Week 15

April 10
Here's a picture of me...again. I look happier in this one - probably because I just ate chocolate. And, I'm wearing my Reese's shirt.
April 11
Here's the email I received from the Secretary of State. After last week, when we had to decide who's jobs were "important" enough to keep working during a potential government shut down, I guess the Secretary wanted to remind us that we're ALL important. Even though she was willing to send us home with no money last week, this week she loves us all equally!
April 12
Here is my latest notepad...I have a lot of them (a slight addiction). This one makes me chuckle every time I say it out loud. "What to Doooooo" - like an owl! *chuckle*
April 13
Ubi was tired today. He was laying his head on our bed. So cute.
April 14
Banana bread! One of my favorites. I made two loaves, and it's good I did since we practically finished one by ourselves. We'll save the other loaf for next week, when our visitors arrive.
April 15
Here is my attempt to clean my desk. I'm actually making progress, although it doesn't really look like it. I want everything to be all cleaned up for our guests.
April 16
I worked on Easter Baskets. I bought all kinds of fun supplies (and candy) and put the beautiful baskets together. Bacon was "supervising" but she was not being very helpful!

Week 14

April 3

We went to the mall to eat at the food court and do a little shopping. There are so many choices at the food court that it's really a good place to eat - everyone gets what they want. The mall we go to is HUGE, and now they're building more. They do not need more mall, they need more parking - but instead they build more building IN the parking lot...great! Arrocha is one of my favorite stores here. April 4

We bought a Scat Mat. It's intended to keep animals off counters and tables. We're trying it out to see if Bacon will stay off. It gives her a little shock if she touches it. Hopefully it's working! April 5

Today was Bacon's 1st birthday. At least, today is the day we picked to be her birthday. Since she was a rescue cat, they didn't know her exact birthday, but our veterinarian friend guessed her approximate age and we picked a date to use as her birthday. She is a small cat, but we're saying she's 1. Bill gave her some treats to celebrate her special day. April 6

These are two of my very favoritest candy bars. Maggie came back from America and brought them for me since we can't get them here. April 7

I got a new tote bag because Bill supports OPB. Last time they sent him a bookmark, but he sent more money so this time we got a tote bag...yay!

April 8
I can't remember if I already took a picture of this. Oh well, it's pretty cool (and I'm sure I'll repeat some pictures before the year is over). This is the wall hanging Bill gave me on our last anniversary. I LOVE it!! April 9
Bill made pancakes again. He even made a few chocolate-chip pancakes. I love eating pancakes on Saturday morning, thanks Bill!

Four Things Friday #4

1. In the last three years, I've been to 9 different countries (USA, Italy, Panama, Peru, Canada, France, Egypt, Costa Rica, and the Bahamas).

2. Sometimes I use Wikipedia to learn new things - there is a nice feature that will show you a random page each time. Today, when I clicked on Random Article, I learned that there is an entry for Wisconsin Highway 253. I wonder who would take the time to make an entry for that?

3. We're having lamb for Easter dinner. Not because it's a normal choice (which it seems to be) but because I have a weird thing about repeating meat for holiday meals. Thanksgiving is turkey, Christmas is ham, so Easter has to be lamb or duck...and I'm not sure I'm ready to cook a duck!

4. This might be my last entry for "Four Things Friday". I know it's only the fourth one, but I might change it to another day and another number. I feel that it's interfering with my Project 365 updates which I intended to do each weekend. If I have to write this on Friday and update my pictures on the weekend, I don't always get them both done. Perhaps I'll start "One Thing Wednesday" or "Three Things Thursday". I guess if I'm going to quit - it's fitting that I end with "Four Things Friday #4".

Four Things Friday #3

1. If you've watched the news at all lately, you'll know our government could possibly shut down this weekend. Since I work for the government, it may affect me. My boss has to decide if I'm "essential" to work during a shutdown or not. Right now I'm on the cusp of essentialness...I'm .5 essential. It could go either way!

2. I really wish that pasta didn't make you fat because I LOVE pasta but I don't love being fat. Our favorite restaurant here is called Tre Scalini and it has a lot of pasta choices. Basically 75% of the menu is various sauces and pasta dishes. The awesome thing is that you can choose which pasta (noodle) you want with most of the sauces. I LOVE pasta.

3. I had another orthodontist appointment yesterday. It wasn't as painful as I expected (maybe because I took a bunch of drugs) - so that was nice. The ligatures on my braces are now purple...I thought it was a nice color for Easter and spring.

4. A nugget of wisdom my father sent me this week (perhaps because I write these 4 random things each week or maybe because I'm just random in general): Pearls melt in vinegar. I've never tried it so I have no personal experience, but if you do let me know.

Week 13

As I type this, more brownies are in the oven...I am really obsessed!

March 27
Bill bought me a giant balloon. I love balloons and I especially love this one. It was a surprise for no reason! I really love balloons and Bill! March 28
Our cable provider recently lost access to the network channels (ABC, NBC, CBS) so we can't watch regular US TV anymore. Very sad! We're working on ways to fix it and get access to our favorite shows. Most of the time, we end up watching things online. Tonight I watched part of the President's speech online. March 29
It's Bill's job to clean the litter box. He wanted a cat, so he has to clean up after her. In my opinion, it is a very disgusting job! You can see Bacon watching from the bottom right corner of the picture. She's supervising. March 30
Today I was able to go with Bill as he made his airport run for work. It was fun to be out of the office and be with him and watch him at work. It's always fun to be near the airplanes and watch everything that goes on to get a flight in and out. Good day! March 31
Today most of our neighborhood was without electricity all day. Our street was fortunate enough to have power - until about 8:30...when the lights went out. I intended to take a picture of our lantern lighting up the room as we read...but then the lights came back on. Oh well, we're thankful to have a nice lantern when we need it. April 1
Our neighbor and co-worker planned a block party for everyone from the embassy who lives in our neighborhood. It was a fun afternoon with delicious food and lots of people (lots of kids, too). I was happy for an occasion to make (and eat) more brownies! April 2
Bill had to take a big test today. While he worked, his proctor and I had a chance to chat and plan vacations - which of course you know is one of my favorite things to do. Good thing I arranged for his proctor to be MY friend (thanks, Maggie).

Four Things Friday #2

1. We went to a BBQ today. Really, it was more of a block party with all the people that live in our neighborhood that work at the embassy. There are a lot of people in our neighborhood...and a lot of kids. Too many kids! But, the food was delicious...and I took brownies (which were very good since I've been craving brownies for weeks).

2. I love to plan vacations - and I love to take vacations. I think I should be a professional vacationer. Is there such a thing? I am currently planning a week of vacation in April and a long weekend for Memorial Day. I'm also excited about an upcoming cruise in November and we're starting to plan our big vacation for next February! I really vacations!

3. I don't like to grate cheese. It's just one of those things I hate doing. So, I buy the pre-grated cheese...which I know is more expensive. I know I should buy a block of cheese and grate it myself, but I really hate grating cheese! For me, it's worth the extra money to have the luxury of pre-grated cheese.

4. Easter is approaching. I'm going to make Easter Baskets this year because Bill's family will be visiting us then. I'm happy that I live in a place where they have some choices for Easter candy and supplies for my Easter Baskets. The one thing I haven't found is white eggs for dyeing. I guess we'll have dyed brown eggs for Easter!