Brain Dump

Excuse the brain dump.  Sometimes you just need one.

The Great Purge

I feel like purging some of our (my) stuff.  A month ago I went through all my books (not Micah’s) and got rid of all the books I’ve read and won’t ever read again or never plan on reading (even once).  I got rid of Russian text books because let’s face it, I probably won’t be studying Russian formally again.  I also got rid of out of date travel guides.  Costa Rica Rough guide from 2002 will probably not do much good if we ever get out there.

Yesterday I purged my closet of everything.  OK, not everything but a lot of things.  I plan on posting about it tomorrow but I’ll say that it felt good to get rid of clothes I haven’t worn in 5-6 years.  Once I’m done with the closet, I think the craftroom is next.  If I ever get there, the kitchen and the cookbooks will be the hardest.

Lent

Lent is coming up and I’m trying to decide on what to give up.  I think I’m going to give up online shopping (I better get my frame order in soon), Facebook and tortilla chips.  I was thinking of giving up meat but then that’s always hard when travel is involved.  Maybe I can give up cookies.  I also want to take up something this year.  I just don’t know what.

Izzy

Maybe I can take up being a better dog owner to Izzy for Lent.  She has a few bad habits she needs to break and she hasn’t learned a new trick in months.  I got the book Family Friendly Dog Training which was recommended to me by my friend Marisa (check out her blog) and I really like it but haven’t instituted any of the lessons.  I think this is going to change tonight. 

Izzy is so tired that this feels comfy. 

Summer Plans

It’s not even Spring and we’re already making summer plans.  Micah and his friend Paul are putting on a summer band camp/workshop for a few weeks in July and August.  It should be fun but I know it will be very time consuming.  We also have 2 weddings to attend (on the same day), a trip to Whistler in the works, random house projects and camping to do.  It’s exciting but overwhelming.

In a Funk

I’m personally in a funk.  Work has been slow and uneventful, the projects in the house feel overwhelming and I have been having a hard time feeling motivated to do anything.  I’m hoping it’s the weather and that a little warmth and possibly some sun (in Santa Barbara) this weekend will help.

Yamuna Body Rolling

I tried Yamuna Body Rolling over the weekend and really liked it.  I saw a news story about it and a woman who lost tons a weight because of it.  The weight loss wasn’t the primary reason for trying it but, well, who am I kidding?  Of course it was.  So the verdict?  I would be surprised if I loss a pound doing it but I really liked it.  I felt really relax and long.  I felt taller – seriously.  The intro focused mostly on the back and shoulders but we did do some feet work I enjoyed.  Who knows, this might loosen up my knees.  If you want to try Yamuna, try Evolve Studio.  I really liked my instructor Kendra. 

Quitting the Gym

I’m thinking of quitting my gym.  The manager (and three others) left and it feels so cold now.  I joined because it was clean and close to work but I’m not really feeling the atmosphere.  Plus, I really like classes but there are very few classes during lunch.  They start offering classes at 5:30pm and I’m done for the day by 3:30pm.  I also miss swimming and they don’t have a pool.  Maybe I’m better off going to the community center to swim.  Maybe I should give running a try but then there are those knees…  Actually, if I had a gym buddy, maybe I’d get to the gym (or workout) more. 

The Cats

The cats next door are still there.  They drive Izzy CRAZY.  Yesterday 3 of them sat on the other side of the door (we can see through the window) and tormented her.  Also, the neighbors have been feeding the cats strange things again.  One day I looked out the window and saw them eating leftover grilled cheese sandwiches and potato wedges.  The worse part?  They were eating them off of the baby’s plate.  The neighbors just put the baby’s plate on the ground outside and let the cats eat off it. 

Car

We got a new car.  We’ve had it for over a month actually.  Apparently, gas prices have gone up an average of $0.33 in the last two weeks which makes us overjoyed that we went with a Hybrid (Honda Insight).  The tank is small (9 gallons) but we barely fill it up twice a month despite driving a lot.  We love the car and promise to do a post about it and all the Izzy related car things we’ve had to buy.

New Bank

I hate our bank and really want to move our accounts but it is the only place I know of that issues Visa debit cards.  Using MasterCard in Africa is a big NO NO.

Lastly, Modern Family

We started watching Modern Family a few months ago and are addicted.  Hilarious.  My favorite episode is when they discuss Gloria’s accent.  So good.  Baby Cheeses (which sounds like Baby Jesus) kills me every time.

I have more to say (of course) but I’ll leave it at that.  Comments on any or all of the above would be welcome (and very wanted!).