I am continually amazed by people!

I mean that in a good way!

Last week, I had some rocks dug up in my backyard. The previous owners seemed to be into the "less is more" mode of landscaping. Less green stuff, more rock/gravel stuff. Yikes. I prefer GREEN. So, I had three areas in the backyard where they laid down white landscaping rocks. They even did one area in a ying-yang pattern, black on one side and white on the other. Oye! Not a fan. Anyway, last week, I finally paid someone to dig them up for me. After they were up, I realized I had quite the dilemma on my hands. What do I do with them?!

I called "311" our city's information hotline. They were happy to tell me what I COULDN'T do with them, but the only suggestion they had to get rid of them was to take them to a landfill. Keep in mind that at the beginning of the conversation, I had explained that I had a 2 door convertible. Not exactly a rock hauling vehicle. So, I was stuck.

Then I remembered craigslist!! Within an hour of posting "landscaping rocks - FREE!!" I had a ton of emails. I responded to all of them with a mass bcc email telling them a little bit more - how many, where they were, where I lived, that I would supply shovels...etc.

Within 24 hours the rocks were gone and my problem was solved! Yay Craigslist!!

RSS...Twitter...Blogs...iGoogle Start Pages...

Readers, and I am assuming there are readers out there! Where do you get your information??

I get RSS feeds in Safari.
I bookmark Blogs that I like to read.
I twitter...and I follow interesting people/companies/tv stations/political candidates.
I add Google Gadgets to my iGoogle start page.

I'm looking for the magic bullet, the best combo of all of these varying sources of information. What's the best way to stay up to date without drowning in information?

Gigs for Extra Cash

I am in search of gigs for a little extra cash. I've signed up on ChaCha (www.chacha.com) to be a guide, it's a lot of fun - think playing jeopardy with google as your crib notes. I am toying with the idea of temp work through a temp agency and last, but not least, I am looking for freelance writing jobs. I've got two under my belt now, one as a contract copy writer, the other writing an article about inverted microscopes. I'm not real clear about how I'm getting paid for the article - I'm either making $2.50 or $25.00. That decimal point is pretty darned important. I decided to write the article no matter what they were paying so that I had a piece for my portfolio that is "professionally" written. We'll see how it goes. If you read this blog and like my writing style, let me know if you run across contract/freelance writing work!

Bridal Showers Galore!

I may one day eat my words...but I am not a huge fan of the bridal shower. They aren't so bad until the end, when everyone is perched on the edge of their seat with a napkin, fork and a slice of cake precariously balanced on a little plate while watching the bride open presents SHE PICKED OUT. Explain this part to me?? I get the showering with gifts (and, am, in fact, jealous), I get the games "how well do you know the bride" yadeyadah. I just don't get the presents. If it's so everyone can see how happy she is that she (again) got the items she registered for, SHE PICKED THEM OUT! Odds are that she is going to be thrilled.

After being a bridesmaid, let's just say, several times, I am adamant about sticking to the registry. The person who gives the monkey head book ends means well, and thinks they know the bride/groom soooo well that they will just LOVE them too! While they always appreciate the thought, time and energy that went into selecting the PERFECT gift, they really had their heart set on the Pottery Barn vase that they - here we go again - REGISTERED for! So, next time you think of veering off of the registry, feel free to do so, but pick up a set of place mats too.


Here's a little game we played at the last shower I attended. Guess which answers were mine?

1. A woman's work is never done.
2. A happy house has a lot of wine.
3. Behind every great man is a great woman.
4. A woman's place is not in the home.
5. When the going get tough, the tough get drunk.
6. A stitch in time is divine.
7. My house is (at address).
8. The path of true love is through a bottle of red wine & dim lighting.
9. Variety is the spice of life.
10. Every man's home is a mess w/o a significant other who cares.
11. True love happens.
12. Marriages are a legal contract.
13. A watched pot never boils.
14. If the shoe fits, wear it.
15. A penny saved is a penny earned.
16. Home is where the heart is.
17. Too many cooks makes Jen freak out.

A Day in the Life

This was yesterday:
New Tires on South
Up to NorthLake to view new listing with Mr. Bossman
Down to the office (picked up lunch along the way)
Went to showing, brought Mr. Bossman, other broker never showed.
Back to office.
Left at 515 to SouthPark
Bought: shoes (on sale), flip flops, lipstick (original reason for going), swimsuit, a couple of knit dresses (they ARE awesome, Dre was so right), a boob shirt and a dress for work.
Home by 630
Packed
At lauras at 705
Loaded car.
On the road by 715
Front Street brewery at 1050
Level 5 at midnight
Beach house at 130.

Not a bad day. :-)

Panthers - 100 million, Redskins - Embarrassed

Wow! The Panthers KILLED the Redskins Saturday night. Went to the game with Dre, Christina and Christa (that is tough to keep straight when you've had a few glasses of wine!). We had a blast. Christina scored fabulous tickets to a suite right behind the goal post. We had a waitress, yummy drinks and a fantastic view. Thanks girl!

Dre and I tried so hard to be cool and checked out Howl at the Moon. I was sorely disappointed. Last time I was in a Howl was in Miami. The bar was great, lots of comfy seating surrounding the dueling pianos, some of it was even tiered. This Howl at the Moon had tall cocktail tables strewn about the place. No place to hang out and get plastered while listening to some classic tunes. We tried to enjoy it but left after a few drinks.

Car ER

For the last 2 years, the Saab has been a second car, so some maintenance has been deferred. I sold the first car, a Honda CRaVe, now, it is time to get the Saab up to everyday driving.

I knew the Saab needed a few things, most urgently, the A/C had to be fixed if I am to drive it in 90+ degree heat! So, I took her in for a check up.

She needs a few surgeries. Engine mounts, tires, rims (ugh), hoses and some other expensive item that I'm putting off.

This Friday she goes in for the new engine mounts. Apparently, these are quite important. The engine won't fall out of the car when they all break (one is broken, one is bent and you can't see the third until you get in there), but the engine will rest on the frame and slide around a bit. Which messes with the transmission...and you can see it going down hill from there.

My Saab Buddy is shopping for a deal on rims for me at the fall saab convention outside of Boston, MA this weekend. Keep your fingers crossed that he finds a good deal!

Once the rims are here, I'll get new tires. Does anyone make a puncture proof regular car tire? In 25,000 miles on the Honda, I have had to replace 3 tires. The Saab only needs one due to puncture and a cut, but four due to cupping, scalloping, uneven treadwear, etc.!!!

(The Saab is a 1999 9-3SE convertible with turbo and about 117,000 miles. She has been a great car!)