I install doors

This was the weekend of mini projects around here...

• I replaced all the faceplates in the living room - sadly all the outlets are really "beige' not white so all those need to be replaced too.  I'm hoping for a trip to Cheeseburger in Paradise I can get Chris to do it.
• I made about 50 greeting cards I now have a nice stash again.
• I rearranged my bedroom - it's like a whole new world in there now.
• I organized my shelf (this was actually #26 on the 52 things in 2010 list just a little late).  I got all the photos on the shelf and the scrapbook pages sorted and put away feels so good for everything to have a home. 
• I put in a tack strip for the main bathroom - this was my first time using the circular saw on metal all alone.  I didn't even poke out my eye with metal shavings.  It's so empowering perhaps I'll install metal backsplashes in the kitchen now with this new found power. 
• And then I installed a door.  Yes you read that right I installed a door. (That's not a typo Jono did not do it).  Jono's room needed a new door, so we went to lowes and go it.  And he got frustrated after cutting it to size to match my weird old house - so instead I did it.  With the assistance of my trusty assistant Lita.  I even taught Lita how to use a drill - I'm so Bob Villa I tell you. Then I put on a door knob too (that was the easiest part). But thank you Jono for doing all the heavy lifting of the new door and the old door.

This is where Jono says "STOP taking pictures and hold open the screen Kate."

And my newly installed door.  It really only has one handle however my iPhone App has a mind of it's own and I have not mastered it yet.

I already know that more projects are coming this week it's in the air here.  Maybe I will install counters in the kitchen next???

#46 Tire Swinging

While in San Fran today I also got to cross another item off of my list - #46 Ride a Tire Swing.  Earlier in the day I was unsuccessful in writing my name in the cement of some random persons garage floor which was newly painted but then as luck would have it we stumbled upon a park near the Metro which had a tire swing.  I had to wait patiently among the kids to get my turn but alas another thing crossed off. And yes that's right folks I am in fact wearing black shoes and white socks just like Michael Jackson because that's how I roll. 

One Last Ferris Wheel in 2010 (#17)

I went to ride one last ferris wheel for 2010 the other day which is #17 on my list.  Seems Aunt Thea is not so crazy about the ferris wheels, of course it was windy and cold and I rocked the car a little bit.  But it was fun to ride a ferris wheel in another part of the country.

Someplace New - The Saffron Cafe

We went out the other night to try someplace new in Indy, which is also on my list at #8 (which for the record we probably already did like 4 times this year).  We we ended up at Saffron Cafe which is downtown right near Mass Ave and Penn - actually like 2 block from my old apartment at the Ambassador.  The Saffron Cafe is a Moroccan place and we really enjoyed Moroccan food the last few times we had it, and can you really go wrong with a country's cuisine when they also have Casablanca?  Seriously no.

Anyhow we started out with an appetizer called the Bastilla which while it sounds like a dessert because of the almonds and honey it is not a dessert there's this meat inside and the filo dough it's made with is awesome.  It's very delectable I recommend it to anyone better than falafel although I'm sure they make excellent falafel at Saffron Cafe.  Jono ordered the cumin chicken tajine and I ordered the lamb tajine both which are served with bread.  Jono's had a lovely spicey flavor to it however it was as delightful as mine partially because the chicken isn't boneless.  My lamb tajine while it looks rather "ick" as it's a stewed lamb with peas and chickpea was lovely - my only regret is I didn't have room to eat it all.    Anyhow our experience at the Saffron Cafe was most excellent and we have to give it up to the waiter phil and the hostess and even the chef who poured the drinks, next time perhaps we'll get to go when there are belly dancers.  Oh and one more thing make reservations as the place is very small and cozy which adds to the atmosphere. Oh and before I forget some photos...

I love this wall it reminds me of the three wisemen traveling to see baby jesus.

This is the Bastilla - it's nuts on top then dough then filling then more dough then filling etc etc. excellent!

Oh and I had hot tea since it was like 15 degrees outside - isn't this tea set devine?

This is the Lamb Tajine - the bowls are also fabulous don't you think.

And jono with his cumin chicken tajine

And another picture from outside - oh DO NOT park in that lot it's for the apartments nearby.

Oh and these lights are fabulous my iPhone photos make them look rather bland but they are very colorful and fun.

Swimming at the Beach in November

We went to Wilmington, North Carolina before thanksgiving for Uncle Dick's funeral and memorial services. Aunt Mearlene's friends put us up in their lovely vacation home which was truly wonderful.  Anyhow we had some free time and we went to the beach twice.  Despite it being November and  not having beach towels or a swim suit I went swimming anyhow - surprisingly I think the water was colder in the UP in July.  I found the ocean was rather refreshing and the salt seems less harsh when the water is colder.  I was glad Jono was there to join me so I wasn't the only one going for a dip. And then Cody, Jessie and Bruce the next day - they actually planned to go swimming despite the cold which I love - I knew I loved these people for a reason.  It was also good to spend more time with Aunt Thea & Uncle Paul, as well as JJ and Jono especially in a time of loss - oh and as a double bonus it also qualifies for more of #38 on my list. 

Wilmington is rather dead this time of year and just as beautiful probably more so because you don't have to fight with crowds of people or swelter in the heat. So if you are looking for a good spot to vacation you might check it out.

#11 - 24 Hours of Movies

I actually started "#11 Spend 24 Hours Watching Movies" in November but I was like 4 hours of finishing it when I needed to leave for DC.  Anyhow my original plan had been to spend 24 hours in a row watching movies - this has been nearly impossible for me since Blockbuster is closed here and Red Box just doesn't carry that many things I want to see.  And quite honestly I'm not sure my attention span can last 24 hours without getting bored unless I just LOVE the movies.  So I modified the plan by going to see movies in person and taking breaks for sleeping and meals etc. as well as doing things like laundry and knitting while watching.  Anyhow I finished the 24_ hours sometime between now and when I started this item in November so I'm crossing off #11.  Here are some of the movies I watched in case you too want to spend 24+ hours watching movies -

Troy - Who doesn't love movies about ancient times with Eric Bana (adorable), Orlando Bloom, and Brad Pitt - my only complaint is I would like to see how they built that horse, and more of the city of Troy.  

Bourne Ultimatum - This was on TBS and I hadn't seen it since it came out.  Aside from the dizzy-ing action sequences and the lame 'flashbacks' this one kept me awake until 2 am.

Burlesque - Cher + Christina  = Awesome - well not really but I had such high hopes. This was like BAD Moulin Rouge.  The script was horrible and so was the acting but I do love the singing Christina still has it.  If you are going to see this wait for the DVD or take someone who will crack jokes the whole time -(thanks Chris)

Eat. Love. Pray - Again I had high hopes for this one.  I was given the book for my birthday and I actually read it - the book seemed to have this big middle section that annoyed me but was very well written and it was relate-able.  However the movie seemed to be so disjointed I'm not sure people who hadn't read the book could have really followed it unless they pay super attention.  

Glitter - What a fabulously bad movie this is.  I had forgotten the bad-awesomeness of this movie.  Not only is Mariah Carey playing a african-american women with blonde hair, but she wears the awesome outfits, has an abusive boyfriend, but it has sweet scenes like -hearing  her song on the radio jumping out of the cab and runs to a pay phone to call her BFFs all the while blaring the song for the whole city.

Heat - Another good old one - did you know like 100 good actors were in this movie?  You should for sure see it if you haven't already.

Morning Glory - This was a cute light-hearted movie - however I could have done without the ending - I just didn't believe it for a minute and how it played out was just goofy.  But Rachel McAdams it too cute and Diane Keaton is also great in this one.

Pearl Harbor - Super Long - but super good - I love period movies and war movie and love stories so this is a win win.  And it's one of those movies you can see several times and not really be over it.

Sex in the City 2 - This pretty much picked up where the last one left off.  It was enjoyable, funny.  The clothes were way over the top and I do NOT think for a second even these luxurious ladies would have changed this much in like 3 days.

Saving Private Ryan - More greatness - again with my love of war + love + periods - while Pearl Harbor is a traditional love story this is a different type of love story and where Pearl Harbor was long this was just as long but didn't seem to drag like PH.  Oh and I think Tom Hanks is the bees knees.

The Joneses - I thought this movie was about a family of hit men.  HAH!  I was wrong however it had some humor and was a different story.  However it wasn't bad or good really just kind of a space filler movie, and it got points for the title.

Hillhaven

Recently I spent some time in DC. My grandma has been ill and we had to move her from the hospital to a skilled nursing facility - she has Parkinson's plus.  I spent a lot of time with her at the hospital where I told her all about some of my recent adventures and I encouraged her to be positive and if she wanted to moan to use a new vowel not just 'oh oh oh' because it would be much more fun to say 'y y y' or 'e e e' - I'm sure you all agree. Anyhow I hope that at the very least I made her laugh and she enjoyed having me there.   I also got to visit Applebees with grandpa and hear some new stories which is always a treat.   And of course I got to see Thea and Paul, Rachel, Sara, Bruce, Andrew, Stephen, Kate and Rob - which is also an added bonus.

While I was there we did take a few photographs and I got to do more #14 and #38 on the big list - so wehoo!

This is me trying on my crazy eye patches.

grandma sleeping

Everyone assembling her new tv in the hallway at hillhaven with a pair of scissors instead of a screw driver (notice how I help by snapping photos?)

Yes I know exciting photographs.  Hopefully you can feel a little better soon grandma - hugs.