Input, please

I've heard several people talk about trips to C.ostCo. I've never nearby one. We've always had the other club place nearby.

So, to all you expert shoppers, is the $50 membership going to be worth it for our small family of 2?

We don't have a lot of fridge or freezer space (we had a huge stand alone freezer in Ohio), but we have a good size fridge and freezer. Should we hold off a while before getting a membership? Would getting one now save us money?

What do YOU think?

P.S. Gotta love this...

P.P.S. When did this start? I went to one game while at Tech - one when we used to suck. It was nothing like this. I get goose bumps every time I watch this. How long `til football season? Now I want to go to a game!

Still more

NoVA Observation

#7 - Evidently, no shoes and no shirt are a problem `round here.

Everywhere I go there are BIG, BOLD signs proclaiming "No shoes, no shirt, no service." They are not old signs with peeling paint or letters. They're new signs and usually prominently displayed. In Ohio, it's a rule but I can't remember seeing a sign for it in the last few years. It's not on the doors of the Target or the grocery stores we used frequently.

Check out observations #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, and #6.

Yet another

NoVA Observation

#6 - When people say "soda", they actually are talking about "pop".

This isn't really shocking to me, but I had forgotten about this little tidbit since my time at Tech. Head Coach calls everything "soda" (in a great Boston accent) and it makes me giggle every time. This change in lingo doesn't usually cause a giggle fit these days, but it did cause me to spend several minutes at the grocery store last night searching the store directory for the pop aisle. By the time I got to the S's it occured to me that I wanted the soda aisle, not the pop aisle.

Duh.

Check out observations #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5.

One more

NoVa Observations

#5 - My days of ordering unsweetened ice tea at restaurants are over.

First, most of the fast food joints don't have unsweetened tea. They all say "Sweet" on them. What!?

I love iced tea, however I do not like sweetened iced tea. We grew up drinking unsweet tea and water. We seldom had pop in the house and we never had Kool-Aid. Therefore, I don't care for Kool-Aid (but pop is a whole other issue). Even now, when I am in a restaurant (both times) and I order unsweetened ice tea the waitresses look at me like I'm crazy and generally have to go see if they have the stuff. Oy vey.

Check out observations #1, #2, #3, and #4.

Hooray!

I made a new friend!

Carry on!

Porch Party

Ollie had a little porch party Saturday evening. LMK told me about a huge black and white persian he'd seen around our house one morning last week. We've counted about 6 different cats that walk through our yard throughout the day, but I hadn't seen this persian. Seeing as I LOVEpersians, LMK was excited to tell me about this new one that looked like Ollie with Socks' colors.


Well Saturday evening we were watching a movie and I looked out the sliding glass door to see none other than the black and white persian sitting at our window. Ollie was sleeping next to me so I gently put him down on the floor and nudged him toward the window. First, I got the typical crabby face...but then he spotted his new friend. Pretty soon, all we could see was Ollie cat butt.


I couldn't use my flash, so the pictures are blurry, but you get the idea. That is one pretty cat!

Ew ew EW!

The Good

LMK and I went to Large City on Saturday to celebrate his first week of work with dinner at Olive Garden.

Ok. Okay, I'll be honest. We were celebrating, but I wanted to go to Olive Garden, not him. He's a good sport though. The OG in Large City must be new. It's totally different than any I've ever been in before and let me tell you, I've hit a LOT.

It didn't have the rolling chairs with the arms that I hate. It had high vaulted ceilings and a fire place! It was gorgeous! And the food? Superb!

The Great

Then we came home and let the boys out into the sun porch. They had a ball - once the big scaredy cats actually went outside. I can't wait for spring/summer so we can sit out there and enjoy the evening. I'm already planning flowers in my head. ME! Flowers!


The Ew!

We've been having some drainage problems, but since the maintenence men have been here things have been pretty uneventful. After we had gotten everyone inside off the porch, I decided I needed to piddle. So off I went to the downstairs bathroom. As I walked in, I noticed something in the toilet. My first thought was, "great, what did the cats knock into the toilet." Then the "object" registered. It was a rat. A rat!

Ewewewewewewewewew

LMK swears it was dead - at least, I think that's what he was saying as I ran screaming up the stairs with Ollie leading the way.

I pride myself on not being a girly girl. I don't like snakes, but I can handle seeing them. Mice don't bother me either - Hokie loves to catch mice. Spiders? I don't like to crunch them but I'm pretty big and bad when I have a vacuum in my hands.

Rats however, nah uh. No way, no how.

Note

Note to self: If you don't want to run into LMK's students in town, DO NOT go into town on a Friday night. Good gravy!

It's quite weird hearing kids calling him sir. I love it. Mwahahahaha.

Also, I might have forgot to mention yesterday that I have my FIRST Virginia job interview on Thursday. I know I've said this a lot lately, but - "Fingers crossed!"

One last thing, I finally found one of my favorite episodes of Friends on YouTube. Unfortunately the cut the end right in the middle of the best part.

I always end up singing, "Mornings hereeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" for days after I see it.

I survived!

So the basketball games weren't that bad. Of course, I remember now why I don't care for basketball.

#1 - There's nothing to cheer about. Ideally, one team scores then bam, the other team scores. In sports like soccer, scoring doesn't happen all that often.




Well, except for that one game last season, remember that one, LMK?

#2 - Squeaky shoes. Oh, how I hate squeaky shoes. And please, tell me why some players insist on licking their hands and wiping off the bottom of their shoes. EWW! I don't care if you're able to stick to the ceiling after you've done that - it's gross!

We...well, I also met several of LMK's colleagues/big wig's at the school. Everyone was incredibly nice and friendly. It really does feel like a huge extended family. Personally, I really like a working environment like that. Yes, families have squabbles from time to time, but for the most part, everyone pulls together and takes care of one another. That's how I was raised and I do well in that type of environment. It was definitely NOT the type of working environment LMK and Head Coach had/have at The College. I think even LMK would agree while we miss the girls and Head Coach, we do not miss the working environment.

This afternoon I'm running my application to the town schools. I'm hoping to finish the year out at least subbing (long term subbing would be even better) and then get something permanent for next year. Whether it be here a in Larger City. I'm almost leaning toward Larger City with it's half hour commute because they're getting a new elementary school and I'd LOVE to work in a new school.

We'll see!

P.S. Did everyone see that David Beckham has signed with the L.A. Galaxy, a MLS team? Hopefully this will jumpstart soccer in the U.S. Common........Women's MLS!

Hiding

Well, I've avoided it for two weeks. Today my time hiding from LMK's new colleagues and students is over. Tonight there are basketball games and since going to these things is part of LMK's job, I'm tagging along too. Oh boy.

Honestly, I'm not totally dreading it. Everyone that we've met has been really nice and friendly. Is it wrong that part of me is just waiting for our new-ness to wear off and for them to get not nice and friendly? I mean, seriously, this job and working environment HAS to be too good to be true. Great things like this just don't happen to us. Our lives for the past few years have done but teach me that.

Oh well, I'm going to embrace this new opportunity as a positive one for as long as I can. Otherwise, I'm just a Negative Nellie and who wants to be known as that?

Wish me luck!

Yum

I really should not watch this while I'm hungry. It doesn't help that they replay all the episodes on Wednesday's before the new episode.

Lots of the things that they make I know I wouldn't like, but some of them sound so good. I've even gone and downloaded some of the recipes.

I'm thinking since money is tight for a while that instead of planning all these elaborate meals, I will try one new recipe a week. I think that's fair. It lets me feel creative while not breaking the budget.

Suggestions for next week's new recipe?

Previous tenant

The woman that LMK replaced also lived in this house before we did.

So far, I'm not impressed. I won't even consider her teaching "style" (if you can call passing out worksheets and not actually teaching a style).

First, she told the administration that she had just filled the oil heat tank at the cost of $300. When we arrived it was in the 40s so we kept turning up the heat. Finally, when we were all shivering we called maintenence. The head maintenence man (HMM) came out and discovered we had no heat. As in, there was no oil in our tank.

Greeeeeeeeeeeat.

HMM called the oil company that the school uses (all the building's heating systems are oil based) and they informed him that it was against policy to bring us oil after closing time (5 pm). HMM then called the president of the school.

Bet me we had heat within 45 minutes. I love the president of the school - he seems so nice.

Also, since we've moved in we've had issues with the utility sink in the basement. When I do laundry it drains really slowly (filling all the way up sometimes). Same when we use the dishwasher, flush the downstairs toilet, and new today - shower. LMK put in a work order and the maintenence men showed up today. According to them they snaked 100 feet of.....stuff out of our lines into the main sewer line. All I can say, is ew. Not only that...the basement smells.

Awful.

LMK doesn't know it yet, but we're going out to dinner. I can't eat in this house if it smells like...well...you know. Plus, it will give the place a chance to air out (once I open a window, which I plan to do). Also, must buy Febreeze and 10 gallons of Chlorox.

Another one!

NoVA Observation

#4 - When that light turns green, you better move your ass through the light - NOW!

Never in my life have I heard so much honking! If you aren't moving through the light, you better believe someone is going to bring it to your attention. RIGHT NOW!

That being said, I've never seen so many STUPID drivers especially ones talking on their cell phones while driving. I now remember LMK and I saying NoVA drivers were insance while we were at Tech. Half of the people who get honked at are yammering on their cell phones and distracted from driving. Of course, it makes me very anxious at stop lights because I want to jam my foot on the gas as soon as the light turns green. So far, no one has honked at me, but it's only a matter of time. At that time it will take everything I've got to flip them the bird.

Sorry Mom, it's an instinct.

Check out observations #1, #2, and #3.

National De-Lurking Week

Woohoo! It's National De-Lurking Week again. So if you're out there, lemme know - I'd love to come read you if I don't already.

Thanks to Cyli for letting me know!

NoVA Observation

#3 - People take their dogs everywhere.

Don't get me wrong, people did this in Ohio. However, I have now seen several dogs tied to benches or poles outside public buildings waiting for their masters. Seriously, couldn't Fluffy stay home while you get those few things you need from Big Lots? Wouldn't Fluffy be happier at home, or even in the car?

I always feel sorry for the dogs waiting pathetically for their masters. They always look so sad.

Check out observations #1 and #2.

NoVA Obs

#2 - Ladies and gentlemen, I've found Marlboro Country.

Maybe the new "Smoke Free Ohio" law spoiled me before we left, but smoker's are everywhere down here!

They're smoking in their car in the parking lot, they're smoking as they walk up to stores, they're plotting ways to sneak smoke breaks after they make my lunch, they're smoking outside the store before they go in, and they're lighting up before they even fully exit a building. I'm shocked that all of Northern Virginia isn't covered by the haze of cigarette smoke.

Haven't you heard, people? Smoking is no longer cool. Please stop. My lungs thank you.

See observation #1.

NoVA Observations

#1 - Fellow Hokie sightings are no longer few and far between. Hokies are everywhere!

For the first few days after we arrived, I would excitedly grab Lawn Mower King's arm and exclaim, "Look! A Hokie!" Just as I had done while we lived in Northeast Ohio. Then he would patiently remind me that we are in Virginia now and Hokies are everywhere.

Hmm... good point.

Moving Story v. 1

Where to begin? I don't have very many interesting moving stories, so I suppose I will start with the one I think is best.

Socks is our baby. We got him the summer after we moved to Ohio. He was a barn cat rescue and had always lived at the farm. Hokie and Ollie have moved several times and are somewhat used to it. They don't like it, but they adjust quickly.

So we packed the cats up in their carriers, put them in the car, and took off for Virginia. They were very good on the 6 hour trip down. Socks mewed pitifully several times, but he seemed to settle down and go to sleep. We arrived at our new home uneventfully (thank goodness).

Before we unpacked we brought the boys into the downstairs bathroom and closed the door. The door doesn't latch from the outside so we didn't let them out of the carriers quite yet. For the next two and a half hours we unpacked the truck. Finally, we had enough and decided to stop for the night. Lawn Mower King got a little box and some food and water set up and we opened the doors to the carriers. Hokie shot out to investigate - slinking around corners and generally being nosey (he's just like me). Ollie took a few minutes to actually get out of the carrier, but soon he was off investigating too.

Socks wasn't coming out of his carrier. No way. No how. Everyone can kiss his hairy butt.


Finally at 11 o'clock at night, I forced him out of the carrier and he took off to find somewhere new to hide.

In the morning we had a few more things to unpack so I went into the bathroom with the boys and shut the door. They were still pretty skittish so I opened the cupboard doors for them to explore. Socks spent the rest of the day under the sink in the bathroom. He was not amused by this moving stuff.

Don't worry though. He's adjusting quite well. He's found out that there are squirrels that will laugh at him here as well as in Ohio. And did we mention there are D-O-Gs next door? We must keep an eye on them.

Need I say more

O-hi-where?
Originally uploaded by h0kieerin.

Well? Do I?

A view from the school.

Cabin Fever

Oh thank you, Lord.

I thought I was going to go off the deep end.

Modem mailed late, but arrived today! I'm back.

We're moved in and virtually unpacked. The cats are adjusting, even poor Socks, who was severely traumatized by the move.

I'm off to catch up with all of you. You've been busy!

Stories to come! I'm missed you all.

P.S. Hi Mom!