NEWSFLASH: Michigander tries to murder AC unit

I know Florida peeps would never disrespect their AC unit like I just did. When we used the AC for the first time last week, we noticed that the house wasn't cooling very well. I looked out the window to see that I had left the winter cover on the A/C unit (WHOOPS!). I thought I cooked the old girl! I had the service guy out this morning...It turns out I was saved by a capacitor that buned out. It cost me a few bucks - but I was expecting much worse. Next year I'll pull the fuse when I cover it! (A fine tip from my AC Repair man!) Stay cool cats!

old school

This weekend I flew down to Anchorage to hang out with Brian. I flew with Era, which only flies in Alaska. Friday after work, I walked into the airport, got my boarding pass and just hung out in the waiting area. No security when you fly Era. When it was time to board, we walked out and onto the plane. No assigned seats either. (you're looking at a DeHavilland Dash-8)

Anyway, it's a nice way to go. I got in to Anchorage in time for dinner and left after dinner on Sunday night. Sure beats a 6 hour drive each way.

I blogged some pictures from the weekend on my blog. Saturday we went to the motorcycle shop, Thunderbird Falls, Eklutna Lake, Moose's Tooth(!) and Indiana Jones! Sunday we tried to walk through the tunnel to Whittier but got some bad information ("yeah, show up any time before 3:30!" but the last bus left the parking area at 3).  Anyway, it was pretty down there too.

After the fun weekend I've been keeping busy around here with work and stuff... the usual. Went out for groceries yesterday and loaded up the panniers. Work has been frustrating/challenging lately. We're upgrading our drafting software and it's slow going trying to learn to do things a different way and trying to make sure things show up the way we want (not easy when I don't even know what they're supposed to look like at this firm!).

Not much else is new... I better find some dinner. Much love, Nubhtars!

Aimee

Book Review

I just finished reading Escape by Carolyn Jessop. This book details her life in as a member of the Fundamentalist Church of the Latter Day Saints, and how she escaped with 8 children from her polygamist relationship with her husband, Merril Jessop. It was unbelievable to me how so many people could live in the 21st century sheltered from society, and continue to survive under the strict rule of this cult. I know there are a lot of disfunctional families around, but the dynamics of 5 wives and 30 children living under one roof was really unbelievable. After reading her account I realize how hard it would be to give up everything you were taught, and start all over in the real world. I wouldn't recommend carrying this under your arm if you were living in Utah, but I think it is a real eye-opener, and an interesting read.

Sue's Views

Poor Tootie Toots went to the dematologist and had her lip numbed so the doctor could cut out the pre-cancerous blemish. He did a biopsy so I won't know the results for about 14 days. While I was there, he also re-hit all the brown spots all over my back and hip areas. OOOHHH! I was certainly in a lot of pain. I'm just stating the facts. I'll be fine in a week or two. Don't I look like I've been to "h-e double toothpick" and back again? But boy, those suntans were great. I could use some sun now. It always covers up all the brown spots. I think I need a vacation in the keys. I would take along some spf 50.

Answer

The top picture shows the sculpture ("Cloud Gate") at Millenium Park in Chicago. The second picture is the picture I took, looking up at the sculpture as I was about to step underneath it. I circled myself and also used red arrows to show the various reflections of me - there are more, but they get harder and harder to see! Very cool sculpture!

Here is the description of it: "Cloud Gate is British artist Anish Kapoor's first public outdoor work installed in the U.S. THe 110-ton eliptical sculpture is forged of a seamless series of highly polished stainless steel plates, which reflect the city's famous skyline and the clouds above. A 12-foot high arch provides a "gate" to the concave chamber beneath the sculpture, inviting visitors to touch its mirror-like surface and see their image reflected back from a variety of perspectives."

Self Portrait

Can you see me in this picture?  I'll give you a clue - I'm in it multiple times.  

The "Goods" delivered!

We had fun visiting with Aleyn!  She knew so much about our family!  It was pretty neat to see what a great friends her an mom had become.  

Have a great rest of the weekend cats!