A Beautiful Weekend

I haven't been feeling too well for the past few days. Nothing serious, just a low-grade virus that is keeping me a bit under the weather. I have spent several hours just sitting in a chair with my laptop, and putting the finishing touches on our plans for Washington DC.

That means I have also spent a good deal of time staring out the window. Fortunately, this has been such a beautiful fall, so far. And, I'm lucky to have several full size windows in my house. Seems like no matter where I look....

The colors are beautiful!

My Husband the Chef

The hubs has been watching The Food Network, and has taken a real interest in experimenting with new dishes. Today he downloaded a recipe for Chicken Parmesean, and had it ready and on the table when I got home from work. He had forgotten about my yoga class, but I was easily convinced to skip out for the night. I will double up on my sessions next week. It was worth it. The meal was delicious!

A Long Commute

I am praying for a very, very mild winter.
Right now, the only complaint I have about my new job is the commute. It is nearly 45 miles. And, so far, I haven't found a route that makes it easy. The ride in the morning isn't too bad (only about 45 minutes or so), but that is at 6AM, before the freeway backs up. The evening ride is an hour and 15 minutes, no matter what I try. The freeway is stop and go. If I take Schaefer to Coolidge, and then my old route up Woodward, there is far less traffic. But, I can't go over 35 miles/hr for most of the trip. Telegraph is faster, but then I have to go west to go east, which just seems silly.
I can only imagine what ice and snow is going to do to complicate things.
I am praying for a very, very mild winter.

Planning for Vacation

The hubs and I have decided to stop talking about visiting Washington "someday", and do it now. We have been planning, each in our own way. He has gathered more literature about the DC area (and, when I say area, I mean anything within a day's drive!) than I will probably read in my lifetime. I have scoped out the most expensive hotels in the heart of town, and dreamed of being waited on hand and foot. I'm sure we will meet somewhere in the middle eventually. After 25+ years of planning vacations with him, I know we will end up with something we will both enjoy.

While I'm at it, I have been reading up on various events in American history to get me in the mood. We haven't been able to score tickets to the White House yet, but I did get an invite to see the Senate in session at the Capital. Might just do that....

The Brooksie Way

Our neighbor and golfing buddy, Warren, decided to run in the Brooksie Way this year. This half-marathon is run in memory of L. Brooks Patterson's son, who was known to his friends and family as "Brooksie". It begins and ends at Oakland University, but at one point it passes pretty close to our house (well, about 2 miles away).

So this morning I met up with his wife, and we walked down to where he would be making his final turn toward the finish. At this point he had run about 10 miles, but he still looked like he was going strong, and gave us a big "thumbs up" as he passed us. I couldn't resist getting a picture that I could email to him later.

Running isn't my thing, but I understand there is also a group that walks the 10K course. Maybe that would be a good goal for me to work toward. I could sure use something to get me back into shape. Frankly, the 4 mile walk there and back was about all I could take for today!

Knitting Fool

I have been working on a baby outfit (sweater, bonnet, booties, blanket) for the niece of a girl who used to work for me. I have decided that, while I love to knit, no money can be made on these types of projects, so it's best to just enjoy making them and giving them away as gifts. It's a great way for me to relax in my spare time (and it keeps me from eating all evening long!)

The problem with this project is that I started it when I was not working, and had much more "spare time". Since I went back to work four months ago, I have had very little time to work on it. Meanwhile, the baby was born last week. She may well be in High School by the time I finish, at the rate I'm going.

Topping Off

Today we had the "topping off" ceremony for the new medical center. For those who haven't seen this before, it involves the raising of the final beam to signify the steel structure is finished. The beam is painted white, and is signed by those invited to do so. That's generally the owner, the developer, often the contractors, and dignitaries who are invited to the ceremony. (When Beaumont finished their south tower in Royal Oak, the beam was left in front of the hospital for about a week, so that any employees who wanted to - including yours truly - could sign it)

Then a tree is palced on top of the building. I never did understand the significance of that part, but my research tells me it dates back to a Scandanavian religious practice of placing a tree on top of a wooden structure to appease the spirits of the tree-dwelling ancestors that had been displaced. (Huh??)

What this whole ceremony means to me is that I will be in a new office in a year or so. Now that's progress!