Life and Travels

After finishing painting the rear bedroom, the next project on the list is adding a beverage center in our kitchen. I have been eyeing some of the great appliances out there on the market for some time, and they have inspired me to add what I think is lacking in our otherwise great kitchen.

My plan is to create a cabinet in the corner of the kitchen/breakfast area with the following:

• Marvel two zone beverage/wine chiller on the bottom
• Miele plate/cup warmer above the chiller
• Miele coffee system above the warmer
• Glass/cup cabinet topping it all off

We went to a local home improvement store not far from our house to take a look. We have some homework to do now. We need to pick the exact models that we want (I think I have that covered), takes measurements, and draw out the layout of our kitchen. Then, we should be able to get help planning out something matching our existing cabinet style. I am excited to see the finished product, but I think it is at least several months off. None of our projects are ever easy or quick...

John was so sweet! He made me my favorite type of birthday cake...Black Forest Torte. My mother has made this type of birthday cake for me for as long as I can remember. When I was growing up, I shared my birthday with my maternal grandfather, and we always shared the same cake. He loved chocolate and cherries...hence the tradition. I have gone without my traditional birthday cake for a long time since I am never home over my birthday anymore. My sister Lisa's birthday is closer to the holidays, so we normally have her favorite banana split cake instead. I vote for both next year. Anyway, John contacted my Mom and got the recipe and made me the cake. I was so happy! It was wonderful. Thank you John!!!

Reading thru the SF Examiner today, a story caught my eye. An elderly woman (74 years old) installed a handrail on a steep section of sidewalk in front of her house to ease her and her husban's ascent to their home. The improvement cost her $3000. Recently, to the amazement of the woman, she recieved a letter from the SF Dept. of Public Works with a bill for $1200 due annually for the improvement that she made. Apparently, a new law went into effect in August that charges anyone who encroaches upon a public sidewalk. This woman thought she was installing something that would benefit not only herself but the wider community, but the City in its infinite wisdom did not share her view. Apparently, others have gotten bills in the mail for repaving broken sidewalks or installing planter boxes for flowers (I was even thinking of doing that...but no longer). The Supervisors and their endless committees must have been busy trying to figure which NFL team to support (read John's blog) instead of thinking about the ramfications for this ordinance.

We went to the Golden Gate Park this afternoon and tried out my new bike, and I am happy to report that I am quite pleased with it. We rode thru the entire park all the way out to Ocean Beach. The weather was perfect for biking. It was clear, sunny, and high 50s. Not bad for a January day. Took the accompanying pictures while at the beach. We stopped to watch two groups of people playing ultimate frisbee. It looked like they were having a lot of fun.

Between the holidays, John and I went to see "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe." This was the first movie we have both seen in a theatre in two years. The last one was "Lord of the Ring: Return of the King". Obviously, we much prefer Netflix. Oddly enough, I hadn't remembered much about the story reading it as a child, but I am glad that we went to see it. We both enjoyed it.

My favorite scene:
As the Beaver approached the children, he looked at Lucy and said "Come here lil' girl...i'm gonna eats ya!!!" Oh wait a minute...that's my version! I would make a much better movie if I was able to write and direct. My wicked sense of humor surfaces again...hehehehe!!!

On Xmas eve, I had to do some last minute shopping for my young neice and nephews, so we headed over to Meijer...the shopping destination of choice for all things great, small, and Chinese made. My oldest nephew, Matt, tagged along. We both have a very wicked sense of humor as exhibited above by our antics in the toy aisle. Poor Winnie the Pooh!! That lizard is going to "EAT YA"!!!

John, Chris, and I went to Lime for drinks and dinner. It is a perennial favorite of ours. We love the atmosphere, the drinks, and the bite sized food. Each of us had our signature drinks. John had the mojito. Chris had a Hangar One Gimlet, and I had a Ketel One Cosmo. The menu at lime has lots of yummy little plates of feel good food (menu). We the Deviled Eggs, Mini Burgers, Fish Tacos, Grilled Prawns, and Miso Glazed Seabass. Yummy!!!

Went shopping for a new bike today. I have been wanting to get one for awhile now. Every time that we drive thru the Presidio or into the Marin Headlands, I always wish that I had a bike to explore each without the confines of a car. Plus, owning a bike in the Bay Area is the thing to do. With the wealth of scenic beauty, great weather, and healthy vibe, owning a bike is a must. Anyway, John gave me a gift card towards a new bike for Xmas, so we went to Mike's Bikes in SOMA to pick one out. We looked at two models. The first was a Specialized, and the second was a Gary Fisher. After riding both around the neighborhood, I decided to go with the Gary Fisher. It is the Kaitai model (full specs). It just felt and rode better. Of course after buying the bike, I ended up getting a new helmet (which took more time to pick out than the bike...hehehe), a bike lock, and a trunk mounted bike rack. Hopefully the weather will be nice tomorrow because we are thinking of taking our bikes out to Golden Gate Park for my maiden voyage. Whohoo!!!