Sarah’sTim Blog

Thinking

Things I think about: food, coffee, being passionate about my work, quilts, fabric, Loki, Tim, classes, going back to school, work, work, work, am I eating enough fruit, going to the farmer’s market, Web 2.0, interns, photography, SPEA, The Commission for Sustainability, recycling, living green, whether I can see the New Pornographers in concert, being a good person, travel, friends, organic food, allergies, natural leave-in conditioner, exercise, switching to gmail, having a baby someday, paint colors, books, The Clash, religion, gardening, health care, family, whether I should get new highlights, crosswords, publicity, and politics.

In no particular order, and not meant to be inclusive or exclusive.

Spring Conference

Returned last night from a quick conference in Minneapolis.  I did get a few good ideas (so identified in my notes), and was also able to see my extended library family, including my parents, my cousin and Ashley.  Location was also working in my favor, as I got to see Newman, her bf and Buddy her ginormous golden retriever.  My travel companions were also fun and I am still sleepy this morning.  That’s what you get for catching the 6:30 am shuttle to the conference.  This PLA was my dad’s last, and my first.  Talk about passing the torch.  Yikes!

Back home to rain and rain and rain.  I may curl up and read all day, but I will have to head out at some point for groceries.

Mission Top: Complete

Only because I was tired of wrangling with this all afternoon, only a sneak peek.  One corner of Thien’s quilt so you can see how it turns out with the borders.  The greens continue to be difficult to photograph.  I am so happy this top is done!  Now I just have to figure out how to get it quilted.

Had lunch with Brad and Sarah today, talked about our upcoming trip.  It is turning into a low countries vs. central Europe cage match and we don’t know yet the deciding factors.  AJ is coming with us, so will try to call him tonight, but we would appreciate any comments…

Good Morning Paper

I forgot how wonderful a morning paper can be! We aren’t subscribers, but Dad gets up really really really early and hit the gas station for the local paper while they were here visiting. Only one of the perks.

My parents visited, and I took only a tiny amount of pictures, so sad. We did have a great time though! Good food, political discussions, trips to Bedford and Washington, and of course talk of books, libraries and school. They are safely returned as of yesterday afternoon to Colorado.

We are tentatively planning a European Vacation this summer, still working out the whens and wheres. After seeing my parent’s Greece pictures I have added Santorini to the list of places that I wish to visit in my lifetime. Might not be this go around, but wow.

Thanksgiving in the City

I am recently returned from a nice and relaxing Thanksgiving at Ashely’s parent’s house in Elmhurst, IL. They plied me with drink, food, games, shopping and good times. Ashley, Mike and I rode the train in to the city on Friday and braved the crowds and cold for the Christkindlmarkt because nothing could keep us away from Helmut’s fresh strudel.

They made a full on Thanksgiving dinner, but driving up to Chicago happily reminds me of past Thanksgivings spent with AJ when he was living in the city. We would eat our Thanksgiving dinners in Mexican restaurants drinking margaritas. Or that one time at Patrick’s aunts house…wow. I am not sure how any of us survived that one. Good times.

Back at home, trying to catch up on reading and start thinking about Christmas ideas!

Mini Break

Tim drove up last weekend to Milwaukee for a conference, but also got a chance to walk around. The art museum is right on the lake and designed to look like, well, a sailboat.

I haven’t sewed since I had the day off on Monday, and haven’t cooked as much as I’d like to either. But did get to make one of the favorite house favorite this past rainy week, Potato and Leek soup which is really easy (there are about 5 ingredients) but also actually really delicious.

Watching a lot of baseball, but I am also resigned to think that might be all over tonight. I have two separate bets against the Red Sox in favor for the Rockies, so I might have to start think about the payout. I bet Jeremy a movie (with popcorn and drink), and Regina a recipe collection. Each fitting in its own way.

Go Easy. Step Lightly.

Stay free. No, it isn’t a tampon ad. They are lyrics to one of the best songs by one of the best bands ever: The Clash.

Which brings up the question…if you could only listen to one song by your favorite band for THE REST OF ETERNITY what would it be?

AJ came to visit over Easter weekend and we did nothing but eat/drink and talk about bands, movies, books and travel. C’est tout. Really. Oh, well we went to Houston and saw a game and the French Masters from the Met exhibit at the MFAH.

p.s. White Man in Hammersmith Palais. Hands down my favorite song by the Clash EVA-H!

Enchanted Rock

One of Suzy’s little sisters got married yesterday at Enchanted Rock State Park just north of Fredericksburg. Actually she got married at the top of Enchanted Rock, and we hiked up before the ceremony. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful setting for a wedding. Of course today I have blisters from wearing the wrong shoes, but so glad I was able to go.

It was nice to see Suzy and her family. This is the first time I met Lily! She is adorable and very sweet. Hopefully we will be able to get together more often when we are living closer. The idea of a road trip to anywhere from San Antonio is completely crazy and unrealistic. Well, a road trip to anywhere we want to visit as Corpus Christi doesn’t really count.

All other news at this time revolves around getting the house ready to sell, including having a realtor come out. She seemed positive that it would sell quickly and for a good price. So now I am job searching in Bloomington and we are looking at houses there. Need to coordinate a trip maybe to look in person.

Los Cabos

I feel faintly guilty for not having seen more or done more in Los Cabos, but I am telling myself that when you get a chance to stay at a five star resort hotel/spa for free…you do nothing. We did very little but sit by the pool drinking frozen drinks. One day our pool time was interrupted with a hot stone massage. Really. There were other strenuous activities including a whale watching trip and dinners on the beach.

I am a little burned and my suitcase may not make it back from Mexico (they “found” my bag and tried to deliver it to my house, but it was the wrong suitcase) but it was every bit worth getting up at 3:45 am to catch my flight.

Warning: they are mostly poolside photos!

Marquis Los Cabos

Poor Tim. Two days after he hears some good news, I leave for Mexico. Less than a week after I get back from Colorado, I am again packing for a trip.

Ash is taking me to Cabo for a few days, all expenses paid. Well except lunch, but when you plan on eating breakfast at 11, and plan on starting drinking at 3…who has time for lunch? So I am off tomorrow for sun and fun and I can’t wait. Ash didn’t find out about it until last week, but really the one thing I have learned from this is to always have a current passport.

You never know when your phone might ring with a opportunity to jet off for a free trip to Cabo for the week…