge, saw seven states and almost jumped off Lover's Leap!

Halloween Weekend

2010-11-01T17:52:00.000-07:00

Partying with my East Nashville peeps!

Gabie's new 'stache!

Jon & Lois Party Details

2010-09-29T07:08:00.001-07:00

The week's half-way through and we're really looking forward to seeing everyone this weekend! We did have a bit of "excitement" this week, as our back door was kicked in by some scoundrels - the house won't be exactly the way we want it, but we're definitely not letting this dampen our party spirits!

Jon's smoking some pork ribs, and we'll also have chicken, hamburgers and hot dogs. If you'd like some ideas on what to bring, just let me know!

For those not familiar with the area, you should have no trouble with directions using mapquest, google maps, or your vehicle's navigation. Please plan to park on the street in front of and near our house. According to weather.com, we're expecting sun with a high of 76 and low of 46, so please dress accordingly. Oh, and if your attendance "status" has changed (i.e. you now can't make it), simply change the Evite.

Lastly, please call or text if you need anything:
615-243-5647

We look forward to seeing everyone Saturday!

Jon's New Ride

2010-09-16T16:12:00.000-07:00

After driving to and from Clarksville in his gas guzzling Dodge truck, Jon decided to order a 2011 Ford Fiesta (thank you, 40 mpg)! It finally arrived last week and Jon's been enamoured ever since.

To Be or Not To Be (an Elitist)

2010-08-28T11:10:00.000-07:00

I used to think an elitist was someone who was rich – yeah, maybe they were a jerk, but I suppose in some ways they could afford to be. Good or bad, it’s an impression.

These days, elitism extends to all kinds of people who may or may not look the part. I once knew a guy, a high school teacher who lived in a very modest home (with his parents) who boasted that he was an elitist. I remember thinking how completely ridiculous he was to say that, which is I guess why I’m using the term now. By definition, the term doesn’t expressly mean someone who’s wealthy, but I did wonder what group he was overly proud of belonging to – the group of 20-somethings who lived at home mooching off Mommy and Daddy?

I like East Nashville for a lot of reasons – affordable housing, great neighbors and local businesses. I am a huge proponent of supporting our locally owned stores, which is why, when I wanted a bike last year, I decided to go to Eastside Cycles. It was a good experience – I went in knowing what I wanted, and $400 later I had a bike and helmet. Unfortunately, each subsequent time I’ve gone to make small purchases or ask questions, I get treated like an idiot. I mean, I know I’m not one of those people who rides my bike everywhere while donning reflective spandex, but dangit, I still deserve some semblance of respect. I’m thrilled they are great at what they do and are all into bicycles, but what’s with the condescending attitude? What do I have to do to get decent customer service? Things were fine and dandy when I was spending several hundred dollars. Well, they won’t have to worry about my silly questions again, as this morning was my last visit to Eastside Cycles.

My experiences at Eastside made me think of another business I’ve gone to for several years, but recently wondered exactly why I keep going there. I’ve bought several pairs of running shoes and socks at Team Nashville and I don’t think I’ve ever had even a semi-friendly salesperson. Of course, I’m pretty sure they are runners who turned their obsession into a business, but running apparel is expensive! If I’m going to drop $15 on one pair of socks, it would be nice to feel appreciated. I just don’t get it. In any case, that’s another business I’ve checked off my list.

I don’t know if these people would be examples of biking or running “elitists,” but I’m no longer willing to slap a smile on my face and open my wallet to these so-called experts. I thought the whole idea of patronizing these local businesses was to, at least in part, enjoy personalized customer service the big boxed stores cannot provide; instead I feel as if I’m opening myself up to a social hierarchy in which even my money cannot raise my status from moron.

In any case, I will continue shopping local, but refuse to shop anywhere at the expense of my dignity. Ok, that’s a bit dramatic, but Eastside can keep their bike accessories – and haughty attitude – for the next moron.

The Big Pink Bus

2010-08-01T16:12:00.000-07:00

Tara had her very first Nash-Trash Tour experience today, and I daresay she had a fabulous time! If you have yet to meet the Juggs Sisters, I highly suggest you make your reservation immediately. It's a truly unique experience!

Ottoman Empire

2010-07-25T13:01:00.000-07:00

The Ottoman Empire was a regime that lasted from 1299 to 1923. At the height of its power, in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the empire spanned three continents, controlling much of Southeastern Europe, Western Asia and North Africa. And now, years later, we are reminded of this once medieval dominion in the form of an essential piece of home furniture. I found this cocktail ottoman at Costco yesterday and decided to buy it. First, though, I took this picture to email to Jon.

The moment we unpacked it and brought it into the living room, I wanted to return it because it's so large. Jon said he wasn't about to pack it back up, so we're keeping it. I'm actually getting used to it.

It has two large drawers, one on each side, and four little flat table thingies that pull out to place drinks on. These aren't the best photos (I took them using my cell phone).

Pooch Pics

2010-07-22T13:41:00.000-07:00

Belle absolutely loves playing Frisbee. Here is a cute shot of her, anxiously awaiting the throw...

...sometimes she gets a little excited!

Lordy, Lordy, Look Who's 40

2010-07-15T08:45:00.000-07:00

While the French were celebrating Bastille Day, Jon and I celebrated his 40th birthday with dinner at Eastland Cafe. We'd been there for happy hour - they have fantastic specials - but had yet to try their dinner menu. We were not disappointed. We each started off with a martini, though Jon followed that up with a beer as to avoid any perceptions of impropriety with regard to his manliness.

I'd like to say we were being sweet and lovey, but actually we were having a thumb war. Jon cheated, of course.

I enjoyed seared cold water trout with crawfish tails and cajun butter sauce. Yum.

Jon said his ribeye, which was covered in lovely garlic shavings, was one the best steaks he's ever had and cooked to perfection...

...As evidenced by this shot of an empty plate and full belly!

Spirit of St. Louis

2010-07-06T18:55:00.000-07:00

St. Louis has several airshows every year on the weekend of July 4th. As we were driving into town Saturday there was one happening (which was super cool to watch from the car) and there were two on Sunday. We took some photos of the earlier show as we were driving down Market Street, and we caught the later show while we were sitting directly under the Gateway Arch.

Seeing Red

2010-07-06T18:23:00.000-07:00

My first major league baseball game was this past weekend in St. Louis. It was freakishly hot, and the Cardinals lost to the Brewers, but it was still a fun experience!

St. Louis Brews

2010-07-06T18:05:00.000-07:00

We hit several pubs this weekend and Jon discovered his latest love, Schlafly, a beer brewed in St. Louis. We made our way around the Soulard area of town, both before and after the Cardinals game, and enjoyed our time away from Nashville.

Gabie's 9th Birthday

2010-06-30T19:06:00.000-07:00

Gabie's 9th birthday was last month ~ we celebrated in several ways, including a visit to Happy Tales Humane Association and with cake and ice cream back at our house.

Jon made this scrumptious cake for Gabie. Of course, we didn't realize until later there were only 8 candles on the cake :)

Taking a deep breath to blow out all the candles!

Reading her birthday card from sister, Tara.

Thank you for the gift card, Miss Tara!

Ahhhh, cake!

Thou Shalt Not Steal

2010-06-15T09:44:00.000-07:00

We’ve had a problem in our area with copper thefts from a/c units, as this sign of a neighborhood church would attest. So, imagine my surprise this morning finding some guy in my back yard – the location of our a/c unit. He said he was “reading our meter,” but our meter isn’t in the back yard. In fact, I watched him walk by the part of our house where the meter is located when he went toward the back of the house. He even had to open a gate to get back there.

Anyway, I called the law, who came out quickly; after they left to look for the guy, Mr. Edward across the street said it WAS the meter guy. The neighbor also thought the meter guy might have been trying to read our neighbor, Shane's, meter from our yard. Oops.

Guess he ought to ask next time - he's lucky the dog was inside the house!

New Ride

2010-06-12T18:57:00.000-07:00

After my Chrysler Sebring flooded, we really struggled deciding what to get as a replacement. I rode my bike to work for several weeks, which I enjoyed but it was a challenge getting me, my computer, etc. to work on a bicycle. When we finally visited our friend Scott at Alexander Ford, it was "love at first drive" with this 2007 Lincoln MKX.

Parked in front of our home.

Jon says it's a "girl's" interior because of the light wood, etc. It has a 6 disc CD changer and GPS. It also has heated and cooled seats! (Talk about awesome.)

I knew getting another convertible wasn't practical, but I at least HAD to have a sunroof. Thankfully, the sunroof is my favorite part of the new car! And actually, it has 2 sunroofs - from the front to the back. Gabie likes her new back seat, as she has her own arm rest and sunroof.

New Couch

2010-05-28T14:24:00.001-07:00

Our new couch was delivered today! Fatty, as you can see, is quite happy with it. A neighbor whose house was completely flooded is taking our loveseat and the coffee table in this photo. I bought the loveseat when I first moved to TN in '98. There are some scratches on the loveseat, but its condition is still almost perfect. Anyway, we still want to buy a large cocktail ottoman - I hope we can find the one we want this weekend!

The Day After The Flood

2010-05-03T10:16:00.000-07:00

We've been cleaning trash and debris that collected in our front and back yards; things are looking a lot better than yesterday.

Our neighbor's house - the water was level with his front porch! When people would drive by (yes, through the water, stupid) the water would rush onto our porches and lap against our front doors.

The back of my car, love puddles of water in the cup holders.

Front seat - the water reached up to the seats and filled up the cup holders and center console. It didn't, however, reach my glove compartment or trunk!

Remember the limb that fell on my car before all this flooding mess started...?

A neighbor very kindly lent us a shop vac, which Jon put to good use sucking the putrid water out of my car.

More Flood Photos

2010-05-02T12:02:00.000-07:00

Although we're not totally set, the water has receeded quite a bit. We can actually see the grass in our yard again (not to mention the walkway)!

We carried tons of things upstairs in the event the water flooded the house. I piled all my books onto the mantles and the dining room table.

We still have a small creek in the street, but it's loads better than it was. My car is full of water - I almost don't want to look!

Compared to the last picture posted of our back yard, this one looks way better...you can actually see grass now! The rain hasn't stopped, though, so keep keeping us in your thoughts!

Flood Photos

2010-05-02T10:09:00.000-07:00

We woke this morning to flooding on our street. Although the water level has gone down since taking these photos, we are still expecting more rain and aren't quite out of the woods yet. We hope we've seen the worst.
Fatty checking out the strange goings-on (why is there a lake outside, Mommy?)

Our neighbor's front porch - his house sits a bit lower than ours and we were really concerned for him!

My car. It doesn't look any better on the inside from what I hear.

At least my new patio furniture hasn't been swept away!

Our backyard has gone from a green space to a wetland preserve (aside from all the trash floating around, eww).

Habitat Reconstruct in McFerrin Park

2010-04-28T07:16:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday a group of us from District 5 in East Nashville joined some Habitat for Humanity folks to help work on this home, a Reconstruct project in McFerrin Park.
When Jon and I first moved to the area, the house belonged to an older man who'd lived there for many years and whose wife had passed away a number of years before. When he died about about a year ago, the home ended up in the hands of the Metro Housing Authority. When a concerned neighbor heard the house, built at the turn of the century, was on the demo list, she took action. The McFerrin Park Neighborhood Assoc and Councilman Jamie Hollin got involved to try to save this historic home. Habitat stepped in, and now this historic building will soon be rehabbed and the home of a new family.

There is a transom window over the front door and the ceilings are amazing, at least 12-15 feet high in the front rooms! There are 3 original fireplaces in the house, 2 of which I think they will be able to save. The back of the house caught fire last year, and had to be rebuilt.

Team District 5 - we put up insulation, we swept, we caulked and we inhaled 100-year-old dust...it was a blast!

Team Rio Kids Marathon

2010-04-24T11:41:00.000-07:00

Gabie ran her very first Kids Marathon as a part of Team Rio!

Putting together her "runners" charm necklace.

Waiting for the run to begin! (There was a lot of waiting.)

Posing with her team.

Time to warm up!

Go, go, go!!

A view of the starting line.

The finish line - I got Gabie on video coming across, which I haven't downloaded yet.

Gabie chatting with her running buddy after getting their medals.

Posing with her medal in front of the Titans stadium.

Showing off her skinned knees (she fell at the start of the race).

Ice cream time!

Post-marathon treat.

Lake Barkley

2010-04-19T04:41:00.000-07:00

This weekend I went to a conference at Lake Barkley, KY. The conference wasn't the best, but the views were amazing.
Saturday sunrise

Saturday afternoon view from our patio

Sunday morning

Sunday morning sunrise

View of our rooms from the lake

Spring in East Nashville

2010-04-11T18:21:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy, beautiful weekend in East Nashville! Now that I have a minute to relax, I thought I'd share some of the photos we took. I know it's not Augusta, but Jon was happy to practice his golf swing in the backyard.

Belle waiting for Jon to toss the Frisbee.

Gabie helped get things ready for spring at the McFerrin Park Community Garden.

By the time we got there, the planting was done - Gabie was just as happy to paint and didn't get a speck on her clothes!!

I took a few shots of the flowers in our front yard. We need to do some clean-up, but they're still pretty.

Are these pansies?

We rounded out the weekend having Susan and her mom over for Sunday brunch. Unfortunately, Janelle wasn't feeling well so she couldn't make it. She missed out on my mimosas!! Jon made blueberry pancakes (from scratch), yummy bacon, and a fluffy frittata.

Easter...Tuesday

2010-04-08T04:57:00.000-07:00

Gabie came over Tuesday afternoon to see what the Easter Bunny left for her at our house. He brought her a cute cover-up for her swimsuit, two books and some candy. She very kindly shared her candy with her brother when she got home!

I Can See Clearly Now

2010-03-27T15:25:00.000-07:00

I picked up my new glasses today - I need to wear them for driving and for seeing things at a distance. I am constantly squinting to read street signs and presentations in work meetings, so I'm excited to be able to actually "see" now. These are transitional lenses, and I also ordered a separate pair of prescription sunglasses.

Water Leak

2010-03-27T14:24:00.000-07:00

We had our first home emergency today. I was in the living room and started hearing running water. The minute I stood up to check things out, water began pouring out of the ceiling unit in the den. My picture doesn't do the amount of water justice; it was insane. I raced to get several containers for all the water, and then noticed it was also pouring outside the window of the den. Jon had left for work, so I ran to get a neighbor who kindly helped.

Evidently, they used the wrong kind of piping for the upstairs master bathroom sink. The thin hose/pipe burst, which is what caused all the trouble. To make matters worse, the builders covered up the pipes with a piece of wood that had to be torn out.

Jon came home from work and was able to get the sink fixed, though he bought some new piping which he will install tomorrow.

The ceiling doesn't have too much damage - at this point. There are two small holes that were leaking, and this seam is starting to show. Ugh.

Some of the water that came out of the fan. Yucky.

Jon's Doctor Appointment

2010-03-24T16:25:00.000-07:00

Jon's follow-up appointment with the doctor was today, and it turns out he has something called Pseudogout. I looked it up and found it to be a "form of arthritis characterized by sudden, painful swelling in one or more of joints." Although this is usually found in older adults, it can also be inherited due to excess iron stored in the joints or a genetic predisposition to the crystals that cause the disease. According to the doctor, when he opened up Jon's hand he saw the crystals, which apparently resembles toothpaste - this is when he realized it wasn't an infection as originally thought. The only treatment the doctor recommends is a very strong anti-inflammatory (as needed) and physical therapy.

The doctor told Jon he wanted to keep the stitches in for another week, but Jon almost insisted to have them removed. In the end, the doctor agreed - Jon said the stitch in his hand wasn't bad, but the one in his finger HURT.

You Are Where You Eat

2010-03-21T12:57:00.001-07:00

Because we have very little storage in our kitchen (and because Jon returned the island/cart we bought from Walmart due to its poor quality), we decided to purchase two Ikea shelving units to deal with all our stuff. I actually got the idea from Michelle, who has the same "space issues" in her kitchen and has several of these. Anyway, Nashville (sadly) doesn't have an Ikea, but we do have a company called ModerNash that is an Ikea distributor of sorts. Jon was skeptical about it, but now loves them and they go perfectly in our kitchen! The kitties had to inspect them, surprise-surprise.

View from the dining room (below). Notice the corner of our lovely granite countertops!

Unit number two (toward the dining room).

View from the living room.

This is the pseudo-antique heat register Jon had to remove for the second shelf to sit without wobbling. I won't share some of the language used during this process, Gentle Reader.

Bigs and Littles at Brushfire Pottery

2010-03-21T06:06:00.001-07:00

A group of us went to Brushfire on Saturday to channel our creative talents for painting pottery. We accomplished our goal, and had fun in the process! Gabie painted a Christmas tree ornament and a small plate.

Our group having fun!

Mattie and Gabie resumed their "BFF" relationship.

Another group shot - I somehow missed getting an "after" shot of Shelly and Mattie's creations.

Gabie and I posing with our creations! I painted a bowl...hope it turns out better than my plate from last time.

"Sisters" Chaundrea and Akyiah each painted plates - so talented!

"Sisters" Rachel and Aaliyah painted votive holders and a coin bank, respectively - awesome!

After Brushfire, Shelly and I took the girls to Centennial Park - Gabie and Mattie cruised in the back of my car, enjoying the spring weather!

Corner View

2010-03-19T05:13:00.000-07:00

Lucy likes to sit on the table to look out the dining room windows...to stop this (and save my vocal chords from yelling) we improvised, giving her a plant stand to give her a good view!

Going Home

2010-03-17T16:10:00.000-07:00

We just had a chat with the doctor, and he agreed to let Jon go home! They’re still going back and forth as to whether Jon has gout or “pseudo gout,” but we should know soon and shall pass along any updates. Regardless, Jon is just ready to get home to his own TV, bathroom, bed, etc. Thanks to everyone for their concern and well-wishes!

Another Jon Update

2010-03-17T08:19:00.000-07:00

The doctor apparently thinks Jon may have gout. I always thought that was something people got on their feet, so I looked it up. Gout is an “inflammatory joint disease that causes acute pain and swelling.” It’s a form of arthritis. His hand has been hurting for a while, so who knows. Anyway, they will likely keep Jon in the hospital for another day to ensure they removed all the infection.

Update on Jon

2010-03-17T04:57:00.000-07:00

Jon woke this morning demanding food and wanting to check email - things are looking up! Last night he described his pain as a 7-8 (on a scale of 1-10); this morning he described it as a 4. I stayed at the hospital last night, but needed to run home to let poor Belle use the potty! I hope we can get some info from the doctor very soon. When we do, I will let you know.

Belle's New Bed

2010-03-11T16:14:00.000-08:00

The chair we gave to Belle didn't make it to the new house due to lack of space, and she'd been missing having a comfy spot in the family room to call her own. I brought this comfy, cushy bed home just a while ago and she's made it her own already! I was concerned Lucy-kitty (aka Bossy Flossy) would try to take it over, and she still might try from time to time, but Belle is obviously enjoying it.

Window Treatments

2010-03-07T15:51:00.000-08:00

We finally settled on window coverings for the house. The windows in our house are original and apparently an odd size by modern standards, so of course we didn't find anything at Lowe's that would fit. A pain, right? Anyway, we ordered these bamboo Roman shades for the living room and den. Initially we wanted a darker color, but they were twice the price, so we settled on these.

Sunny Saturday in Nashville

2010-03-06T13:26:00.000-08:00

Gabie and I got to hang out together this morning - we ran some errands, had lunch, and delivered Girl Scout cookies to a couple of neighbors. Gabie also visited our new home for the first time and was able to enjoy the backyard with Belle. Considering they share an insatiable desire to play with the Frisbee, I thought it was a great match.

We love that we have a a large backyard that's fenced for Belle. The fence looks terrible, but it's functional for now, until we can build a new one over the next year or so.

Jon spinning Gabie...

Gabie...still spinning...

And down she goes (note: no children were hurt in this display). I think her shadow looks kind of artistic...or maybe like Peter Pan's shadow.

Another Room Clean...Almost.

2010-02-28T15:50:00.000-08:00

It took most of today, but the den/office is clean - well, mostly. I got my books out of boxes, and cleared out much of the room. I don't know how long it took Jon to break down empty boxes, but I'm glad I asked for two recycle bins!

Kitties at Play

2010-02-28T15:45:00.000-08:00

A Cat's Life

2010-02-27T20:09:00.000-08:00

Fatty enjoying a sunny spot in the dining room.

Random

2010-02-21T11:50:00.000-08:00

We've got mail! This was one of our purchases using the Lowe's gift card Scott and Shelly very generously brought us when they came to visit yesterday - thanks, guys!!

Jon's first project - make my cheapy book shelf look a little better. The stain isn't as dark as I thought it would be, but it's better than it was.

Phase III - Unpacking

2010-02-21T11:35:00.000-08:00

Jon did an amazing job moving our entire house contents in 1.5 days - Phase II complete! After spending most of yesterday unpacking and organizing, we have the living room and kitchen pretty well under control; the guest room and den, however, are another story altogether. It's been a busy weekend and we're tired!

This is a shot of the den from the hallway that connects the guest room and the den (via the guest bath). The washer and dryer fit in the nook under the stairs. When we get hoses for our washer we'll hook it up, and scoot it into its new home. The guest bath is situated across from the washer/dryer area, while still in the same room with a door on either side. It's actually quite spacious, considering.

Fits Like a Glove

2010-02-20T08:09:00.000-08:00

Our new fridge is beautiful, and it fits in the small space very well. It is deeper than our counter, but we love it regardless! We're going to use the heck out of the filtered ice and water.

A Gift For Our Kitchen

2010-02-20T05:46:00.000-08:00

For all that it is new and pretty, our kitchen is a wee bit small. This morning we ordered a new cart, which will provide some extra storage and another workspace for Jon while cooking. It will also come in handy when Gabie and I are baking together - she, of course, likes to be in charge of the mixer. Anyway, the black will match our cabinets, while the stainless steel top will match our appliances (our counter top is granite).

Lovely New Home

2010-02-18T10:15:00.001-08:00

As a closing gift, our realtor - Amy Bryson with Historic and Distinctive Homes - very kindly gave us the sweetest photo of our house. It was taken by local artist, Seth Conley, who made it look like a miniature replica of the actual house. Love it!

Phase I Complete - We're Homeowners!

2010-02-18T10:01:00.000-08:00

It took about two months, and almost cost me my sanity, but the big day came and went without a hitch - we're homeowners! The closing itself was surprisingly brief (much like our wedding ceremony); afterwards, we headed over to the house to take a look around and enjoy a bottle of bubbly (merci, Cortney) in our new home. Jon is managing Phase II, which began today - MOVING.

It's not "For Sale" anymore!

Jon getting the party started.

WTF?

2010-02-14T17:10:00.000-08:00

This chair is listed for sale on craigslist. I wonder how many Muppets had to die for the seat?? Thank goodness the colors are all wrong for our new place.

New Fridge

2010-02-14T17:07:00.000-08:00

We ordered our new fridge yesterday. Jon's moving us into the new house on Thursday, but we won't get our fridge until Saturday. Bummer!

Playing in the snow

2010-01-30T09:39:00.000-08:00

Jon and I walked to a nearby park to let the dogs play in the snow. They both had a great time, though the snow was just deep enough, and crunchy enough, to make walking a challenge. Poor Kalli had a some trouble because of her short legs, but she was a good sport!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

2010-01-29T14:56:00.001-08:00

It's been snowing all day - crazy!! HCA closed their offices around 9:30 this morning, which is pretty amazing. There have been a lot of car accidents around town (probably people with 4x4s), and I-24 just outside Nashville was shut down earlier due to a pile-up involving five tractor trailers and several cars. That's wild! Jon and I went to the grocery store, and are set to hibernate for the night.

Yes, those are little icicles on the bottom of my car.

And the snow doesn't appear to be stopping any time soon..

Our neighbor's house - so pretty! One of our neighbors at our soon-to-be new house texted me earlier to tell me how lovely our home looks in the snow. Awe :)

For the times they are a-changin'

2010-01-29T12:44:00.000-08:00

I'm thrilled to announce that I've accepted a new position within HCA! My new title will be Senior Project Administrator in IT&S, which is a huge step-up from my job in Internal Audit. I will be working on the Meditech 5.6 project, and am excited about getting in on the ground floor of something so major to the company. I'm already getting meetings on my calendar for Meditech updates, CPOE planning, ePrescribe, etc...whew, I'm going to be a busy girl! My new boss is awesome, and all the people on my team are so cool. Heck, they've already planned a happy hour to welcome me to the team! My last day in Audit is Friday, February 5th, and I've already checked out my new digs in building 3. New house, new job...hooray for me!

Before and After Shots

2010-01-17T05:03:00.000-08:00

A friend who rehabs houses in East Nashville shared the following picture of our soon-to-be new home, which he took in early 2008. Amazing!!

And this is the house after - whoa!

Snowy Nashville

2010-01-09T13:00:00.000-08:00

Forecasters predicted at least an inch of snow this past week (eek!) and although that didn't quite happen, the snow we DID get was wet and, evetually, turned into ice. Honestly, though, we didn't have any major problems - and Belle loves playing with her frisbee in the snow! Here she is inspecting the perimeter...haha

This was taken first thing this morning. Jon's in NY
so that's two days of snow built up on his truck. Whoa.

Belle and her frisbee!

Our soon-to-be home in the snow!

Our soon-to-be new home!

2010-01-08T07:43:00.000-08:00

It's been a crazy process, and we've looked at a lot of houses, but we're so happy to announce that our offer on this little home, located on Stockell Street in Cleveland Park, was accepted yesterday! It's the cutest little bungalow, built in 1920, but completely updated for modern tastes and conveniences with a new roof, new electrical, new plumbing, and a new heat/air system.

We love the wood detailing on the porch ceiling.

Living room, with shot of den/office area - they were able to refinish some of the original hardwood floors

There are two mantles in the house, which were originally coal-burning.

Den/office - we love how they used classic mouldings around the windows and doorways

Downstairs guest bath and laundry area

Guest bedroom

Dining nook and stairs to master suite

Dining area from the kitchen - sunny!

Kitchen with gas stove (Jon's in love with that)

Master bedroom

A view into the master bath (notice the window seat in the dormer) - we love how they made the attic the master suite

Master bathroom with 1920s tile in the shower

Back patio off the dining area and guest bedroom

We're set to close in about 45 days and are so excited!!

New Year's Day

2010-01-01T13:53:00.000-08:00

Gabie and her cousin, Chasity, came over to the house today.
They put together puzzles...

Enjoyed hot cocoa with marshmallows...

And licked the beaters after helping make cookies!

After all that sugar, they're ready to go home to their parents!

Belle and her Christmas present

2009-12-24T12:43:00.000-08:00

Belle got a knucle bone the size of her head - she'll be working on that for a while! The kitties were also interested in it, much to Belle's chagrin.

Party in the U.S.A.

2009-11-19T19:59:00.000-08:00

Gabie and Mattie...just a' partying in the U.S.A.
(with a little help from Hannah Montana, I presume).

Belle's New Chair

2009-11-15T18:21:00.000-08:00

We have a chair in our living room which Jon inherited from a friend - a chair I've been wanting to get rid of. It's not terrible, exactly, but it's bulky and generic, and I just don't like it. (ALL our living room furniture needs to be replaced, but I digress.) Well, anyway, Jon thought it could be Belle's chair and I agreed. Belle is loving it!

Happy Anniversary To Us!

2009-10-27T08:43:00.000-07:00

Has it been two years already???? :)

This is one of our engagement photos, taken in Nashville on the downtown Pedestrian Bridge. After two years, we really need new photos! Tonight we're planning martinis at Eastland Cafe with dinner to follow. Yum!!

Tennessee Reflections & Fall Colors

2009-10-25T07:37:00.001-07:00

True Love in Four Easy Steps

2009-10-25T06:12:00.000-07:00

The Newest Addition to Our Family

2009-10-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago we officially added a fifth member into our family: Belle is a five-year-old lab mix, and she's a sweetheart. She spent the first five years of her life living with a family who loves her very much; unfortunately, as their family grew (two little girls, and baby boy on the way) their time for her lessened. SO, she's gone from a quiet home in the suburbs to a not-so-quiet home in the city. We've also replaced the kids with cats, a transition that, in retrospect, went very well.

Waiting in the kitchen for peanut butter in her Kong!

Taking a break while walking on the Shelby Park Greenway.

After our very first family walk in the park.

Ahhhh, peanut butter!

Matanuska Glacier

2009-08-27T19:29:00.000-07:00

Matanuska Glacier is a valley glacier, 27 miles long by four miles wide. It is the largest glacier accessible by car in the United States. It lies about 100 miles northeast of Anchorage. Jon and I went to see the glacier with Mom last summer, and then drove by it on our way to Valdez.

Worthington Glacier

2009-08-27T18:59:00.001-07:00

Located just outside Valdez, Alaska, Worthington Glacier boasts some spectacular views. As usual, our photos of the glacier (and the valley) don't do it justice. Like most of Alaska’s glaciers, this valley glacier has been steadily retreating for the last 150 years, but not as dramatically as many others. The upper basin sits at 5,500 feet and collects about 28 feet of snow each year.

Worthington Glacier is part of an on-going study funded by the National Science Foundation to study ice flow dynamics as they relate to climate change. By comparing movement at Worthington with numerical models for glacier flow, scientists hope to answer important questions about the future of climate change. The glacier is named for the transit man of an 1899 survey party mapping an ice-free corridor to Alaska’s interior who survived being swept away in a glacial stream.

Valdez

2009-08-25T14:43:00.000-07:00

While on vacation, Jon and I took James' camper to explore a part of Alaska I'd never seen. And while there isn't a whole lot going on in Valdez unless you like fishing, parts of the drive are amazing. Most people have heard of Valdez related to the devastating oil spill (1989); it is still a large oil port and the southern end of the Alaska Pipeline. There are many areas along the drive where you can see the pipeline above-ground, which is pretty cool (and huge). All-in-all, I don't see myself making the 6 hour drive again, but it was definitely worth the trip.

Horsetail Falls

A better perspective on how large the falls are:
Can you see me on the right?

It was chilly, glad I brought my hat!

Yeah, RIGHT.

Bridal Veil Falls

Jon thought it was pretty cool to play foosball outside, with the mountains on one side and the water on the other!

Fisherman getting their customer's fish ready

Let the feast begin

Alaska vs. Texas

2009-08-24T10:51:00.000-07:00

I am a bit ashamed to admit it, but I probably didn't know that Alaska is larger than Texas (or any other state, for that matter) until I was almost 10 or 11 years-old. I'd blame the Anchorage School District, though it was more likely my lack of academic ambition.

I suppose that's why I got a bit of a chuckle out of this booth at the Saturday Market in Anchorage; on one hand I was a bit put-off by the sign so clearly visible to young eyes ("Mommy, what's pissin' off?"), while on the other hand it's pretty darn funny. Those who say everything's bigger in Texas obviously haven't caught a 100 lb. King salmon.

Alaska Wild

2009-08-23T15:41:00.000-07:00

A couple of moose were hanging around my family's yard when we got home one day last week. They were quite comfortable relaxing on my brother's now-defunct golf course green; that was, until we all started taking photos and videos! Check out a clip James posted to youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMHNsKN780k

Portage Glacier

2009-08-13T13:10:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we did the cruise to Portage Glacier. Thanks to mom's "connections," we got to go for free. It was chilly and overcast, but still a great time! The photos really don't do it justice - the glacier is HUGE.

Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs

2009-06-18T08:35:00.000-07:00

My uncle John from NJ was in town this week, and we spent Tuesday afternoon seeing the sights of downtown Nashville. For some reason, I really enjoyed taking pictures of some signs in the area. There are more photos from his visit on my Facebook page.

Happy Anniversary Shelly and Scott!

2009-05-18T09:30:00.000-07:00

This weekend, Shelly and Scott celebrated

their three-year wedding anniversary. We

had a few cocktails to commemorate

the special event!

McFerrin Neighbors

2009-05-13T03:47:00.000-07:00

Our neighborhood was well-represented at
last night's Precinct of the Year event!

Precinct of the Year Celebration

2009-05-12T18:06:00.001-07:00

Tonight the East Nashville police precinct was honored with Precinct of the Year. The community was invited, and it was a very festive atmosphere as we rubbed elbows with our neighbors and community leaders. Chief Surpas spoke...

And so did Nashville Major Karl Dean.

East Commander Nash accepted the
Overall Crime Reduction award.

Carol's speech was impassioned and sincere.

And finally, Commander Nash accepted
the Precinct of the Year award!

My photos are a bit fuzzy, but I think they still work :)

Jon's Artistic Side

2009-05-12T17:52:00.001-07:00

Jon got to color on Saturday with Gabie at Bongo Java!

I think Gabie had fun, too.

Ta-da!

The House Next Door...An Update!

2009-04-01T18:06:00.001-07:00

About, oh, 6 months ago (give or take) I posted about the hideous house next door. Its sorted past is long and storied, and more than a little disgusting. The bulleted version of its history is this:

When Jon and I moved in, they had several dogs on the property that died from malnutrition.
Their back yard had so much garbage in it, stray dogs used to just stop by to eat off their ground (nasty, I know).
Just before they were scheduled to go to Environmental Court for numerous health violations, they were foreclosed on.
One of the men who used to live there threw a fit at the post office because they stopped delivering their mail there (yes, they no longer lived there...not sure what his point was).
When someone bought it with the intent to fix it up, the home was a victim of arson. As it was unsecure, people were in and out of there all the time so it could have been anyone (though we think it was the man who used to live there). At this point, we were sad it only burned half-way down. I was calling the police on a regular basis.
The man was still checking his mail...not sure why...so Lee took a chainsaw to the entire mailbox and tossed the remains into the burned-out front window. That was pretty awesome.

And then, finally, Mr. Wright showed up and made the home beautiful! Living in an urban area can be trying at times, but hey--we're close to everything :) Enjoy the photos!

Before.....

After!

Fun at the Park

2009-03-22T14:09:00.000-07:00

Saturday's weather was great, so Jon, Gabie and I went to Centennial Park...as you can see, Gabie wasn't the only one enjoying the playground equipment!

Everybody Loves Taylor

2009-03-12T18:21:00.000-07:00

I went to an elementary school talent show recently; Mattie, my friend Shelly's daughter, sang and danced to a song from High School Musical with two of her friends. All biases aside, they really were one of the best acts. The judges must have agreed, as Mattie and friends placed first in the 4th grade (OK, it was probably out of two or three other 4th grade acts, but still).

Out of 22 overall performances, several little girls sang solos. As one might expect, there were a couple rambunctious renditions of Miley Cyrus songs. However, the majority of solos were of Taylor Swift songs. I have to admit her melodies are cute and catchy, but holy cow - I didn't realize just how popular she is. I decided to get one of her CDs from the library to see if Gabie also enjoyed her music.

When I was 7 years old, I don't remember really being interested in music. Perhaps it was because all my mom had in her brown four-door Eagle was an 8-track player, and she wouldn't have likely had all the popular tapes (I seem to recall singing Tom Jones' "What's new pussycat" at some point). I actually think it took me another year or so to really get into the latest and greatest bands, such as Men at Work, The Police and The Stray Cats (I believe Quiet Riot was a few more years still). A far cry from a bubblegum country-pop princess...but, I digress.

Saturday was the perfect day to listen to some good music. It was sunny and warm, a rare day in Nashville of late, and we celebrated by driving with the convertible top down on the way to the park. After playing to our heart's content, we hopped back into the car and I slid Taylor Swift's debut CD into the player. Gabie sang almost every song word-for-word. I should have known! Taylor certainly has some appeal, with her squeaky clean girl-next-door image and songs about young love, and I like that I don't have to worry about Gabie singing very adult lyrics while (hopefully) not knowing what they mean. Plus, she writes most of the songs herself.

I went ahead and requested Taylor's other album from the library, and am looking forward to hearing Gabie belt out her version of "Love Story." Who knows - Taylor might have even found another fan in me.

Nothing Says Par-ty Like Shakespeare

2009-03-10T08:01:00.000-07:00

Isn't this the face of a man who'd enjoy a good spring break party?

Spring Break

2009-03-09T19:14:00.000-07:00

This week is spring break! No, I'm not going to Florida, and I don't plan to show up on any MTV program with bikini clad co-eds dancing on the beach, while taking their turn at the beer bong. Instead I am working all day without having to leave for class; enjoying the simple pleasure of sitting on the couch, flipping channels without the thought of everything I have to do weighing over me (though that only stops me from flipping channels about 45% of the time).

Call me crazy, but I'm still working on some school projects to get a head start on next week. I have a couple papers due in the next month for my online Sociology courses, and I've started reading "The Merchant of Venice" for Shakespeare class. This might seem odd to many of my classmates, most of which were planning to go out of town for Spring Break. It would have been downright ridiculous (or, ridicurous for you Seinfeld fans) to an 18-year-old Lois, though I suppose no more ridiculous than school itself. I don't know if I'd call myself a nerd, exactly, but the apathy I felt this time last week has morphed into something else--boredom.

I am actually missing school! I miss discussions about 17th century England, and about how Shakespeare identifies gender and social status in his plays. I even miss reading the poorly composed and absurdly thought-out postings made in my online classroom by my virtual classmates. Imagine!

You can bet that this time next week I will feel entirely different--I will be whining about my next journal due in British Lit, and writer's block, and I'm sure work will suddenly become ten times busier. For now, though, I will enjoy my time off and the all-too temporary feeling that being in school isn't half bad.

Apathy

2009-02-28T17:02:00.000-08:00

I am so ready for this school term to end. Unfortunately, this coming week is midterm exams, so I still have two more months to go. Yahoo. It's too bad, as I am taking two classes I really like - Shakespeare (very cool), and a British Literature class that focuses on the 16th-17th centuries (the other two classes aren't really worth mentioning). I think my overwhelming apathy about school is threefold:

Work is really, really busy since our team is short three people from this time last year. Of course, we are still expected to do pretty much the same amount of work regardless (imagine that), and someone is always unhappy with something. Lovely.
I am not motivated to write papers, and I've had four due all around the same time (one for each class). Hooray.
And, you know what? It's my last year and I'm just plain worn out. Period.

Really, if I didn't have to write papers then I'd be ok. What's wrong with me? I usually enjoy this process. I have spent the better part of today fighting through some research for my last paper (British Lit). It's been just me, my laptop computer and Fatty, reading and chillin' on the couch. Take school out of the equation, and it'd be a pretty darn good day.

Gabie at the Park

2009-02-09T04:38:00.000-08:00

Foster Parents?

2009-02-06T17:03:00.000-08:00

Two nights ago, Jon and I “accidentally” adopted a stray puppy. Actually, we are only fostering him until we can find someone who wants him. We heard him whimpering on the street when it was terribly cold, and couldn’t just leave him. He’d been running around with a pack of strays that evidently were too fast for him.

The vet estimates him to be only 6-8 weeks old. Jon has done a good job of taking care of him, and is growing attached; if you’re looking for a pet, call now! He is expected to grow into quite a large dog. He's yet to potty in the house, thank goodness, though we're still working on kennel training. Jon's named him about a dozen different names, but to me he just looks like an old man...I've been calling him Grandpa.

Kenilworth Castle

2009-01-28T06:56:00.000-08:00

Since I previously blogged about Italy, I thought I would share another favorite site! I visited Kenilworth Castle in 2005 while my sister Tara and I were visiting Michelle & BD in England. Read about Kenilworth's particulars on the English Heritage website.

From what I recall, Kenilworth's big "claim to fame" was Queen Elizabeth's last visit there in 1575. She had given the castle to her favorite, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester (pronounced 'Lester') in 1563.

The festivities surrounding this visit are said to have been the inspiration for William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Shakespeare was only 11 years old at the time and from nearby Stratford-upon-Avon. He could well have been among the crowd of locals that would have gathered to witness the pageantry of the event with its expensive and lavish arrangements. I just read this play in my Shakespeare class, so I find Kenilworth to be especially interesting!

"The course of true love never did run smooth"

--Lysander to Hermia, A Midsummer Night's Dream