Memorable Memorial Day Weekend

I concur with whoever coined the phrase that there aren't enough hours in a day.  This weekend we had three whole days, aka 72 hours, and boy did we make the most of the hours we had.  We had invitations to parties for all three days and we also had plans to get some more work done at the house as well as vegetables and flowers to plant.

Saturday we were up by 7:00 am to begin ripping out the carpet in the stairwell.  I have a new appreciation for vice grips as they were quite helpful in removing the residual staples from the steps.  Afterwards we headed out to Agway for some plants (banana peppers, zucchini, marigolds and some purple perennial,) a new light fixture for the hallway, and to refill our propane tank for the BBQ.  After dropping the plants at home we headed to Lowes for some paint, doors for the upstairs hall closet, and some other odds and ends (we can always find something we "need" there). Finally it was time to take in our first Memorial Day party of the weekend at the Tefts which included some volleyball, bar-b-q, and Wild Turkey Honey shots.  While we were there we got the call from Justin's sister that she got engaged, so on our way home from the party we stopped to congratulate the happy couple (and scope out the ring- look at that puppy!!)

Furry Friday: 10 Commandments

This little gem has been floating around the internet.  I'm not sure who the original author is, but I've customized it to include a photo of my favorite fur-child Riley.  Click to enlarge.  Enjoy!

Let's go for a "Drive"

Let me tell you how much I love summer hours:

Since graduation occurred last weekend, our campus has enacted "summer hours" for its employees.  This translates to me getting out at 4:00pm this week, which is WONDERFUL.   I feel like I have so much more time to have a life outside of work.  Not to mention that it stays light out until after 8:00pm now.  Yesterday I took full advantage of my extra hour.  I took Riley for a walk around SUNY Cobleskill's campus (he was so excited to get a car-ride and a long walk), got gas, ran to walmart, and made dinner... all before 6:30pm.  This meant I had time to sit down and enjoy a Netflix movie.  Drive has been on my list for some time now, mainly because it features Ryan Gosling.  For those of you haven't seen it but plan to, stop reading right now.  This post will be full of spoilers.

Growing Up...Country

When I was twelve my parents thought it'd be a great idea to move my sister and I off Long Island and into Upstate New York.  I was mortified.  Our block had just been re-paved which meant a summer of premium rollerblading and bike riding.  Well, this was not to be.  Moving Upstate meant adjusting to "blue stone" pavement (aka rocks stuck in tar) and friends who lived miles away as opposed to just a few houses down.  Not to mention I was being separated from my cousins who were more like siblings to me.  There were all the promises of visiting often, however the reality was once a year for a weekend at most.  Our new school was a fraction of the size of the school districts we'd attended.  Our class size went from 500 to 32.   I remember that my upstate NY cousin Nate was excited that a new girl was coming to the school because that meant a new prospect to date in the future.  Too bad it was me.  Boy was he disappointed.  With a class size of 32, the pickings were slim.  Talk about an adjustment.   With summer quickly approaching I reflect back on this drastic change in my life and the stark contrasts between summers on Long Island and in Upstate New York.

Requiescat in Pace (Rest in Peace)

I received some unsettling news today.  A friend and mentor passed away yesterday.  He was an active member of the community, of local associations, and an avid volunteer.  Someone I respected.   Someone who was always upbeat and had nothing but positive things to say.  Insanely successful in everything he did, the epitome of a great salesman.  Someone who just recently wished me a happy birthday. Someone who reminded me of my Grandfather, full of catch phrases and good advice.  Unfortunately, though, his passing was not one of old age but of suicide.  I'm saddened that someone who seemed to to have the world on a string could find the pressures of every day life too much.  It doesn't leave the rest of us much hope if someone as wonderful as him could succumb.

Furry Friday: Riley's State of Mind

For a little fun I've decided to respond to an email questionnaire on my blog, but from Riley's point of view.  He thought it would be fun too.  I asked him this morning.  Doesn't he look enthused?  

Do you like blue cheese?
I heard the word "cheese"... I love cheese!

Do you own a weapon?
Do teeth count? 

What flavor Kool-Aid is your favorite?
I haven't experienced Kool-Aid.  I have been known to drink iced-tea, hot tea, and coffee when you're not looking.  Hey, if you leave it anywhere that I can get to it's fair game.

Summer of Frozen Drinks

Last weekend my friend Danielle and I trekked on up to Albany (aka Awwwbany) to do some shopping for our good friend Jennifer-Marie's Baby Shower.  Danielle, in case you've forgotten, is the mother of my favorite little person.  Jennifer, if you are reading, no worries as I will not disclose the date/time/presents purchased.  I will say that Danielle and I must have looked like two tools wandering around Babies-R-Us trying to find stuff from the registry.  What a hoot.  So that was the highlight of our Saturday morning.  We then treated ourselves to lunch at Olive Garden before heading over to the Christmas Tree Shop in the Colonie Center Mall.  I tell you, I forget how awesome the Christmas Tree Shop is.  I have to measure some windows at the house and make a special trip back over there for some new curtains.  Their home section is rather nice!  

You learn something new...

They say you learn something new everyday.  There's another phrase that says if you don't you die.  I'm not savvy on the exact verbiage, but either way I'm helping you in my own little way to learn something new and avoid death.  Not to mention that what I have to share is not common knowledge, unless you live in Bermuda, and thereby fun factoids you can share with friends.  Or your dog.  Whoever you prefer.

• Bermuda Cedar Trees were stuck by a blight that spanned the 1940's and 50's.  This was treacherous to the Bermuda economy because they're well known as ship makers.  You see, one of the properties of Bermuda Cedar is that it doesn't get waterlogged.

• In light of the Bermuda Cedar blight, Lady Bugs were imported to the Island to eat the pests which infected the trees but this proved unsuccessful.  So they imported a lizard to eat the lady bugs, but these little buggers caused crop damage so a bird was imported to eat the lizards. Well this bird caused more damage to their fish population.  It was at this point that the blight ended naturally and the Bermudians stopped trying to mess with Mother Nature.

• To replace the Bermuda Cedar tree, the Australian Whistling Pine was imported, however it didn't do as well in the soil in Bermuda as in Australia and is now one of the first trees to blow down in any heavy storm on the Island.

• Bermuda has mangrove trees that grow on the Island despite the lack of fresh water.   They are able to filter the salt out through their roots and often will sacrifice a branch or two by concentrating the salt to that particular area, turning those leaves yellow.

• The Bermuda Longtail has no feet.  Much like a dolphin, it can shut off half it's brain at a time for sleep purposes and continue flying.  This bird will nest to rear up one baby at a time, however they do not make their own nests.  They steal them from other birds.
 

• A common misconception is that the Bermuda Longtail is Bermuda's national bird.  It's not, the Cahow is.  When Bermudez founded the Island, he dubbed it the Devil's Isle because of mysterious noises that would haunt him at night.  As it turns out he was hearing the Cahow, which is a nocturnal bird that makes a noise similar to a screeching woman.

• Bermuda, although not technically part of the Caribbean, is known to get a hurricane every 8-10 years. The last hurricane to have any real impact on the Island was Fabian in 2003.  It's a good thing Bermuda homes are constructed to withstand winds in excess of 150 miles per hour!  

• Last, but not least the Bermudians had created a limit on the size of turtle that could be captured and eaten on their Island as a way of preserving the species.   In a further effort to cultivate their declining turtle species, they imported 50,000 eggs from Cost Rica.  However, the sand temperature determines the sex of the turtle which then determines their migratory instincts.  So, based on what our guide told us, 50,000 male turtles were hatched and will most likely return to Costa Rica:  the place where they were laid as opposed to hatched.

Furry Friday: Missing Mommy

While Jay and I were on vacation my parents watched Riley, aka their grandpuppy.  One of his favorite past times is to gaze out any window he can get close to (hence his love to sit on the back of the couch, his love of the pocket windows by our front door, or his love of the three small windows at floor level in our sunroom).  At his Grandparents' house, it's no different.  The girls (my sisters) push the ottoman in front of the picture window in their living room so he can peer out.  While we were away my sister Jessie recorded this little gem:

Enjoy and happy early mother's day!

Bermuda

Back in February I had mentioned that Justin and I would be going to Bermuda as a combo anniversary/Valentine/Birthday gift.  Although I didn't specify the dates of our trip in the blog, last week was our week in paradise.  We were aboard the Norwegian Star for a 7-Night Cruise from the NYC port to King's Wharf Bermuda. 

Furry Friday: Trespassing

Last summer the neighbor in the house up on the hill behind us was allowing their two dogs to roam free which resulted in their dogs terrorizing our fur-child and leaving behind "presents" in our yard.  I'm thinking one of the other neighbors complained, or this particular neighbor moved, because *knock on wood* these two dogs have not been seen for a while.  I will admit that the yellow lab was friendly, but the large Rottweiler was stand offish and always made Riley and I nervous.  Please note, I do not discriminate by dog breed.  My Aunt (shout out to Aunt Lynda!) owned two Rottweilers, Roxy and Daga, who were both wonderful dogs.  At any rate, there is a new trespassing visitor leaving "presents" and burned out pee spots on our lawn this year.  It's a cute little Pekingese mix.  I say mix because the coloring is off.  I guess it doesn't matter if it's purebred or not, either way this dog is crapping on our lawn.  It obviously has an owner nearby because this dog is collared and seems familiar with the area.  One of these days if I can get it to come to me, I'll be sure to call up it's owner and voice my distaste for cleaning up after his/her dog.  

Odd News

• Has eating vegetables always been a hassle for you?  Fear no more!  According to Sara Cann of Men's Health you should stare at a T-Steak prior to eating the loathed item of vegetation.  I must say nothing makes me crave broccoli more than a T-Steak... not.  If this works for you, I'd like to hear about it.