Polski Tuesday = Tired Julie

After working essentially 2 days in 1 yesterday..and having about the worst night of sleep ever...hmm..maybe I should have gone for a drink after all...I am sitting here, trying to work, but clearly I am distracted. (Wow..that had to have been a run on statement.) I have a large latte, but it doesn't seem to be helping. I plan to get out of here earlier tonight..and get some sleep, however you know what they say about the best laid plans :)

I don't even have my pictures loaded..so I'll find an old one - from my hotel.

Polski Sunday

I am writing this post from the office in Warsaw. It's been a long journey which so far...knock on wood, has not been traumatic. (oh aside from the perfume..but I'll get to that).

My trip started out on a high note..glad to see the people of San Antonio who travel and visitors now get to have the best coffee in America.

Sadly, however, this is about the only Dunkin Donuts in San Antonio..and its past security..guess I'll have to travel more.

So..I flew to Chicago and had an early dinner and did some shopping with Sarah..which I appreciated very much. I was all set to have a good look at the duty free at O'Hare, when I discovered that the duty free in Terminal 5 at O'Hare SUCKS!!!! I have never seen such a poor excuse for duty free shopping in my life!!!

I boarded my flight to Poland...had to sit in economy...and the woman who is seated next to me decides to spray perfume. Who does that??? not just one squirt but multiple! I thought I was going to choke to death. She also, I think, stole my pillow and my eye mask! I popped an Ambien (thanks Sarah) and slept the entire flight. The flight attendant woke me up twice to see if I wanted to eat (I'm sleeping...leave me alone!). Shortest flight to Europe ever!

I checked in at the Marriott.

Look..the TV has my name on it!!! And it really is quite a nice room. Look at all the pillows on my king size bed...it really is very comfortable..might try to pack it in my suitcase...heehee..

I unpacked and took a short walk. The Marks and Spencer's is right across from my hotel..

Then it was nap time.

So here it is..the first day at the office, so far so good. I will have to post the picture of the Vodka display I took at the hotel this morning.

Cheesy chocolate on a fork

I have had a fondue pot for at least 2 years...and if you know me you know how much I love to go out for fondue. Paul and I decided to try it at home. We had all these plans to have a nice fondue dinner over the weekend - we even got a bottle of wine. Well the weekend got the best of us and it never happened. Instead, we had fondue tonight..on a Monday!

We do have the nice pot..but we are lacking in nice bowls for the tipping items...

We had cheese..it was Swiss. Don't be too impressed..we got it at Costco...and we'll probably get it again.

Then we had chocolate (2 hours later). We have enough chocolate left for about 15 more people to join us. So..if you're not doing anything..stop on by! Oh..and bring a bottle of wine.

Green Beans

Ok..so last time I blogged..well, not last time, because last time I shared my enjoyment of the Japanese game show...but the time before that, I said that there had been an incident I called the Richard/Lanclos, almost Hoover match up...starring the color green... remember? So..on the 4th of July, we went over to Mike and Renee's and sitting there, was my dad and my uncle...

I thought only women did this. What made it even funnier..was that Paul had this on the day before..

Now that would have been funny, right! We would have made fun of Dad and Paul..and then when Charlie had entered the picture...whoa nelly! We would have peed our pants!

Ok..so while we were visiting...we also went to see Taylor play softball. They were playing in a tournament..and they, well..got spanked. The one good thing was that Tay got one of the only hits and on one of those got the only RBI of the whole thing for her team. Way to go T! And I got it on tape.

Let's see...what else happened? We did lots of riding with the top down

...(my dad thought I was taking a picture of Home Depot...I mean, honestly!) I did take a picture of the gas price...that's much more interesting..

That was really about it. We had a good time during our visit. Hopefully we'll get to go back in the fall.

I'll have a pickle with my guilt sandwich

I haven't blogged since the 4th of July...and I left you with such anticipation...I feel terrible.

Unless I get so wrapped up in watching my recording of "I Survived a Japanese Game Show" tonight, I'll blog.

Is anyone else watching that? I think its so funny. I SO wanted to ask my Japanese coworkers if they knew anything about it...but I decided they might think I was weird...

I hope everyone had a nice 4th of July.

Paul and I spent the day visiting with my family.

(Why does my husband always have to make a ridiculous face?) The weather was really great and the company was even better.

We got to spend some time with Lindsay and Gavin

We also got to see my new nephew..and hold him..he didn't cry..

Paul and Gavin went swimming..Lin went too.

Paul made a real splash that he shared with everyone...

There are many more pictures..and I'll post some more tomorrow..including the Richard/Lanclos, almost Hoover match up...starring the color green...stay tuned...

one more time

Here we go again..more posts about the dog.

Someone thinks she's getting left behind again.


We put off getting out a suitcase till this morning for this very reason.

Doggie Bag

We had to get out Izzie's travel bag for our trip to Illinois tomorow. She did pretty well last year when we traveled with her, but we wanted to make sure she wouldn't have any problem this time. So..we got the bag out...put her in it...she was fine..so we practiced the Peanut Butter...

sorry..but we thought it was funny..and if you didn't...

You might want to bring a sweater

Paul, Izzie and I will be heading to Chicago tomorrow. I haven't been back to see the family since late January. Its been really hot here in Texas..so I felt like a survey of the weather was in order..

I'll be leaving this...

For this..

Wow..we might need to pack sweaters..heehee...

Our TV is sick

Something is wrong with our TV. I really tried to talk Paul into going out to get a new one yesterday...I had it all figured..we could get it and have it all paid off before we move. We'd then just move it back to Chicago and that would be one less thing we'd have to get when we moved.

Normally, I can do without television..music is more my thing. If it wasn't for Paul, I'd have the cable turned off...so I am really surprised that this whole TV thing is bothering me as much as it is...

Notice that big yellow area in the MIDDLE OF THE SCREEN?? it is making me crazy.

(We were watching the BBC series Planet Earth yesterday on our relatively new blu-ray player...I want a clear picture! )

If the yellow isn't enough..when the screen is dark, we get this...

Sorry..its really fuzzy because I was too lazy to get up off the couch to take a picture of the television..but do you see the BLUE BLOTCHES???? I was watching House on Friday and my Hugh Laurie had a big purple spot on this head.

Paul says he can fix it..for $200 he can replace some bulb...I say we put the $200 towards a new flat panel tv. I hope if I keep on he'll break down..because I know, deep down, he'd love a new TV. I have my fingers crossed.

Wordpress??

I am considering moving my blog over to a different blogger tool.

You can check it out at htp://jules1074.wordpress.com

I am trying to see what all wordpress can do...

UPDATE: Wordpress gave me a raging headache...twice. It is not so straight forward and I really think that I like Blogger better...WAY better. I have abandoned my effort...

Bags

I was up pretty early this morning, which is surprising due to the fact that I was sitting outside until 12:30 with my neighbor last night. Anyway, I was up so I thought I'd get to Walmart before it gets busy. The only time Walmart doesn't seem to be packed is Saturday and Sunday mornings before about 9:30. (don't all be rushing off to Walmart at this time and screw up my peaceful experience) Anyway, about a month or so back I bought some reusable grocery bags. We were just throwing those plastic bags away anyway. We also bought reusable water bottles..and we don't use paper plates (it took Paul a long time to get over that). Anyway..every time I go to Walmart, I end up with someone asking me about the bags and where I got them. I think I should ink some endorsement deal with Envirosax. So here they are...

You can see how big they are..I have a 2 pack of paper towel in this one..plus lots of other things. So..if you want them...http://www.envirosax.com/ - I have the retro kitchen ones. I seriously think I am giving these to people for Christmas this year...with hand knitted socks!

And since I had the camera out...

I'm Clark right now..

I talked to Gavin on the phone this afternoon - it has to be the longest, most in depth conversation we've ever had. Apparently he'd kicked back on he sofa for our conversation - maybe he was chillin and felt like shooting the breeze.... Anyway we talked about his video games and his new baby brother (who cries and sleeps a lot). Gavin likes Superheros...I asked him if he had his Superman cape on and he said.."no, I'm Clark right now!" Wow..he sure does have his story line down! It made me laugh! I had to share....

Back to reality...

Well thank goodness we've made it through another work week. I don't know about you but that was really tough! I don't want to think about my work to do list for at least 48 hours.

This week was pretty uneventful. I've been knitting on my socks. I got to the quitting point for my knitting class...

I was really surprised how quick they went..and at this point, I am supposed to wait for next Monday's class where we'll learn how to do the heal. As I am fairly impatient..I decided to start another sock and once I get to the heal, I'll try it myself...

All of these pictures of my feet! I still have a nice pedicure going..not that you'd notice due to the SOCKS! Anyway...so I've been knitting..

all of these sock pictures made me realize that someone hasn't had her picture taken for a while..

Currently she won't leave me alone because she thinks the cupcakes I am making should be for her..and she's hoping her mama will slip her one...she just might...

My name is Julie, and I have PVS*

I am having a hard time getting over my vacation...I'd much rather be here. Sorry if that hurts anyones feelings, it's not meant to.

At least I got to start a new knitting project today..and I am taking a class too. I know, how social of me! I am taking a sock class at Yarnivore - I've always (well, as long as I've been knitting and jealous of others doing it) wanted to make socks. They are so small and portable..so, rather than lug the blanket I am working on to Cabo, I decided to start a sock. I picked a pattern that isn't in the round, but is flat that you have to sew together. First, I present you with my Cabo San Blue Sock..

I don't know what is going on with the heel! I have already picked it out and redone it. I don't know, I'll take it with me to class next week and maybe they can give me some good advice. Which brings me to my sock 2 - yet to be named - maybe the Socks I Want to Fit.

Well..I guess I should really decide to get on with real life again. I am going to be off for almost a week again starting July 1st...so reality only has to hang around for a short time.

*Post Vacation Syndrome

tidal wave

If you're observant..or have been bugging me...you will notice that the pictures have been posted of from our vacation. Please, no comments about how stunning I look in a swimsuit..I already know :)

In case you're wondering why there aren't pictures of us on the beach, hopefully this answers all your questions.

If you know me, you know there is no way I surf so I cannot appreciate these waves. Also, my feet are super wimpy sensitive and the sand hurt!!! I need the beautiful soft sand of the Caribbean..even then I want to swim in the pool...but its nice for walking right??

Also there aren't any pictures of mom and I schooling Paul in cards every day. (Paul, leave that one alone, I have drunk passed out snoring video that I am not afraid to post...)

Now that this has been taken care of, I can get back to work...and by work I mean looking in the fridge every 10 minutes (im JOKING....don't want anyone from work to get the wrong idea..but if you could send a care package...)

We're back...

did you miss us??

As soon as I get my clothes unpacked and the laundry started, I'll post the pictures...so, given the rate at which I am moving today...it'll be later tonight :)

are the Hoovers going somewhere?

...why yes we are...and we're so glad you'll miss us. We'll be spending the next week here...

See you when we get back.

ladies and...well ladies...gentlemen probably don't care

So..I've been doing lots of knitting..and have actually finished some thing's. Well..when I say I finished I use that term very loosely. By finished I mean I have completed the actual knitting. Finishing, and putting together, now lets not get ahead of ourselves.

Here are the updates - I'll add some additional pictures later:

Sarah's sweater - as you may recall, I started knitting this sweater back in January 2007 on my trip to Singapore. Well..it has been a long, long...long, long..I mean LONG drawn out project. I am happy to report (Sarah look away) that the knitting is done and as soon as I can figure out how to attach the collar with backstitching, I'll be done. Just a year late, but hey..that's the price for handmade, I suppose.

Gavin's sweater - OK..well this isn't going to be Gav's sweater anymore because unless he wants to wear a very tight fitting sweater..think spandex..then this isn't for him. I made a big push on this one on this years trip to Asia..and I am almost finished knitting. I realized I am not going to have enough navy..and so I am trying to find some. This has been on going even longer than Sarah's sweater.

My Shawl - I finished it! The worst part was the 1100 stitch cast on. I am shocked I got that right. Here is a picture - you know how I like to take my picture in the mirror...

Oh my god..this looks like something out of a scary book..but at least you can see how the back is.. I hope this doesn't cause anyone nightmares. (I'll try to smile next time)

And now I've started on a blanket...which Paul seems to think I was going to give to the dog..but 10 balls of yarn at 10 a piece...well I love the dog, but lets not be silly. This is just the corner.

And..last but not least, I will be knitting socks next week in Cabo. I needed something portable and small to take to the beach. Hopefully it won't get sandy...

Pop Tarts

Mom and I have gotten tickets to go see...

We're going to Houston to see them..they aren't coming to San Antonio.

And we'll get to see him up close...

Miss Hairy Fuzzball and the Curse of the Yellow Dyson

It finally arrived...something I've been coveting for a long time. I finally got a Dyson! Work had an offer where I got 40, yes, 40% off..so I had to get one.

(how funny..I just noticed Izzie's green moose in the corner....)

Anyway, the Dyson came yesterday. The UPS man told me that I would be horrified by the junk that would come out of my carpet. Let me tell you..he was right on the money with that one! I won't show it to you...you'd be horrified.

So..Izzie thought the box was fantastic...she even posed for this picture...

That's where the friendly relationship with the Dyson ended! I put it together and fired it up..and the barking began!! I'd leave the room, she'd bark at the Dyson. She walked past the closet..yep..barked...

Somehow this little dog is going to to have to learn to get along with the Dyson..because it is here to stay.