Scrapbooking my life...one page at a time

Fountains & The Adorables ...

Fountains

The Navy Pier pavilion was filled with lush tropical plants & fountains.  There were tables, chairs & benches everywhere so you could sit inside where it was warm & cozy and have lunch or coffee while watching the boats, snow or look out at the lake.  It was a nice reprieve from the cold winds & snow ...

 
The cool thing about these fountains was that most of them were hidden among the plants throughout the pavilion.  In fact, I heard them long before I found them ...
I kept hearing the sound of water plopping  ... sorta like someone was playing with the hose and turning it off & on all the time, so I went exploring ...


 

I think these are coolest fountains I have ever seen - the water is shot out in one stream like it is coming out of a hose but it stops & starts at various intervals ...  when you watch the fountain/s for a while you can clearly see where the water is floating through the air ... unconnected to the one  in front or behind it ... just a small line of it and then a few inches later there will be another distinctive short line of water  ... the most I counted was 4 'free floating' lines of water at one time. 

It was like the various streams of water were 'suspended' in the air - unattached to anything ...

In the photo above I have included red arrows to show were the water stops & starts.  I know it's kind of hard to see ... I took about 20 photo's trying to 'catch' the water streams mid air but it was hard as they are only there for micro-seconds ... If you click on the picture and enlarge it you can see gaps a little more clearly ... 

The sounds all the different fountains made splashing was very interesting ... not your typical fountain but very cool!

The Adorable Sullivans

These guys just getting more beautiful and adorable every time I see them ...  They look so angelic and sweet ....  ALTHOUGH ... I'm sure there is a funny story behind that war paint Max is sporting!

Have a marvelous snowy day up there in your part of Canada!

Love to all
- N -

Chicagoland ...

By the time Mike finished up his interview on Friday and got back to the hotel is was well after 6pm.  We decided to go out and get something to eat and ended up at the Legendary 'Billy Goat Pub'... well, a legend in Chicago anyways ...

The Pub is underneath the "Wrigley Building" which is considered to the most beautiful building in Chicago.  It was built by and is still the headquarters of the Wrigley Chewing Gum Corporation.  

ABOUT THE WRIGLEY BUILDING ...

"The building's large clock-tower is one of its most well-known features. The giant two-story clock in the south tower features four dials, each 19 feet, 7 inches in diameter. Each dial has an hour hand that measures 6 feet, 4 inches and a minute hand that is 9 feet, 2 inches long. These clock hands were originally made of redwood, but were recently refashioned in aircraft-grade aluminum to increase their durability. Because of its multiple dials and prominent positioning, people coming from all directions use Wrigley's clock to check the time.

The building is clad in approximately 250,000 individual glazed terra cotta tiles, the most extensive use of terra cotta in the world during the time of construction. Each tile is uniquely identified in a computer database that enables consistent tracking and maintenance of each and every tile located on the building. The interior of the building contains extensive brass work throughout each tower's lobby, including the entryway, elevator doors and lobby clock."

The building was constructed in 1920 and is made up of two giant towers which are connected by a two covered walkways on the 3rd and 17th floors. 

Yikes, I think I would be nervous walking across that walkway everyday.

Mike getting ready to 'Butt In' to the Pub - he had, as they say, a Cheezborger!
After dinner we wandered around for a while and took in some of the sights ...

 

The Chicago Tribune Building


The next morning we woke up to blowing winds and light snow. 

We wandered over to the John Hancock Building - it is the 6th tallest building in the United States standing 100 stories tall.

At the top of the building is an Observation Deck and we decided to go up & check out the views ... even though it was not a very clear day.  The elevator to the Observation deck is the fastest in the world and travels at a rate of 20 mph.  It only takes 40 seconds to get to the top ... Here is what we saw when we got up there ...
 













After we had spent several hours up top the Hancock Building we decided that we were both hungry and so we decided to try some authentic 'Deep Dish Chicago' pizza and set off to find a pizzeria ...


After we were full & warmed up we decided to take the trolley over to the Navy Pier (it used to belong to the Navy but is now a Midway Fair)

Did you know that the 'Ferris Wheel' was invented as a ride for the 1893 Chicago World's Fair!  This is a replica of the original and is located at the Pier.

 
Look closely at this picture ... Can you see something strange ... Any guesses ...

Mike took this photo and I Love the juxtaposition of the old Water Tower, skyscrapers & carriages!! 

And then we got on the plane and came home again!
Love to all & have a great day

- N -

Chicago ...

Our Hotel - The Millennium Knickerbocker

Our flight to Chicago went without a hitch - beautiful clear skies all the way.  As someone who used to be afraid to fly - terrified - I now love flying.  I don't really know what changed for me but I have absolutely NO FEAR and would fly anywhere, anytime now.

Our hotel, The Knickbocker, is gorgeous ... It is full of wood and marble, actually, most of the hotels downtown look very old and historic.  The hotel across the street, The Drake, is also very old and has these amazing lights on it's outside street entrance ... the craftsmanship of years gone by is so incredible - could you only imagine what it would cost to build a hotel with 6 of these lights on it today????

When we landed in Chicago the temperature was 21^{o ...} burrrr and wouldn't you know it ... I forgot to bring my winter coat and only have a light sweater with me.  I hate being hot on the airplane and so I just worn a thin little sweater and thought I would pack my heavy winter coat.  Oops ...

So, this morning I am off to explore 'Magnificant Mile' and see if I can buy a new coat without breaking the bank [oh yeah, Mr. G already did that ... didn't he].  Anyhoo, 'Magnificant Mile' is much like 'Rodeo Drive' in LA - any & every desinger store you can think of ... Neiman Marcus, Sak's 5th Avenue, Louis Vitton, Coach, etc ...

I ended up buying a really nice dress coat at Bloomingdales - It cost too much but I love it and it's supposed to snow 8" overnight so I will get go use out of it for the next 2 days anyways.  Actually, I have been thinking about getting a dress coat for a while now ...

So, Mike is out on his interview right now ... He was very nervous about going so I hope he feels that he did well whether they offer him the job or not.

 

Mike on his way to his interview

I wandered around the shops for a couple of hours and then headed back to the hotel for a rest & lunch ...

My walked consisted of most walking around ... looking up!!  Here is some of what I saw ...

 

The Old Water Tower:  One of only 2 buildings that survived the Great Chicago Fire that burnt the city to the ground

 

 

The John Hancock Building & Observatory

I'll admit it ... I'm a room service junkie.  I love to just sit in the hotel room - alone - with my laptop, TV turned on to the local news, order room service ... have lunch or dinner and then nap ...I love the feeling of being transported to another place & time ...In fact, I'd rather to this than go to a spa or salon - massages creep me out and I'm not into facials, mud packs or any other such procedures ... 

 

I forgot to post this yesterday ...

 Have a great day

- N -

Ten On Tuesday ...

Today's Ten On Tuesday is a little different than usual:

Here are the TOP 10 Random Thoughts on my Mind today ...

1:    We are NERVOUS about our trip to Chicago - nervous that Mike will get offered the job and nervous that he will not.  I feel like we are living in limbo - just waiting to see where he will ultimately find a job and where we will be living ...

2:    I am EXCITED to share this 'killer' FREE Photo Editor I found online.  I would whole heartily recommend it to anyone who has a lot of digital photos stashed on their computer and while it doesn't sort or organize your photos it does an amazing job of editing them.  Just download it and begin.  It is easy, simple & does a very nice job - just click on www.photoscape.org to check it out!

3:    I remain PESSIMISTIC about the economy - I believe the worst is yet to come.

4:    I am so HAPPY that my very talented & good friend Dana came by on Sunday for a wonderful visit.  We drank Mike's Hard Cranberry Lemonade, chatted & Mike even made us dinner.   It was so  nice to see her because I had not visited with her since our return from Wash. DC. Since just before Christmas Dana has been trying to open a floral design studio in her home called 'Blissful Blossoms' however opening any new business during this tough economy is hard so she is moving forward with it slowly.  She made me an absolutely gorgeous arrangement for Valentine's Day.  Isn't it beautiful - I LOVE  the little purple butterfly hovering atop the roses.  CLICK on the photo's to enlarge them.  They were a beautiful gift from a beautiful friend.  Thanks Dana

5:    I am WORRIED about Katy's old dog Sneakers.  She is now ramping up on her 16th B-day and she seems to be crankier by the day.  She has begun barking & snapping at Buster all the time even if he bothering her. Last night she was growling & barking at Buster when for no reason at all. I am wondering ... Do dogs go through menopause??? ....

6:    I am GLAD that Mike & I finally went for our walk around Bellevue Botanical Gardens yesterday (he finally finished his homework).  Unfortunately we didn't get there until after 3pm and I was so tired by then [I had gotten up just before 4am] that we only stayed for a nice but short walk ...Don't you just love the frog who stands guard at the entrance to the gardens ...

7:   I am MAD - so very MAD at myself ...  I have not been to the YMCA once since before Christmas.  Good Grief, I'm paying for it so lets get moving  girl!!

8:    I am very PLEASED that I have finally started work on a new scrapbook.  It is a Thank-you for having us out to your Beach House book for Jo [Mike's sister].  All I have so far is the front cover but I LOVE it [I'll post pic's of it soon]

9:    I am HESITANT to begin an all out job hunt because I don't want to start a job and then have to quit it a couple of days/weeks later. Mike says I just shouldn't worry about that but I just don't feel right about taking a job knowing I might have to quit again right away ... but ...

10:   I am so GRATEFUL for all the sunny days that we have been blessed with here in Seattle lately.  Everything feels & looks better on a day filled with sunshine so Here's to another week of glorious sunshine that warms the earth and all who inhabit it ...

What random thoughts are on your mind today?

- N -

Happy Washington's Birthday & A Cautionary Fire Story ...

- Happy Washington's Birthday -

President's Day which is officially known as 'Washington's Birthday was originally enacted in 1880 as the first holiday to celebrate an 'American citizen'.  From 1880 until 1971 it was celebrated on February 22nd - Washington's actual Birthday but in 71' it was switched to the 3rd Monday in February to comply with the 'Uniform Monday Holiday Act'.  Attempts have been made over the years to officially change it to President's Day to honor all former US Presidents but to date it remains 'Washington's Birthday'.

Happy B-Day George ... Washington that is!
^*_**^**_***^***_**^**_**^***_**^**_***^***_**^**_**^***_**^**_***^***_**^**_**^**

Yesterday, just before noon, the doorbell rang and I was busy in the laundry room so Mike answered the door.  He opened it and Claudia, our next door neighbor was standing there with Alex in her arms. 

She threw Alex into Mike's arms and said,      'I think our house is on fire - watch Alex for me.'
As she was running down the walkway Mike yelled, 'should I call 911?'
and she yelled back, 'I already have.'

I had heard the commotion from the laundry room but by the time I got to the front door Claudia had left and Mike was holding Alex whom he immediately passed over to me and ran out the door after Claudia.  Alex & I were just stared at each other for a moment and then went over to the window to have a look ...

We could not see any smoke or flames-so I put Alex down and turned on the Baby Einstein DVD which was still loaded in the player from the when I had babysat the day before and gave him a bowl of dry cheerio's and then went back to the window to look around. 

 Just then I heard the sirens but still couldn't see any flames or smoke!  I must say ... it  pays to live close to the firehouse (even though we live in Redmond - there is a Bellevue Firehouse only about a mile from our house).  It took the Bellevue Fire department less than 5 minutes to get to the house ... 4 firetrucks!  Impressive!

Thank GOD it turned out to be a False Alarm ... of sorts!  As it turns out, Saturday I had babysat for the neighbors (hence the Baby Einstein DVD) because they had to go into Seattle to pick-up a teak outdoor furniture set they had bought off Craig's list - it was used and a little worn - so Claudia decided to spruce it up by resealing it in Linseed Oil. 

She applied the Oil, washed the rags she had used in the washer and then dried them in the dryer and put them away in the cabinet in her laundry room.  BAD IDEA ... but who knew!  Apparently, even though the rags had been washed and dried, they were still emitting flumes which collected in the cabinet and spontaneously self -combusted into flames. 

The firemen quickly found the pile of rags, put out the flames, and disposed of them.  They told Claudia that she should open the dryer door to let it air out and that she should have laid the rags outside to air dry and then stored them in an open air container.

Well, Claudia was very embarrassed ... as she told the fireman - 4 firetrucks for such a stupid mistake and they just laughed and said ... it's just your tax dollars at work & never be embarrassed to call us!   She told me ... 'That's what you get for trying to be Suzie Homemaker!'

Lessons learned:

1. The Bellevue Fire Department is GREAT ...
2. Living close to the Fire Hall is a GOOD THING ...
3. Linseed Oil can be deadly if not properly handled ...
4. It's always Good to know you neighbors - but especially in an emergency ...
5. You can find GREAT deals on Craig's list ...

Have a great Monday
- N -

A Whole Heart ...

'To serve is beautiful, but only if it is done with joy and a whole heart.'
- Pearl S. Buck -

Today, upon waking, I was met by a joyful sun who was also just rising .  We seemed to pause briefly for a moment, acknowledging each other before getting on with our respective morning rituals.   It is always nice to start the day with an old friend.

It is sunny but frosty this morning and I am hoping that it warms up a wee bit because when Mike has finished his homework he will take me for a stroll around  the Bellevue Botanical Gardens to see what is up & about in their flower beds.  This is my one & only goal for the day.

Have a sunny day whether the sun shines in your neck of the woods or not!
- N -

Happy {heart} Day ...

After a good night's sleep and awaking at a decent hour [today is the first time in a long time that I didn't beat the sun up] I feel really good this morning.

It's amazing how much a good night's sleep can change the world ...

I would rate last night's sleep a perfect 14 and speaking of 14 - here are my current TOP 14's right now and since its Valentines Day I'll begin with ...

The Top 14 Reasons I Love Mike:

1. I love his sense of humor ...
2. He is the most honest person I know ... 
3. He is completely nonjudgmental & logical  ...
4. He never gossips ...
5. He allows knows exactly the right thing to say to me at exactly the right time ...
6. He can fix anything - from my computer,  yard lights, fountain to any messes I have going in my life at any given time ...
7. He makes my coffee almost every morning ...
8. He has great taste in movies, TV shows & cartoons ...
9. He always takes great care of me ...
10. He will read me stories at night when I am having trouble sleeping ...
11. He has a BIG brain and I love that ...
12. He almost never says the word .. "NO'
13. I can wake him up at any time for a hug or snuggle and he NEVER  E.V.E.R. gets mad, grumpy or irritated.
14. He is the best DAD ever ... 

The Top 14 Things I will do today {I hope}:

1. Babysit Alex for Claudia & Tom ...
2. Laundry ... 
3. Swifter my hardwood floors  ...
4. Journal ...
5. Work on my current Scrapbook project...
6. Read for a bit ...
7. Lunch with Dana ...
8. Make Mike Taco's for {Heart} Day Dinner [his favorite] ..
9. Clean up my Scraproom...
10. Plant the primroses I bought yesterday ...
11. Update my wall calendar
12. Catch up on my Tivo watching ...
13. Read ...
14. Learn to synchronize my blackberry ...

Here are some of the other random Lists I currently have on the go:

Here is what is on my current 'TIVO' list:

1. • Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles
   • Buy Me
   • Top Chef
   • Damages
   • Burn Notice
   • Supernatural
   • Jon & Kate Plus Eight

Here is what is on my current 'RANT & RAVE' List:

1. • Economy
   • Leftover G.W. rage
   • Cold Soggy Soil
   • 1400 job applicants showing up to test for ONE Tacoma Meter Reader position
   • All the generous people who have helped Mike look for a job.
   • My chance to visit Chicago

1. Here is what is on my current "LETS JUST GET IT DONE ALREADY' list:
   • Laundry
   • Scrap
   • Lunch with Dana
   • Babysit Alex
   • Hair Cut
   • Make Mike Taco's for Dinner
   • Pick-up Mike's dry cleaning
   • Bills
   • Attend MK Meeting
   • Vacuum
   • Mail Kate's ski glove

1. Here is what is on my current 'DIG IN THE DIRT' list:
   • Weed
   • Plant: Primroses
   • Plant: Purple Smoke Bush
   • Plant: Clematis
   • Prune as needed
   • Sweep Deck
   • Sweep front walk
   • Buy & Plant some spring blossoms

Here is what is on my current 'Oh, THE PLACES I'LL GO' this year list:

• Chicago
• Ho Rain Forest
• Washington State's Stonehenge
• One Ghost Town
• Portland
• Port Townsend
• Lake Chelan
• Parksville

1. Here is who is on my current 'Hi, How ARE YOU' list:
   • Get well card for Aidan
   • Email: Beverly
   • Call Dana
   • Email Trista about hooking up for lunch
   • Email: Susan
   • Thank-You letter & Scrapbook to Jo
   • Family Newsletter
   • Birthday Cards for March

Here is what is on my current 'LETS GO TO THE MOVIES' list:

• Slumdog Millionaire
• Shopaholic
• The International
• The Wrestler
• Angels & Demons
• The Terminator: Salvation

1. Here is what is on my current 'STORY-TIME BOOK' list:
   • A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - Betty Smith
   • Silent Spring - Rachel Carson
   • HogFather - Terry Pratchett
   • Martin Dressler - Steven Millhauser
   • Second Glance - Jodi Picoult
   • Shoot the Moom - Billie Letts
   • Eat, Pray, Love - Elizabeth Gilbert
   • Cradle to Cradle - W. McDonough & M. Braungart

1. Here is what is on my current 'SPRING CLEANING' list:
   • Garage - Purge, Clean & Organize
   • Deep Clean Bathrooms
   • Detail my car
   • Windows - well hire the window washer guy
   • Baseboards
   • Window Sills
   • Linen Closet - Purge, Clean & Organize

Here is what is on my current 'IF I HAD A GENIE IN A BOTTLE WISH' list:

• 30 Sunny Days in a Row
• An Owl living in by Backyard tree
• Mike finds a full time job
• Nancy finds a part time job

   
Whatever is on your list today: 
I hope you have a Wonderful, Hug-Filled, Love Infested {Heart} Day!

- N -

I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane ...

 
The Knickerbocker Hotel - Chicago

I am excited because Mike & I just finalized our plans for our trip out to Chicago!  The company that Mike is interviewing with has, of course, paid for his airfare & the hotel but I needed to pay for my own plane ride out.  I guess they feel I am just a tagalong ... humph!

 Anyways, We are leaving on February 19th and will be back on the 23rd.  A short turnaround trip but we are excited nonetheless since neither of us has been to Chicago before.  They booked Mike into a really nice hotel ... The Knickerbocker!  Very Old World & Elegant!

The hotel is right downtown and looks very close to many of Chicago's main sights & tourist attractions.  It will be a short but fun vacation for me anyway ... as always ... Mike is very nervous about interviewing - he just wants a job so bad!  Anywhere!  Nobody that he was laid off with a Philips has found full time work yet ... 

Chicago is the 3rd largest city in the US with 2.8 million people in the city proper and 9.8 million in the surrounding metropolitan area - referred to as 'Chicagoland'.

Seattle, by comparison, is the 24th largest city in the US with 595,000 people living within the city limits and 3.2 million in the surrounding area.

I am excited to visit Chicago because last year I read the book, "Devil in the White City'  by Erik Larson which as a historical nonfiction account of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair.    The books describes in such detail the birth of Chicago and the amazing work of  Frederick Law Olmsted (he is the Landscape Architect who designed & built Central Park) .  In fact, out of the 200+ buildings constructed for the Fair only 2 remain and although 2 days isn't long I am hoping to see them both.

The Palace of Fine Arts which is now the Museum of Science & Industry

And the World's Congress Auxiliary Building which is now the Art Institute of Chicago

Hope everyone has a great day
- N -

HiHo HiHO ...

normal"

Adjective

1. usual, regular, or typical: the study of normal behavior

2. free from mental or physical disorder

Noun

1. the usual, regular, or typical state, degree, or form

normalcy n

Hi Ho, Hi Ho ... it's off to work he goes ...

I am so excited this morning because it feels like ... well ... like ... NORMAL!

Mike has accepted a 4 month contract job with Microsoft [YEAH] and we are Happy - it's a paycheck right!  This morning he had to go for his VOLT (that's the firm he has the temp job through) and when he got up and LEFT THE HOUSE ... it was like the good ole days.

He is still interviewing with the Chicago people and with 2 other companies here in Seattle for full time work so we are hopeful that he will have a full-time job soon!  Cross your fingers!!

It's kind of cold and deary out this morning so I think I'll go downstairs and grab another cup of coffee.

Have a great day
- N -

Surprises ...

Surprise No. 1

  
'We build statues out of snow, and weep to see them melt.' 
- Walter Scott -

I woke up yesterday morning, stumbled over to the window as I do FIRST every morning and was SURPRISED to see snow!  This appears to be our Neverending Winter and I, for one, am Loving it!!  I especially love to see the bare trees all frosty white & sparkling in the morning sun ...

Surprise No. 2

Mike in his new REAPER jacket!

TALK ABOUT a WONDERFUL SURPRISE ...
Yesterday the mailman left us the best surprise E.V.E.R. 

Jenny & Jay sent Mike a REAPER - Season 2 jacket.  Mike & I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the TV series the 'REAPER' which - Jay just happens to work on.  Mike was so excited to receive the coat and we are sending a million thank-you's to Jay & Jenny for thinking of us and sending some 'TV magic' our way.  The 'Reaper - Season 2' begins on March 3, 2009.  If you've never seen it ... check it out.  Its so funny, we just laugh our heads off when we watch it.  I love Tyler Labine as 'Sock'.  Again, Thanks Jay & Jenny for this most wonderful & unexpected surprise!  

Surprise No. 3

'And each time I leave, Chicago is Tuggin' my sleeve,
Chicago is The Wrigley Building,
Chicago is The Chicago Cubbies,
Chicago is One town that won't let you down
It's my kind of town'

After 3 phone interviews with a company in Chicago Mike has been asked to fly out for an on-site interview.  We are both scared & excited - relieved & nervous!  Moving to Chicago would be a major life - the start of a new life - A JOB! He will fly out next week sometime and I haven't decided if I will go with him or not.

Who know ... we may just become 'Cubs' & Bears' fans! 


Hope everyone has a great day & encounter many great & fun surprises!
- N -