Due to a rash of several burglaries of unlocked tool sheds last month, the Cary Police Department and Crime Stoppers called a community meeting for our area. We decided to go, expecting about 10 people, but were surprised by what we estimate to be about 100 people. And this gathering had the highest average age of any gathering we've been to since we went to the Johnny Cash impersonator concert!
Two interesting things:
First, I had heard about some burglaries and wondered why we weren't seeing more police around. It didn't dawn on me that the police were around more, but I didn't notice because I was sleeping during the hours they increased their patrols. Kind of makes sense, doesn't it?
The other is that nearly all the theft was from unlocked storage sheds in back yards or unlocked screen porches. The theory is that someone on foot went around to several storage sheds, pulled out lawnmowers, weedeaters, etc, and placed them on the curb. Then someone came along with a truck or vehicle and picked the stuff up. Nice. Too bad these guys don't apply their efficient methods to real jobs.
And just for fun - don't forget to smile the next time you're pulled over.
Aug 31, 2009
Aug 30, 2009
More 80s
Flashbacks to high school -- really freaky to see actual 15 year olds are wearing Ray-Ban Wayfar glasses to go along with side ponytails, long t-shirts over leggings and skinny jeans, accessorized by dangling bright-colored earrings. The mall was a scary place this weekend..... just waiting for the boxer shorts over thermal long underwear in the winter.
Aug 28, 2009
Hot Dog, Anyone?!
And you said you'd stop eating hot dogs after your mom told you what's in them...
What would you say after you see this?
What would you say after you see this?
Aug 27, 2009
Patience
... is not my strong suit. I understand it is a virtue, so today's experience might be helping me to cultivate that particular trait.
After diligently waiting for a return call about our countertop, finally heard today that it will not be installed until next Wednesday. I thought we had established today as THE day but alas, I will have to be more patient. Since we haven't had any real glitches in this kitchen redo, I should simply be thankful, then slowly inhale and exhale some deep cleansing breaths.
After diligently waiting for a return call about our countertop, finally heard today that it will not be installed until next Wednesday. I thought we had established today as THE day but alas, I will have to be more patient. Since we haven't had any real glitches in this kitchen redo, I should simply be thankful, then slowly inhale and exhale some deep cleansing breaths.
Aug 26, 2009
The Mailbox
For some odd reason lately, grabbing the mail out of the mailbox seems like a chore. There are days when I just leave it there, and wait another day before cleaning out the box. WHY!?! Most of the stuff is junk, and only requires mere sorting but I can't figure myself out.
Minzie, on the other hand, excitedly told me on the phone yesterday that she just got a mailbox and she was getting out her mail.
Life is wayyy better at age 3.
Minzie, on the other hand, excitedly told me on the phone yesterday that she just got a mailbox and she was getting out her mail.
Life is wayyy better at age 3.
Aug 25, 2009
First Day of Kindergarten
On my run around the block this morning, I spotted a little girl in pigtails, wearing a pleated plaid skirt, standing in her yard. Her mama was trying to get her to smile for the camera, and the girl looked partly sad, partly bored and partly excited. What a photo to memorialize in the scrap book!
Aug 24, 2009
Exercise Night 5
Youngin and I managed to run a few times during the kitchen escapades, but not as much as we wanted. Most of our runs were of the 2 mile variety.
Last night we ran for about an hour. Youngin ran 4 miles (continuous) in about 42 minutes. I ran 5.25 in 51 minutes. We definitely missed Steve and Charlene!
Akron Relay is only about a month away!
Last night we ran for about an hour. Youngin ran 4 miles (continuous) in about 42 minutes. I ran 5.25 in 51 minutes. We definitely missed Steve and Charlene!
Akron Relay is only about a month away!
Aug 23, 2009
The Hardwood Flooring Specialists
Dad's secret passion is caulk, we've learned. "Do you want me to caulk that?" "Maybe that should have caulk..."
Aug 22, 2009
Aug 21, 2009
The last bit of kitchen stuff
The end is nearing. The countertop people are coming today to measure for a template. Troy and Dad will work on the crown moulding tonight and hopefully have it done by tomorrow. We need to touch-up the walls with paint, put all the doors and drawers back on, refill the closet and cabinets, clean out the sunroom and move furniture back in. Hopefully the dining room table will back to its original spot by tomorrow. The marathon late-night sessions are just about over. We'll post pictures after the crown gets done.
Aug 18, 2009
Kitchen Renovation Progress
Our new range arrived yesterday and was installed tonight along the new hood which has 4 lights over the range. We tried out the gas cooktop for dinner and it seemed to work just fine. We heated the electric oven to 350 and it did well too.
We've almost completed the install of the cabinets. Only the bottom one by the fridge remains to be put into place, aside from the doors and hardware. The end is in sight!
We've almost completed the install of the cabinets. Only the bottom one by the fridge remains to be put into place, aside from the doors and hardware. The end is in sight!
Aug 17, 2009
Aug 15, 2009
Kitchen Renovation: THE REFRIGERATOR FITS!
Nearly everyone who saw our renovation in progress immediately asked if the refrigerator would really fit in that opening!? As a result, I measured it about 74 times and even double checked it in the middle of the night once.
It fits.
It fits.
Life is good when your fridge fits.
Aug 14, 2009
Health Care
When people ask, Youngin always says she doesn't have a definite answer to fix the health care system (although she thinks HSA's are a great idea). She also says the government makes a terrible insurance company. And this is generally a non-political blog.
But some of the opposition people have to the current health care plan makes me wonder if they've really thought a lot about the system we currently have.
Here are some examples of what we have with our current system:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Rationing -
- You call an insurance company for a quote and they make you pay more because you have condition X, or are predisposed to condition X.
- You can't afford decent coverage because you don't work for mega-corporation Z, so you go without certain medications or procedures.
- Your insurance company won't cover procedure Q because they don't think it's necessary (ie, it costs them money), so you go without medications or procedures.
These things happen every day in America. They are all forms of rationing.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Socialized Medicine -
- When someone who is penniless goes to the emergency room. Emergency room personnel effectively cannot turn them away. The hospital eats the cost of the treatment, but in reality they pass it on to everyone by charging our insurance company more, which in turn charges us more to have insurance.
- Someone really needs psychiatric help, but there's no funding to pay for it, so they end up in jail after a psychotic episode instead. Our taxes pay for this.
- What happens when someone costs the insurance company too much money? They raise premiums on all of us. Hopefully the person is able to retain their coverage.
These things happen all the time in America. They are ways of socializing health cost.
------------------------------------------------------------------
I found these articles interesting:
- The fact checker links near the end of this article.
- Or this article about how Massachusetts' "government healthcare" is failing.
But some of the opposition people have to the current health care plan makes me wonder if they've really thought a lot about the system we currently have.
Here are some examples of what we have with our current system:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Rationing -
- You call an insurance company for a quote and they make you pay more because you have condition X, or are predisposed to condition X.
- You can't afford decent coverage because you don't work for mega-corporation Z, so you go without certain medications or procedures.
- Your insurance company won't cover procedure Q because they don't think it's necessary (ie, it costs them money), so you go without medications or procedures.
These things happen every day in America. They are all forms of rationing.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Socialized Medicine -
- When someone who is penniless goes to the emergency room. Emergency room personnel effectively cannot turn them away. The hospital eats the cost of the treatment, but in reality they pass it on to everyone by charging our insurance company more, which in turn charges us more to have insurance.
- Someone really needs psychiatric help, but there's no funding to pay for it, so they end up in jail after a psychotic episode instead. Our taxes pay for this.
- What happens when someone costs the insurance company too much money? They raise premiums on all of us. Hopefully the person is able to retain their coverage.
These things happen all the time in America. They are ways of socializing health cost.
------------------------------------------------------------------
I found these articles interesting:
- The fact checker links near the end of this article.
- Or this article about how Massachusetts' "government healthcare" is failing.
Aug 13, 2009
Aug 10, 2009
Laundry? or Cabinets?
The cabinets have been primed, lightly sanded and are ready for final spray painting some time this week.
Aug 9, 2009
You know you are no longer dating but married when...
10. Friday night dinner is leftovers instead of fine dining at the latest hip restaurant.
9. The exciting weekend outing is Home Depot and Lowe's.
8. You already know what s/he's going to say before s/he says it.
7. Two hour phone conversations now are two minute reminders of what to pick up at Lowe's.
6. You use "latest hip restaurant" to describe the places where you used to go for dates.
5. You can't wait for the in-laws to show up, and miss them when they leave.
4. He doesn't like to go shopping anymore.
3. You say "oh, honey, that would make a great blog post," then argue over who has to write the post.
3-a. She writes a post and he re-writes it. "I think it's pretty good now..."
2. Dinner conversation is no longer a witty repartee to show off your cosmopolitan intelligence and savvy views of world issues, but a rehash of the weekend's to-do list.
1. She's sick of you wearing that, but you wear it anyway.
9. The exciting weekend outing is Home Depot and Lowe's.
8. You already know what s/he's going to say before s/he says it.
7. Two hour phone conversations now are two minute reminders of what to pick up at Lowe's.
6. You use "latest hip restaurant" to describe the places where you used to go for dates.
5. You can't wait for the in-laws to show up, and miss them when they leave.
4. He doesn't like to go shopping anymore.
3. You say "oh, honey, that would make a great blog post," then argue over who has to write the post.
3-a. She writes a post and he re-writes it. "I think it's pretty good now..."
2. Dinner conversation is no longer a witty repartee to show off your cosmopolitan intelligence and savvy views of world issues, but a rehash of the weekend's to-do list.
1. She's sick of you wearing that, but you wear it anyway.
Aug 8, 2009
Furniture Relocation
Since the sun room is now the holding place for the hardwood floor boxes, we've moved the sofas into the living room which now looks like a secondhand furniture store. The "kitchen" also has been shifted around again. The floors will be put in next week, and we'll move furniture again, undoubtedly.
Aug 7, 2009
More renovation pictures
Thanks to all of you who come by our blog and check our progress. We've painted the walls "Quicksilver" and managed to achieve the color we wanted... a mix of light blue, light gray and silver. You might be able to see the subtle color if you look carefully. The shade changes with the type and amount of light (an effect we are very happy about), and hopefully will accent the white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and black countertop. We also want the walls to contrast and highlight our dining room lamp which has reddish hues. Those of you who are able to envision an entire room based on a 4 x 4 inch paint chip are fortunate. We just cross our fingers and hold our breath.
Our cabinets are almost ready for the spray painting session. After several rounds of Bondo (we're still high from the fumes) and sanding, these cabinets will be completely prepped after making sure the doors fit properly. Bondo is amazing stuff. The cabinet corner in the detailed photo below looks awful but when you slide your hand across, it's as smooth as glass. The white oil-based paint should make the cabinets great. Our hardware arrived yesterday. Can't wait to put them on!
Our cabinets are almost ready for the spray painting session. After several rounds of Bondo (we're still high from the fumes) and sanding, these cabinets will be completely prepped after making sure the doors fit properly. Bondo is amazing stuff. The cabinet corner in the detailed photo below looks awful but when you slide your hand across, it's as smooth as glass. The white oil-based paint should make the cabinets great. Our hardware arrived yesterday. Can't wait to put them on!
Aug 6, 2009
Cabinet Refinishing (and a link)
We will start spraying the paint finish on our cabinets tonight, assuming the weather is cooperative! We're looking forward to seeing what they look like after all the sanding and filling.
Last night I put the finishing touches on our Quicksilver walls and we're really happy with the color. It morphs between a light gray and light blue depending on the lighting and what objects we place next to it.
In other news, I've posted what I think is a pretty cool animation on our GaugeCam blog. We now have some software that tracks the water level fairly well.
Last night I put the finishing touches on our Quicksilver walls and we're really happy with the color. It morphs between a light gray and light blue depending on the lighting and what objects we place next to it.
In other news, I've posted what I think is a pretty cool animation on our GaugeCam blog. We now have some software that tracks the water level fairly well.
Aug 3, 2009
Prepping Cabinets for Paint Finish, Painting
Today I spent all day applying thin layers of Bondo to various parts of our old cabinets. I also painted the ceiling in the kitchen and applied one coat of paint on the walls. We chose Sherwin Williams Quicksilver (#6245) and the more it dries the better we like it.
I also went and picked up the hardwood from Lumber Liquidators. We had to rearrange our makeshift kitchen (again) in order to stack it in the sun room, but we got that done just before it rained (again)!
In other news, I turned in my final paper for my online class yesterday. I just have the final to take on Wednesday. Tomorrow I am meeting with a professor to see about being involved in a second research project. I'm only interested in it if it fits certain criteria, though, so we'll see. Meanwhile, the research project Ken and I have been working on is moving along. We have an animation of our water level software at work posted here.
I also went and picked up the hardwood from Lumber Liquidators. We had to rearrange our makeshift kitchen (again) in order to stack it in the sun room, but we got that done just before it rained (again)!
In other news, I turned in my final paper for my online class yesterday. I just have the final to take on Wednesday. Tomorrow I am meeting with a professor to see about being involved in a second research project. I'm only interested in it if it fits certain criteria, though, so we'll see. Meanwhile, the research project Ken and I have been working on is moving along. We have an animation of our water level software at work posted here.
Aug 2, 2009
Kitchen Progress
We applied 2 coats of primer on the drywall this weekend, after the men came back for the final sanding Friday. We'll paint the ceiling and walls early this week.
In between primer coats, we also worked on the cabinets, filling the holes, smoothing the fronts and sanding. Hopefully in the next week, we'll have them painted too. We ordered some hinges and hardware and they should arrive in the next few days.
The project seems more manageable at this point, although there's still a lot of work to complete. A three hour nap this afternoon helped immensely. We've been spoiled this past week, having dinner with Troy's family several nights... we could get used to having someone cooking for us all the time! It's a decent remedy for feeling lost without a kitchen.
In between primer coats, we also worked on the cabinets, filling the holes, smoothing the fronts and sanding. Hopefully in the next week, we'll have them painted too. We ordered some hinges and hardware and they should arrive in the next few days.
The project seems more manageable at this point, although there's still a lot of work to complete. A three hour nap this afternoon helped immensely. We've been spoiled this past week, having dinner with Troy's family several nights... we could get used to having someone cooking for us all the time! It's a decent remedy for feeling lost without a kitchen.
Aug 1, 2009
Refurbishing Original Cabinets = Work
We've officially decided to leave about 90% of our original cabinets intact. One of our friends does a lot of handyman (especially painting) work in our area, so he is helping us put a paint finish on our cabinets. Tonight my mom helped us out as we filled nail holes with Bondo and sanded doors.
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