MMMMM....Breakfast!

These delicious looking goodies were waiting for me when I got home this evening. Good friends W&D sent cookies to celebrate the new house. YUM, throw on some decafe and it's a party!!

Halfway

Today is the half way point of my week. I am working more than usual this week and last week. Throw in a very fun and busy visit from MMmom and MMniece and assorted tots and you have a reasonably happy yet overly tired Moxie. I am determined not to let this period of intense work get to me and I will stoically keep the whining to a minimum since it is so rare I overwork myself.

Since I am halfway or somewhat settled into the new house I have actually found some time to read. Ahh, books - I have been so distracted in the past few months that nothing got read and my stacks were keening and calling me but to no avail. I had to jump back in with a fitting summer beach read "Motion to Suppress" by Perri O'Shaughnessy. P. O'S. being a pen name for two sisters who write mysteries revolving around lawyer Nina Riley. The cool part of this series of books is that they are set in Lake Tahoe...yup, that big blue lake right over the hill from me. I actually drive by the building they use as the setting for Nina Riley's office when I work in South Lake Tahoe. I wouldn't know anything about this if my buds W&D hadn't given me one of the books right after I moved to this area. I have also tackled Joan Didion's "The Year of Magical Thinking." I've never been much of a Didion fan but I do like John Gregory Dunne's writings and have a signed copy of "Monster in a Box" from a reading he did in San Francisco. I wasn't sure I wanted to read a memoir of Mr. Dunne's demise....however, it did capture my attention, it is wonderfully written without being maudlin, with a lot of quirky descriptions of the way grief has it's way with you. It's a beautiful tribute and a lovely insight into their relationship. I've just started Augusten Burrough's "Dry", my niece has the companion "Running with Scissors" so there is to be a trade off down the road if she ever finds time to read again.

With that I'm off to watch a rerun of "House". Love that Hugh Laurie, can't wait for the new season.

Entomology 101

Latest visitor to my house. He appeared to have fallen off the roof. There was much discussion as to why he was on the roof. He was determined to climb up the screen. First we relocated him to the grasslands of the backyard. Next thing ya know, he's back at the screen. Figured he would like to be back on the roof, so after watching his progress up the screen halt at the top he was corraled into a big bowl and released back to the roof. He scampered away at a rapid rate. I think he must live in the oak tree on the opposite side of the roof from whence he came.

RIP

A brief moment of silence as I mourn the end of my chuckle a day. Thanks to punk rock knitter and knitty kitty at You Knit What? for witticisms and jaw dropping fugness in the knitting world.

Suprised

My co-workers threw me a house-warming lunch today at work. It was such a nice suprise. There was lunch with deli sliced meat and cheese, amazing wheat rolls, an awesome fruit salad, and potato salad as well. Then we capped it off with a chocolate cream pie.....tipped over with glee I was. Then there were presents. I couldn't believe it! How sweet and thoughtful was that? What a great gang I work with. They graced me with an amazingly soft chenille throw to cuddle up in. A beautiful silver candle holder and candle with a yummy sugar and floral scent, a spice rack with stuff I might actually use...there were jokes about the possibility of me cooking. A great welcome sign for my door. The topper though is a beautiful watercolor painting. This painting was at work one day. My co-worker L.'s mother is an artist. The painting was L.'s. She had brought it to work so her mother could pick it up for a show she wanted it included in. I just loved it. L. assured me that her mother would paint something for me in the future. Lo and behold, L. gave me the painting I loved so much. This photo doesn't do it justice, there's so much shading and delicate detail it is hard to believe it is watercolor. L.'s mom is truly gifted and I am proud to display such a beautiful piece in my new home.

Though we do have a penchant for luncheon's and party's and dessert at work, especially for birthdays and I joked that they did this because they needed a reason and my birthday is too far off, I'm truly touched that they would have a lunch for me and give me gifts for my new house. Sweet, Sweet day.

Welcome!

This is what you will see after you walk up to my door, lean over and admire the cherry tree on the side of the house, and then turn around. Those lovely mountain peaks. AAAHHHH!

As you can see I live on a hill which I like. The other good thing is that the driveway now has a southern exposure and that will come in very handy come snow season. At our rental we had a north facing driveway. It was rather disheartening to be out shoveling the driveway when all the houses with south facing driveways were clear thanks to the sun exposure. I anticipate less need to shovel the driveway this winter and that is a nice bonus.

There's a hint of excitement in the air. Rumor has it Trader Joe's is coming to Carson City. No one seems to know just where this store will be but there's also a rumor of a September opening. There are several new buildings going up in the Topsy Lane shopping area which is 2 stop lights from my house and 2 new buildings that are almost completed in the Target shopping center which is 1 stop light from my house.. There are several empty retail establishments in Carson City that may be likely candidates as well. Either way I will be a happy camper. Once again I will have a Trader Joe's close to my house.

Nevada elections are coming up and with it the vast quantities of campaign signage that goes with it. From one end of Carson City to the other and down to Minden and Gardnerville there are signs everywhere. I'm watching the Jack Carter (D) for Senate race closely and the race for governor. That one is a no brainer for me. I always vote pro-choice and Dina Titus (D) is pro-choice. It's that simple. As in California so shall it be in Nevada, I hope. I'm a woman, it's my body, etc. It's important for the younger generation of women to have choices, options, access to Planned Parenthood, education. None of these things are to be taken lightly. Many fought hard for a woman's right to choose and I'd like to see that right upheld.

As I wobble off my soapbox I'll remind you to vote for whom ever floats your boat.
Exercise your right to choose.

MINE

August 1st was the year anniversary of my move to Carson City. I celebrated the day by mailing my first mortgage payment on my new home. If only that thrill could maintain itself over the next thirty years. Ha! Still she's lovely even though it looks from the photo like I bought a door, a couple windows, and a garage. Most of the house is tucked back off the street which is nice for peace and quiet. There's no showing off the interior because it's not nearly in show off condition but there are fewer boxes to trip over and quite a few more were carted off to recycling last week. Phew, that was a relief...cardboard was making me dizzy. Thanks to the inexpensive home warranty we purchased we were able to get the refrigerator water feature repaired and up and running for very few dollars and get the swamp cooler (such a classy name)serviced so it runs at maximum efficiency which came in handy when temperatures hovered in the 100's for two weeks....

Last friday we installed a really quiet garage door opener and 3 ceiling fans. Okay, wait...MMspouse and I picked them out and then we paid people to come install them. It was a significant home improvement and I'm quite proud of increasing the value of my home so easily. The bonus was all the money came from a rebate after close of escrow for fees that had been estimated and turned out to be less. It was an awesome treat to go out and be able to shop for stuff, pay cash, and have money left to pay people to install it all.

I'm still pretty amazed that I was able to do this and that I did it in a year's time. Like MMmom always told me "You can do anything you put your mind to!" It's awfully nice for this lifelong apartment dweller to sit on the deck steps and run my feet through grass in my own backyard. It occured to me tonight that the refrigerator is mine....not a loaner....funny little things like that keep happening. I've got lots of ideas of things to do over the next couple months and years. Meanwhile, I'm gonna live here for awhile and settle in and see what really needs to be done next. Could be flowers. Could be paint. Got 30 years to decide.