Erich and I woke this morning to heavily falling snow. Only a dusting had settled on the ground and the roads were clear, but it was just heavy enough to give all of the trees a very pretty flocked appearance. It was also one of those snows that I know won't stay very long. It's going to be just warm enough to make anything white disappear by day's end. A bit of the slushy aftermath may remain, but that's about it.
It made me glad that we finished a good chunk of our yard cleanup on Sunday morning, just in time for the snow to fall. We've filled about eight of those large paper leaf bags so far this season and probably have another four or so to go. We also have lost several large limbs from our maple trees this season. Both of us are a bit concerned that the trees may be diseased. Sometime next year, we'll probably get a tree doctor out to check them out. It just doesn't seem right that a 15 foot limb with a 6+ inch span would just come down. It's been windy, but not THAT windy. I'd hate to lose the height of those trees, but at the same time I know it's better to just get rid of them if they're sick trees. We'd just have to replant.
We can make use of the wood from those limbs, however. We bought one of those outdoor fireplaces so we could safely burn off twigs and brush that we need to dispose of (rather than attempting to bundle them). Erich has used the chainsaw to create logs out of the larger limbs for foundation logs in the fire. So yesterday as one person raked and bagged leaves, the other stoked a fire and burned off some brush. We traded off after every couple bags.
It was also good timing because we had our roof over the sunroom replaced on Saturday morning. During one of the recent heavy rainstorms, a good amount of water went through the roof, down the wall, and right into our sunroom. The plaster on the ceiling is now in need of replacement, and we may have to replace part of the wall as well. Erich called our insurance company, and while they said the roof was due to normal wear & tear, they did pay a claim on the interior damage. Thankfully the things that got wet wasn't anything too valuable- mostly our Dungeons & Dragons notebooks, a couple books, etc. I have to rewrite character sheets, but that's no big deal.
In any case, the roofers came on Saturday and put a new rubber roof over the existing asphalt one. Apparently when they took off the lowest siding board, they found the problem- the channel that was supposed to wisk water away from the roof had been covered over during the last resurfacing of the roof, so the water had nowhere to go until it soaked through. (sigh)
In any case, it's done, and unlike the asphalt roof, this one is supposed to last for at least 20 years.
Ah yes... home ownership.
What was that about a money pit? :)
04 December 2006
03 December 2006
Weekend Wakeup Calls
I don't generally get to sleep in on weekend mornings. Most of the time, my brain decides that I have, in fact, forgotten to turn on my alarm clock and am about to miss my train. But in the off chance that the internal alarm clock doesn't go off, we have five other alarm clocks that generally start voicing their opinion by about 8 a.m. or so.
Cats really need love, of course. And as their humans, we should be catering to them on their schedules... dammit.
This morning's edition of Feline Alarm was paid for by Nobanion. Around 8:30, he sauntered up the entire length of my body, making sure to walk over my head. He then bit my nose, licked it, and flopped unceremoniously with his flanks on my face with enough force to make me sneeze. He then relaxed, slid down into the hammock formed by my shoulder and outstretched arm, and began to purr.
For a few moments, I thought that maybe he was just going to cuddle up and go to sleep there, and I could doze for a while. I can't think of many things that I love as much as the slow wakeups on the weekends curled up to one of the cats, just being lazy. It's relaxing, it's peaceful. And it's rare.
So I just stayed there, resisting my morning allergies as they started to kick in. But Noby had other plans for me. He decided that he needed further attention, and began chewing on my outstretched fingers.
So much for cuddling.
I got up, used the bathroom, and came back to bed. Noby hadn't wanted my attention at all.
He just wanted the warm spot that I'd leave so he could take a nap.
(sigh)
Cats really need love, of course. And as their humans, we should be catering to them on their schedules... dammit.
This morning's edition of Feline Alarm was paid for by Nobanion. Around 8:30, he sauntered up the entire length of my body, making sure to walk over my head. He then bit my nose, licked it, and flopped unceremoniously with his flanks on my face with enough force to make me sneeze. He then relaxed, slid down into the hammock formed by my shoulder and outstretched arm, and began to purr.
For a few moments, I thought that maybe he was just going to cuddle up and go to sleep there, and I could doze for a while. I can't think of many things that I love as much as the slow wakeups on the weekends curled up to one of the cats, just being lazy. It's relaxing, it's peaceful. And it's rare.
So I just stayed there, resisting my morning allergies as they started to kick in. But Noby had other plans for me. He decided that he needed further attention, and began chewing on my outstretched fingers.
So much for cuddling.
I got up, used the bathroom, and came back to bed. Noby hadn't wanted my attention at all.
He just wanted the warm spot that I'd leave so he could take a nap.
(sigh)
01 December 2006
A Rare Opportunity
The sun is partly hidden. The skies are debating whether to clear or stay in that half-fog haziness that keeps everything feeling just a bit damp. The winds on the seaport are light, giving just a bit of a breeze to freshen the air every few minutes. It’s just shy of 70 degrees- absolutely delightful weather.
No one has a coat on.
In Boston.
On November 30th.
If I didn’t know better, I’d argue that I’m now working in San Francisco. The recent weather reminds me so much of the December weather in the Bay Area as I’d visit my mother for the holidays. Coming from a Rocky Mountain upbringing, to be able to go outside in a t-shirt and jeans on Christmas was such a novelty.
The same novelty applies in New England. Usually this time of year I’m swearing as I try to find where my mittens have run off to during the overnight hours. I’m shivering as I wait on the concrete platform for the train, wincing as that blast of air hits me as the train rolls into the station. And walking through Boston in late November to early December? It’s painful. The street planners made Boston a fantastic wind tunnel. In fact, it’s the windiest major city in the United States. During the winter, residents are reminded of this fact every day as they trudge to work.
Yet the night of November 30th, it was absolutely beautiful. It was downright springlike.
As Erich and I settled down to bed, we watched the Weather Channel to get the morning’s forecast. I knew a big thunderstorm was making its way east, and wanted a sense of what time it would hit. At only a couple minutes to midnight, it was 62 degrees with a low of something high 50s.
We slept with our bedroom windows wide open to catch the breezes. On November 30th.
It doesn’t get much better. :)
No one has a coat on.
In Boston.
On November 30th.
If I didn’t know better, I’d argue that I’m now working in San Francisco. The recent weather reminds me so much of the December weather in the Bay Area as I’d visit my mother for the holidays. Coming from a Rocky Mountain upbringing, to be able to go outside in a t-shirt and jeans on Christmas was such a novelty.
The same novelty applies in New England. Usually this time of year I’m swearing as I try to find where my mittens have run off to during the overnight hours. I’m shivering as I wait on the concrete platform for the train, wincing as that blast of air hits me as the train rolls into the station. And walking through Boston in late November to early December? It’s painful. The street planners made Boston a fantastic wind tunnel. In fact, it’s the windiest major city in the United States. During the winter, residents are reminded of this fact every day as they trudge to work.
Yet the night of November 30th, it was absolutely beautiful. It was downright springlike.
As Erich and I settled down to bed, we watched the Weather Channel to get the morning’s forecast. I knew a big thunderstorm was making its way east, and wanted a sense of what time it would hit. At only a couple minutes to midnight, it was 62 degrees with a low of something high 50s.
We slept with our bedroom windows wide open to catch the breezes. On November 30th.
It doesn’t get much better. :)
Friday Feast #4
I haven't answered the questions in the Friday Feast for a while...
Appetizer
Have you ever flown in a helicopter?
No. I'm honestly curious to do so, but I wonder if my fear of heights would come into play. It doesn't in a plane, but that's a tad bigger than a copter...
Soup
What color is your warmest coat or jacket?
It's a leather jacket with a very plush faux leopard interior. Supposedly the coat is reversable, but I can't imagine wearing the faux fur on the outside... it would be a bit... loud. But the jacket feels like literally wrapping a comfy blanket around you, even on the coldest days. But it's also so thick that it makes me walk a bit like Ralphie's little brother in A Christmas Story.
Salad
What is your favorite rainy day activity?
Playing World of Warcraft on the computer or stitching. I usually do a bit of both.
Main Course
Describe your hands.
I have small hands. I still wear kid sized mittens. My palms are fairly broad, and my fingers aren't that long. I'm a chronic nail-biter, so my nails are severely short. I have a few scars on them from cat scratches, and I'm starting to get the slightest age lines on them. They go through a lot of abuse. :)
Dessert
If you could eat only one nut for the rest of your life, what nut
would you pick?
Honey coated cashews. I swear they're laced with heroin.
Appetizer
Have you ever flown in a helicopter?
No. I'm honestly curious to do so, but I wonder if my fear of heights would come into play. It doesn't in a plane, but that's a tad bigger than a copter...
Soup
What color is your warmest coat or jacket?
It's a leather jacket with a very plush faux leopard interior. Supposedly the coat is reversable, but I can't imagine wearing the faux fur on the outside... it would be a bit... loud. But the jacket feels like literally wrapping a comfy blanket around you, even on the coldest days. But it's also so thick that it makes me walk a bit like Ralphie's little brother in A Christmas Story.
Salad
What is your favorite rainy day activity?
Playing World of Warcraft on the computer or stitching. I usually do a bit of both.
Main Course
Describe your hands.
I have small hands. I still wear kid sized mittens. My palms are fairly broad, and my fingers aren't that long. I'm a chronic nail-biter, so my nails are severely short. I have a few scars on them from cat scratches, and I'm starting to get the slightest age lines on them. They go through a lot of abuse. :)
Dessert
If you could eat only one nut for the rest of your life, what nut
would you pick?
Honey coated cashews. I swear they're laced with heroin.
The Gratuitous Introduction Entry
It’s Holidailies, which means that several people who don’t commonly read me may be visiting. To the newcomers- welcome! I hope you’ll enjoy my writing, want to share comments and hopefully read after January 1st has passed us by...
With the beginning of Holidailies, I thought it best to start with introducing myself. It’s been five years since I wrote my original bio for my blog. I’ve cut and pasted new info, but it’s due for an overhaul. So…
My name is Melissa. I usually go by Mel (with both co-workers and friends), or by Measi (a childhood nickname that stuck). I’m on the cusp of age 32, a double Capricorn (if you’re into astrology), lazy-about-practicing Pagan, geek, cat lover, and craft-aholic.
I’ve lived in New England for 13 years. I originally came to Boston to attend Boston University, fell in love with my new surroundings, and have settled in to a life I love.
I’m engaged to a wonderful man named Erich. He’s a native Massachusetts boy, with the slightest bit of the accent that has made the region so famous. He’s about 6’3”, giving him nearly a foot of height over me. I don’t even reach his shoulder. We’ve been a couple since 2001, living together since 2002, and homeowners since 2005. We live in the Providence, Rhode Island metro area in a pretty old colonial house with a decent yard. Both of us still commute to Boston for work, so we’re close friends with the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority, also known as “the T.” Driving our commute daily would be a nightmare. Erich works in IT. I work as an Admin. Assistant.
One of the biggest reasons Erich and I clicked so well is our mutual geekness (geekitude?). We both enjoy computer games immensely. He tends to go for the first person shooters and more violent games. I tend to lean toward the Sims, Myst, and other simulation/strategy games. We both play World of Warcraft a lot, and often together. We also enjoy Renaissance faires, tabletop gaming (think Dungeons & Dragons), fandom conventions, and all of the nerdy things from our youth that led into such interests. I have additional geekness coming from years of marching and pep band membership.
We are owned by five loving but very weird cats, who have come into our lives at an oddly clockwork 2-year interval. Colley is 7, Fizzy is 5, Gus is 3, and the twins, Noby and Elly, are 1. Photos and details about each of them will follow in later entries this month.
The major hobby I talk about in my blog (other than blogging) is my stitching. I’m an avid cross-stitcher, and tend to have about a half-dozen projects in the works at any given time. I originally learned when I was in 5th grade through a class art project. I enjoyed it so much that I kept on going. It helped me feel a bit more connected to my mother, who sewed all the time when I was a child. She loved that I was interested in embroidery, too, and helped me select materials and such until I was out of college. I went through a few years of disinterest, but found myself really getting into it again about two years ago. I tend to work larger pieces, so completions are few and far between. But I find that the journey of stitching is honestly more fun than the completion. Most of my current projects and all completed projects are located in my Flickr account (on the right hand bar).
So what do I normally write about in my blog? It depends on my mood. I tend to write about what happens during my days. Lately I’ve been on a bit of a meme streak due to an inability to sit down, think and do quality writing. When I do have the time to really think and write, I’ll talk about topics that are personal- adoption, faith, lukewarm attempts at politics, etc.
So who’s reading? Drop a note and say hi!
With the beginning of Holidailies, I thought it best to start with introducing myself. It’s been five years since I wrote my original bio for my blog. I’ve cut and pasted new info, but it’s due for an overhaul. So…
My name is Melissa. I usually go by Mel (with both co-workers and friends), or by Measi (a childhood nickname that stuck). I’m on the cusp of age 32, a double Capricorn (if you’re into astrology), lazy-about-practicing Pagan, geek, cat lover, and craft-aholic.
I’ve lived in New England for 13 years. I originally came to Boston to attend Boston University, fell in love with my new surroundings, and have settled in to a life I love.
I’m engaged to a wonderful man named Erich. He’s a native Massachusetts boy, with the slightest bit of the accent that has made the region so famous. He’s about 6’3”, giving him nearly a foot of height over me. I don’t even reach his shoulder. We’ve been a couple since 2001, living together since 2002, and homeowners since 2005. We live in the Providence, Rhode Island metro area in a pretty old colonial house with a decent yard. Both of us still commute to Boston for work, so we’re close friends with the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority, also known as “the T.” Driving our commute daily would be a nightmare. Erich works in IT. I work as an Admin. Assistant.
One of the biggest reasons Erich and I clicked so well is our mutual geekness (geekitude?). We both enjoy computer games immensely. He tends to go for the first person shooters and more violent games. I tend to lean toward the Sims, Myst, and other simulation/strategy games. We both play World of Warcraft a lot, and often together. We also enjoy Renaissance faires, tabletop gaming (think Dungeons & Dragons), fandom conventions, and all of the nerdy things from our youth that led into such interests. I have additional geekness coming from years of marching and pep band membership.
We are owned by five loving but very weird cats, who have come into our lives at an oddly clockwork 2-year interval. Colley is 7, Fizzy is 5, Gus is 3, and the twins, Noby and Elly, are 1. Photos and details about each of them will follow in later entries this month.
The major hobby I talk about in my blog (other than blogging) is my stitching. I’m an avid cross-stitcher, and tend to have about a half-dozen projects in the works at any given time. I originally learned when I was in 5th grade through a class art project. I enjoyed it so much that I kept on going. It helped me feel a bit more connected to my mother, who sewed all the time when I was a child. She loved that I was interested in embroidery, too, and helped me select materials and such until I was out of college. I went through a few years of disinterest, but found myself really getting into it again about two years ago. I tend to work larger pieces, so completions are few and far between. But I find that the journey of stitching is honestly more fun than the completion. Most of my current projects and all completed projects are located in my Flickr account (on the right hand bar).
So what do I normally write about in my blog? It depends on my mood. I tend to write about what happens during my days. Lately I’ve been on a bit of a meme streak due to an inability to sit down, think and do quality writing. When I do have the time to really think and write, I’ll talk about topics that are personal- adoption, faith, lukewarm attempts at politics, etc.
So who’s reading? Drop a note and say hi!
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