It seems I let two whole posts go by without any pictures. This must be remedied. Enjoy these random farm pictures with out any narration.
Belated Blog Anniversary
It seems that I totally forgot about my blog anniversary.
Way back on October 27, 2008, I began this blog.
That means that this is the longest (by a lot) that I have ever kept any form of journal.
Let's see how far we have come...
I began this blog because Mon Amour's time was suddenly filled up with homework.
It still is. Therefore, I still blog.
This time last year we had a dog named Marge.
We still do. She is bigger, and sleeps in more these days. But she is still Marge.
This time last year we lived on a farm.
We still do. Our house is still quite quirky.
We still have the same jobs. The same cars. We do have a new shower curtain
Oh, and we do have a new church. I guess that was this year's exciting life development. It was a learning experience. I learned that I am a Presbyterian through and through, and Mon Amour learned that that is not such a bad thing. So we've been in the process of making new friends and getting connected all over again. It's been a slow process, but exciting none the less.
Well, that's the year in summary I suppose. Nothing too exciting, but I felt I couldn't let the anniversary go by without at least a small nod.
Way back on October 27, 2008, I began this blog.
That means that this is the longest (by a lot) that I have ever kept any form of journal.
Let's see how far we have come...
I began this blog because Mon Amour's time was suddenly filled up with homework.
It still is. Therefore, I still blog.
This time last year we had a dog named Marge.
We still do. She is bigger, and sleeps in more these days. But she is still Marge.
This time last year we lived on a farm.
We still do. Our house is still quite quirky.
We still have the same jobs. The same cars. We do have a new shower curtain
Oh, and we do have a new church. I guess that was this year's exciting life development. It was a learning experience. I learned that I am a Presbyterian through and through, and Mon Amour learned that that is not such a bad thing. So we've been in the process of making new friends and getting connected all over again. It's been a slow process, but exciting none the less.
Well, that's the year in summary I suppose. Nothing too exciting, but I felt I couldn't let the anniversary go by without at least a small nod.
Horseradish
Otherwise know as, My Job in Summary Form.
I make it a point not to blog about my job. I don't know why exactly. Perhaps because all interesting stories are simultaneously entertaining and complaining. The best stories are the most painful. So I avoid telling work stories all together. But today it cannot be helped.
I work in Event Management. I plan corporate parties. I am not a wedding planner. I do NOT work with brides. There are many good reasons for this. The main one being for the most part, every bride (that can afford a legitimate planner) is what we call a bridezilla. (if you are going to spend $100K plus on a wedding...it understandably must be perfect) Corporate money is much easier parted with. Hence, I work in corporate event planning.
But this safety measure is not entirely fool proof. Occasionally a corporate "bridezilla" slips in.
The following excerpt is the an unedited (with the exception of the removal of any specific reference to a specific thing or person, and a slight abridgment) real life email from a legitimate client. His was hugely entertaining (and revolting at the same time) to me. I hope that someone not in my line of work will also appreciate it. Otherwise, my apologies in advance.
Dear Meeting Planner- -
For our conference next fall, I suggest that you be sure that the FancyRestaurant's menu, as well as any other venue for "group" meals where beef is served, includes SpecificBrandName fine-ground, hot prepared horseradish. World famous!! Not one of those "wimpy" horseradish sauces, consisting of mostly sour cream, but REAL horseradish. SpecificBrandName has been a fine local company for roughly 75 years. I think they even generated fees for some lawyers over the years, with tax controversies, a charge of allegedly diluting their products decades ago with a bit of potatoes thrown in, whatever. But they DO make a good HOT horseradish for folks who really know how to spice up their beef.
I have no "interest" in the company, but I have a great interest in having our company provide hot horseradish with beef - - - not just a wimpy sauce. Maybe both - - the real stuff for beef lovers, and the mildly-spiked sauce for those who prefer that. Whatever!
Too bad I'm at my PoshSeasideTown place right now, or I'd call for a dinner reservation!! I just made myself hungry!
Sincerely, Uppity Lawyer Client.
He had other bits of wisdom long this line to share - which restaurants to eat at, which manager to ask for for the best service, etc etc. I will spare you the details and stick to the highlights.
Is he for real? Yes. Yes folks, he is. No "wimpy sauce" for him. Bring on the tax-evading-local-company horseradish; there is no substitue.
This is why they pay me the big money. To make sure my client's horseradish is too their liking.
One day I will retire. And it will be a beautiful thing.
I make it a point not to blog about my job. I don't know why exactly. Perhaps because all interesting stories are simultaneously entertaining and complaining. The best stories are the most painful. So I avoid telling work stories all together. But today it cannot be helped.
I work in Event Management. I plan corporate parties. I am not a wedding planner. I do NOT work with brides. There are many good reasons for this. The main one being for the most part, every bride (that can afford a legitimate planner) is what we call a bridezilla. (if you are going to spend $100K plus on a wedding...it understandably must be perfect) Corporate money is much easier parted with. Hence, I work in corporate event planning.
But this safety measure is not entirely fool proof. Occasionally a corporate "bridezilla" slips in.
The following excerpt is the an unedited (with the exception of the removal of any specific reference to a specific thing or person, and a slight abridgment) real life email from a legitimate client. His was hugely entertaining (and revolting at the same time) to me. I hope that someone not in my line of work will also appreciate it. Otherwise, my apologies in advance.
Dear Meeting Planner- -
For our conference next fall, I suggest that you be sure that the FancyRestaurant's menu, as well as any other venue for "group" meals where beef is served, includes SpecificBrandName fine-ground, hot prepared horseradish. World famous!! Not one of those "wimpy" horseradish sauces, consisting of mostly sour cream, but REAL horseradish. SpecificBrandName has been a fine local company for roughly 75 years. I think they even generated fees for some lawyers over the years, with tax controversies, a charge of allegedly diluting their products decades ago with a bit of potatoes thrown in, whatever. But they DO make a good HOT horseradish for folks who really know how to spice up their beef.
I have no "interest" in the company, but I have a great interest in having our company provide hot horseradish with beef - - - not just a wimpy sauce. Maybe both - - the real stuff for beef lovers, and the mildly-spiked sauce for those who prefer that. Whatever!
Too bad I'm at my PoshSeasideTown place right now, or I'd call for a dinner reservation!! I just made myself hungry!
Sincerely, Uppity Lawyer Client.
He had other bits of wisdom long this line to share - which restaurants to eat at, which manager to ask for for the best service, etc etc. I will spare you the details and stick to the highlights.
Is he for real? Yes. Yes folks, he is. No "wimpy sauce" for him. Bring on the tax-evading-local-company horseradish; there is no substitue.
This is why they pay me the big money. To make sure my client's horseradish is too their liking.
One day I will retire. And it will be a beautiful thing.
Oktoberfest 2009
The other weekend, Mon Amour and I visited his parents for the 2nd Annual:
We went last year and had a grand time. So we definitely couldn't miss this years.
There was, of course, a lot of beer (all micro-brewed. No Guinness, or Miller Lite, or whatever).
Last year it was all kinds of beer, this year it was all Oktoberfests and Pumpkin Beers. My favorite!
The enjoyment of those beers, was occasionally (pleasantly) interrupted by a more official taste test of the following 6 beers:
Including some Lambic. Lambic is to beer, what White Zinfandel is to Wine. I.e it is the beer for people who don't like beer. It takes like fruit juice. Only weird. I don't like it. Beer should taste like beer.On the other hand, there was also a bourbon beer in this mix. Bourbon beer = waaaay beyond dark beer. It was pretty much the blackest, most intense looking beer I have ever seen. I didn't taste it. I can pretty much guarantee I wouldn't like it.
Like I said - Pumpkin and Oktoberfests are just right. Neither too light and fruity, nor to dark and bitter.
Beyond the beer, there was also lots of yummy food. Not the least of which was this simply amazing pumpkin dip. Served in a pumpkin (genius!) with ginger snaps.
There was also candy corn. Lots of it.
There was healthy food too. And I promise I did eat some of it.
The decor was also lovely.
The decor was also lovely.
By the end of the 7 hour party (yes, first guest came at 3pm, last guests left after 10pm) a lot of beer had been consumed.
This may or may not have been all of it.However, the general consensus was that despite there being a few more guests, and a lot more hours of partying, a lot less beer was consumed this year than last. How consiencious of us.
All in all, it was a very lovely time. My favorite beer was the Cottonwood Pumpkin Beer. Unfortunately it was also everyone else's fave. So when we took home leftovers there was none of the Cottonwood to be had. Sad day.
New Shoes
The only thing that convinced me to finally get rid of my old tan shoes, was the purchase of a fun new pair of shoes. Before we get there, let me tell you a little bit about the box they came in.
It had instructions for recycling it on it.
It had instructions for recycling it on it.
#3 is kinda sketch.
It also had a size chart so that you could now how long your foot was based on your shoe size
For example, a size 7.5 women's is the length of a chopstick.
A size 13 Mens is a long as a bottle of wine
A size 10.5 womens is the length of "a small french stick". Which sounded random at first, but I looked it up, and it seems they mean a small baguette. Who new.
And who provided me with all this fun information?
Puma of course.
A size 13 Mens is a long as a bottle of wine
A size 10.5 womens is the length of "a small french stick". Which sounded random at first, but I looked it up, and it seems they mean a small baguette. Who new.
And who provided me with all this fun information?
Puma of course.
My old shoes were my feeble attempt at faux-pumas.
This time I got the real thing (on clearance at an outlet, don't worry. It wasn't dirt cheap, but it was still a good deal.)
And here they are folks.
They are black, and slim, and comfy. Good for walking, and also, they look decent with just about any of my pants. I can wear them with khakis, corduroys, jeans. It's beautiful.
I love them. Like a lot.
Old Shoes
Once upon a time, my little sister and I were planning a trip to Europe and needed to get good shoes for the trip. Ideally something comfortable for walking, but that didn't look like a tennis shoe (so as not to scream tourist too loudly).
I ended up getting these. (they looked nicer when I bought them)
I ended up getting these. (they looked nicer when I bought them)
Since that time (almost 4 years ago), I have continued to love them, and they have been showing some wear for quite some time now.
So this past weekend, I threw them in here:
Into our smelly, water filled dumpster.
Good by sentimental and wonderful shoes. It was tough letting go, but my fun NEW SHOES helped ....more on that tomorrow.
Wrong Season
Yesterday it looked like this outside.
It's been cold and drippy for a long time now.
But for some reason the rose bush recently decided it was time for round two.
But for some reason the rose bush recently decided it was time for round two.
A couple of out of place blooms on a dreary day.
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