Lost in Translation

As I was walking back to my office after lunch today I was stopped by a man on the street. The exchange went something like this:

Man: Ethscuth me...
Me: {I stop and give him my attention}
Man: Cuyahelmasobelacapthilo?
Me: What?
Man: Cuyahelmasobelacapthilo?
Me: Shake my head as if to say "I can't help you" and walk away. Really, I couldn't understand a word he was saying. Anyone want to translate? I think it's Swahili, with a lisp.

In a dfferent conversation I overheard while eating my lunch a man asked another man, "How's the stock market?" The second man said with a chuckle, "When I left it was down over 700 points." Haha, very funny I thought. When I got back to the office I looked to see how it really went today. Yes, in fact the market was down 778 points at the close-the worst drop ever. I guess that guy wasn't kidding.

Strange lunch hour.

"Wall Street to Main Street"

I was reading a post on a blog of a friend of mine who posed the question, "With all this "BAIL OUT" talk I ask what is your opinion on who really is responsible for this mess our country is in? Do we really put billions into the pockets of the wealthy & trust them or is there a right answer? How did we get to this point in our country?"

My opinion is too long for a comment box.

Who is responsible? I think it's a GREEDY society. People with a sense of entitlement (got to keep up with the Jones!) and corporate America executives lining their pockets. Where did it begin? People purchasing homes they could not afford, with the mortgage lenders and banks as accomplices. My skin crawls when I listen to people whine about their homes in foreclosure because they "didn't know" the details of their loan and eventually were unable to meet the mortgage payment on that million dollar home they purchased on a $50k/year income. No kidding. "I didn't know" is a poor excuse, a cop out. Be responsible, people! Read the fine print. Have an ounce of common sense. Sure, it's not only the irresponsible, "unknowing" buyers, but the lenders clearly were complacent, saw an opportunity to score big and BAM! took the money and ran. The big investment banks clearly didn't make very good risk assessments (ahem, Bear Stearns, Lehman, Merrill) and now I'm {representing the financially responsible people} left holding the bag. I find it hard to feel sorry for the parties involved. Hopefully there are some lessons learned and I would hope those responsible are held accountable.

Update: Read here for a more eloquent way of stating what's going on in our economy.

Walnut Street

I recently returned from a trip to Philadelphia, where I was attending an investment adviser compliance conference {have I already put you to sleep?}. I used to get excited to travel to big cities, particularly those oozing with history, such as Philadelphia. I am at a point in my life and career where traveling alone, for business, just isn't all that intriguing anymore. Nonetheless, I was not excited for this trip.

I arrived on Sunday evening. The weather was perfect and there was enough daylight to hit the pavement and checkout the city. I've heard many accounts from non-Utah natives about how dead Salt Lake is on a Sunday afternoon. Newsflash: so is Philadelphia. There was not much going on. I eventually found Walnut Street where I could tell, despite the Sunday afternoon lull, that this was "it." I eventually came to Rittenhouse Square where there was an art festival taking place. Unfortunately I got there as it was ending and the booths were beginning to pack up for the day, but I could feel the vibe. I took note of all the high-end shops such as Armani and Leon Max that I would never enter, especially wearing my $40 H&M jeans and $5 Target golf shirt. I'm too insecure for the up-down look I'd surely get from the sales people so I just imagined myself in 'that' dress, through the window. I also noted the restaurants along the street. One particular that caught my eye was Pietro's Coal Oven Pizzeria. They had sidewalk seating, which I love, and the place was hoppin' so I knew it must be good. The next night this is where I went to dinner.

I was seated inside the restaurant, but that was OK since the outside window/wall opened up so it actually felt like I was outside. I really wanted to order a slice of pizza, but my only option was to order a whole pizza. That didn't make a lot of sense since I was alone and surely I'd eat the entire thing. So I got the Pollo al Funghi. I was disappointed in my meal, not because it didn't taste alright, but because I was really hoping it was like the Chicken Picante at Alforno's. It wasn't even close. I indulged in the Bomba Gellato for dessert knowing I'd have to run a half marathon to burn the calories. It was worth it. I imagined that G would walk by and notice me sitting there. He'd come in, give me a kiss and we'd engage in good conversation.

All A Glow

Today is G's 35th birthday - look at the light of those candles, boy! I made him a first-ever two layer chocolate cake. Last night I asked him what his favorite cake flavor is - yes, we've been together for 8+ years and I really didn't know - you see, I've never been very good with celebrating birthdays. I have the best intentions, but never take much action. This probably makes me a bad wife, a crappy friend and, some day, a lame mom - my poor children are going to be so deprived of birthday celebrations. So here's to you, babe. Happy birthday! You deserve a cake.

Do Something and Do It Right Now

I read an interesting comment on one of my favorite craft blogs. Kathy Mack at Pink Chalk Studio said,

"In 2006 it was time for me to stop thinking about doing. I had a good time reading my own words about selling one thing. Too much planning can lead to crippling inaction. Do something and do it right now. Decide what you want to make and sell one thing before the year’s over. I guarantee it will lead to the next thing. Before you know it you’ll have a whole string of things. When that happens, watch out, you might just have a plan. "

Her words are so basic, yet insightful. This is the best shove I could get right now as I try to put By-Low Baby together. I have found myself literally crippled because I want a "plan" before I launch the site. So ok, this is it. I'm putting something out there today {eek}. Wish me luck.

Mexican Get-Away

G and I just returned from a much needed week-long trip with my family to Puerta Vallarta, Mexico. We had a great time doing a whole lot of pool-side lounging sipping Diet Cokes and eating plate after plate of quacamole, taking the kids down the waterslide, watching Noelle flail solo down the waterslide, boogie boarding, body surfing - where D practically broke his nose and nearly lost half his teeth - swimming in our own private pool, watching Dan take four million really good pictures of everyone and everything (good thing since 65% of my pics turned out blurry...awesome). We were chased by crabs and gigantic spiders. We saw rainbows, dreamy sunsets, Margarito the resident iguana, and a 150 year old turtle emerge from the ocean. We played water volleyball and took part in a grand Fiesta. Dan, Elizabeth, G and I took a day ATVing through Mexican ranches, little towns, cow heards and the jungle. We stopped along the way and while resting watched G get tricked into eating a pepper the size of a pea that was so hot he cried as fire shot from his ears. Eli was told a million times to stop playing with his "peeps," and riding the bus meant certain death to Eli when he exclaimed as we sped off, "We're all going to die!" We ate at the best road-side bbq eatery (for lack of a better word), lost 10 lbs from sweating in the sweltering heat/humidity while strolling through town, played cards late into the night, participated in water aerobics, and what else can I say? It was a good time. See for yourself.

All New Bathroom for Two

The bathroom you've all been waiting for is here, new paint color and all! Let me show you a few before pics first. You'll see the swarthy slate tile-rrrriippppped right out! Beautiful shower doors-rrripppppped right out! Cabinets and counter top with one sink - gone-zo. And the brown paint-well at least it's lighter :)

And now for the NEW!

The new European glass shower doors and all new tile with spanky detail:

All new, slightly darker cabinets, quartz countertops and an added key-to-a-happy-marriage second sink! {Nevermind the burned-out light bulb in the light fixture}
New tile around the tub:

Can you see the difference? How about all of that COLOR! Ok, I know. I'm such a disappointment in the color department. I do actually have a brilliant picture that I bought in Croatia last year to hang on the big blank wall in the tub cave, I just haven't hung it yet and it will -guaranteed-add colorburst. And if it were my choice, I'd buy really nice colorful towels that pop, but since I'm married to Mr. Bleach, I must stick with nearly white linens. Overall, I heart my new bathroom.

Toppins a Bag

My Mom gave me this little bird feeder for my birthday with the intention that I'd hang it at my cabin. I could tell she was bummed when I told her the Forest Rangers strongly urged residents against having bird seed in the area since certain types of seeds attracts bears and could cause more trouble for the other cabin dwellers and campers in the area. I have no idea if this bird seed is bear proof, but I decided to hang the bird feeder anyway. We only pull it out while we are there-perhaps this fact will lower the risk of a bear encounter. In the couple of visits since it was initally hung we have yet to actually see a bird perch here. Only hummingbirds have stopped by disappointed they are unable to drink. Nonetheless, this is the first item I've moved to the cabin that makes it feel like "me," even if the birds, and the bears, could care less.

What Color Will it Be?

I know it's hard to wait and you are all being so patient. What color will I choose? I'm sure you'll never guess. Luckily your wait is coming to an end. The painters will be return this Thursday and then watch out for the bathroom finale!