So today was another great day on the bus - I managed to catch the early 7:36 bus to get to work (I was wanting to get in ahead of time to prepare for the intern I thought was starting today - sigh - but they aren't now :( ...anyways...the early bus is always so full. It gets downtown around 8 so it makes since - most places start work around that time.
What was so interesting about today was that I was sitting next to two obviously new bus riders and I couldn't help but overhear them talking about their new experience. So I piped up when I could to answer their questions. It was nice to be able to do that - after only riding the bus for going on 3 weeks now. I wish I had someone to answer my questions - there is so much that the IndyGo website and the route brochures don't tell you.
1. The Route Map Only Shows You A Few Stops
There are tons of stops along any one route - and you can find the one that is just right for you by a little trial and error. Ride the bus early the first day or so and keep an eye out the window to see all the stops. Or ride the bus its whole route to get a sense of where all the stops are before you try to guess which one is closest to where you work.
2. Not All Bus Drivers Are Nice/Not All Bus Drivers Are Mean
After a few rides you will get an idea of which driver drives which route and when. You get to know their quirks and their pet peeves - one driver will wait for you if he sees you coming towards the stop - another will leave you in the dust if you aren't on time. Don't let it discourage you too much if you miss a bus - another one will be on its way shortly.
What would be cool is if IndyGo did some sort of marketing campaign similar to what www.indy.org did for Indianapolis - the "Doing Indy" podcasts.
The podcasts could be full of helpful tips and maybe have one for each route. Oh and they could interview the drivers for that route - a kind of get to know your driver type thing...Hmmm...maybe I should put a tip in!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Bloom Anticipation
I can hardly wait for Garden Blogger's Bloom Day to get here! I have so much that has bloomed in my yard - my Columbine finally decided to show me what color its flowers are after not blooming at all last year - my lilacs are in full throttle and my Allium is about to burst - but I am holding back the photos till the 15th!
With the soaking rain we have had all week and weekend - I haven't had much of a chance to get out in the yard. I did a little weeding Saturday with my handy new weeding tool a neighbor gave me. I usually just use my kneepads and a garden knife and go around and pull them up - but one of my neighbors didn't like seeing me on my hands and knees all the time so he gave me one of the weeding tools he doesn't use (he just uses chemicals now). I was kinda freaked out at first - we haven't gotten to really know our neighbors yet even after being here a year - but it was a nice gesture. All our neighbors are doing that lately - they don't like seeing us doing everything the hard way and are always offering us their latest gadgets to help out. Matt said that one guy brought over an electric edger after watching him edge the yard with just a weedeater.
I do enjoy my new little tool though it does save my back and my energy - I can do twice as much as I could with just the garden knife. I cannot find a picture of one like it online so I will have to snap a picture of it one day.
This summer I want to throw a "Get To Know Your Neighbors" BBQ - didn't want to do it last year because our backyard was such a mess - but hopefully we will get that in gear here soon.
Matt & Laura's Evil Plan to Get Us to Have Babies
So this weekend I was able to babysit for my friend's little one! He is 5 month's old and such a cutie! Mostly we slept just like you see in the pic - Lola cuddled up on one side of me and Landen sprawled out on the other. He went through two 6-ounce bottles and a thing of squash or sweet potatoes (something orange) - lol! He was such a good baby - I am pretty sure this whole babysitting thing is just another part of Matt & Laura's plan to get Matt and I to have little ones soon! :) (yes, his name is Matt and my husband's name is Matt- it is confusing sometimes - there is a lot of "my matt" and "your matt's in our conversations. LOL!)
Saturday, May 10, 2008
My IndyGo Experience: Week 2 In Review
Well, I finished up Week 2 of my IndyGo bus experience - shelling out only $15 a week for ten $1.50 rides. Not too bad! I do end up having to pay a little in gas as well - I drive 5 miles to the stop and back.
This past week was rainy - so it was rather unpleasant to ride the bus. Walking in the rain makes my pant legs wet and waiting at the bus stop for 20 minutes and then sitting with your umbrella up against your leg on the crowded bus for another 20 minutes definitely leaves one feeling damp.
And with the rain came a crowd of people. Two days in a row the bus was so full on the way home that people were standing and the driver had to stop letting people on. It was crazy! And I couldn't getting any reading in while standing up. :(
I also finished a book - Run by Ann Patchett - it was a very good book!
I was even able to start another book on Friday - Love in the Time of Cholera. So far I am finding a hard time getting into the book - I hate it when it is like that - when I am not captured from the very beginning.
So far, that is my favorite thing about riding the bus - I get to read for 30 minutes instead of stare at the rush hour traffic ahead of me.
And apparently riding the bus is good for weight-loss (not that I was trying to lose any) - but in two weeks I have lost almost 10 pounds! I walk two blocks from the stop to work and 4 to the stop after work - those 8 blocks a day must add up!
Oh, and exciting tidbit of the week's bus riding experience - someone tried to give me his phone number. Haha!
This past week was rainy - so it was rather unpleasant to ride the bus. Walking in the rain makes my pant legs wet and waiting at the bus stop for 20 minutes and then sitting with your umbrella up against your leg on the crowded bus for another 20 minutes definitely leaves one feeling damp.
And with the rain came a crowd of people. Two days in a row the bus was so full on the way home that people were standing and the driver had to stop letting people on. It was crazy! And I couldn't getting any reading in while standing up. :(
I also finished a book - Run by Ann Patchett - it was a very good book!
I was even able to start another book on Friday - Love in the Time of Cholera. So far I am finding a hard time getting into the book - I hate it when it is like that - when I am not captured from the very beginning.
So far, that is my favorite thing about riding the bus - I get to read for 30 minutes instead of stare at the rush hour traffic ahead of me.
And apparently riding the bus is good for weight-loss (not that I was trying to lose any) - but in two weeks I have lost almost 10 pounds! I walk two blocks from the stop to work and 4 to the stop after work - those 8 blocks a day must add up!
Oh, and exciting tidbit of the week's bus riding experience - someone tried to give me his phone number. Haha!
My Marvelous Matthew
Haven't posted about my wonderful husband - it is definitely about time. :) First a little history. My husband and I went to high school together. My family and I moved when I was in the 7th grade - so I was walking the same halls as him for a good 6 years. We both had high school sweethearts or significant others that obscured our paths from crossing until our college years. Having, by chance, gotten each other's AOL or AIM chat names in high school - we started chatting one day and both realized we were single and decided to set up a date. And the rest was history. We have been inseparable ever since that first date. Got engaged a month later in the sunny, sandy dunes of Michigan and eloped in the Marion County courthouse a year later complete in our dress, suit, sandals and bouquet of flowers. :) We are getting ready to celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary here in July.
Even farther back in our history, his parents were great friends with my mother's parents - and his mother even babysat for my mother when she was little. How kooky is that?! :)
Anyways, my Matthew is the culmination of everything I ever could possibly want in a man - who knew such a man existed? I am so glad I found him! He is incredibly sweet and caring - never once belittling my feelings or off the wall ideas. He is so encouraging and supportive of my work and my hobbies - he has really helped me grow as person by helping me feel more confident about myself and what I do. That may sound silly - but I needed that boost. I am a perfectionist and always tend to over think things a lot - often to my own demise as my thoughts and doubts can easily get in the way of the action I want to take. Having him in my life to further reveal my strengths to myself has made me into who and what I am today.
He is such a light in my life, when we are together all we do is laugh and have such a great time (unless we are tired of course - grouchiness gets the best of anyone). We have our inside jokes and our own sense of humor that I am sure no one else could get - just walking down the grocery aisle is fun with him beside me.
And did I mention he is the sweetest guy ever? He made this for me for Mother's Day - or as he put it "Mother's To Be One Day - Day" - I like to think that it is "Mother of a Crazy Lot of Pets Day" :) - either way he loves the excuse to make me or buy me a present. And he is good at it - knowing the things I love and my current passions. He got the idea out of a garden book we got from the library and used field stones I picked up from nearby fields while taking our dogs on their walks.
And he takes very good care of me - I am quite spoiled. Now that he works such awful shifts at work I find myself sitting at home in such a blah mood. Not having him home to make me laugh and smile is just torture. But bills got to be paid and this new job is the stepping stone to his career goals that he has been working so hard to achieve - so I try to be positive about it.
Anyways, this post is a tribute to my husband - the love of my life - and his unbelievable amount of love and support he has given me over the years. I love you, Matthew!
P.S. He has his own blog too - Matt's Miscellany - check it out!
More Reasons Why He is the Best Ever
He loves to read as much as I do - we can spent one too many hours at the library or the local Barnes & Nobles. And he loves the sun - and traveling. We are definitely beach bodies landlocked here in Indiana.
He is always up for a good game of Scrabble - and I always win.
He values education as much as I do - here he is with his parents on his graduation day receiving his MBA in Business Management.
He also loves animals as much as I do - and makes me laugh :)! Love this pic of him getting caught off guard by having Showbiz so close to his face. :)
He is quite debonair and ruggedly handsome. Here he is looking oh so suave at our good friends' wedding.
Did I mention how he makes me laugh? Such a light hearted spirit! :) Here he is with his good friend Quentin at his wedding! Such goofs!
Friday, May 9, 2008
Lost Makes My Scalp Crawl
My exact phrase last night was. "wow, that gave me goosebumps on my head." But I think the appropriate term is that it made my scalp crawl. :)
Lost is freaking crazy. All the twists and turns and secrets for one show!
Last night (and occurring quite frequently this season) Lost has been revealing that people who were on the island can do this weird time travel thing AND where the people who die are very much present. Kinda crazy!
Still haven't figured out what that crazy smoke monster is yet.
And what the heck is strapped to the crazy army man? Is it a detonator to blow up the island??
And why do only 6 people get off the island? Huh? Tell me that! And why was the ghost of Ben's dad's nose bleeding like Desmond's was when he was almost lost in time?? If he is dead how can he still be traveling in time?
Stupid show making me ask all these questions and never giving any answers! I keep trying to swear off this show - but it keeps drawing me back in.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
A Bus First / I Still Got It!
So, today - I experienced a bus first for me. I was hit on. LOL.
For the last two days it has been rainy and the bus has been filled to the brim with all sorts of new people - not just the regulars. Not sure it is because of the rain or the gas prices - but the bus has been jam packed.
Anyway, when I got on the bus I had to stand near the front and this new guy was going and on about how he has never seen the bus this full ever in Indy. Then he asked who cut my hair - that was random. At first I could have swore he was insulting me - I mean I HAD been standing out in the rain for the last 30 minutes sharing my umbrella with two others waiting for the bus and getting quite damp in the process and as a result my hair went flat. I even asked him why and he just looked at me - didn't say it looked nice or what. So I was like huh- and kept trying to look in the bus mirrors to see if my hair really did look that bad that a casual bystander had to call it out.
Then I noticed how he got all fidgety and then switched seats to sit next me - ah ha...so I did the good old ring flash - you know, hold the umbrella so your wedding ringing is flashing - well APPARENTLY he did not take note of this and he tried to give me a crumpled piece of cardboard with his name and number wrote on it.
And of course I had to call him out in front of everyone and be all like - "Is this your number?! I am married!" He tried to backtrack and insist he was not giving me his number - but that lie fell apart and he tried another story about how he had that number ready for a girl on another bus but that he found out she was too young for him. Whatever. LOL.
What is the worst part is that this whole sad scenario was played out between about 5 people who were all sitting super close together - remember, the bus was full. LOL. So EVERYONE heard me call him out and everyone heard him try to lie - it was hilarious.
So, of course, I now feel terrible for having embarrassed him so I tried to engage him in some random conversation - talked about his job, etc. But when that bus came to our stop he was off faster than you could blink an eye. Poor guy. :) One of the men sitting across from us who had overheard the conversation piped up saying, "Hey man, you get an "A" for effort." Hehe! And a woman sitting next me leaned over and whispered, "He IS cute." LOL. A fun time was had by all - well, except for him maybe. :)
But it improved my day - things had been pretty crummy - having to stand out in the chilly rain forever and then having to stand on the bus because there was nowhere to sit and before that I had a fairly crappy day at work - so it was nice to have something different happen on the bus to talk about - AND it was flattering and quite humorous. :) So, thanks - random guy from the bus - for making me smile and blush a little!
For the last two days it has been rainy and the bus has been filled to the brim with all sorts of new people - not just the regulars. Not sure it is because of the rain or the gas prices - but the bus has been jam packed.
Anyway, when I got on the bus I had to stand near the front and this new guy was going and on about how he has never seen the bus this full ever in Indy. Then he asked who cut my hair - that was random. At first I could have swore he was insulting me - I mean I HAD been standing out in the rain for the last 30 minutes sharing my umbrella with two others waiting for the bus and getting quite damp in the process and as a result my hair went flat. I even asked him why and he just looked at me - didn't say it looked nice or what. So I was like huh- and kept trying to look in the bus mirrors to see if my hair really did look that bad that a casual bystander had to call it out.
Then I noticed how he got all fidgety and then switched seats to sit next me - ah ha...so I did the good old ring flash - you know, hold the umbrella so your wedding ringing is flashing - well APPARENTLY he did not take note of this and he tried to give me a crumpled piece of cardboard with his name and number wrote on it.
And of course I had to call him out in front of everyone and be all like - "Is this your number?! I am married!" He tried to backtrack and insist he was not giving me his number - but that lie fell apart and he tried another story about how he had that number ready for a girl on another bus but that he found out she was too young for him. Whatever. LOL.
What is the worst part is that this whole sad scenario was played out between about 5 people who were all sitting super close together - remember, the bus was full. LOL. So EVERYONE heard me call him out and everyone heard him try to lie - it was hilarious.
So, of course, I now feel terrible for having embarrassed him so I tried to engage him in some random conversation - talked about his job, etc. But when that bus came to our stop he was off faster than you could blink an eye. Poor guy. :) One of the men sitting across from us who had overheard the conversation piped up saying, "Hey man, you get an "A" for effort." Hehe! And a woman sitting next me leaned over and whispered, "He IS cute." LOL. A fun time was had by all - well, except for him maybe. :)
But it improved my day - things had been pretty crummy - having to stand out in the chilly rain forever and then having to stand on the bus because there was nowhere to sit and before that I had a fairly crappy day at work - so it was nice to have something different happen on the bus to talk about - AND it was flattering and quite humorous. :) So, thanks - random guy from the bus - for making me smile and blush a little!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
The New York Times Polling Place Photo Project
(the only pic I have to prove I voted - a picture of my sticker)
The Polling Place Photo Project is a nationwide experiment in citizen journalism that encourages voters to capture, post and share photographs of this year’s primaries, caucuses and general election. By documenting local voting experiences, participants can contribute to an archive of photographs that captures the richness and complexity of voting in America.
The Polling Place Photo Project is a program of The New York Times and AIGA, the professional association for design. William Drenttel of Design Observer initiated the project in 2006. The About page details the many participants who have contributed to this project.
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Too bad I just now heard about this - otherwise I would have brought my camera with me today when I ventured out to vote. If I had - I bet I would have had a much better time. I am pretty sure my blood pressure went through the roof at one point.
First off, we just moved and so we are in a new precinct and now have a new place to go and vote. Secondly, my husband works crazy hours now and he is the one who figures all this out for me - and he did - he did the research online and even had a google map pulled up - which I looked at this morning before I went out (too bad I didn't print the darn thing out).
So, I got lost and ended up stopped at a local church (another place to vote) to ask for directions to my location. This older woman kept asking for my precinct. I honestly don't know where it is but I know where I need to go to vote and just need to know how to get there BUT she insisted on looking up my precinct acting like I am some sort of idiot for not knowing and therefore cannot possibly know where I need to go to vote. She took my driver's license and spent the next 30 MINUTES looking up my info just to walk back to me and tell me EXACTLY WHAT I ALREADY KNEW. ARRRGGGG!
And she gave TERRIBLE directions. I still ended up getting mixed up because she failed to inform me that there are two elementary schools on the street I was traveling down and that I needed to go to the second and not the first.
And it didn't stop there - oh no. I finally make to the school and then cannot find any directional signs to tell me where to go. So I walk in to the main entrance only be to turned away and sent to the back of the building where I finally found door 5 with signs all over it (not visible from the street - thank you very much).
The actual voting process took me two seconds with no line or anything thank goodness - but it took me a good hour just to find the stupid place.
I am still a little bitter over the whole experience if you cannot tell.
It is mostly my fault though - but really it shouldn't be that hard to hand out some decent directions, to look up where someone needs to go, etc.
Back to the NY Times Polling Place Photo Project - I may go back tonight with my camera to take pics - maybe. :) For now, the picture of me wearing my sticker will have to do.
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Submit your photo by visit their website - http://pollingplaces.nytimes.com/content.cfm/home
Marvelous May Central Indiana/Indianapolis Events
Haagen Das New Flavor Free Sample
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Come in for a FREE scoop of Vanilla Honey Bee ice cream at participating Häagen-Dazs® Shops between 4-8 pm.
http://www.haagendazs.com/
Coffee Talk: A discussion group for twenty-somethings
5/30/2008 7:00 PM
Join us for Coffee Talk at Barnes & Noble in Greenwood at 7pm in the café. May's book will be The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. Pick up a copy at Barnes & Noble or borrow one from Greenwood Public Library. Come ready to discuss on Friday, May 30 at Barnes and Noble Café at 7pm. This isn’t your mother’s book club! Call 885-5036 for additional information.
Contact: Kendra Martin
Contact Number: 885-5036
Presenter: Kendra Martin
Status: Openings
Broad Ripple Spring Gallery Tour
Friday, May 9, 2008
5 - 10 pm Art galleries and specialty shops througout The Village hold open houses. Special exhibits and guest artists. Free shuttle. To view the Gallery Tour brochure, click here.
38th Broad Ripple Art Fair
Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18, 2008
10 am - 6 pm
Indianapolis Art Center and Opti-Park, 67th and Ferguson Streets
Link to Website
Greenwood Community Band Concert
Sunday, May 18 - 7PM (free)
Link to Website
Franklin Street Fest
Friday, May 23rd
Strawberries on the Square
Classic Car Cruise-In
Lion's Club Fish Fry
Concert on the Courthouse Lawn
Forest Gump @ the Artcraft Theatre
Mother’s Day Plant Sale at Garfield Park Conservatory & Sunken Gardens
Weekend of May 10 & 11, 10am - 5pm
Just in time for Mother’s Day, the Friends of the Garfield Conservatory will have a number of various tropical houseplants for sale. Stop by and pick up a gift for mom, or something for yourself! Prices of plants will vary.
Link to Website
Master Gardener Plant Sale (Garfield Park Conservatory & Sunken Gardens)
Saturday, May 17, 9am - 12pm, FREE
This is not just a sale! In addition to vegetable, annual and perennial plants for sale, the Master Gardeners will also be on hand to give advice and answer all of your gardening questions.
Link to Website
Indy Wine Trail - Race into the Wineries
May 10th, 2008 (Sat) -- May 11th, 2008 (Sun)
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Celebrate the Month of May in Indy while traveling to Mallow Run and the wineries of the Indy Wine Trail! Get in the racing spirit by enjoying Indy's best wines and receive a FREE race-inspired gift, courtesy of the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway!
Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 during the event weekend and are available at any Indy Wine Trail winery. Your ticket is good both Saturday & Sunday at all seven wineries, and includes your favorite track foods, a glass of wine, and a race-related gift at each winery! Racing and great wine - where else but INDY. Limited tickets available. Get yours now before they're sold out!
Link to Website
Mallow Run's First Pizza & Wine Night of 2008!
May 24th, 2008 (Sat)
Relax and enjoy a summer evening at the winery with gourmet pizza from Bazbeaux Pizza!
http://www.bazbeaux.com
Spread your blankets or chairs on the lawn and enjoy live music while enjoying the "Best Pizza in Indianapolis" according to Indianapolis Monthly.
Pizza & live music from 5 - 8 p.m.
Link to Website
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Come in for a FREE scoop of Vanilla Honey Bee ice cream at participating Häagen-Dazs® Shops between 4-8 pm.
http://www.haagendazs.com/
Coffee Talk: A discussion group for twenty-somethings
5/30/2008 7:00 PM
Join us for Coffee Talk at Barnes & Noble in Greenwood at 7pm in the café. May's book will be The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. Pick up a copy at Barnes & Noble or borrow one from Greenwood Public Library. Come ready to discuss on Friday, May 30 at Barnes and Noble Café at 7pm. This isn’t your mother’s book club! Call 885-5036 for additional information.
Contact: Kendra Martin
Contact Number: 885-5036
Presenter: Kendra Martin
Status: Openings
Broad Ripple Spring Gallery Tour
Friday, May 9, 2008
5 - 10 pm Art galleries and specialty shops througout The Village hold open houses. Special exhibits and guest artists. Free shuttle. To view the Gallery Tour brochure, click here.
38th Broad Ripple Art Fair
Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18, 2008
10 am - 6 pm
Indianapolis Art Center and Opti-Park, 67th and Ferguson Streets
Link to Website
Greenwood Community Band Concert
Sunday, May 18 - 7PM (free)
Link to Website
Franklin Street Fest
Friday, May 23rd
Strawberries on the Square
Classic Car Cruise-In
Lion's Club Fish Fry
Concert on the Courthouse Lawn
Forest Gump @ the Artcraft Theatre
Mother’s Day Plant Sale at Garfield Park Conservatory & Sunken Gardens
Weekend of May 10 & 11, 10am - 5pm
Just in time for Mother’s Day, the Friends of the Garfield Conservatory will have a number of various tropical houseplants for sale. Stop by and pick up a gift for mom, or something for yourself! Prices of plants will vary.
Link to Website
Master Gardener Plant Sale (Garfield Park Conservatory & Sunken Gardens)
Saturday, May 17, 9am - 12pm, FREE
This is not just a sale! In addition to vegetable, annual and perennial plants for sale, the Master Gardeners will also be on hand to give advice and answer all of your gardening questions.
Link to Website
Indy Wine Trail - Race into the Wineries
May 10th, 2008 (Sat) -- May 11th, 2008 (Sun)
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Celebrate the Month of May in Indy while traveling to Mallow Run and the wineries of the Indy Wine Trail! Get in the racing spirit by enjoying Indy's best wines and receive a FREE race-inspired gift, courtesy of the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway!
Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 during the event weekend and are available at any Indy Wine Trail winery. Your ticket is good both Saturday & Sunday at all seven wineries, and includes your favorite track foods, a glass of wine, and a race-related gift at each winery! Racing and great wine - where else but INDY. Limited tickets available. Get yours now before they're sold out!
Link to Website
Mallow Run's First Pizza & Wine Night of 2008!
May 24th, 2008 (Sat)
Relax and enjoy a summer evening at the winery with gourmet pizza from Bazbeaux Pizza!
http://www.bazbeaux.com
Spread your blankets or chairs on the lawn and enjoy live music while enjoying the "Best Pizza in Indianapolis" according to Indianapolis Monthly.
Pizza & live music from 5 - 8 p.m.
Link to Website
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Sock It To Me Saturday
So, day one of my weekend already has me wore out. It feels like it is Sunday - perhaps I tried to put too much into one day. To start off with I scheduled a dentist appointment to have a filling replaced for 8:00 a.m. this morning - that was a bad mistake. Yes it did spare one of my vacation days and did give me the rest of my day to enjoy - BUT it knocked me out. The numbing injection they gave me always makes feel a little off kilter for a good 4 hours. My head was swimming until around 12 noon - and by then my tooth starting hurting and I realized I was tired as crap from having gotten up so early and ended up having to take a 2 hour nap. So much for waking up two hours early to get a good start on the day.
After my dentist appointment I did manage to make it to about 12 garage sales - didn't find a thing - well, there was a globe for $2, a salad bowl for $3, a charger for .10 and a band saw for $25 - but wasn't convinced that we really needed any of them.
So I then visited the Center Nine Career Center Plant Sale and found only a handful of a selection of brocolli and cauliflower plants along with some petunias and things - eh.
Then headed home and fueled up on some lunch - still couldn't feel part of my cheek so I ended up biting it while eating to the point where it bled and is now still swollen. :(
Woke up the hubby (he slept in because he works the night shift tonight) and headed back out with my canned good item to check out the 4th Annual Johnson County Garden Celebration. Was able to sign up for the Johnson County Gardener Club mailing list, grab some info on local nurseries, etc AND come home with some Lamb's Ear and Sweet Rocket wild phox (which I have read about being invasive - but I plan on putting in an extremely bare area by the fence - not in my flower beds and am actually hoping they spread fast so I can fill that area up with ease...)
(My garden celebration loot - lamb's ear and wild phlox)
(A view of the crowd and this booth that made the cutest little birds from tiny painted gourds)
Too bad I missed the lecture about worm composting - I really wanted to hear that! It was at 10:30 and I just couldn't move fast enough today.
After all that fun - I was EXTREMELY grouchy and decided to defuse myself by taking nap - barely woke up in time to get ready for the Kentucky Derby Party we were invited too! Check out my awesome derby hat we found on sale at Von Maur or Nordstrom's one of those places - wasn't sure if I was going to get it but hubby surprised me and went out and got it on one of his days off! :)
(Check out my derby hat - isn't it marvelous!?)
After my dentist appointment I did manage to make it to about 12 garage sales - didn't find a thing - well, there was a globe for $2, a salad bowl for $3, a charger for .10 and a band saw for $25 - but wasn't convinced that we really needed any of them.
So I then visited the Center Nine Career Center Plant Sale and found only a handful of a selection of brocolli and cauliflower plants along with some petunias and things - eh.
Then headed home and fueled up on some lunch - still couldn't feel part of my cheek so I ended up biting it while eating to the point where it bled and is now still swollen. :(
Woke up the hubby (he slept in because he works the night shift tonight) and headed back out with my canned good item to check out the 4th Annual Johnson County Garden Celebration. Was able to sign up for the Johnson County Gardener Club mailing list, grab some info on local nurseries, etc AND come home with some Lamb's Ear and Sweet Rocket wild phox (which I have read about being invasive - but I plan on putting in an extremely bare area by the fence - not in my flower beds and am actually hoping they spread fast so I can fill that area up with ease...)
(My garden celebration loot - lamb's ear and wild phlox)
(A view of the crowd and this booth that made the cutest little birds from tiny painted gourds)
Too bad I missed the lecture about worm composting - I really wanted to hear that! It was at 10:30 and I just couldn't move fast enough today.
After all that fun - I was EXTREMELY grouchy and decided to defuse myself by taking nap - barely woke up in time to get ready for the Kentucky Derby Party we were invited too! Check out my awesome derby hat we found on sale at Von Maur or Nordstrom's one of those places - wasn't sure if I was going to get it but hubby surprised me and went out and got it on one of his days off! :)
(Check out my derby hat - isn't it marvelous!?)
Friday, May 2, 2008
Week One of My Indygo Bus Experience
So, I have officially ridden the bus to work and back for a full week now. Woohoo! I am very proud of myself! It has been something I have been trying to get into doing since sometime last year. I think I rode it once - had a slightly unpleasant experience - then the winter Indiana weather kicked in and I decided to stay in the comforts of my toasty car with its heated leather seats.
Now that springtime and pleasant weather has returned to central Indiana, I have decided to give commuting via the bus a second chance.
I want to ride the bus for several reasons. 1. I find driving in rush hour traffic to and from downtown Indianapolis to be increasingly stressful and boring. 2. I want to be more green and since I am not carpooling with anyone - I can do so by riding the bus part of the way to work. 3. The price of gas has shot through the roof it seems! I hate watching the gas needle go down each day - really disheartening.
So, off on my bus adventure I go. With my spare change and my route map in hand. :)
Today marks the end of my first official full week of riding the bus. I must say that it has become a pleasant experience. The first few days were almost more stressful than driving to work in rush hour has ever been - but I wasn't familiar with the schedule, the route, where the stops were, the drivers or the riders. Right around Wednesday it finally all clicked for me. Now I no longer ride with my eyes glued to to the front window straining to see where my stop is - now I know where the best stop to get off downtown is and I know about how long it takes to get back. I know that the 5:07 bus actually hits the stop around 5:02 and doesn't wait. I know which bus drivers are nice and which are gruff.
I now feel comfortable enough to pull my book out and read for 20 minutes or plan out my day. I was worried at first that I would find myself stranded if something ever came up - which nothing has yet. And instead of filling up my gas tank this week - I only spent $15 for bus fare. I can handle that!
Now that springtime and pleasant weather has returned to central Indiana, I have decided to give commuting via the bus a second chance.
I want to ride the bus for several reasons. 1. I find driving in rush hour traffic to and from downtown Indianapolis to be increasingly stressful and boring. 2. I want to be more green and since I am not carpooling with anyone - I can do so by riding the bus part of the way to work. 3. The price of gas has shot through the roof it seems! I hate watching the gas needle go down each day - really disheartening.
So, off on my bus adventure I go. With my spare change and my route map in hand. :)
Today marks the end of my first official full week of riding the bus. I must say that it has become a pleasant experience. The first few days were almost more stressful than driving to work in rush hour has ever been - but I wasn't familiar with the schedule, the route, where the stops were, the drivers or the riders. Right around Wednesday it finally all clicked for me. Now I no longer ride with my eyes glued to to the front window straining to see where my stop is - now I know where the best stop to get off downtown is and I know about how long it takes to get back. I know that the 5:07 bus actually hits the stop around 5:02 and doesn't wait. I know which bus drivers are nice and which are gruff.
I now feel comfortable enough to pull my book out and read for 20 minutes or plan out my day. I was worried at first that I would find myself stranded if something ever came up - which nothing has yet. And instead of filling up my gas tank this week - I only spent $15 for bus fare. I can handle that!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Showing off the Biz
My husband pointed out to me that I haven't featured out other dog as much on my blog as I have Lola. So let me introduce you to Showbiz.
My husband and I adopted Showbiz as our first pet together (I already had Pumpkin for about a year before we got together). Anyways, we went to Petco on some Saturday when the local humane society had their puppies on display for adoption and we fell in love with them. Matthew wanted a rolly polly black fuzzy pup out of the litter (they were half chow half sharpei) - I envisioned black dog hair everywhere and leaned towards an adorable attention loving smooth haired tan pup. She was such a show-off - hence her name. :)
For Showbiz too close is never close enough. For being a 40lb dog she is constantly trying to get on our lap, sneak between your legs, and be, in general, as close to your face as possible.
So trying to take her photo shoot tonight was difficult - this was the best shot. She would not sit far enough away from me to get anything better.
She is also our separation anxiety dog - having some amount of emotional baggage I assume from being a shelter dog. She is not as bad as some dogs I have heard about - but if left long enough she will tear open pillows in her crate and chew holes in her blanket.
Showbiz is the best dog hugger. You wouldn't think a dog could hug - but she does. She does this thing where if you are sitting at her level and you feel bummed and she knows it she will scoot herself right up beside or in front of you and wrap her neck around you and rest her head on your arm - a doggie hug - kinda hard to explain. :) Always makes me smile.
My husband and I adopted Showbiz as our first pet together (I already had Pumpkin for about a year before we got together). Anyways, we went to Petco on some Saturday when the local humane society had their puppies on display for adoption and we fell in love with them. Matthew wanted a rolly polly black fuzzy pup out of the litter (they were half chow half sharpei) - I envisioned black dog hair everywhere and leaned towards an adorable attention loving smooth haired tan pup. She was such a show-off - hence her name. :)
For Showbiz too close is never close enough. For being a 40lb dog she is constantly trying to get on our lap, sneak between your legs, and be, in general, as close to your face as possible.
So trying to take her photo shoot tonight was difficult - this was the best shot. She would not sit far enough away from me to get anything better.
She is also our separation anxiety dog - having some amount of emotional baggage I assume from being a shelter dog. She is not as bad as some dogs I have heard about - but if left long enough she will tear open pillows in her crate and chew holes in her blanket.
Showbiz is the best dog hugger. You wouldn't think a dog could hug - but she does. She does this thing where if you are sitting at her level and you feel bummed and she knows it she will scoot herself right up beside or in front of you and wrap her neck around you and rest her head on your arm - a doggie hug - kinda hard to explain. :) Always makes me smile.
Fending Off The Frost
So this afternoon I found myself lugging out miscellaneous pots and things to try to cover my little garden seedlings and other delicate plants in hopes to protect them from the possible frost tonight. I must also point out that by the time I remembered that there was a frost warning tonight I had already donned on the fleece pajama pants and baggy pj sweater complete with pink fuzzy socks - so any neighbor who caught a glimpse of me from over the fence got an eye full. :)
(wow, my garden bed looks really dry - I thought it was supposed to rain yesterday)
Anyways, how do you decide which plants get covered and which ones don't? I mean - I can't possibly cover ALL my plants. So I chose to cover the little pea and cucumber seedlings that sprung up the last couple of days in my garden, one of the newer plants that popped up around the flower beds, one of my new rhubarb plants (the rest are pretty much already dead) and my lettuce in various containers (I brought in the ones I could and covered the rest with a towel).
But what does a seasoned gardener do to heed a frost warning? I am new to this so knowing my luck I am doing it all wrong!
(wow, my garden bed looks really dry - I thought it was supposed to rain yesterday)
Anyways, how do you decide which plants get covered and which ones don't? I mean - I can't possibly cover ALL my plants. So I chose to cover the little pea and cucumber seedlings that sprung up the last couple of days in my garden, one of the newer plants that popped up around the flower beds, one of my new rhubarb plants (the rest are pretty much already dead) and my lettuce in various containers (I brought in the ones I could and covered the rest with a towel).
But what does a seasoned gardener do to heed a frost warning? I am new to this so knowing my luck I am doing it all wrong!
Monday, April 28, 2008
Happiness is...
Happiness is a warm chihuahua to warm your lap on a chilly day in April.
She has been following me around the house and keeping me warm wherever I sit - whether on the couch wrapped in a comforter or at the computer with a sweater on my lap. She is there - my little live heating pad. :)
Meme
What the heck is a meme?
Well, according to Wikapedia a meme:
/miːm or mɛm/) consists of any unit of cultural information, such as a practice or idea, that gets transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another. Examples include thoughts, ideas, theories, practices, habits, songs, dances and moods and terms such as race, culture, and ethnicity. Memes propagate themselves and can move through a "culture" in a manner similar to the behavior of a virus. As a unit of cultural evolution, a meme in some ways resembles a gene. Richard Dawkins, in his book, The Selfish Gene,[1] recounts how and why he coined the term meme to describe how one might extend Darwinian principles to explain the spread of ideas and cultural phenomena. He gave as examples tunes, catch-phrases, beliefs, clothing-fashions, and the technology of building arches.
Here is a link to another great reference about memes especially in reference to blogs
--------------------------------------------------------
I was tagged for this meme by Momma Val.
The Rules
1. Post the rules before you give your answers.
2. List one fact about yourself beginning with each letter of your middle name. If you don't have a middle name, use your maiden name or your mother's maiden name.
3. At the end of your blog post, tag one person (or blogger of another species) for each letter of your middle name. Be sure to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged.
My middle name: Marie
M-Married. I have been married for going on four years to a wonderful man!
A-Animals. I love animals and have two dogs and two cats right now. (and hope to keep it that way for awhile - no more!)
R-Random. That is me to a T. I am gardening on minute, taking up knitting the next.
I-Internet. I really enjoy the internet - could say I am addicted to it but not so much that it is a problem - I don't think. :) I actually started dating my husband through the internet. We knew each other in high school but had kept each other's IM and started chatting two years later and decided to set up a date - have been together ever since. I also love how it can connect people - especially family who live far away or random bloggers who probably would have never met each other in person.
E-Ergo. I am a graphic designer/marketing manager and am in love with fonts. My recent passion is the font Ergo.
I don't have people to tag starting with all the letters of my middle name so I will just tag a few of my blog friends:
Alisha
Matthew
Tina
Well, according to Wikapedia a meme:
/miːm or mɛm/) consists of any unit of cultural information, such as a practice or idea, that gets transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another. Examples include thoughts, ideas, theories, practices, habits, songs, dances and moods and terms such as race, culture, and ethnicity. Memes propagate themselves and can move through a "culture" in a manner similar to the behavior of a virus. As a unit of cultural evolution, a meme in some ways resembles a gene. Richard Dawkins, in his book, The Selfish Gene,[1] recounts how and why he coined the term meme to describe how one might extend Darwinian principles to explain the spread of ideas and cultural phenomena. He gave as examples tunes, catch-phrases, beliefs, clothing-fashions, and the technology of building arches.
Here is a link to another great reference about memes especially in reference to blogs
--------------------------------------------------------
I was tagged for this meme by Momma Val.
The Rules
1. Post the rules before you give your answers.
2. List one fact about yourself beginning with each letter of your middle name. If you don't have a middle name, use your maiden name or your mother's maiden name.
3. At the end of your blog post, tag one person (or blogger of another species) for each letter of your middle name. Be sure to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged.
My middle name: Marie
M-Married. I have been married for going on four years to a wonderful man!
A-Animals. I love animals and have two dogs and two cats right now. (and hope to keep it that way for awhile - no more!)
R-Random. That is me to a T. I am gardening on minute, taking up knitting the next.
I-Internet. I really enjoy the internet - could say I am addicted to it but not so much that it is a problem - I don't think. :) I actually started dating my husband through the internet. We knew each other in high school but had kept each other's IM and started chatting two years later and decided to set up a date - have been together ever since. I also love how it can connect people - especially family who live far away or random bloggers who probably would have never met each other in person.
E-Ergo. I am a graphic designer/marketing manager and am in love with fonts. My recent passion is the font Ergo.
I don't have people to tag starting with all the letters of my middle name so I will just tag a few of my blog friends:
Alisha
Matthew
Tina
What's Up With This Weather??!
Brr! I did not want to turn the heat back on but I am frozen. It got down to 63 in the house and the furnace must be on again. :( This weather isn't the best for making my bus efforts any easier. I am also worried about my tiny new pea and cucumber plants - should I cover them up?
The bus ride went pretty good today - was so full this morning that people were standing up - never saw it that full before - but I am new so what do I know? :)
The hubby is working late yet again tonight but he did check out some dvds from the library to keep me entertained.
A little bit of good old Rick Steves. I love watching his show on PBS on the weekends. (We don't have cable so we are pretty limited on what we can see)
The bus ride went pretty good today - was so full this morning that people were standing up - never saw it that full before - but I am new so what do I know? :)
The hubby is working late yet again tonight but he did check out some dvds from the library to keep me entertained.
A little bit of good old Rick Steves. I love watching his show on PBS on the weekends. (We don't have cable so we are pretty limited on what we can see)
Sunday, April 27, 2008
What's Growing In the Garden
Well, I can finally say that I have more than oats growing in my garden. Since I planted it all that has been sprouting up is oat seedlings from the aged horse manure we mixed into the soil...bummer.
BUT today I found little cucumber and pea seedlings coming out into the sunshine! Maybe I will have a garden after all!
Also planning out the second garden box - or maybe container garden - with these! Watermelon, carrots and radishes!
BUT today I found little cucumber and pea seedlings coming out into the sunshine! Maybe I will have a garden after all!
Also planning out the second garden box - or maybe container garden - with these! Watermelon, carrots and radishes!
Saturday, April 26, 2008
How much does your commute cost?
So riding the bus to work has been an initiative for me since last year when I first attempted the idea. I had since stopped riding the bus due in part to the inclemate weather at the time and my friend was getting ready to have a baby - didn't want to be stuck on a bus if she called me needing a ride to the hospital.
Have recently started the idea again after gas prices have soared to $3.40 and the weather has gotten nice enough to walk or block or two to the bus stop.
I am slowly getting more and more used to the bus, its route, where the stops are, etc.
But yesterday, I experienced a first - I got left while standing at the bus stop. I was standing with three other people who were waiting for a different bus. I saw mine approach and as it pulled up I started unzipping my purse to get my money out - I managed to pull out a dollar and the bus zoomed away. It never did make a complete stop - didn't even give me time to make a step foward - just drove off leaving me standing in shocked silence in midstep to the street.
Not a happy camper I must say. Oh, I was crying and having an awful time - even hung up on my husband after I told him what happened. Thankfully, the bus runs every 15 minutes in the evening so I didn't have long to wait for another. Ended up making it home within a half an hour and with no other awful occurrences.
One thing I have noticed is how long people ride the bus - some shockingly get on - pay their $1.50 and get off 2 blocks later - that dumbfounds me. Maybe if it was extremely hot or cold out - but two blocks - come on you can walk that! But at least they are riding the bus and not driving their own car that distance I guess. It just surprises me. I ride the bus about 18 miles from the stop in Greenwood to Downtown - 35 miles total - there and back.
Riding the bus costs me $1.50 a ride or $3 a day to go to work and back. Not too shabby.
My commute when I drive costs me $18.22 a day according to the Central Indiana Commuter Services Commuter Cost Calculator. I know I fill up every 4 days or so and with a 10 gallon tank that cost me well in $30 a week. Yuck. Riding the bus is a great way to cut down on the stress I experience driving in rush hour traffic and also saves me money in gas and saves my car from wear and tear.
And so far, for the most part, the bus has been a pleasant experience. Nice people ride the bus, most drivers are nice (though the one who left me may not be) - the bus is clean - and the route goes ahead of schedule.
If anyone is thinking about trying the bus - one word of advice - be at the bus stop well ahead of time at least 10 minutes ahead - they pull away quickly and sometimes don't stop at all if you are not near the sign or quick on your toes apparently.
I keep waiting to hear about the ICE route that has been in the works for Greenwood - I hope we get it!
How does it cost you to commute? Click here to visit the CICS website to use the Commuter Cost Calculator.
Have recently started the idea again after gas prices have soared to $3.40 and the weather has gotten nice enough to walk or block or two to the bus stop.
I am slowly getting more and more used to the bus, its route, where the stops are, etc.
But yesterday, I experienced a first - I got left while standing at the bus stop. I was standing with three other people who were waiting for a different bus. I saw mine approach and as it pulled up I started unzipping my purse to get my money out - I managed to pull out a dollar and the bus zoomed away. It never did make a complete stop - didn't even give me time to make a step foward - just drove off leaving me standing in shocked silence in midstep to the street.
Not a happy camper I must say. Oh, I was crying and having an awful time - even hung up on my husband after I told him what happened. Thankfully, the bus runs every 15 minutes in the evening so I didn't have long to wait for another. Ended up making it home within a half an hour and with no other awful occurrences.
One thing I have noticed is how long people ride the bus - some shockingly get on - pay their $1.50 and get off 2 blocks later - that dumbfounds me. Maybe if it was extremely hot or cold out - but two blocks - come on you can walk that! But at least they are riding the bus and not driving their own car that distance I guess. It just surprises me. I ride the bus about 18 miles from the stop in Greenwood to Downtown - 35 miles total - there and back.
Riding the bus costs me $1.50 a ride or $3 a day to go to work and back. Not too shabby.
My commute when I drive costs me $18.22 a day according to the Central Indiana Commuter Services Commuter Cost Calculator. I know I fill up every 4 days or so and with a 10 gallon tank that cost me well in $30 a week. Yuck. Riding the bus is a great way to cut down on the stress I experience driving in rush hour traffic and also saves me money in gas and saves my car from wear and tear.
And so far, for the most part, the bus has been a pleasant experience. Nice people ride the bus, most drivers are nice (though the one who left me may not be) - the bus is clean - and the route goes ahead of schedule.
If anyone is thinking about trying the bus - one word of advice - be at the bus stop well ahead of time at least 10 minutes ahead - they pull away quickly and sometimes don't stop at all if you are not near the sign or quick on your toes apparently.
I keep waiting to hear about the ICE route that has been in the works for Greenwood - I hope we get it!
How does it cost you to commute? Click here to visit the CICS website to use the Commuter Cost Calculator.
Garden Update
Haven't had a post from the garden in the past few days - must apologize. We have been awfully busy and hadn't gotten out in the yard like we've wanted. Did managed to head outside today after getting my hair cut and taking a nap after garage saling with the hubby.
Check out my new garden gloves! Matthew surprised me with this little gift yesterday after I had a TERRIBLE time riding the bus. The bus left me as I was pulling the money out of my purse...yup. Thankfully another one came within 15 minutes - but I was livid -or more correctly - bawling my eyes out. These lovely gloves definitely brightened my day. Do you see have marvelously they match my blue knee pad!? Cute to boot! This is my first pair of garden gloves - I have been skating by trying to use my rubber dish gloves which leaves my hands sweaty and yuck when working in the yard...now I am one step closer to being and official gardener!
Also found a few newcomers popping up around the yard. This is my balloon flower from last year. Wasn't sure if she was going to come back but here she is!
Also my Lily of the Valley is deciding to come back as well! I am so happy because I love Lily of the Valley and it looked so sad all last year so I wasn't sure if it was going to make it.
Not really a garden item but it is in our backyard - my husband's new grill he finally got put together and that we have already tested out for a dinner of hotdogs last night. Very nice!
And finally my potted herb garden I finally planted today. Hopefully the seeds come up - when I tried sowing them indoors earlier many did not come up so I am worried.
Check out my new garden gloves! Matthew surprised me with this little gift yesterday after I had a TERRIBLE time riding the bus. The bus left me as I was pulling the money out of my purse...yup. Thankfully another one came within 15 minutes - but I was livid -or more correctly - bawling my eyes out. These lovely gloves definitely brightened my day. Do you see have marvelously they match my blue knee pad!? Cute to boot! This is my first pair of garden gloves - I have been skating by trying to use my rubber dish gloves which leaves my hands sweaty and yuck when working in the yard...now I am one step closer to being and official gardener!
Also found a few newcomers popping up around the yard. This is my balloon flower from last year. Wasn't sure if she was going to come back but here she is!
Also my Lily of the Valley is deciding to come back as well! I am so happy because I love Lily of the Valley and it looked so sad all last year so I wasn't sure if it was going to make it.
Not really a garden item but it is in our backyard - my husband's new grill he finally got put together and that we have already tested out for a dinner of hotdogs last night. Very nice!
And finally my potted herb garden I finally planted today. Hopefully the seeds come up - when I tried sowing them indoors earlier many did not come up so I am worried.
Garage Sale Finds 4/26/08
This weekend was a good weekend in the garage saling department for us! We actually managed to find some and found ones that had decent items. Too bad I spent my bus money cash on my finds. :(
Here is a close up of my little $1 deal - isn't it marvelous?
Me happy with my find!
Another nifty deal of the day. $4 for this trellis - will be put to use for my peas to grow up in my garden (as you can see from the pic)
We also found a great level for $6 and an edger for $2. Woohoo!
Here is a close up of my little $1 deal - isn't it marvelous?
Me happy with my find!
Another nifty deal of the day. $4 for this trellis - will be put to use for my peas to grow up in my garden (as you can see from the pic)
We also found a great level for $6 and an edger for $2. Woohoo!
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