July 31, 2005
So I've been wanting to order from here from a while, but never really had an idea of what to order or what toppings to have or whatever. So there was an ad that came in the mail not to long ago so we decided to go for it.
So we decided to order Chicken, Basil, Roma Tomato, Alfredo Sauce and a honey wheat crust.
So it was delivered by a youngster, covered in tattoos, with this huge gaged earrings in a a plain box.
So inside, a very thin crisp crust, very thick slices of roma tomatos, big chunks of chicken, and a light dusting of basil. Looked very appitizing.
The taste was very good. I was quite happy. Shannon was pleased too. The chicken was very good, done just about perfect. The tomatoes were very thick slices and quite delicious, and the combination made for a quite tasty pizza.
I still have a hankering for Great Plains Pizza up in Ames (mmm...thick crust).
Posted by SammyD at 9:32 PM | Comments (0)
So relativly early in the day, we headed to Cedar Rapids. First we stopped by my parents (who were gone, at nordic fest) and chatted with my younger brother Joseph for a while. Then we headed over to Shannon's parents (who were also gone, at work (dad) and at camp (mom)) and dropped of her things and her parent's dolly.
Then we headed over to Wade's Parent's Pool Party. It was kinda fun. There was horseshoes, there was beer, there were lots of snacks and foods and things. And people were actually swimming. I honestly thought it was just a reason for them to drink outside around the pool on a nice summber day. The day wore on, and it was nice in the shade. Wade's younger brother and his friend pretty much had no competition in horseshoes until some older guys came up and taught 'em a lesson or three. It was a fun time.
When the sun was setting, and the bugs were coming out, we decided it was too muggy and buggy to be outside so Richard, Scott, Shannon and myself headed over to Bret's house to play some bridge.
I hadn't forgot as much as I thought I had. And once we started keeping score Scott and I did ok. Shannon wasn't too bored, watching TV and keeping an eye on me. One had pretty much stood out. And because we didn't match well we were under bid at game club. Once Scott laid down his cards, it was fairly evident that unless I purposfully played like a stupid head, there was no way I could not take all the tricks. It was kinda fun :)
I miss playing bridge and hanging out with the guys. I'd play online, but those people are just way to serious, for the not serious game that I wanna play
At about 11:30, all us old folks (Rich being the oldest, then me, then Bret (who just turned 29 (Happy Birthday!), then Scott, we called it a night and headed home. I dropped Shannon off at her parents, and then I headed to my parents.
I chatted with my parents for a bit, and ended up going downstairs and watching some stargate sg-1 with Joseph and then headed to bed.
Posted by SammyD at 6:50 AM | Comments (0)
I learned one of two things. Either my parents house is really dry, or the way I sleep without my CPAP machine, totally sucks.
Or maybe a combo of the both. When I went camping, it wasn't this bad, but my throat is killing me and I feel like my tonsils have been all streched out from snoring.
I woke up twice, before I finally decided to get up for good. I started off on a bed in a bed room. After one and a half hours, I decided that it wasn't very comfortable, and moved to a couch in the great room, after stopping by the bathroom for some water to calm my dry throat. After a bout 3 hours on the couch, I woke up, dry throat again, and decided that since the sun was coming up, I'd move back to the uncomfortable, but dark bedroom, after stopping by for some water. One and a half hours later I gave up for the night, so here I am. Awake, drinking water.
Posted by SammyD at 6:29 AM | Comments (0)
July 28, 2005
So I left work at 4 yesterday and headed home. When I got home, I changed, but on the headphones, headed outside and got to work.
I pulled out my trimmer and got several areas that needed trimming, cracks in the sidewalk, under the deck, and etc. I then got out the work gloves and pulled weeds. Lots and lots of weeds. Starting with the sides (where there are flowers) and working my way under the bushes in the front. Some of these weeds had quite annoying root structures that didn't want to come out. But eventually they did. I did decide that I do need a spade, cause, well, it's kinda hard to do some of this work without it. Then the lawn mowing.
I had most of the lawn mowed by the time Shannon got home, but I then sent her off to get me a gallon of gas for the lawn mower (I wasn't sure I'd make it). I did stop the mowing for a bit and sawed a couple of branches off a tree in my backyard (they were hanging so low it was almost impossible to mow under them). I didn't really need the gas, but it'll come in handy for the next few times.
Finally I swept grass clippings and etc off the driveway and sidewalks to go inside and be done.
I was done by about 7 and then went upstairs to take a shower.
3 hours. But because the weather was so nice it didn't seem so bad, I was tired though.
Now the only thing that I really need to do is trim the hedges, they're looking quite out of shape. But I think I want a hedge trimmer of some kind to do it. That way I can get the lines straight.
Posted by SammyD at 10:15 AM | Comments (0)
July 26, 2005
So I got a bill yesterday for a procedure at Iowa Radiology. This is a bill for $327. I do not have a spare $327 laying around, so I'm looking at the bill trying to figure out what this is for, espicially considering that it doesn't make any sense and I had already thought I had paid my portion of the bill for my visit to Iowa Radiology. So last night, when I opened this, I was a bit miffed, because both principal and the billing center it came from were both closed so I couldn't ask them what was going on.
So the bill didn't look like it had been reduced by my insurance, or paid by my insurance, so I was curious there too.
So I called the billing center and they said that they had submitted the bill to my insurance and my insurance refused the bill. But the bill is still under review and that's what the coding on the bill: PMT*CODING REVIEW meant. Like I'm supposed to know that.
So I called my insurance carrier and asked them what was going on, and after finding the bill, they said the procedure charge wasn't consistant with what I was going there for, so they were asking for medical records.
So I called the billing place back to tell them to send my medical records to my insurance and they said it was their standard procedure.
I then called my doctor's office and requested that they send the information to my insurance company and they said they would do so.
So now...I sit here and wait. The billing place said no charges would be assessed because it is under review, but this sure looks like a bill to me.
I remember when I talked to my doctor, and she said that the reason why I was getting these scans was to make sure that my heart and kidneys were well functioning so that when I went on the medication that they put me on, I wouldn't die from, oh I don't know, kidney or heart failure.
Is fraud so prevelant that insurance companies have a right to question a doctor's request for tests?
Posted by SammyD at 10:04 AM | Comments (0)
July 25, 2005
So this past weekend was hot, heat advisory hot, so this past weekend, I pretty much did nothing. Since I had gotten home on friday, until I went on my walk this morning, I went outside twice. Once, Friday night to go see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and once on Saturday to take out the trash.
It was great. We watched a lot of movies, I played a lot of Civilization III.
I made meatloaf on Sunday, it was good.
It was a weekend of abject laziness and it's exactly what I needed.
Although, now I have a conflict. Next weekend, maybe, some of my friends from high school/college are planning to get together to play bridge and what not. I invited them all to come up here, but it looks like I'll probably be going back to Cedar Rapids. Maybe. And also that weekend is 515.Alive...which I do kinda wanna go to, but since it doesn't really have the headliner that it did last year, then maybe it's not a must do. I'm pretty sure Shannon won't be going, cause, well, if I'm just gonna sit around a play cards and talk with my friends, then it's not gonna be much fun for her. I told her that it was more then OK if she does go, though. Also, this is the weekend of Nordic Fest, so, we're probably not going to that either.
Posted by SammyD at 10:41 AM | Comments (0)
July 22, 2005
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
This = Good.
Fun movie.
Visually amazing.
Similar, yet diffrent then willy wonka, two takes on a good book, both good in their own ways.
much fun to be had.
Posted by SammyD at 11:10 PM | Comments (0)
So as long as my last post is complaining
complaint 1
I will continue to complain.
On the corner of 44th and Franklin, near my house, quite a few times over the last couple of weeks, people treat the stop light there more as a stop sign, then a light.
When I'm walking in the morning, more then once while I've been crossing the street (with the light) and people barely stop for me.
When I'm driving, lots of cars just wait for the others to pass before crossing the intersection. Not turning right, crossing the intersection.
It's obnoxious is what it is.
complaint 2
On the other side of the coin, my mask is a big annoyance. It seems that when I just get over one irratation on my nose, another one comes and replaces it just as it heals.
I used to sleep all the time on my side, but with the mask it's kinda impossible. Last night I curled up a bit, next to Shannon, and the next thing I know she's waking me up because the mask is squeeking cause air is escaping and basically humming against my face.
And while we're on the mask, because of it it makes it hard to cuddle up next to Shannon. She can fall asleep, but as soon as I do, I wake her up again, with my obnoxious snoring.
complaint 3
One of the two drugs I'm on for high blood pressure, apprently turns my bladder into that of a little girl. I have to go all the damn time. One of these days I will keep track of how often I go, just for curiositys sake.
And...I can't understand why I have the toughest time that when the time hits 10:AM I take my pills, 10:AM every damn day. Today I didn't remember until 12:30....usually I'm good on weekdays cause I have my calendar remind me to take 'em, but I was away from my desk today. Maybe I need a watch to beep at 10:AM every day.
complaint 4
Is there a way for the cats to say, "I don't like the way you are petting me", without them biting me? This morning, I had extra time, so I was watching a little TV before work, and gracie was next to me and I was petting her. So I go to reach to her rear paws to check her claws, to see if it's time to trim them, and apprently she doesn't like that, so she nips at me. I tell her no, she runs away.
I think that's enough for now.
Posted by SammyD at 5:44 PM | Comments (0)
July 20, 2005
So last night, I helped Shannon do something that she should've done a long time ago. And we discovered a few things. And these things basically gives her the screws for her for the next 7 years. What bothers me even more is that it was done by someone close to her.
She does have options, but the options aren't much at all, but we need to pursue something, this is quite obnoxious.
Why am I being so vague? Well I talked with Shannon and she didn't want me to post any specifics.
It upsets me so much...(she's pretty upset too, she actually cried a bit last night).
We'll figure something out.
Posted by SammyD at 9:56 AM | Comments (0)
July 19, 2005
So I went to Stogdills yesterday after work and picked up a new Air Conditioner. Not a huge selection, but something to work for us, and on close out, so I got it for about 1/2 of the retail cost. I'm really starting to love that store...my microwave for like 2/3rds off, and nice A/C unit for about 1/2 price...I can't loose.
Anyways. From time of leaving work to getting it all installed and done, it took me about 2 hours. It wasn't bad at all... So we're still toying with the level of cooling so I woke up once last night and adjusted it cooler (another time cause Shannon was telling me to put my mask back on).
So now we can just leave it running when we are up there (which is pretty much just to sleep), rather then all the time. So i'll turn it off when I get up and probably turn it back on when Shannon gets home from work.
We'll see what this does to my electrical bill...
Posted by SammyD at 12:04 PM | Comments (0)
So this morning I was lounging around in bed between the time that Shannon's alarm goes off and my alarm goes off and then I got up. got changed and headed downstairs to check my email. Shannon came down and she was talking about how the backs of her ears still hurt, so I called My Nurse and they said that a doctor's visit probably would be a good idea. So I went up stairs, got dressed and we went to Merle Hay Family Practice's Urgent Care (this is where I go for my regular care) and she saw a doctor.
She got looked over, and it looks as though its just a summer cold. So we went up and picked up some stuff to treat her cold and slight congestion. I dropped her off at home and I headed to work. I was only slightly late for me (not that any of my team was there yet).
I'm glad it wasn't anything serious.
Posted by SammyD at 11:54 AM | Comments (0)
July 18, 2005
So Friday night, we went down to Buzzard Billy's to celebrate Adam's Birthday. It was pretty fun. After dinner, Shannon, Dusty headed over to an event at Simon Estes Ampitheater...well not to the event, but to see Jen, scine she was manning the DMMC booth at the event. Afterwards, we went home.
Saturday morning we got up bright and early and headed north to see my Grandma, my older brother, his wife and two boys. When we got up there, we got a tour of their new house, which I think, is in much better condition then their old house. And they are working hard, already, to improve it. Dallin and Specer were really excited to see me and drug me all over the house to give me a tour. It was fun. We then headed to The Spam Museum. It had a lot about the history of Spam and uses of spam, and where spam is in the world. We had fun. I know the boys love it (they've been there a few times). Then we drove back to Albert Lea and went to the Lakeside Creamery. The Ice cream, malts, and shakes were pretty good. If it wasn't so opressively hot and humid out we probably would've gone outside and sat near the lake. Then we parted ways, and Hyrum, Shannon and I headed over to Grandma's and Diane, Spencer and Dallin, headed home. We got to grandma's and noticed that my Uncle Steve, Aunt Leslie and my cousin Mike's cars were all at Steve's house across the street from grandma's so we went there to say hi. It turned out that my cousin Sara and her son Ammon were there as well. So we talked for a little bit, and then headed over to Grandma's.
Grandma's house is pretty much just the way that I remember it. Very clean, very organized. Grandma is a lot smaller then she used to be. And she also was sitting on her couch with pretty much every thing that she could need in a short reach from her. We talked about things and stuff and because she wanted to keep the visit short (since she was feeling not so well that day), we left after being there for about 20 or 30 minutes.
We headed back to Hyrum's and they fed us again and then I played with the boys. Hyrum and Diane had plans that night to go to a baseball game, so we headed home just a little after 7.
On our way home, Shannon mentioned that she wanted a weekend where she didn't have to work, we didn't have to clean, and there was nothing else going on...cause it's been a while...a time to just be lazy...and I agree with her. I need a time to just slack.
So on Sunday, I started off the day by mowing my lawn (some placed needed it (stupid crabgrass), other places were brown). Then we cleaned the house. I did the bathrooms this time, and she did the kitchens and the rest of the house...it was much easier since we were starting from a much cleaner point. We watched episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Shannons has season 2 on dvd) and then episodes of the Simpsons (I have Seasons 1-5 on dvd), before Sunday Night TV...
It was a pretty good weekend. Although I still wanna see a few movies released this weekend (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Wedding Crashers) and one from a few weeks ago (Mr. and Mrs. Smith).
Posted by SammyD at 10:53 AM | Comments (0)
AC test 2: One vent open on the main level, not in the room where the thermometer is.
Results: The living room was 5 degrees cooler then the rest of the main level, but the rest of the main level had trouble keeping up. Not acceptable.
AC test 3: Have one open vent and open up the other vents just a little on the main level.
Results: It made the upstairs too warm, and still didn't effectivly cool the main level.
I don't really want to try to run the fan ALL the time, so today on my way home I'll be stopping off to get a small window air unit to help in the cooling of the upstairs.
Posted by SammyD at 10:38 AM | Comments (0)
July 15, 2005
So in my house, on the lower level, there is one vent in the Family room. On the mail level, there are 2 vents in the living room, one in the bathroom, one in the kitchen and one in the dining room. On the upper level, there one in each bedroom (2) and one in in the bathroom.
So Yesterday afternoon I closed all the vents on the lower and main level.
Did it do what it was supposed to?
Well sure. Last night, sleeping was great. It was quite nice and cool up there. No sweating woo! there was a problem. The main level, where we spend most of our time, it got up to be 3 degrees warmer then it was supposed to be...meaning that the A/C ran through the evening. It stopped during the night sometime, cause the whole house cooled down enough, however, when I got home today the main level was still too warm.
So, test two. I have opened, fully, one vent on the main level (not in the room where the thermometer is), so then we'll see how that works out.
Posted by SammyD at 4:46 PM | Comments (0)
What about being a bitch, makes a person think that they'll get better service? If I'm trying to help you and you can't be bothered to help me help you, then why should I help you?
I would vent, but the way I interpret my privacy clause prevents me from doing so.
Posted by SammyD at 10:15 AM | Comments (0)
July 14, 2005
I saw this article about heating and cooling and also talked with Brandon, and I'm thinking I'm gonna try these things first, before I go and spend money.
So when I get home today, I will close the other vents in the basement (it's always cold down there (family room already closed)) and then either partially or all the way close the vents on the main level, to force the air upstairs. Since heat rises and cold falls, the coldness should come back down. And even if the vents are closed, that doesn't meant that coolness won't get out.
The other thing that I'm gonna try, if that doesn't work, is to leave the fan running. That will circulate the air more...so in theory it will push more of the already cold air upstairs.
So it's worth a shot, and I'm trying not to spend money I don't have to.
I know the previous owners had a small window air unit in the furnace room (yeah it's not there anymore).
So we'll see how that goes.
Posted by SammyD at 2:27 PM | Comments (0)
So Shannon doesn't like vegetables. well...not a wide variety to put on the side. If it's mixed in with other things then it's all good. So like in things like chineese food or something it's all good. But putting most vegetables on the side of like a pork chop or something. Not so popular. It's kinda hard cause I'm like the one that buys vegatables and thinks, hey I'm buying for two now, and then it's only me that kidna eats 'em. So now we got this big stack of frozen vegetables in the freezer...(partly cause the non-sauced stir fry is a bit plan jane for both of us). But I did get an Asian cookbook so that should help...just need to get an idea of how to spice things without adding salt.
So I found out that potatoes have lots of potassium! I love potatoes! Yummy! We've now gone through a few pounds of potatoes.
Things have been going pretty good. Gracie likes me a bit more and comes to see me before Shannon gets home.
We split a lot of chores, do things to gether, and she does dishes and I cook. So that works.
I've been listening to a lot of podcasts recently. I've been through, over the last week, all of the This Week In Tech pod casts and I've just listened to all of the Digg Nation. It's kinda a high light of tech stories that I may miss...or just a little more info.
I also have been ejoying Digg as a new source for interesting news. It's kind cool cause you can promote things to get put on the front page, but digging them. I may be adding a feed to my website to link to the stories that I think are kinda cool.
Sleeping is getting pretty bad. It's way to hot up there. I've been thinking off an on about charging an A/C unit on my credit card, but I like that I don't have anything on my credit card. I probably could've bought it already, if i didn't have some medical bills related to my sleep study that had to be paid. *sigh* So my window is about 2'2" square and my upper level is about 591 square feet. So it's not gonna be too big. I think I may do that on my way home today...I don't know if I can take another night of sweating into my sheets.
The forum I setup is going ok...It' goes in bursts. Adam and Tiff signed up yesterday...so I think the only people left are not to many...I think. People just gotta get posting. I think it may take a while, cause they got so used to not doing it cause Cribzero was unavailble for so long.
This weekend we're heading up north to see Grandma, Hyrum (older brother), Diane (his wife), and Spencer and Daillin (their kids). My fear is that Grandma may not be around for much longer, cause, well, for the first time, ever, she forgot my birthday. My parents, they usually remember...late, and thats fine cause my mind is like there and I have trouble keeping track of what day it is, let alone the significance of that day. But grandma, always, either before or the day of, birthday card (even when the parental one arrives a month late :). I have trouble seeing people like this. My grandpa (dad's dad) was a big strong guy, and seeing him all worn down from the cancer, was, well...I have to struggle to remember the other things. That picture comes into my head first and I have to push it down to bring up things like him camping, or shooting 22's out back or whatever. Grandma is the best cook I've known that didn't really do it professionally. The treats she make (cookies, cakes, etc) are awesome, and the other cooking is great too. I remember a story my mom likes to tell of how my Dad told her that she was almost as good a cook as his mom, and intially she was offended, but when she actually had Gramma's cooking, she realized how much of a complement that is.
Last night, I helped Shannon sign up with her 401k at her work. I tried, as best I knew, to explain as to what the stuff meant, and how to read and judge the prospectus. The look from her eye said that it pretty much bored her to tears. I also used some of the tools that my 401k provider has to judge that if I can get a 6 or 7% return on my investments over the next 36 years, that I can retire somewhere between 1 or 2 million. Of course, that'll probably be worth a lot less, but that also doesn't take into account that I'll earn anymore more money then I do now and donate anymore money to my 401k.
Posted by SammyD at 11:49 AM | Comments (0)
July 12, 2005
So most people have seen George, but Gracie is a bit more skittish and doesn't come out to much for company. Hell, she barely is starting to like me around. So I got this picture of Gracie last night:
Posted by SammyD at 10:31 AM | Comments (0)
July 11, 2005
So last year when I was sleeping up in my room, I had a fan (or two) blowing on me, this year, we don't have a dedicated fan per person. So it's kinda warm up there...
I remember seeing a window air unit in the storage room when I was doing a walk through of the place, and now I understand why.
I haven't officially gone out and looked yet (short of funds), but it's coming soon, I don't think I can last much longer up there.
Posted by SammyD at 11:22 AM | Comments (0)
So Saturday people start showing up. First Wade shows (a bit early) and we head off to the liqour store so he can get some booze. He gave me a bottle of Jägermeister for my birthday (thanks wade!).
So I caught up with Wade and we caught up with him. It was kinda nice.
Other people arrived. Over the night, Wade, Courtney, Josh, Mandie, Ryan, Mikey G, A girl of Mikey's, Brandon, Val, Rich, Matt, Kelly, Adam, Tiffany, and the Boyfriend of Wade's younger sister and a couple of his friends.
Brandon and Val got me a bottle of Hendrick's Gin and a Monkey Card (that was funny) (Thanks Brandon and Val!).
Josh gave me a bottle of Grey Goose Vodka (Thanks Joshy!)...mmm....vodka.
So I gotta say that the Hendrick's Gin has got to be far and away better than any other gin that I've had. I was suprised as to the taste. Being not a huge fan of gin, maybe that's why. It's quite a bit diffrent. Even Wade, who pretty much dislikes gin, said that this was quite good.
The party moved on, people having fun. A massive game of Bocci was played.
Eventually I cut the White Chocolate Whisper Cake with white chocolate cream frosting that I made. Reviews were good, with the only real complaint being that it was a bit dry. I think that had more to do that it sat on top of the stove all day and I didn't really have a way to enclose it. I need to get a cake stand or something like that to cover it up. For presentation, I should've made a bit more frosting and it would've been nice to have it flat on a level plate (instead of the plate that I used). But over all I was pleased. I think the Breyer's Natural Vanilla was a good addition to it. Not to bad for the first cake I've made from scratch, and the first cake I've made in...well...a long time.
The party started to wind down. And by the end the night it was just Shannon and I, Ryan, Wade, Mandie and Josh. Shannon and I decided to go to bed aroudn 1:AM (cause we're old) and Ryan Wade Josh and Mandie were hanging out on the deck chatting.
For the second party in a row, there has been a minor accident (last time being my neighbor aand a friend of Jen's). This time Josh's escape got a little damage to it's front side near the tire (not his fault).
Clean up was pretty easy. The kitchen needed to be mopped and the dining room, but mostly it was just throwing away plastic cups (first Time I've put 'em out to be used) and since I bought these cheap shot glasses from target, that was used, so I didn't have to hand clean anything.
Thanks to Everyone for coming!
This coming weekend, Shannon and I are heading up North to see my Grandmother (dad's mom) and my older brother, Hyrum, his wife, Diane, and their kids Spencer and Dallin. Hyrum sent me the following email, I thought it was cute:
During our meal we talked about what was going to happen next Saturday, and what we wanted to do (i.e...maybe go to the blazing star trail). After the meal, we actually went to the trail so Spencer could have a clear smooth path to ride his bike (he just picked that up a couple of days ago) We arrived, Uncle Sam was nowhere to be found, Dallin broke out in tears "where is uncle Sam?, he was going to meet us at the blazing star trail."Posted by SammyD at 10:37 AM | Comments (0)
July 8, 2005
So yesterday started of not the best. George was being a rotten little kitty and kept crawling all over me and Shannon and even after begin put off the bed he kept crawling back on. So I finally got up (about 40 minutes early) and threw George out of the room, so that he'd leave Shannon alone and went on my walk.
It was actually kinda nice to go earlier. Less people, a little cooler, less cars. I got home and got ready for work. Needless to say I was running a bit early (like an hour) so I sat down and played a few turns of CivIII, which has coming back into my life with a vengence, much to Shannon's distaste.
After a bit, I kissed a sleeping Shannon good bye and headed to work.
Work was fine...busy...and just an absurd amount of trouble tickets and support work.
For lunch Matt, Brandon and Kelly and I headed down to palmers to have lunch. It was yummy, like always. Originally Brandon was gonna pay, but then Kelly paid for us both. It was nice :)
I left work a little early and headed home.
Shannon had the day off, so she was home already. She had my present on the table and ballons! It was quite nice to come home to. She got me a Wok, which is something that I had asked for, so that was pretty cool :)
After a bit we decided to head out to the Mall to hang out before dinner. We wandered around and then headed to Bravo!. We sat down and it was a pretty nice scene. It was pretty cool. The food was pretty good. Worth another visit. They had this new item that was basically encrusted shrip w/ lemon w/ sun dried tomatoes. It was really good. Shannon had a lobster and Shrimp Ravioli and I had Mama’s Lasagna Bolognese, and that was pretty good, although the suace kinda reminded me of chef boyardee for some reason, even though I haven't had that in a long time...cause...well...not a big fan, it did taste a bit better though. Everything had a nice presentation and looked very appitizing. Shannon and I split a Torta di Cioccolata, which was pretty good.
After dinner, we were both pretty full and headed home to be lazy.
It was a nice day. It was nice to share it with someone :)
Oh...and Shannon got me a pretty cool card. It was pretty funny.
Posted by SammyD at 11:54 AM | Comments (0)
July 5, 2005
So this weekend was pretty much just working around the house. Saturday was moving stuff around and organizing. I also baked cookies that day. They were the Apple Chocolate Chip cookies (replace walnuts w/ chopped apples and cook for a bit longer). It was nice to see the house start to take shape. We also learned that we are in desperate need of another bookshelf. With the addition of Shannon's books, we now have two overflowing bookshelves. I swear, one night we'll wake up and hear a noise, and it'll be those shelves collapsing under their own weight. The cookies turned out pretty well. I made them for a Franklin Ave Block party. It was being held across the street from my house, in a lot that apprently used to have houses there. But is now being leased by one of the people that live next to it. We headed over there are 6:20 PM and hung out and ate. We met quite a few of our neighbors, including the guy with the M&M truck, who, as it turns out, is just a fan, and not like the regional distrubitor of them... It was kinda nice. Not that I remember anyone's name, cause I'm awful at it. But there are quite a few more kids in the neighborhood then I remember. Everyone reffered to my house as the house where the big dogs used to live. Lots of nice people in the neighbor hood. I also found out that my neighbors to the west of me apprently work for the paper...so that's kinda interesting, I guess. After a while we got headed back to our house and kinda sat around and watched TV.
Sunday, we striagtened more. We got the house relatively organized and all we really had left to do was clean. We were thinking about going to visit the campers, but were were tired and the storm that was coming looked big and looming. Sunday was also our 6 month anniversery. We couldn't really go out to eat (I'm poor until tomarrow) or really do anything, so...we stayed at home.
Monday, we cleaned! And boy did we. With Shannon to drive me, we got the house cleaner then it's probably ever been. After that, we were lazy. We thought long and hard about going out and seeing some other fireworks, but we didn't get motiviated to leave the house. We did eat a lot of the cookies I made though :)
So it's Tuesday now and I'm about half a day away from getting paid and then paying a medical bill. And then I also need to figure out how I'm gonna pay another chunk of change to pay for my portion of a crown that I apprently need. *sigh* So much for having extra money.
I'm throwing a little bash this weekend for my friends, to celebrate my 29th year of life. I was hoping Ben and Nathan would be there, but they won't be. Maybe Richard will show up (he's back from Russia). I'll probably call his house and see.
I was talking to Shannon last night, and our house really seems like a home now. Espically since I don't really have empty rooms anymore. That dining room table also did a lot (even if it's surrounded by chairs that don't match).
Posted by SammyD at 12:28 PM | Comments (0)
July 2, 2005
So last night, Shannon and I headed to the capitol building to watch Des Moines Symphony Pops. We were sitting just west of the capitol in a nice and shady spot. The weather was just awesome. We listened to some Jazz and then the Symphony. They played a lot of very recognizable things. During the show a 15 year old violinist from Ames, played, and she was sure good. We couldn't see the stage, but the sound was pretty good.
As the night passed on, they played the 1812 Overture, with the national guard helping with cannon fire...well...not cannons, but howitzer fire. It was a lot of fun.
The fire works were pretty good, but far away. I didn't know they were being shot up over the river and not the capitol. So they were kinda far away. It was still nice. The firworks were framed by some trees. We didn't get to see all of the show, cause the trees cut of the lower end. It was still nice.
Getting back home was kinda a trick. I tried to avoid known traffic issues, and then got lost on the south east side. Not so plesant, but eventually we ended up getting on MLK and heading back towards home.
It was a fun night. The only thing that sucks, is that while I was sitting there listening to the 1812 Overture I rememberd that I had forgotten to call Nathan and wish him a happy birthday (Sorry Nate!). I'll call him today.
Tonight, we're gonna go to a block party and meet some of our neighbors. Hopefully that'll go well.
Posted by SammyD at 7:38 AM | Comments (0)
© 2007 Sam Kurth
