More Signs of Spring

Daffodils abloom in a neighborhood yards.

Zeke seeking a spot in the sun.

Yesterday I had an inspiring visit to Home Depot. I had to pick up a few things whose names I learned...that's the thing about Home Depot...everything has a name....for instance, did you know the little knobs on the toilet seat are called "bumpers". Who knew? I also picked up a "flare cap" for my outdoor faucet so it won't spray water all over the house when I am trying to water. I feel immensely more educated. MMspouse is on a tear to replace our light bulbs with fluorescent bulbs to save a little money on the electrical bill. I was happy to see there are several types to choose from that don't give off that industrial glare and I hear it's considered "green" to do so. Al Gore would be proud though I think he needs to install a few in his home considering the latest "outing" of his electrical bill. Once all supplies were in hand, I sauntered through the place checking out prices and dreaming of upgrades....new bathtub, new vanity, closet doors, etc...happy to note several things I would like to do aren't nearly as expensive as I imagined. Per the usual, I have spent my tax return money in my head long before I have received it.

Once home my favorite site greeted me.

Books in the mail! I love getting books in the mail. I am especially intrigued by the new Mark Haddon, author of "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time" which I loved for its narrative voice and endearing hero. I read a bit of each and am already intrigued about both.

One of the things I forget about spring is it's changeability. One day it's lovely, warm and comfortable: the next day, windy and cool. I think we get so excited for spring we forget it's unpredictability. Still all the signs are there and it is a welcome relief from the cold and gray of winter.

First Sign of Spring

Lilac buds March 18, 2007

"I'm Your Handyman"

Me and James Taylor working our handyman thing.

Hanging the awesome Galileo Thermometer I got for Christmas in the eaves of my deck. Check.


















Installing a peephole in my front door. Check



















Getting comfortable wielding a power tool: priceless.















A weekend of puttering with visible results. Yea!

No, Really...I'm a Wild Child

One of my little indulgences is to reward myself for going to the grocery store. Having little interest in the actual cooking of food and even less interest in anything that isn't chocolate, I find the grocery store can be a strenuous mental activity in what to put in my basket. Sometimes I can actually fill my cart with things that might be considered healthy. Soy Yogurt! Cheddar Rice cakes! Wow, I'm doing good. This is immediately offset by the presence of Mother's Double Fudge Cookies. I try though...I really do. My motivation and reward for this exercise in food roulette is the purchasing of a magazine at the check out line. Sometimes a fashion magazine, perhaps a Marie Claire. Often times a celebrity rag: US Weekly, In Touch...always good for a few hours of mindless browsing on the couch in the afternoon. Often I will indulge in an ABC soaps magazine since I rarely have the patience to sit and watch anymore I do like to keep up with story lines. So, imagine my surprise when I opted out of the latest Britney/Anna/Brangelina unnamed sources reporting the latest and instead found myself drawn to this:
That bastion of Northwestern Living, the bible of inspiration for all things home and garden.....Sunset Magazine. This new magazine browsing behavior is right up there with salivating over Washer/Dryer combinations in the Sears flyer. Who is this woman? I am so grateful that I lived a wild and crazy urban existence up until I decided to move to the mountains. Otherwise, this gal would scare me!

Wishes Granted

Yes it was my birthday last week. Yes I got my chocolate wishes and cupcake dreams, literally!

MM spouse was smart to get me This. Which I parsed out to myself and was actually able to get a good 7 days out of which is amazing considering I can clean out a box in less than a weekend.

MMniece really took the cake, ha..pun, with this though.


Sprinkles cupcake mix from Here . One of the few really great things that I miss in LA. My office in Beverly Hills was a half block up and a half block over from this store. When it first opened there were lines out the door everyday. I couldn't understand the frenzy other than anything in Bev Hills is reason for a frenzy. However, once the lines quieted down and I took a stroll in and recovered from my price shock (again, Beverly Hills) there was the necessary tasting of several types which I had boxed up and took back to my office where we all had a sample of each of the six I purchased. Pretty damn good cupcakes! Heavenly! It was all I could do to keep from going there. I made it a once a month treat. More than that and I would have required a 12 step meeting. So, imagine my delight when my niece presented me with this. Whee! I get to make my own! I am planning an afternoon date with my sister to cook 'em up.

Serious goodies helped stem the rather funkadelic mental bout of insanity I was having. Primarily this occurred a week prior to my birthday. For whatever reason I decided to descend into a funk of which I haven't seen the likes of in a very long time. Cranky and crabby and feeling off kilter. For some reason this birthday snuck up on me. Mid-life? Perhaps. Strange feelings of life up to this point not being enough. The funny part of it was that even if I had won a Nobel Prize in Literature or invented the cure for AIDS, or discovered water on Jupiter: my mind was having none of it. Nothing would have been enough. That was the jist of it. Once I wrapped my mind around that I decided it was nothing more than the fact that my birthday is an odd number this year, ending in 9. I am not a fan of odd numbered years or the number 9. I am actually very happy with even numbers, I especially like 8, the midpoint of 5 doesn't bother me much. This one just made me cranky. Hence, I am already planning a big trip for next year's even number ending in 0. This should help me beat back the birthday blues should they dare make an appearance again!

Chocolate Wishes and Cupcake dreams

5 Years, 10 Days

Long Ago and Far Away

I doubt she was thrilled when 5 years and 10 days after her birthday I showed up. She will tell you that the reason I am always late on her birthday greetings is because I am already getting caught up in the excitement of my own pending day, proving my own self-absorption. She's right and I'm late again. I got the whole laissez faire attitude growing up from my parents, she still had to deal with discipline and chores and such. It is never fair when the baby of the family is spoiled. Still we share some great childhood memories, the above picture clearly not one of them but I like it just the same. This was a trip to Disneyland. It was hot and I think we were both cranky. Others that we share more fondly, I hope, are spending summer weekends at Clear Lake boating and water skiing and swimming. Ten day house boating excursions on Lake Shasta for more water skiing. A deep love of our Grandma Bea and all things baked in her kitchen. A serious affinity for chocolate. A love of the card game Rummy.

She is responsible for my love of all things Motown and the reason I know the words to every song by the Supremes. She is the reason I still appreciate a really well crafted pop song. She is the reason I love to dance and showed me how very early on. She knows I can sing but will always be the better singer. There's a theory that she is the reason I am left-handed and I do remember she taught me how to write my name. I may be fairly ambidextrous but I think like a lefty which is why often just a look says more and words aren't needed. We lefties share a wave length.

So even though I am late in my birthday salutations she knows that I was and did think of her on her day and sent her a psychic "have a good day".

Happy Birthday, Sis!
xoxox

Monday

Your Emoticon is Cool

You're not feeling particularly up or down, just relaxed and calm. You're ready for whatever is going to happen next!

What Emoticon Best Represents You Right Now?

Explorations

Here at MountainMoxie I like to take the mundane tasks of everyday life and transform them into something fun. This doesn't always work out to be anything at all but yesterday was. I had read at AroundCarson that a previously unpaved section of East Valley road had been paved. East Valley Road is tucked up about a mile east of the highway one would normally take to go south to Minden and Gardnerville. Taking the highway isn't a bad ride by any means but there is so much of this area I am unfamiliar with that I try to take a different route here and there in my wanderings, sometimes getting lost, most often discovering a whole new area I didn't know existed. The first time I tried to find East Valley Road met with disappointing results but I did cruise around on the back roads of the Carson Valley anyway. These little forays into the unknown are usually carried out during my once a month trek to the recycling station located conveniently just outside the dump or "transfer station" as it is called. The station is on the southern most end of Gardnerville, about a 20 minute ride from my house. Yesterday I was successful in finding the East Valley Road turn off from Stephanie Lane. It was surprising to me how many houses are out there in the eastern Carson Valley. You would not realize this from the highway. Old, new, large lots, small lots...a whole entire population I was unaware of. Saw lots of horses. And then I came upon these:

Llamas on East Valley Road, Carson Valley

You can't see very well...but these are Llamas. Fluffy, sweet Llamas...a bunch of them on a farm.

I didn't get much closer due to the whole "private property" sign so you will just have to take my word for it. As I was snapping my pic's I looked down and saw this. It appears to be a little fluff of Llama. It is amazingly soft!

I meandered along East Valley Road until it ended. After a few moments of thought I opted to turn right on Fish Springs Road. Lucky for me this was the right guess as it eventually lead me to a major intersection with the highway. I am sure I could find another way to the station from back in the valley but I think I may have to purchase a map for that. Until then all roads I take hopefully lead to the highway where I can get my bearings again. While riding along checking out the scenery I drove by some land and my head whipped to the side and I thought "are those?"Hmm, what else could they be? So fascinated by the possibility of something so exotic, I drove back that way after my recycling duties were complete. I pulled my car over and got out for a closer look.



Yup, that's a buffalo. What he is doing in the Carson Valley I do not know.

In fact, he has many buffalo friends hanging out with him. Now I am wondering when would buffalo mating season be and how long do buffalos gestate? Maybe I can go back and get pictures of baby buffalos.

So that my friends was my interesting journey through the Carson Valley yesterday. We shall see what new sites my February recycling run brings forth.

State of the Union

So far the best part of Bush's SOTU address was the introduction:

"Madame Speaker"

enough said.

Cold and Clear

Eastern Sierra Nevada Range: Jan. 17, 20007

This is what cold and clear looks like up here in the mountains. Brrrr.....

There seems to be some very cold weather sweeping across the states including a reported 30 degrees in LA during the Golden Globes Awards (yea, America Ferrera). Never saw weather that cold when I was living there. In fact, I did not wear socks, EVER, the entire time I lived there...well, okay, except to hike in my sneakers...but that was it...I lived in flip flops and sandals and such. It must have been rather shocking to have to turn the heater on in the car while stuck on the 405 in rush hour traffic.

Meanwhile, here in the mountains in winter, it is cold like you would expect. I am one who delights in chilly weather so that I can break out the gloves, and scarfs, and hats...I find the fashion part of it fun regardless of the fact that there are really no fashionable coats that will keep you really warm so hats and gloves and scarfs go along way as accessories.

I am spending time tweaking my blog or shall I say re-organizing my blog in accordance with the new Blogger that claims to be easier to maneuver, etc...HA! Still takes time and reading and re-reading what ever it is they are asking you before you get the idea. Though they do offer new help with lists so prepare yourself for ridiculous lists populating the side bar. Hopefully, I can re-educate myself to the use of links in the body of my entries, I seem to have lost that bit of info in the whole brain reorganization that went along with the brutal head cold/sinus thing that plagued me late december/early january. Feeling much better , thanks, but I do seem to have lost a few braincells in the process. Hoping to master the new blogger by the weekend.

Wish me luck or leave helpful comments.

Almost Normal

I think I'm ready to start back to a normal work week. The ridiculous coughing has subsided and I no longer need a box of kleenex within reach every minute. This, of course, all made possible by an outrageously expensive antibiotic for which I paid full price because, ya know, you gotta pay your deductible out of the gate in January again. I'm not as sure that I am ready to start my new year though I did do a bit of cleaning and such this weekend which made me feel accomplished. It is an odd sensation to have a head cold. You can't think. You just can't. I consoled myself with the fact that this was merely a device to clear out all the junk and trivia and unnecessary bits of information that I've stored in my head over the last year so I'd have more memory. Wouldn't it be nice if it did work that way. Still, for days there I didn't have much brain activity whatsoever besides where's the kleenex, where's the juice, chicken soup or beef barley. The day I had an actual clear headed thought I was elated to notice a sign of a return to normal.

Meanwhile, those resolutions. Ha! I don't make resolutions. What I was referring to in my previous post was simply reassessing my goals for the year. Most of those goals this year concern paying the mortgage on time and a very long wish list for my house. That and clearing out stuff I still am coming across which I most certainly can live without. There's another trip to the donation center and once that is done I think I will start my new year.

In other news, my little blog got herself a mention in the Carson Times this past week. Little bit of a thrill there.

There's also an article in the current Sports Illustrated about a college basketball player, Nick Fazekas, who plays for the UNR Wolfpack.

While I go back to my dashboard and figure out how to add links for the two items above...I'll leave you with a photo I wanted to put up for you in 2006 and ran out of time....

1st Snow of the Season, Dec. 17, 2006 from my front porch

New Year

Welcome to 2007 (yes I am a bit behind date wise)

Happy New Year (okay, mine....not starting so great)

Thank you for checking in on me ( I have just finished off yet another box of kleenex and I am not happy about it.)

In light of the current head cold, feel like crap, predicament I am in I have decided to restart my new year sometime next month. Resolutions forthcoming.

More later

Over the Meadow

and through the woods.....

Best holiday song: Nat King Cole "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire....."

Best holiday treat: See's Candy and Russian tea cookies

Best Seasonal Delight: Family, Friends, Festivity

Wishing you a lovely holiday and an inspired New Year.

XOXO

MountainMoxie

In Other News

One of the advantages of my current technical aggravations is the other stuff I have gotten done in lieu of actually going into the office tearing apart the current router and re-installing the old one that was much faster and has a reset button which I didn't think to use at the time but I am all over it now except for the part where I actually go do what needs to be done. I did, however, install the Google Accelerator and it seems to have helped. But I digress ...

I have been able to get some things done that I can share with you. Like Gromit, I am a knitter and tis the season for knitting. Unlike Gromit, I do not knit in bed, I knit on the sofa while watching TV and feel slightly less like a couch potato because I am doing something else while I watch "The Closer" or "Grey's Anatomy" or even "That Girl" which was running on TVLand all last weekend. That's right. I am creating! My current project is my secret santa gift for a co-worker. I finished it this weekend so it now has fringe on it and I am quite fond of it which is always a good sign for gift giving. There are several other projects in the works and finished but I dare not publish them here for fear of ruining someone's suprise.

Behold the yummy scarf!
Imagine fringe!

I have also had time to master this. My newest acquisition or shall I say my most recent purchase that was purely impulsive and designed to make me feel good.
I wouldn't actually consider myself a gal who would opt for the pink phone. I am more of a silver type gal. The silver was available but I actually was hoping for a black one (hello, indecisive) and they didn't have a black one so I chose the pink. Mostly because I haven't seen many pink ones. Did I mention this was an impulsive buy? Still, I am quite happy with my pink Razor that plays some sort of jazzy, breezy song when it rings. It did take a bit of sit down time to learn how to use and program it. I won't even go into the howls of protest this particular phone created with my spouse, let's just say that in the end he got the phone he wanted and I kept my pink Razor.

My reading time has certainly increased while I've been offline. Winter and early darkness and re-runs inspire me to curl up with a book as well. Last night I was reading a short story in Augusten Burroughs "Possible Side Effects" that I just received from my bookclub. I love getting books in the mail! He is writing about his french bulldog puppy and house-training difficulties and using a squirt gun method that caused a laugh out loud funny -spit water out of the mouth -full blown guffaw! I considered just stopping there for the evening because seriously how could you top that? Hilarious. I highly recommend it. I read Jodi Picoult's "Vanishing Acts" which I liked. I have not read anything by her before and this was a good choice. There is some really gripping and gritty stories relating to what it is like to do jail time that I found fascinating. Gang affiliations and drugs and all the other stuff you hear about. Who hasn't wondered or shuttered when they thought about what that must be like. She gives a good rounded picture of that while telling the other parts of the story, each from one of four main characters viewpoint. I read "But Inside I Am Screaming" by Elizabeth Flock. Interesting story of a woman's nervous breakdown yet I couldn't help thinking "Girl Interrupted" redux or maybe I should re-read "The Bell Jar".

I finished "The Book Thief" which I loved. Difficult to imagine a book about Germany, the persecution of jews, World War 2, etc...being lovable but the story was so sweet and lovely, the principle characters ordinary yet extraordinary in an abysmal time. All narrated by death in a form that was new and fresh, funny and wise, bittersweet and sad. I don't know how else to describe it. Read it. Very different. Although I had "The Historian" up on my site for a long time I am actually saving it for the deepest, coldest part of winter. Having started it and reading several chapters I knew this was a book that required the correct atmosphere...therefore, it sits waiting for late January/early February when a good, long book is just the thing to counter the seemingly endless feeling of winter.

Here in Carson City we got our Trader Joe's. Very Exciting. I told myself I wouldn't go on the day of the grand opening but I couldn't not go. Such is my enthusiasm for this store and its offerings. Scott at Around Carson was there earlier in the afternoon and had his camera at the ready.

We are having our first real snow today. Stick to the ground stuff that is covering everything in that pristine, glistening light. I still get excited about the snow here and I am more than happy to say, ya know, there's just nothing I need to do but hang out and get some things done at home.

Technical Difficulties

Yup...Yup...pulling my hair out...well not really but you know the feeling. Router malfunctions and technical support and still my DSL moves slower than dial up...so back to the store...return new router, try to resuscitate previous router...wonder why this is so hard...ha...think I know more than I do...this is really cutting into my seasonal shopping online!

Thankful

For family,
for friends,
for love,
for health,
for home,
for work,
for soaring mountains,
for clean crisp air,
for black cats,
for kiddles,
for music,
for books,
for simple things,
for every day,
I am thankful.

Seeing Red

Yes, I did. Stood in line for an hour for the honor. Consoled myself with thoughts of people around the world who aren't allowed the priviledge and it is a big one, right up there with freedom of speech.

Still, Nevada choose red as it's favorite color for the most part. I can't help but see results and think....ahhh....yawn...business as usual...good ole boys network wins again. Heartened by the fact Congress may go democratic and that Nancy Pelosi could be the first female speaker of the house. Puzzled by the fact that California re-elected the governator. Hoping any change can speed up an end to the war in Iraq and bring our boys home.

Weekend In New England

Devin
January 31, 1984 - October 25, 2006




The post title is a Barry Manilow song. I know, I know but that is how my mind wrapped itself around a week in Massachusetts following a tragic turn of events for MMhusband's nephew, Devin. There was beautiful foliage on the downside of fall and everytime I rode in the car the grief and wistfulness of this song would fill my head. The beauty of New England in the fall coupled with mourning the loss of a beloved young man was heartwrenching.

I could tell you about the intermidable wait for the wake and funeral. The anguish, dread, and full blown grief apparent on my brother-in-law's face. The absolute unity of those who surrounded him and supported him. Tears, and tears, and tears. The feeling of time standing still and each day feeling like a week. The laser focus of being in the moment because nothing is more important than this minute...holding on, listening, providing food, making yet another pot of coffee, hugging, hurting and consoling.

I could tell you about the amazing line of people who came to pay their respects at the wake. A line of people that started at 3:00 pm and continued on steady until 6:00 pm. How amazingly a fractured family: mother, daughter, father came together to stand proud and stoic throughout the afternoon. The poise and graciousness a young woman radiated in the midst of grieving her brother. The sudden ease of understanding between a mother and father. A united front for the love of a son lost too soon.

I could tell you the funeral was a somber affair and that the hardest part was getting out of the house, acknowledging the finality of the next step. Those of us not of the Baptist persuasion tried to maintain respect and decorum in the midst of a pointed message about our souls and how to save them. There was music to spur the tears with a little "disco jesus" in there for whatever reason.

I could tell you it was bittersweet to listen to young men speak from the podium of friendship and love. Sadder still when those young men bore the coffin of their friend to its final resting place. To watch the overwhelming emotion spill from their eyes, no longer able to contain unbearable grief. Forced into adulthood in ways we try so hard to protect them from.

I could tell you that people came for two days to share condolences and food and to say a prayer for the dead in the evenings. That my brother-in-law talked openly and often: a change from his "close to the vest" ways and there was great relief that he felt protected and safe enough with us that he could open up.

I could tell you that most of us were running on 4 hours sleep a night and that giddy-ness would creep in and the cousins would gather in the dining room to recap the day, tell stories, and laugh, forging closer bonds with each other and feeling hope for healing, for life.

I can tell you that there was a red haired boy with a mischeavious glint in his eye and a heart of gold who will be remembered always. Rest in peace.

"Oh very young, what will you leave us this time?
You are only dancing on this earth for a short while."
-cat stevens-

Back Soon

To Do List

There are some pretty interesting events in and around Reno that happen in September and October. It is my hope to attend some of them NEXT year since this year I am way too preoccupied with my house and unpacking and organizing and all that. I thought you might like to hear about a few things lest you still think Carson City is the gateway to Siberia...

Click Here to see a cool high speed video of the Reno Balloon Races. Happens yearly around the second week in September.

Complimenting the Reno Balloon race weekend is the Virginia City Camel Races held that same weekend. I find this odd and hilarious and it will be a must see event on the calendar next year.

Even better on a weekend in early October Virginia City holds the World Championship Outhouse races. Seriously, how could you not want to miss a derby like that???


I'll leave you with this:
Click Here to watch the trailer to the movie "Players" just released on DVD that was shot in Carson City! Who knew? There may have to be a movie night at my house for this one.

Oh, and this that I just noticed out my kitchen window. I have one of those beautiful trees on the side of the house that is putting on a show.

YUP!

It is strangely hazy around the mountain peaks today but that is indeed SNOW. Tuesday the mountains got snow, we got rain and a low ceiling of dark clouds. Ummm...it's only October right?

Everybody Do The Candy Dance

The first official weekend of fall is known for two things in Northern Nevada. I partook of one while everyone and their Harley headed to Reno for Street Vibrations, which is the other. I've yet to participate in Street Vibrations since I don't yet own a motorcycle though I have plans at some point to become a motorcycle ridin' gal. I did take my Motorcycle Safety course and passed so that's half of it there.

Many a motorcycle can be seen making their way to Genoa at the base of the Sierra's for the annual two day Candy Dance and Arts Fair. The motorcyclists are, no doubt, headed here.



The Genoa Thirst Parlor - established in 1863. It is a favorite spot for cyclists to stop for a refreshment. I often wonder if the cyclists know that they are headed into a beehive of a street faire going on all around the bar.

The Genoa Candy Dance was started in 1919 as a dance and supper to raise money for streetlights in the tiny town. Candy was passed out at the dance as a way to entice more participation. With the success of the event it continued on paying for a years worth of electricity each successive year. It has evolved into a two day street fair featuring arts and crafts, food, a dance and supper, along with the sale of some of the best sugary concoctions including Pecan Turtles, Chocolate Haystacks, Fudge, Divinity, Almond Bark....these are just a few of the favorites. This year I purchased the fudge and divinity. The divinity was the most delicious I have tasted since christmas at my Grandmother's many, many years ago. Excellent fudge, too. There is also a woman who makes English Toffee to swoon over. I had some of that too.


The purchasing of candy happens here. At the Town Hall building.

After a morning of sauntering around looking at peoples wares and sneaking bites of english toffee, my sister and I picked up a Navajo Taco and sat for a bit of lunch. A Navajo Taco is new to me but it was simple and delicious. Fry bread topped with chili beans, lettuce, tomato, cheese, onions. The bread was awesome and it was quite filling.



We sat in the shade of this beautiful tree and had lunch.

With the mountains to gaze at. Very beautiful and serene.

A nice way to spend an official fall afternoon. And sugary treats to take home!

Fall Upon Us

What have I been doing? Where have I been? Good question...where should I start. I am recovering from the effects of a rather unpleasant sinus infection that required antibiotics and made working in a face mask that much more pleasant. Though the antibiotics have done their job I am still feeling sluggish and not 100% and come home in the evenings and pretty much climb in bed by 9 PM which means the TiVo is running overtime while all the new and returning shows I am trying to watch go by the wayside in favor or more sleep. Add on, the not necessarily stressful but stressful just the same, starting work in a new office and getting acquainted and organized and now juggling two offices part-time and the fact that the office space in the new house looks like a tornado hit it while I attempt to wrestle it into some sort of less chaotic order meanwhile, obcessing over the boxes of just junk that needs to be shredded that are waiting for attention in the garage. HMM, that about covers the minutae of it all.

There were family visits in the last few weeks, a day at the Genoa Candy Dance which I will explain along with pictures of Genoa but I wouldn't want to present this all to you until I've got my research and history correct cuz that would just be wrong. Still candy has been known to make me dance so it's a good visual there I think. Swaying to the music of a well made piece of fudge...it could happen.

All that plus beautiful fall foliage, we get some amazing color here, the first rain of the season, a dusting of snow on the Heavenly Valley peaks today, temperatures dropping, heaters revving up and the weekend figuring out how to shut down and drain the swamp cooler.

I'll be back with photos.

Found

My backyard has just acknowledged the official start of autumn coming up this weekend. My trees are so smart!

Vast Variety of Virgos

Now that the Virgo birthdays in my family have come to an end we can all catch our breath and plan for the normal spacings of birthdays. August/September in my family is a whirlwind of Virgos, more Virgos per square inch than any other group.


This is Virgo MMniece with her two kiddles, the littlest of which is also a Virgo.

These gorgeous identical twins are the Virgo daughters of MMnephew. They just turned 3!

Here's Virgo MMnephew with one of his Virgo daughters

Here's Virgo MMsister with the littlest Virgo. The littlest Virgo just turned 1!

Here's Virgo MMbrother-in-law with the littlest Virgo.



Now the great part of all these virgos is the sheer number of MMfamilial gatherings, this year topped off by the suprise party for MMbrother-in-law, who suspected nothing, though I believe he was seriously contemplating divorce by the time MMsister got him to the party. MMfamily, not really well schooled in the fine art of lying, had a wild time keeping the stories straight and piling lies and excuses one on top of the other. MMherself had to figure out how to sneak down to the Bay Area without MMbro-in-law knowing which wasn't easy considering they live 4 blocks from me. Whee, I can safely say MM and family are full of cake and kids and parties and everyone can settle down for a bit.

September 11th

Cruisin'

Last Wednesday I worked my last day at the South Lake Tahoe office I have been temping in since July. (Did I ever think to take my camera....umm...no)

Some things I will miss:

Watching the sun creep up over the mountains in Carson City as I drive along the ridge of my neighborhood out to the highway.
The “bear crossing” signs along the top of Spooner Summit...these make me smile for no reason
The glimpse of Spooner Lake as I head down the Summit into Tahoe. Awesomely serene.
The first breathtaking view of Lake Tahoe as you round the corner of Highway 50. Big and Blue.
Cave Rock...it’s the coolest thing. You drive through it.
The sweet, clean morning air filtering through evergreens as I drive through Zephyr Cove.
The glimpse of mountain cabins and houses along the way into South Lake.
The open meadow that leads the eye to the view of the high rise casinos that are South Lake Tahoe...looks like a miniature city plopped down in the mountains.
The sign for Heavenly Valley ski resort that just says “Heavenly” which is a fairly accurate description.
The meandering ease of Pioneer Trail, which is a welcome backroad, rather than the drive through all of South Lake.
A wonderful ranch just before Al Tahoe Blvd, where I turn, where there is a large white barn and a huge meadow where you will see white horses grazing. The first time I noticed this, in the early morning hours, struck me as a dream or the setting for a fairy tale.
A one hour commute with maybe 5 stop lights and time for a full CD to play.
This view from my work space:



I won’t miss getting up at the crack of dawn to travel there. I won’t miss the increasing congestion of traffic as the summer wore on. I most certainly won’t miss all three huge road construction projects that gave off a badly designed video game vibe. I won’t miss the sticker shock at the pump.

Not that I won’t travel to South Lake many times more...it’s just that the likelyhood of doing it at 6:30 in the morning is pretty slim. For being such a cranky pants morning person I am suprised at how much I looked forward to this early morning ride. Beautiful. It’s why I live here.

I was rewarded with an easy office to work in and an office staff that was helpful, appreciative, and nice. They gave me this as a parting gift. Sweet, huh?

By Summer's End?

MMspouse asked me a few days ago "So, when does the snow melt completely?"
Um....maybe September???


Highway 89, August 25, 2006...Still a bit of snow up there.

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.