Tax Dollars - Eagle Squishy

We had a conference this past week and this was one of the items that we all received in our conference bag. It's a squishy eagle - instead of the typical stress ball.

Yes, I had to position it this way because it has the engraving of our government organization emblazoned across the front of it.

Just wanted to keep you informed of your tax dollars hard at work.

I'm in the middle of determining whether to give this to a niece or nephew, take it to work or donate it to the Goodwill.

Ideas?

Secret Happiness - Biking - the wind, the road, the freedom

I have a secret happiness today. Spring fever set in after having one nice day this week. Since the last couple of weeks have been filled with the "Portland Mist" and cool weather, it is a relief to finally see the sunshine and feel it's warmth.

I've had the urge to ride a bike lately and so I drove home and changed into appropriate attire to test out a good bike. My entire life I've ridden bikes. I rode them on my paper routes, sometimes to school, at college, my first year or two in the DC area and as my nightly transportation in grad school. I vowed I wouldn't buy a car until I turned 30 years old, but that goal lasted until I was 28. Even then, the car sat in the parking lot most the time. When I moved to my condo, I stopped riding my bike and finally donated it to Goodwill or gave it away. That's been 3-4 years ago. Not good.

Anyway, I got to the shop and the store manager (Buck) helped me pick out a couple of bikes that could suit my fancy. He let me out the back door and I got to take some test drives around the back of Walmart, Michaels and Target. The minute I got on the last bike I felt at home. I didn't realized how much I missed that feeling of riding high up off the ground with the wind blowing against me. There is such a sense of freedom that can't be felt in a car.

I took it on one test drive this evening, but realized that the first day on a bike after a few years means sore body the next day.

Oh, and I also bought a back pack. Maybe this is a mid-life crisis? I'm reverting to how I dressed when I was 20. Hmmm.

Ok, I'm up late and Jay Leno just asked a guy why he rides motorcycles and he said "the wind, the road, the freedom."

Picture: Campground near Toronto, Canada where we rented some funky bikes way back in the 80s.

Weird: Right after I wrote this and AFTER I posted the picture, the guy told Jay Leno that he was raised in Toronto. Also, my little "Ode to Chris" entry ends up being old because my brother just barely posted in his blog for the first time in over a year. Meaningless coincidences, but nevertheless interesting.

Ode to the Duck Dishes

Ok, so "ode" is probably not the correct word, but I did want to make an entry specifically devoted to my duck dishes.

I received these dishes from my parents in the Christmas of 1989. I was home for college (yes, I started college in the 80s) for Christmas and my gifts overwhelmed the lower layer of the Christmas tree. It turns out that most of my gifts were plates, cups, glasses, and bowls that formed a complete set. I think there was a set of silverware provided at the same time. I still have those too. Anyway, these are those dishes that you could earn by purchasing a lot of groceries over a few months or so. You would collect coupon points or something and get a discount. I think all "the girls" ended up getting a different set. Mine were the duck dishes. They aren't really my style (country). However, if one has to have a set of country dishes, this would be the best kind to have.

Anyway, my parents assumed I would get married in my early 2os and got these for me. I never used them through college, but I started to use them when I was in graduate school a few years ago and continued to do so when both my brothers (and sister-in-law) and roommates lived with me.

It is now time to move on and sell them on craigslist or donate to Goodwill, but they do deserve a place in my little online notes.

I guess this was an "ode."

Downsizing

So, I donated my big stereo system to the Goodwill the other day. The tape decks weren't working (even though I never used the tape decks) and the display wasn't showing what CD was playing or the radio station numbers.

I went into Costco the other day and found this cute little set of speakers. You just put your iPOD into the back of it and it will play. Pretty cool. Look how small it is.

I've been using it as I've been painting this weekend. Thank goodness. I was going to pay someone to paint my place, but realized that I could paint it myself and save over $1,000. It's not so bad listening to the music and just giving myself 1 room a week to paint.

However, the fumes are getting to me.