Bye Bye Bu

With Baby Merrill on the way, Adam decided we I needed a new vehicle. I really couldn't figure out why since the Bu was free and seemed to suit our needs just fine. I have had some good times in  this 2002 Malibu. It's the car I had when I first met Adam, the car that I drove to Arizona with my mom to start grad school, the car I then moved back to Minnesota in 5 years later (again with Mom) as well as the source of many close calls and lessons.

I thank my trusty rabbit's foot for not getting more dents and dings.

When the turn signal went out I learned I could punch the dashboard to get it to work. This was actually a bonus as it made me feel cool in a Fonzy-kind-of way. Eventually someone pointed out I could push on the circuit behind the vent to get it to work... not as cool.

I gained confidence in my mechanic-abilities when I figured out how to top off the coolant every month in addition to learning that the funny light on my dash meant "low coolant".

Apparently, parking your car in the scorching Arizona sun for 5 years straight can be rough on the paint job.

Good-Bye Malibu

Hello 4Runner, aka: mom-car!

The Best Thing I Ever Ate

The best thing I have ever eaten was a duck confit salad at Scallion's Restaurant in Saratoga Springs, New York. This salad was so good it became legendary in my mind.  I figured there was no way anything, even the same salad at the same restaurant, could ever live up to it. While I was back in New York last February I begged these two ladies to go there with me again to put it to the test.

As you can see... I thoroughly enjoyed it. To this day the citrus duck salad maintains it's status as the best thing I have ever eaten. 

It's Not Easy Being Green... Ok Maybe It Is

Last Weekend's Project: Add additional insulation to the attic.

Goals: Reduce our gas bill, prevent another ice dam and save the planet.

Duration of Project: Approximately 10 hours.

Cost: $400 plus ancillary costs (AttiCat rental, insulation, staple gun, goggles, face masks)

Maybe I can bump the thermostat up from 67 to 68 and still save money this winter!!!

Fungus Amoungus

I know I sound like a weird-o saying this, but I like fungus. I've noticed some pretty crazy things cropping up in our yard this year and wish I would have taken pictures of all of them. Maybe I'll be one of those mushroomer-people when I retire. Here are some photos of our current fungal-situation: