Genevieve's LiveJournal

Happy Birthday stringmonkey  and niece #1!

Alan closed the drapes this morning, and I slept in until 10:30am. It was awesome. I also had a dream that my friends Tom and Dan were able to get married on the 10th anniversary of their civil union, but then it was happening at a Renaissance Faire, the wedding party was in some grand procession and things got weird. But I did have happiness upon waking at their happiness in each other.

On my list of stuff to accomplish this weekend is:

• renew DL at MVA
• drop off old mirror, lights, etc at Salvation Army
• IKEA trip for mirror and shower curtain
• purchase OTR microwave and new disposal
• test drive bugs(?)
• groceries
• finish washing hall bath walls
• clean and empty kitchen

But first I need to shower, grab a book and check off item #1.

See folks at Holiday Faire tomorrow.

Got a call from the kitchen contractors and our new kitchen cabinets are in. Yay!

They hope to deliver them tomorrow and start work on installation on Monday. Looks like we'll have to spend some time clearing out the kitchen this weekend. I think the most important thing will be installing the coffee maker in the guest bathroom. I might want to pick up some paper plates and bowls so we don't have to worry about dishes for a couple of weeks. Hmm, now that we have a dining room light, perhaps I can add a power cord towards the dining room table for snacks, microwave, toaster, etc. That might work. I hope the fridge can remain plugged in and just shifted as necessary for the workers convenience. Hmm, should clean up behind the fridge, (eek) and stove for that matter. Oh, and  need to go shopping for a new over the range microwave...

yay!
sigh.

At least I asked for tomorrow off to attempt to fight this cold, run some errands and relax. Dunno how much of that I'll actually get done, but hopefully I can at least renew the driver's license and catch a nap.

acronyms aplenty, I must have been near a government facility.

theodorad  was kind enough to host us at the SDO Friends and Family event this evening at Goddard. It was so much fun, and very educational. We got to see SDO in the clean room, and they even had the back panel open so we could see the propulsion system, and some of the other important bits like the little adjuster wheels (every action produces and equal and opposite reaction, blah blah), the AIA telescopes off the top and one of the high gain antennae. We also got to visit the cage of poor Triana, sitting and waiting for some unknown fate. She showed us the Thermal Vac Chamber (the outside of it obviously, since inside was the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter being tested), as well as the acoustic test chamber with the insanely thick and yet not thick enough walls. We also were able to meet some of her co-workers and attend a talk by one of the scientists talking about the plans for SDO, the instruments that it will host, the data they will receive and what they hope to do with the data. The three instruments are EVE (Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment- measuring extreme ultraviolet irradiance [it must be screaming UV]), AIA (Atmospheric Imaging Assembly- getting HD images of various layers within the sun) and HMI (Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager- to study and understand the magnetic activity of the sun.) This should advance and build on the knowledge gathered from SOHO.

Okay, so it was very sciency, and Shequey was in space-geek heaven, and I retained at least 10% of the information spewed at me (I hope) and just basked in the shared glow of Theo's accomplishment. It was a pretty darn awesome evening.

There have been a few posts on same sex marriage since the passing of Proposition 8 in California, and similar propositions in other states. A friend of a friend posted a comment hoping that the passing of Prop 8 could be a good thing in some ways in that it is stirring up support of its defeat all over the US.

I am another happily married heterosexual person totally and completely in favor of same sex marriage. Honestly, as long as marriage stays between two adults, I could care less what their race or sex is. I've heard comments regarding religion, civil unions, and even the slippery slope to polygamy and the like from those who oppose same sex marriage, but they just don't hold water for me. No law will be made to force your church to marry a same sex couple. While I'm sure some religious gays and lesbians would love acceptance from their church, that is not the issue. The issue is letting states marry those of the same sex. And marry, not civilly unionize, but marry. We've learned from history that separate but equal is far from equal. And I don't see how such a proclamation would affect current marriages. My marriage is not redefined anytime someone has a Vegas marriage that is annulled in a week.

What it really comes down to is, love is love. People should be free to marry the person they love. (Note: the person, not the people) I couldn't imagine telling any of my friends that they couldn't marry who they loved, so long as they were both free to marry. I wish everyone happiness, regardless of creed, race or sexual orientation.

Others have been far more eloquent on the subject, most notably the clip of Keith Olbermann. I don't have any new words to add to the subject, just my unflinching support of love and its triumph.

"On that day let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain." -President Eisenhower, Veterans Day Proclamation.

Some of my fellow coworkers and I gathered at the flagpoles this morning to honor the veterans, listing those names of faculty and staff who have served, and remembering the countless other veterans world-wide of many conflicts who "sacrificed the flower of their youth" for our country.

It can't be said often enough- Thank you.

A POW flag flies under our flag at the Honolulu Memorial to the fallen and missing from US Pacific wars in the National Memorial Cemetary of the Pacific in Puowaina crater.

I just saw on the Plimoth Embroider's Story blog that Plimoth Plantation will be selling Janet Arnold's Patterns of Fashion 4. As with all purchases from the retail department of Plimoth, those profits will go towards Plimoth's programs, like the jacket project. So while this is not a fundraiser specifically for the jacket project, the jacket display will benefit from sales.

I plan to place my order soon!

PS: added bonus, the funds will still go to a good cause if you give your friends/parents/significant other this link for a gift for the holidays, assuming you are patient.

After a wonderful weekend, I spent last night downloading pictures from the camera, and putting them on Flickr, but I was easily distracted by programming on the TV in preparations for Veteran's Day tomorrow. I watched a show on the Smithsonian Channel about the Vietnam War and Memorial called "Remembering Vietnam- The Wall at 25". I thought it was very well done, not just talking about the war itself and highlighting various veterans' experiences, but also their reception upon return, some veteran's struggles to integrate back into everyday life, and how the memorial has been helpful and healing. I loved the highlight of the various items and notes left behind at the memorial and how archiving them has become a full-time job for a vet from Vietnam. I also watched the end of Saving Private Ryan on TNT.

It reminded me that I haven't been to visit the various memorials since my middle school trip up here from Greensboro. It is truly a shame that I haven't seen the new WWII memorial, Jefferson, Lincoln, the Wall, etc. in the 10 years I've lived here. I adore the art museums and need to take time out for them too, but perhaps owe it to those who have served to honor their sacrifices by paying homage to the memorials. Obviously tomorrow is going to be insanely crowded, and I have to work, but soon I should schedule time to enjoy those. I didn't miss the USS Arizona Memorial, nor the Punchbowl Cemetery when I was in Honolulu, so why should the local memorials receive less of my attention?

Regardless of where I get in the future, I do want to take the time to thank those who have served and those who serve. Freedom is not free, and I appreciate your service and sacrifices.

Congratulations to Logan and Esa, Atlantia's new Prince and Princess. Though I do not know her, two Pennsics ago (now Princess) Esa earned a warm place in my heart with her lovely smile and fabulous sense of humor.
Congrats also to Vlad and Kalissa for making it to the finals. You are a joy to watch, and I had fun being your paparazzi. Thank you also for your wonderful hospitality during the day.

I was lucky enough to spend most of the day with Bera and Molly Wobbles hanging out, chatting, checking out the arts, and having a lovely time in court and later at dinner. (Gracie, I wouldn't have skipped your undoubtedly fabulous feast for anything less than my Bera's company, so my apologies, but I had to.) I got to braid Anneke's and Padraigin's hair, and visit with many many friends, though not everyone. The drive was worth it for the company alone, but the tourney was well fought, the weather was lovely, and folks looked fabulous.

I also was able to enjoy the colorful views on the various legs of my drives, admiring all the Fall leaves in their ranges of colors; yellows, oranges and reds with many spots of green still about. It was also a lovely part of the drives the past two weekends. I adore the Fall for the crispness on the air and the colors in abundance. I have a poster of the Virginia mountains in the Fall over my desk thanks to Virginia is for Lovers and Kirsten's acquiring it for me many years ago. I was also lucky enough to use Two Dog Hill as my way-station for crash space and company on Friday and Saturday nights, thus giving me more puppy love time and the chance to see the changes to the yard in person, as well as enjoy French toast for breakfast on Sunday. Hooray! Finally I spent my Sunday drive stopping at a few antique places and picking up the occasional gem, a cool plate that spoke to me and finding an old bread box to hide my snack counter contents within.

But I am so tired now. And it doesn't help that poor Alan essentially worked all weekend. He was on a work call for 13 hours on Saturday, 6 hours on Sunday, and was back on the phone this morning when I woke up to drag my tired butt into work. *pout*

Still no solid plans for Crown. I'm heading down to Two Dog Hill tonight after rush hour, and will leave from there tomorrow morning towards site. Once I get on site it's anybody's guess what I might do.

See some of you there!


(neener neener melaniesuzanne !) ;D

Kynny sent me this link: http://s94153639.onlinehome.us/motorcycles/ex250.html
It is for the most awesome bike I've ever seen, and the only thing that had made me really consider motorcycles.

Hey davew1775 ? Are you bored?!?! Gen want!

Here is my progress so far on the embroidered panel for my mother-in-law. I've got the pink complete, as well as the sweetpea, and some other little buds, etc. I'm trying to figure out what to do next, but I'm also waiting on an order of silk thread with more greens in the Soie Perlee so I can work on the leaves and the folded pansy calyx too. I'm also debating on what colors to make the butterfly wings, because stripes there could be fun. I obviously need a larger hoop too in order to be able to work on the corners... Planning projects, I hate planning, so much easier to jump in, but then you have to deal with the unexpected that could be planned for.


So, small baby steps, especially considering that the week before last was spent on my Halloween costume instead of embroidering.

So Metro Bath and Tile has completed all of their work on the Hall Bath. All our guests will be happy to know that the gross tub is gone, as well as the wallpaper. We still need to wash, spackle, sand and paint the walls, as well as install a mirror, but it is 10 times better already. You can see the little patch of glueless wall to the right of the sink. Now to decide on color. Alan is leaning towards the same green as our bath, but I'm thinking something lighter and warmer, what with no natural light and all.

Out with the old:


In with the new:


Old and busted:


New hotness:

The final step was their electrician installing a new silent exhaust fan so now the only insanely loud fan is the one in the powder room (assuming you don't count the fish tanks.) We also need to replace the old switches and outlets as they are also busted, and the two switches don't even match. Perhaps I can convince Alan to do that this weekend.

Sorry for getting your hopes up with the last post, but it seems that there are too many obstacles for that to be feasible. Alas, no sale of Patterns of Fashion 4 to help a non-profit. Leave it on your wish list or acquire it as you had planned originally.

The thing is that the embroidered jacket project is closer to completion than most of the Plimoth Plantation staff and volunteers had ever imagined. And now they turn their thoughts to the display and exhibition. But for the exhibition to be done right they need funding for the last remaining supplies, a good high quality mannequin to display the jacket on, a petticoat to make the picture more complete, a proper case, as well as high quality reproductions of the relevant paintings, text and pictures of the original jacket. Remember that it is also in the display that they plan to use the samples returned for a closer show and tell to further engage visitors. There are also rough plans for the exhibit to travel, when it can, so it can be seen farther and wider than Plymouth, MA.

If/when they announce any fund-raising efforts, I will be sure to cross-post that information here. I believe they still have sample embroidery and lace kits available for sale, which will contribute a tax-deductible $20 directly to this project, just in case you had been holding off purchasing those for any reason. I've also got my hamster wheel spinning on any ideas we can do on a local level, and if those come to fruition, I'll announce that here as well. Or, if you are inclined to just give directly to Plimoth Plantation for this project, they have support information up on their webpage, as well as a direct link to donate online.

PS: for those who have stuff or business connections but not cash, they also have a wish list of stuff they need. Requests range from laptops to folding chairs, a Kitchen-Aid mixer to wool yarn. There can be the challenge of shipping/delivery, but even your stuff can be useful. Heck, if there is a truck load I could possibly make the drive up for a change...

For those who are likely to purchase Patterns of Fashion 4, how many of you have pre-ordered a copy already, and of those who haven't pre-ordered a copy, would you be interested in purchasing one for a little bit more cost (shipping) if you knew the funds were going to a good cause/museum?

Congratulations to President Elect Barack Obama! Congratulations also to Warner, Hagen and the other new democratic Senators. To say I'm pleased would be an understatement. I'm ecstatic, and tired.

But I also want to thank all the candidates, for their willingness to serve this great country and her citizens. Thank you John McCain for your lifetime of service to this country in war and in peace. Thank you Sarah Palin for being a great cheerleader for the Republican party and trying to keep the focus on the average American, even if we disagree on the particulars. Thank you all for rallying and getting out the vote, and all the first time voters, and long-time voters.

I do find it important to stress that 51% is not a mandate, no matter what President Bush claimed. It is a majority, but honestly a slim one. We need to keep in mind all of America, in her variety and splendor, and do what is best for the country and the world from here on out.

From nq3x 
1. Stop talking about politics for a moment or two.
2. Post a reasonably-sized picture in your LJ, NOT under a cut tag, of something pleasant, such as an adorable kitten, or a fluffy white cloud, or a bottle of booze. Something that has NOTHING TO DO WITH POLITICS.
3. Include these instructions, and share the love.

My contribution:

sircorby 's meme, of who would I put in the cabinet.

United States Cabinet - a board to advise the President; members are the secretaries of executive departments; the United States constitution does not provide for the cabinet

US Cabinet
AoD's Bob- Attorney General of the United States
theodorad - Secretary of Agriculture, cause they are of her tribe
kass_rants - Secretary of Commerce
davew1775 - Secretary of Defense
duchesspadr - Education Secretary
nicolosa - Energy Secretary
das_uber - Secretary of Health and Human Services
theblueleader - Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
alesia027 - Labor Secretary
rolanddem - Secretary of State, one of the levelest heads I know
sircorby - Secretary of the Interior
terrshee - Secretary of the Treasury
vom_schwarzwald - Secretary of Transportation, please please flying cars, or transporters
attack_laurel - Secretary of Veterans Affairs, with colin_g  as a minion

hee hee

I decided to vote after my dentist appointment this morning hoping that the lines might have died down. (Alan went at 8am and was still in line when I called him at 9:15am.) I had hoped to go when the polls opened at 7am, but the contractors were scheduled to arrive between 8-9:30am to get started on the hall bath, so afterward it was. I lucked into a close parking spot, because otherwise it would have been better to go home and walk back. I was armed with my sample ballot and Wicked and snaked my way to the back of the extensive line around 10:50am. I was pleased that the lady in front of me in line remarked, after a sigh, that this was a GOOD thing ultimately. I think I heard someone say that the good thing about Bush was that folks were interested in voting again. I chatted some with the ladies around me in line, read some, waved at the little kids tagging along with their parents and seeing democracy in action, smiled at the firefighters and policemen in line as well, marveled at all the neighbors greeting neighbors, and admired the wonderful variety of citizens surrounding me coming to exercise their right to vote. I finally cast my ballot and was on the road to work  by 12:20pm. We all agreed that while the line was a bit tedious, it was worth it to be part of this historical day.

So, the hall bath is being torn apart, I made time to research the congress candidates and actually choose one of the write-ins, went to the dentist for a cleaning (no cavities! need to floss more.), went to vote, had lunch with co-workers that I ran into, and now finally got a new computer so my old box from 5ish years ago that was still running Windows 2000 Pro is gone. It's been a busy day.

Oh dear. May she rest in peace, and her loved ones know she is still with them.

The pussy-willow paper is down! hooray!

We are scheduled to have our guest bathroom remodel start in a week or less. As I was pulling the towels from the guest bath yesterday to do laundry I realized that then was the time to finally remove the striking wallpaper. So, after starting the laundry, and futzing a bit, I got to work taking off the towel bar, switch plates, shower curtain rod, medicine cabinet, and Alan helped with the mirror and TP holder removal. Then I got to indulge in one of my favorite activities and the wallpaper came down very easy. There is still a bit behind the light that needs to come down, but the majority is removed to allow the workers to do their thing. I still need to wash the walls to remove the glue, but I tried a small patch last night and it shouldn't take too long. (Update: Metro Bath and Tile starts tomorrow morning! Awesome!)

It is a bit of a love-hate relationship. I love to remove wallpaper and I hate wallpaper in general, but I admit to a bit of fascination with the strange paper they put in the hall bath. It is unique, and ugly, but also a bit compelling with the tones of silver and gray, shiny, with streaks of deep red. I did save some large pieces that I hope to comb through to find a good section to clean up and frame for posterity. Alas, I don't think the framed section of wallpaper will fit with the color scheme of the new bathroom, so I'll probably display it in my sewing room or something like that. I also did remember to take some before pictures for comparison after the remodel is complete.

Other than some destruction, we had a lovely Saturday night and Sunday morning celebrating Robear's 50th Birthday with good food and excellent company down at Two Dog Hill. I got a bit of puppy time, and Robear and I indulged in some pumpkin fluff on pancakes for breakfast. Yum! Happy Birthday Bear and Moe!