Life Updates of a Larger Magnitude

When I went back to work after my maternity leave, I got a sweet deal where I work from home one day a week. I actually love being in the office, because I feel the whole team spirit, it's easier to communicate, etc etc etc... but one day at home is clutch to keeping sane, and here's why: I normally don't get to work until 8 or 8:30, before which I have accomplished nothing except get myself and Brynna out the door. Today, before 9:30 I had done all the normal things, plus cleaned the kitchen and sorted laundry (4 loads! gRrrrr.) and reviewed a building model for work. And now I can set the timer so that laundry can be done throughout the day. It seems ridiculous that this is such a big help, but it is, because clean clothes for 3 people don't just magically appear (where's my house elf damnit?!?!?!?!). And that's your glimpse into the life of Beka. PS - Cati Knab, it was fun seeing you this weekend :) PPS - Anybody want to run the Philadelphia Half Maratho...

We don't take smoke breaks anymore, we take coffee breaks. Instead of shelling out $5 for a pack of smokes every few days, we happily pay $3.50 for a non-fat half-caf venti frap every morning. Being an avid coffee drinker, I'm not complaining. I just find this interesting. 20 years ago smoking was the norm. Now it's taboo and caffeine reins supreme.

We all have our reasons to not do it, but if it's anything like "I don't have time", "I don't know where to go", or "I'm too lazy", time to man up and give blood. I have no pressing reason to press upon you, just that if I do ever have the need, it'll be too late for you to help :P https://www.givelife.org/ (And if your excuse is "Needles scare me", "I'll pass out", or "I'm a sissy", then consider donating $10 (that's like packing your lunch for 2 days!) to satisfy your good deed hankerings. :P)

That's military talk for "Out of Commission", or in my case "Out of Communication". The last month has been reeediculously hectic, mainly because I have been traveling to job sites. And my beloved blackberry died 2 weeks ago, so I can't even read my emails and then decide to ignore them on the go. (Note to readers: Don't buy used electronics. The lack of warranty is a total suck.) I bit the bullet and ordered a new BB from Verizon, which means I had to sell my soul to them for 2 more years. *sigh* Work has been crazy busy, and I haven't had much time to do anything else but that and run. (5 weeks to Reach the Beach !) Crap, that reminds me that I have to make t-shirts. This weekend I have no plans, and despite the variety of tempting emails, that's the way I'm keeping it. My poor brain can't handle any more commitments...

I have a crackberry pearl. Wasn't sure about it at first, but now... I LOVE THIS THING! All my email accounts, a decent camera for off-the-cuff pictures, phone, and now - MUSIC PLAYER. I'm listening to Kill the Lights by Britney, and it is SO UNBELIEVABLY COOL. (Matt says "Welcome to 2007.") So I'm a little slow. Whatevs. This is so sweet.

Crossing the finish line of my triathlon this weekend... Yep, I felt as beat down as I looked. But it was a good beating. :)

I miss my house. I look over-eagerly toward the glorious moment when I can once again be a homeowner, instead of this crap long distance landlording thing. The good thing about my frustrated ambition is that it gives me lots of time to peruse and decide what I really want... Being from PA, I have an innate hankering for the rustic farmhouse look and lots of land. Land that I will happily force my children to mow under the punishing sun, with a big barn for my horses, and some great accessible trails for riding. Horses are moneypits, I know, and so are old farmhouses. But I still can't help myself. Being a Fowler child, I am drawn to beautiful, neglected architecture that I can lovingly restore with lots of elbow-grease and choice swear words. So maybe what I really love is the idea of tbeing poor and frustrated... :P So, without further ado, I submit Exhibit A . Isn't she a beauty? "No working septic system" HA! It'll take more than that to frighten me ...