closed for the season

Winterized the pool today.  Added tons of chemicals, closed off spouts, opened valves, drained pipes, covered the pool, secured it down.  Cleared out the shed, put the patio furniture inside.   Days are warm 60s, 70s and the nights cool off 40s, 50s.  It makes me long for Summer all over again.  

censored

The American Library Association's Banned Books Week runs from Sept. 25 through Oct. 2 this year. It was established in 1982 as a tribute to writers, their works, and the US Constitution that guarantees freedom of expression. I happen to love reading, one of my favorite pastimes, besides lounging, napping, snacking, TV watching, dancing, laughing, losing train of thought, etc. I have a stack of about 40 books I plan to read, visit the book store on a weekly basis, and add to the pile frequently. Currently I am reading Crashers by Dana Haynes, a thriller about plane crash investigators. The premise piqued my interest, reading it completely pulled me into the action and suspense. I couldn't imagine not being able to escape into words and imaginary worlds, or be told what I can and cannot read.

soothe the savage

I purchased the CD Sigh No More by Mumford & Sons because I heard the song Little Lion Man at the bookstore and was mesmerized by it.  I was pleasantly surprised by the songs and really enjoy the music.  The music is folk rock.  The band is made up of Marcus Mumford, "Country" Winston Marshall, Ben Lovett, and Ted Dwane.  Interestingly, the band members switch instruments during live shows according to convenience, for they each play a variety of instruments. The band formed in late 2007, rising out of London's folk scene.  Enjoy.

gardening

The beginning of the butterfly garden is taking shape.  Along the fence in the backyard, all plants that attract butterflies and humming birds are being planted.  Eventually the entire length of the southeast side of the yard will be filled with these types of plants and grasses.  It is an evolving project.  I like getting my hands dirty and working in the yard.

room for improvement

The handyman has been over this week working on projects around the house.  Some projects on the list were recommended by the home inspector, others are changes needed, upgrades wanted.  New appliances installed.  New kitchen, bathroom faucets.  New outdoor lighting fixtures.  Electrical and plumbing work. The house is starting to become home.

moving day 351

Everything I own is all under one roof.  It is all stacked up in the garage.  One by one I will go through the each bin and rediscover what I have.  Fun.  Shane and I took Amtrak up to Milwaukee.  Visited with Mom and Dad, enjoyed a nice home cooked meal, got to see Tim and Julia.  Picked up the U-Haul the next morning, headed out to Scott and Barb's, emptied the loft in the barn, loaded up the truck and headed back.  Stopped at the A&W along 94 in Racine for lunch, went about 30mph through Chicago, got home safely, unloaded, returned the truck, went out to dinner.  Now I'm considering which bin to start with.

worker bee

It was an experience.  I attended an Apple hiring event today.  It was by invitation only, I submitted my resume several weeks ago and the company contacted me.  There were about forty people assembled at the local Hilton Inn for the occasion.  Upon checking in, we were herded down a hallway leading to the conference room.  Along the way there were Apple employees cheering, applauding, high-fiving.  Maddening.  Once settled into our seats, name tags prominently displayed, employee introductions made, the event got under way.  Everyone present was expected to participate.  First a brief slide presentation on Apple (company and products).  Discussion.  Then eveyone got paired up.  The object of the exercise, meet and interview your "new friend" and introduce them to the group.  The interview consisted of three things: name, unique characteristic, what they like about Apple.  My "new friend" liked to talk about herself.  Maddening.  All the while this was going on, the Apple employees wandered around the room, clipboard in hand, writing things down.  Maddening.  Then time for the introductions.  Then another slide presentation about positions available within Apple.  More discussion.  Then another exercise.  Everyone was divided into groups of five (my "new friend" was included in my group).  There was a dice with a question on each side.  Everyone had to roll the dice and answer the question that came up.  I learned more about my "new friend" when it was her turn, even though she really didn't directly answer the question.  After that there was forms to fill out, some last minute instruction, and the event concluded.  With cheers, applause, high-fives.

renovation

Originally it was going to be the dining room and kitchen that would get new paint, fixtures.  Then it was decided that the main bathroom should get updated, decorated.  The office ended up getting a nice new coat of paint today.  The closet shelfing unit got ripped out and a new one will be installed.  It has sparked the renovation, once the office is done, another room will undergo a transformation.  One thing I am not looking forward to doing is removing the ugly wallpaper borders in the dining room, living room, and guest bedrooms.