Home is where the work is

Working from home as a freelance designer has to be one of the best jobs I've had. Actually I've pretty much only had cool jobs, but being at home a lot is a major perk to this job. I know a lot of companies let employees work from home, but I think more companies should allow it. I think the world as a whole would be a more relaxed place. It's just better to be at home. Take today for instance, I took a five minute break and watered my potted plants, I took a phone call on the patio and the caller asked me if those were chirping birds he heard in the background. Then around five, still having more work to do, I popped out to the kitchen to put on the rice for dinner. I think the dogs like having us home too. They don't have to wait around to show us what they've done all day, they get to show off their dirty noses immediately!

Still going

My walking is starting to pay off. I can already my flab dissipating . Unfortunately the scale says I gained two pounds, two additional pounds over the ridiculous weight I achieved while imbibing my way through the holiday season. I suppose the muscles need to strengthen before they power-wash the fat off my ham-hock thighs. Damn WINE!

: :: ::: :: :

Week 3
Walking: 12 miles

Peachy

Not only does she live... she blooms!

A neighbor started this tree from seed and was kind enough to give to me when I began planning and planting my garden. I of course nearly killed it. Actually everyone but me thought it was dead. I insisted my sister Jen plant it while she was visiting. After rounds and rounds of arguing back and forth she finally relented to my demands and just stuck in the ground. She probably kicked it when I wasn't looking.

I voted

On this most super of all Tuesdays, I hit the poles. As promised I took along my camera and documented my experience for the Polling Place Photo Project.

Happy Fastnacht Day!

Happy WHAT day? Isn't it Fat Tuesday? No, it's Fastnacht Day. It's almost like Fat Tuesday only without the drunken, shirt lifting debauchery. Rather than Happy Let's-party-today-because-tomorrow-is-Lent Day, it's more Happy use-up-all-the-leftover-lard-before-we-have-to-fast-for-Lent Day! Even though lard isn't so prevalent these days the Pennsylvania Dutch still keep the fastnacht tradition strong, because why wouldn't you choose one day a year to gorge yourself on donuts?

Generally we are not the first to align ourselves with the Pennsylvania Dutch, but I think in this case we can make an exception. Who doesn't love fresh donuts? To celebrate the momentous holiday, I popped out to Chow's Donuts to pick up our breakfast. As I drove down the hill I imagined there not being any donuts left to buy. What if I'm too late? The donuts might have been sold by 8 and here it is, 8:15 am and I AM NOT GOING TO GET ONE! (That is what really happens in Pennsylvania, you can't get a fastnacht anywhere if you didn't preorder last week!)

However, I've come to realize that we maybe the only people in our Southern California town to celebrate Fastnacht Day. Luckily, there was plenty to choose from at Chow's.

I made my selections and happily headed back up the hill to our home. It was well worth the drive.