Can't you feel the love tonight!

I don't think any words are necessary ;-)

I'll Have What She's Having!

Happy Holidays from Karla, Erik, Puddy, and Miss Portland. May your holiday include plenty of kitty crack :-)

Mmm....Update

Hi all! Just giving a quick update since I feel like I haven't done that in awhile:

Erik FINALLY got his Coast Guard uniforms, so now he just needs to track down the person who will schedule him for his drills.

We attended the Maine Preservation holiday party a week and a half ago. It was actually held at Victoria Mansion, my third job. They decorate the house every year for Christmas, so it was an absolutely gorgeous place to have a party.

We have health benefits again! They kind of suck (amount taken out of Erik's paycheck, copay, etc.) but I guess it's better than not having anything at all. And now I'm discovering the joys of having an HMO (can you read the sarcasm?).

We went down to Newburyport a couple of weeks ago for Vivian and Stefan's apartment warming. It was great to see the gang, and to finally meet some people that I had only heard about.

That's it for now!

Karla's Tales...From the Gym! - A Tale of Two Gyms?

Okay, this just adds to the weirdness of the gym - there are two of the SAME gym on the SAME road! I figured out a different way to get to the gym I had been going to originally and thought I had entered the twilight zone when I saw the "Planet Fitness" sign on the wrong side of the road. Huh?!??!?! I decided to check it out, and when I questioned the woman at the front desk as to how this gym was different than the one that I could literally see down the road from there, she said no difference, just smaller. Huh?!??!?!

Well, one thing I do have to say, even though it's smaller, there are always parking spaces and always equipment available when you want it, unlike the other location. Why this other location hasn't caught on is a mystery to me, but I ain't complaining! In fact, I actually like this location better! Less freaks, more normal looking people, it's great! But I still don't get it!!

Five Hundred, Twenty-Five Thousand, Six Hundred Minutes

So Erik and I went to the movies for the first time since we've been married. We tried to figure out what the last movie we saw, and we think it was the first Lord of the Rings. So if you know what year that came out, than that's the last time we went. I don't know what Erik's excuse is, but I don't see the point in paying $10 to see something that you can rent on Netflix later for a lot cheaper.

Our change of heart came about when we realized that the Nickelodeon theater in town does $5 movies on Tuesdays. Pretty sweet deal! Although I went back and forth about what I wanted to see, I finally settled on Rent. I figured it was the one movie that would be better on screen than on TV. I thought it was good, but in my opinion, if you haven't seen the stage version, I'm not sure if you'll like it. However, Erik never saw it on stage and he liked the movie, so maybe I'm full of crap. We think we're going to go back next week and see Walk the Line.

Karla's Tales...From the Gym! - Girlfriend?

Different dude, same dumb t-shirt concept - will these guys ever learn????

Got Turkey?

I know it's last minute, but if anyone is going to be in Maine, Southern New Hampshire, or the North Shore of MA tomorrow and wouldn't mind a 60 minute trip, please come up to Portland! We are stuck in Maine since the landscaping company that Erik works for plows in the winter, and we are supposedly suppose to have a storm tomorrow, even though they are basically calling for rain along the coast. Since Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, I'm still planning on cooking a bird and all the fixings (even though I just did that a few weeks back), so if anyone wanted to stop by, they'd be more than welcome!

Karla's Tales...From the Gym! - I Love Freshman Girls?

Reason number 53458950 to hate the gym - You're on the treadmill, minding your own business, when a short male in his 20's walks past wearing a skin tight t-shirt that reads "I Love Freshman Girls (see exact t-shirt above). Said male has man boobs (those ain't pecs, ladies). Struts around like he's all that.

For more info, please refer to reason number 3242340 to become a lesbian (that's for you, Dos) :-)

Karla's Tales...From the Gym!! (MUHAHAHAHAHHA)

So for those of you who don't know, I obtained a gym membership for the first time in my life the other day. To keep the record straight, I hate gyms -loooaattthhh gyms. However, this year I decided that I didn't want to go a whole winter with only running on weekends if the weather happens to be nice. I still haven't lost the 10 pounds I gained last winter. Anyway, part of Erik's Coast Guard bonus paid for my all of my initial fees and all that at the most gym-like gym in town. Gym-like gym you ask? Think of the typical gym environment, and that's this place. It's called Planet Fitness, and you probably have one in your state if you live in New England. At $20/month, I couldn't pass it up despite the facilities gym-ness. Gym-like pretty much boils down to buff guys who think they're all that, girls who think sportsbras are shirts, and marathoners who decide to run on either side of you when you're on the treadmill, making your 10 minute, 42 second mile look like your running at a sloth's pace. Anyway, despite the fact that I want to gag everytime I go in there, I have miraculously been inspired to write about it in a little blurb I like to call "Karla's Tales..From the Gym!" which I plan on posting whenever something wacko happens when I'm there. My next post is the inspiration for this. Enjoy, and feel free to comment with your own crazy gym stories!

New Rabbit Cage!

Yes, our lives are this boring. And yes, I know, I still haven't given the full update on the Turkey Party. So sue me! I'll do it tonight, you crazy people :-P

Anyway, got this for $5 at the flea market. SOOOOO much more attractive than the other piece o'crap cage. I told Erik that we'll probably come home one day and find the cat sleeping in it. Oh well :-)

Turkey for me, turkey for you!

Well, the third annual Turkey Party appears to have been a success! Thanks to everyone who trekked up to Portland and contributed to a feast fit for a king, and a special thanks to all the Turkey Party virgins who are now Turkey Party experienced (you know who you are).

Below are the pictures I took. If anyone else has some they would like to contribute, you know where to find me. And for those who were unable to make it, stay tuned for a more detailed description of what went down.

Ridiculous

Well, apparently I have a white swollen spot on the back of my eye that's causing a shadow in my vision. I woke up Monday morning and noticed that my left eye had a dark spot on it but that it wasn't effecting my vision. When it hadn't gone away by Tuesday morning, I decided to very reluctantly call the eye doctor since we have no health benefits. Went to the doc yesterday, and that's the conclusion he came to. He started to worry me when he called in the retina specialist, but I guess he just wanted a second opinion. Anyway, apparently it can be caused by a blood vessel that has either slowed down or has become blocked. It has gotten better since Monday, which the doctor attributes to the fact that the blood vessel is healing itself. I have a follow-up next week to make sure things are still a-okay.

Apparently it's not anything to worry about at the moment, however he did bring up the point that's it's odd that someone of my age and health would have something like this. Anyway, as usual, I will keep everyone posted!

Ooooh! I feel so special!

This is my first "blog" invitation. Thank you Karla and Eric. I feel privileged.

I have started two new blogs of my own, one is personal (http://livinginstorage.blogspot.com/) and one is for my swing dancing friends (http://vinniesfullcrew.blogspot.com/). When you guys get a chance, visit it and if you like and leave comments.

Thanks for allowing me into your little online home. Can't wait to see you for Turkey Day 11/12!

xoxox

Sisters, sisters.....There were never such devoted sisters!

So as not to play favorites, I had to post this cute picture of the Pud wrapped up in our clean laundry. Awww ;-)

Sisterhood does not seem to be catching on at 24. Kidder Street. I let Miss Portland out for the first time today without the cat around. In fact, I locked the Pud in the second bedroom. I obviously couldn't keep her in there forever, so I let her out. BAD IDEA. While Puddy wasn't phased by Miss Portland being out and about in the slightest, Miss Portland sure was. She took off like a bat out of hell and ended up losing a claw and started to bleed! Needless to say, both the bunny and myself were traumatized, so I put her back in the cage. About the only good to come out of this is that suddenly, Miss Portland doesn't mind being picked up or petted. Very strange.

Here she comes! Miss Portland!

Say hello to the newest addition to the Rider family! I have wanted a rabbit for SO long, and I finally got my wish! I was on Craig's List the other night posting some stuff, when I came across a free, dwarf bunny, complete with cage, food, etc. I wasn't going to contact them because Erik said about a month ago that we should do some research on bunnies before we got one, but he encouraged me to email them. So I did - and now we are the proud parents of Miss Portland! An odd name, I know, but that's the name she came with. And we actually both really like it. My reason is that she has the same name as a restored diner in Portland that was going to be demolished, but they ended up moving it and are in the process of (or have finished) fixing it up. Since the name has to do with historic preservation, OF COURSE I like it ;-)

I actually feel really bad for her now old owner. She's probably a few years younger than me, and is moving to Florida with her boyfriend and can't really take Miss Portland with her. I could never imagine giving up a pet. But that was the same case with Puddy's old owner - couldn't keep her and had to give her away. But we're good adoptive parents, if I do say so myself ;-)

No word yet on how Puddy will take this. Only time will tell.

I promise to post better quality pictures once Miss Portland is no longer scared and can actually come out of her cage :-)

SLACKER!

Okay, we have seriously taken this slacker thing to a whole new level. Ugh. Well, in all honesty, not much has really happened that has been THAT exciting. The highlight of the past few weeks was that I FINALLY got to see my parents after months, and Erik, despite the fact that he STILL does not have a schedule, is officially in the Coast Guard Reserves. He got his ID this past Friday, so it's pretty much a done deal.

This week looks pretty standard on both of our ends. Work, work, work. Next week I'm helping out with Maine Preservation's Annual Meeting (not to be confused with the annual conference I helped with at the beginning of September). It's being held at the Maple Hill Inn Bed and Breakfast in Hallowell, and I'll be getting a free meal out of it, so that's good. The annual meeting is exactly that - a meeting that happens annually where the past year at Maine Preservation is discussed. So far we have a very poor turnout, but maybe some more RSVP's came in over the weekend. I think people were suppose to get back to us by the 15th.

We'll be sure to report any excitement as soon as it happens (snore.....).

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12th - OFFICIAL DATE FOR THE TURKEY PARTY!

Just a friendly reminder that the Turkey Party now has an official date of Saturday, November 12th at 1pm. We hope to see you there!

I wish you out of the woods, and into the picture, with me.

Okay, yes, we are officially slackers. Sorry to the two people who read this and check it religiously on Sunday nights, but we weren't home Sunday night to give you the "exciting" update.

First off, I got the tires replaced, no charge or anything as expected. Did have alignment issues and had to bring the car back (which was annoying), but all seems to be fine now. Have I mentioned that I hate cars?

As for our comings and goings, last weekend was pretty relaxing. Friday evening we went to the mall so I could use my 10% Gap coupon, then we came home and watched Six Feet Under. Saturday we went to the Cumberland County Fair which was a lot of fun as usual. I believe it's smaller than the Durham Fair (for you Connectishits), but they have farm animals, so I am happy :-) I made Erik go into "Old McDonald's Farm" twice so I could pet the animals. It's a petting zoo meant for kids, so just call me a big kid! Of course I didn't try to actually go into it. I just like leaning against the fencing around the play pen and pet the animals when the kids happen to scare them in my direction :-)

Saturday evening we sat around and I watched "Pollack" on IFC (Independent Film Channel). I have two words to sum up the movie - raging alcoholic. I had NO idea Jackson Pollack was such a boozer! I guess it makes sense since he was an artist and all artists are messed up. However, his famous paintings, the ones that everyone knows (the paint splatters) were actually done during the two years he was completely sober. Yet another reason to lay off the sauce! He of course died by being drunk behind the wheel. Sort of a depressing movie, but it was very, very good and I highly recommend it. Marcia Gay Harden won an Oscar for her performance as Pollack's wife.

Sunday Dos and I hit a yard sale, the flea market, and an estate sale. I ended up buying a frame and a foot stool. The estate sale was kind of lame I have to admit. It was in Cape Elizabeth, so we were both hoping it would be a lot of expensive antiques at bargain prices. Far from it. Mr. and Mrs. Joe Schmo use to live there, and apparently Mr. Schmo loved to make cribbage boards and collect old tools. There were piles upon piles of cribbage boards and enough drills to build 20 bookshelves all at the same time.

Sunday evening was the Nickel Creek concert. Here's an interesting (and annoying) story. Erik and I had bought tickets a couple of months ago. Last week Erik decides to put his name in to win a private concert with Nickel Creek before the actual concert. Well, he won! I was of course VERY excited! No longer than two hours after the radio station sponsoring the private concert called to tell Erik he was winner, they called back to say the private concert was cancelled. Huh?!??! They said it was due to sickness, but that the regular concert was still on. Even though we didn't get to go to the private concert, we still got two tickets to the regular show. So yep, we had 4 tickets to the show, two free ones and two that we paid for. So we dragged Dos along. The concert was VERY good, but you could tell that they were all suffering from some illness (hence the reason the private concert was cancelled.) Erik and I were 5 rows from the stage, so I was happy about that at least. And those were the tickets we paid for! The free tickets were further back which we found surprising. But all in all, a good concert.

The tires described above may contain an unidentified (and therefore unauthorized) foreign material......

So the extent of our weekend was getting a lovely notice in the mail stating that our tires have been recalled. LOVELY! Mind you, it says that no highway driving should be done before having the tires inspected. Okay, we got the tires in March or something - do you want to know how much highway driving we've done since then? Good thing to come out of this - if they are indeed faulty, we get four new tires, absolutely free. And seeing is that we've probably done over 10,000 miles since getting the new tires, we're getting a hell of a deal. So that's what I get to do Monday morning before Old Yawk.

But seriously, that was the highlight of our weekend. I was looking forward to doing absolutely nothing, and that's exactly what we did. In fact, I was so lazy today, and so comfy in Erik's oversized Coast Guard sweats, that all I did was finish reading a book, watch "The Best of Pet Stars" on Animal Planet, and write in this blog.

But the weekend didn't totally consist of laziness and sweatpants. Friday we had our favorite meal of nachos and watched the movie "Kinsey." It was good and kept my interest, but it wasn't the best thing I've ever seen. However, it did contain a full frontal male nudity scene which never happens in movies, and the guy was actually cute AND young! Nothing like the nude scene in "The Piano" (if you want to be grossed out, watch that movie).

On Saturday, Erik worked until about 12:30 and I spent the morning catching up on laundry folding and working on a chair I bought at a flea market about a month ago. We then went to the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge. I wasn't sure if I was going to have a goodtime, but it was so much fun! Erik's boss is a full-time firefighter, in addition to owning his own landscaping company, so he and some of his colleagues were involved. Basically it was one big obstacle course challenge. Two different departments would do the obstacle course at the same time and whoever finished it first moved on to the next round. Unfortunately, Erik's boss' department was beaten by a department from Quebec.

That evening we hung out and were in bed by 11:30pm (yes, pathetic). We also had an overnight guest. Brad (of Kate and Brad) was up to see the Christian rock band Petra who are on their farewell tour. Apparently Maine was the closest venue from CT, even though it was literally in bumble Maine (out near Waterville/Colby College). He obviously didn't want to drive the 5+ hours back to CT from way up there, so he crashed at our place. We went to Becky's Diner this morning for breakfast and caught up. I haven't seen him since he and Kate got married last November.

So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehn, Goodbye

So this weekend Erik and I said goodbye to Curtis as he's about to embark on the next stage of his life teaching english in Prague. Unfortunately, it involved a trip down to Connectishit, but I'd do anything for Curtis ;-) His mom had a small gathering for friends and family at her apartment in Bolton that she shares with her new husband, Steve. We hooked up with Uno in Boston early Saturday afternoon and carpooled down together. Despite tensions among some people, and the lack of air circulation in their apartment, we had a good time. We hadn't seen Curtis' sister in probably about 5 years, so it was really good to see her. She's definitely changed since then, and it seems like she's doing very well. We also got to see Curtis' childhood friend, Cindy, who I had met before many years ago. And of course Sharon was there, and we of course made fun of the fact that for the first time ever, she didn't bring Heineken to a party ;-) I was completely obsessed with Curtis' mom's pug, Benny, and was very tempted to sneak him back up to Maine, but I decided against it. The party eventually made its way to the Willimantic Brewing Company (only the young people attended) and we said our final goodbyes around 12:30am. Luckily Erik was awake enough to drive Sarah's car back up to Boston, which is where we spent the night.

While it'll be awhile till we see Curtis again, I am VERY glad he decided to make this move. I know he's still a bit skeptical, but I also know that he's going to have a blast. Sometimes you have to do what's best for yourself, ignore what other people say, and take the chance. It's been our mantra for the past year or so and we think it'll be the best thing Curtis ever did for himself.