It's been just over three years since we got married and moved to Portland immediately after.  How time flies!  I can't believe it's been this long since we left Austin, and that I was there for six years.  When I left California nine years ago, I was in the top shape of my life.  I wasn't busy at work and started taking spin classes at the YMCA in ( Read more... )

Finally, the last foreseeable big project for the house is getting done!  I ordered a "Tree of Life" mural from Jerusalem last December, sight unseen (except for digital mockups), to fill the big empty space above the fireplace.  Mine is 5x5 (6" tiles) with a gorgeous blue patterned border.  It took me forever to get this project done, but first I ( Read more... )

I went through another cycle of purging. No, not throwing up, but clearing out my closets, selling stuff (DVDs not so much use now that we have no TV!) on eBay and Craigslist, and donating the rest to Goodwill. I even got rid of a bunch of books that I've been carting around since high school and that I'll probably never read again. It's amazing ( Read more... )

So, with new technology comes new health problems. A couple of days ago, my left back and shoulder area completely seized up and I couldn't even turn my head to the right without intense pain. I managed to rub out some of the tension and a hot pad really helped, but the the whole area was really crunchy (which I have self-diagnosed as crepitus ( Read more... )

I've been worried about some stuff, not sure if everything is working out and I'm freaking out, just a little. But today at work they brought in outside food trucks for the first time. It was so crowded and even the shortest line took quite a while to get through. I was craving a Oaxacan-style tamale (wrapped in a banana leaf), and as we reached ( Read more... )

I got a robot vacuum! I didn't get around to unpacking it for several days because when I've got my long list, even opening up a new toy feels like a chore. But I finally unpacked my Neato, and they tried to make it nice and easy to get started. I had a bit of trouble because I don't have common sense and kept going into the menu and selecting " ( Read more... )

Had a thought a few days ago, that adult life comes with massive amounts of paperwork. I'm going to apply for a Person of Indian Origin card, and there's a huge list of requirements that go with it. I can't seem to make myself start. Maybe this weekend.

But at least it's not homework....

There was an online 50% off sale on nice luggage today. R's is on its last legs, so I took the opportunity to get suitcases for both of us and will finally get rid of the rolling duffel that I kinda love (you can put SO MUCH STUFF in it, great for moving!) and kinda hate (it's shapeless and annoying and easily covered in cat hair!). But now I'm ( Read more... )

We love our home. It's beautiful, peaceful, and private, with unbelievable forest views, yet just a few miles from downtown Portland. However, it's a much longer commute than we had in Austin, which was just 4 miles on the highway with our own exit lane so that we never had to sit in traffic. Now we drive 17 miles each way, which is about 25 ( Read more... )

I can't believe it took me this long in life to discover that getting enough sleep is paramount to keeping me happy and sane. My mold allergy makes everything worse, so that I need much more sleep than normal, but I'm going to try acupuncture and see if that helps ( Read more... )