Amateur Hour

Amateur hour: that´s what I would have called our attempt to get to Australia, had I been an independent third party.  The day began with a scramble to pack.  With all of the construction going on at home, we had things strewn throughout the house and basement and as a result, I couldn´t find the proper luggage, iPod headphones, outlet adapter and numerous other items that I meticulously keep track of.  

After a quick stop at REI to pick up a rain jacket for myself (the first step in blowing the trip´s budget), we realized that we no longer had time to drop our car off at my parent´s house and ride BART back to the airport.  Instead, we drove straight to the airport, incurring $200 of parking costs in stride (and the tally grew).

With plenty of time to spare once we hit the airport thanks to the change in transportation plans (3 hours to be exact), I had visions of a nice dinner and a few cocktails before boarding the plane.  Unfortunately, due to a slight mishap by the United Counter Clerk, our otherwise simple check-in took a total of 1 hour...that is 30 minutes per person, and no exaggeration.    She originally thought it was due to my newly issued passport (stamp free until this trip), however upon further research, it was due to United trying to check us in prior to issuing visas and a completely inadequate system. Unfortunately I couldn´t explain this to the 15 people behind us waiting to check-in in the “priority” line.

I was pulled over for additional screening by TSA once we were finally checked-in. And to top things off, while I can normally pick out a good read in the bookstore, I bought one so horrible that it had to be left on the plane after finishing only 25 pages.

In the end, the only thing that looked “pro” about the start to our trip was my new purse, bought only an hour before the charade began.    But we made it onto the flight, Martin was upgraded to sit with me and we were ready for our now-much needed 2 week vacation!

A Wall of Closets…

Do I need to say any more about how excited I am about our new bedroom!

We officially moved out of the studio apartment and into the East Wing last weekend! And while there is still some work to do (as always) it is starting to feel like home.

My biggest challenge, how to organize the wall of closets!

Martin taking down the plastic sheet between the East Wing and the West Wing (aka our Studio Apartment)

The hallway is open again!

Our bedroom
(which still needs some decorating help)


Our wall of closets!

Grounded in Dunsmuir

With our weekends this winter all but booked, I was surprised and happy to find a free one to make it up to Dunsmuir for a weekend with the family. I took off early on Friday, and with Martin´s German-style driving, we were able to make it up there in time for dinner at Madeleine’s with the parents, Dana, Ray, Cassidy and baby Blake. It had been years since I had eaten there, and yet it still felt like family…although I am sure that feeling was only confirmed when the waitress decided to entertain Cassidy the entire meal and give her a tour of the kitchen (including a complimentary bowl of fruit for dessert). The food was even better than I remembered and it was great to spend time with the family.

With an early day of skiing planned for the following day, we headed back to the house for after dinner drinks and a few games of Looping Louie, Martin´s and Germany´s newest, favorite game. Originally designed for kids 3 and over, the concept involves a man in an airplane circling the game-board on a fixed tower. With a quick bump, you can knock Louie over your square and save yourself from losing one of your three pieces, and in turn, have Louie steal one of your opponents. It sounded simple and innocent enough…until the Germans turned it into a drinking game. For every piece you lost, you had to take a shot. Needless to say, it got ugly, rowdy and fun very fast. Unfortunately it got even uglier and rowdier for Martin... Constantly on the losing end, he ended up losing his lunch and dinner later that night. But not before taking a walk in the cold night air, with the dogs in pursuit, in an attempt to sober up.

Moving a little bit slower than normal the next day, Martin, my mom and I made it to the Nordic ski area around noon. With the sun shining and fresh snow sparkling, we had a lovely time cross country skiing, Martin off doing his normal, yet crazy hills, while my mom and I took the easier route and the opportunity to catch up. We left Martin to continue his marathon and my mom and I went to meet up with the family at the snow park…unfortunately, we arrived just in time to see them pack up the sleds and admit defeat…Cassidy was not a fan of sledding.

With Louie (and Martin) grounded for the rest of the weekend after his Friday night antics we were guaranteed a mellower evening that night. We spent the rest of the afternoon and night relaxing at the house, reading and playing with the kids.

We left after breakfast the following morning, but with plans to come back in the summer; and next time Louie and Martin both owe me.