"...so the Papa Tomato said to the Baby Tomato...KETCHUP!"

The house is a mess. Has been for (checking the calendar) ONLY two weeks. No (checking the calendar again) - two weeks, two days. Feels like two years.

Finally had some time off (two weeks, two days) and decided to begin the long overdue process of replacing the kitchen floor. When I moved in, the floor was horrible. Too costly to completely replace, I chose to cover it with stick down floor tiles. Never imagined almost six years later, I'd be the one pulling them off, one by one, applying the adhesive remover and then scraping the gunk off hours later. Nightmare project. Next time, I'm leaving the endless floor scrubbing to Cinderella.

The test area. Okay, maybe not so bad...

This floor is a liar. It is bad!

By now, I officially hate these tiles.

The new floor will be beautiful "henna" colored click tiles that, once installed, will "float" over the old floor. Problem is, I didn't order enough. Exactly half of what we needed. Such a girl. I can build a set with my eyes closed, but ask me to measure the square footage of my kitchen - fail!

In the meantime, while waiting for more flooring, I bought a new sleek refrigerator and fell in love! Stainless cabinet depth model - the bottles sparkle it's so bright inside.

waiting for the new flooring, hating the old fridge

...five store visits later, I buy my first major kitchen appliance!

Today, I tore everything out of my office, had a faster internet connection installed, and decided with the amount of misplaced furniture, kitchen items, and odd flea market finds, my place looks ready for an estate sale or an episode of hoarders.

"Yes, that is a canvas monkey painting."

"Yes, that was given to me by Ruth."

Old Advantex film...toss!

Siouxsie Peek-a-boo mask - keep!

Luckily, the remaining flooring arrived today and will be installed next week. See why I haven't written sooner? I'm in love with talking about remodeling and refrigerators. Yawn. Even I know I'm boring you. But that's what's going on.

The heat is finally here, everyone is cleaning up and out their shite, and Grace will be here soon to see the new look.

PS - just so you know I'm not exaggerating, I'll add a picture in the morning. In the darkness, the piles look like cityscapes in the shadows.

now that it's August, let's talk about July

I couldn't seem to get myself together to post a thing in the month of July... and it was an active month. Before it gets away from me, I'm going to start posting some fun things that happened in that sometimes hot, sometimes gloomy, always active month. First and foremost, there were fireworks (as seen here on the 3rd of July at the Reinika Party House).

No party is complete without a box of old fireworks (will they still work? will we catch Douglas/Todd's boat on fire? just light em up and we'll see!)

It's always fun to try to write your name with a sparkler. It would be more fun if Ruth knew the appropriate setting for her fancy camera to capture the action... a lucky shot or two were captured nonetheless. :)

And thus began our July. Another installment of Americana Fun to follow...

Take Me Out to the Baaaaaaallllllll Game (esp if it's in San Francisco!)

A couple months ago, when Jet Blue was having one of those fantastic sales, Mark and I decided to go to San Francisco. More importantly, when the Red Sox would be playing the Giants. Yes, ladies, I've planned trips around concerts, shopping, and parades...this was my first ball game. And because of the Hollywood Bowl season, we had to be back before Sunday.

So here's how we managed to eat, drink, and be merry for thirty-two hours:

10:30 am:

Mark swore by the food at Dottie's True Blue Cafe. Warned me there would be a line and we would probably wait an hour. He was right. But man, was it delicious. I went a little carb crazy - how could you not? Black bean cakes, I'm in. Share some blueberry-cornmeal cakes, don't mind if I do. Food made with love. Worth all the calories, honest. I think I even used REAL sugar in my coffee.

1:00pm:

We dropped our bags off at the Hotel Adagio and headed to Union Square. Since it was extra chilly at noon, and knowing we were seeing a night game, I convinced Mark we had to go to Neimans to buy a sweater. In reality, it was so I could have a popover. Found a thin layering T on the rounder and a seat at the bar. Two sidecars later, the popover arrived. With a view of Union Square and strawberry jam melting on the hot pastry, we spent a couple hours taking in the customers and enjoying the booze.

5:30pm:

This may be one of the best ball parks for location, location, location. And the only time I've seen a game where I wish I was wearing North Face. Man, Chilly! We arrived early enough to watch batting practice, wave to the kayakers in the bay, and walk around the stadium.

We wore Red Sox hats to represent the nation (and to regulate our core temperatures). Even after my veggie dog and cinnamon walnuts (okay, and Irish coffee) I was becoming a human popsicle. We lasted six innings. The Red Sox were loosing and I couldn't feel my feet. I even passed up a Flashmob Michael Jackson Dance Party so I could be back in the hotel to watch the ninth inning on TV.

Our first day was great. Our second day...dare I say, even better? Stay tuned.

Why didn't I know?

Why didn't I know clogs would come back in style? I just gave these away last year! Don't you love how they're Snow White meets fashion farm girl chic. Grrrr.

Better than the Sunday Times!

Even though I overslept for our breakfast date, look what Ruth left me on my doorstep!

Thank you coffee fairy, it was delicious!

Where is this?

Grace, do you and JP live around the corner from this sweet giraffe?
I need a photo.

Lazy Bones Jones

These slippers (a funny Easter gift from mom) have been waiting by the door since 11 a.m. See, I was going to walk to the garage, give it a good clean out, and walk home. But what if someone thought I was having a garage sale? So instead, been sitting in my pink nightshirt and chatting with Ruth on the internet. Yes, night shirt. And it's day time.

Confessions of a lazy Saturday. Mark is doing comedy in Reedly, CA, so I can sit here and blog until I want to blog no more. Or until Ruth's seven good fingers get tired.

Soundtrack: KCRW